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 R350 ranks #40, rated 3.7/5, at $519, $40 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up 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.
Why pick the Polk Audio Reserve R350: A slim sealed center, 141mm tall and 188mm deep, with a 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter and four 4” Turbine cone woofers, designed to sit under a TV or mount on a wall. The catch: Bass rolls off at 85Hz (-3dB) and about 49Hz (-10dB), so a subwoofer is needed.
Buy the Polk Audio Reserve R400. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $40 saving on the Polk Audio Reserve R350 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio Reserve R400 | Polk Audio Reserve R350 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $559.00 | $519.00 each |
| Ranked | #36 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers | #40 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 2 x 6.5” Turbine cone woofers | 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 4x 4” Turbine cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 39kHz (-3dB) | 75Hz-35kHz -3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum) | 3.9 ohms minimum, compatible with 4 to 8 ohm outputs (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 7.8”H x 24.2”W x 13.8”D (197 x 615 x 350 mm) | 5.6”H x 30”W x 7.4”D (141 x 762 x 188 mm) |
| Weight | 32.8 lbs (14.9 kg) | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 85.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.97 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.72 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Polk Audio Reserve R400:
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs Polk Audio Reserve R400
- Polk Audio Reserve R400 vs Polk Audio Reserve R300
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs Polk Audio Reserve R350
- Polk Audio Reserve R350 vs Wharfedale EVO4.CS
- Klipsch RP-404C 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 R350: $519.00 each Amazon eBay
Pros: A slim sealed center, 141mm tall and 188mm deep, with a 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter and four 4” Turbine cone woofers, designed to sit under a TV or mount on a wall. Audio Science Review measured a fairly flat on-axis response (0.31 average deviation), and the score rises to 6.72 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 85.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass rolls off at 85Hz (-3dB) and about 49Hz (-10dB), so a subwoofer is needed. The listening window spans 3.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and the preference score without a subwoofer is a middling 3.97.
Full Polk Audio Reserve R350 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 5.6”H x 30”W x 7.4”D (141 x 762 x 188 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 4x 4” Turbine cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz-35kHz -3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 3.9 ohms minimum, compatible with 4 to 8 ohm outputs (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.97 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.72 |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons