Short answer: the Polk Audio Reserve R400. It ranks #36 of 98 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $559. The Polk Audio Reserve R300 ranks #54, rated 3.6/5, at $399, $160 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Polk Audio Reserve R400: Larger dual 6.5-inch Turbine cone drivers paired with Polk X-Port bass reflex design extend low frequencies down to 48Hz (-3dB). The tradeoff: Horizontal 2-way MTM driver layout narrows the ideal off-axis listening window for wide seating arrangements.
The case for the Polk Audio Reserve R300: 1-inch Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter and dual 5.25-inch Turbine cone woofers in a sealed enclosure. The tradeoff: 2-way horizontal MTM geometry creates off-axis response dips around the 2.2kHz crossover.
Buy the Polk Audio Reserve R400. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $160 you would save on the Polk Audio Reserve R300 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio Reserve R400 | Polk Audio Reserve R300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $559.00 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #36 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers | #54 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 2 x 6.5” Turbine cone woofers | 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 2 x 5.25” Turbine cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 39kHz (-3dB) | 65Hz - 38kHz (-3dB) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m) | 86.5dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum) | 8 ohms nominal (3.8 ohms minimum) |
| Dimensions | 7.8”H x 24.2”W x 13.8”D (197 x 615 x 350 mm) | 6.8”H x 19”W x 8.9”D (172 x 483 x 227 mm) |
| Weight | 32.8 lbs (14.9 kg) | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Polk Audio Reserve R400:
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs Polk Audio Reserve R400
- Polk Audio Reserve R400 vs Polk Audio Reserve R350
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Polk Audio Reserve R300
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs SVS Prime Center
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs Polk Audio Reserve R350
Prices on this page were last checked October 5, 2026 at 10:21 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Polk Audio Reserve R400: $559.00 Estimated Amazon eBay
Pros: Larger dual 6.5-inch Turbine cone drivers paired with Polk X-Port bass reflex design extend low frequencies down to 48Hz (-3dB). Higher 89dB sensitivity and substantial dynamic output for large home theaters.
Cons: Horizontal 2-way MTM driver layout narrows the ideal off-axis listening window for wide seating arrangements. Rating estimated based on Reserve R200/R600 measurements.
Full Polk Audio Reserve R400 review and specifications →
| DIY Kit | No |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 7.8”H x 24.2”W x 13.8”D (197 x 615 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 2 x 6.5” Turbine cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 39kHz (-3dB) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 32.8 lbs (14.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Polk Audio Reserve R300: $399.00 Estimated Amazon eBay
Pros: 1-inch Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter and dual 5.25-inch Turbine cone woofers in a sealed enclosure. Clean on-axis linearity and smooth high-frequency dispersion matching the Reserve series.
Cons: 2-way horizontal MTM geometry creates off-axis response dips around the 2.2kHz crossover. Low 86.5dB sensitivity benefits from dedicated amplification. Rating estimated from Reserve family measurements.
Full Polk Audio Reserve R300 review and specifications →
| DIY Kit | No |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.8”H x 19”W x 8.9”D (172 x 483 x 227 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 2 x 5.25” Turbine cone woofers |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 38kHz (-3dB) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.8 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons