Short answer: the Polk Audio XT35. It ranks #14 of 98 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $279; the JBL Stage 2 245C ranks #88, rated 3.2/5, and costs $439.95, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Polk Audio XT35 is the better-sounding pick. A slim center only 106mm tall, built to sit under a TV, with a 1” Terylene dome tweeter between four 3” woofers. The catch: Small woofers limit bass to 85Hz (-3dB) and about 59Hz (-10dB), so it really needs a subwoofer with a crossover around 100Hz.
The case for the JBL Stage 2 245C: The only center in JBL’s Stage 2 line: a 1” anodized aluminum tweeter in JBL’s HDI waveguide with four 4.5” polycellulose woofers in a 2.5-way layout, rated at a high 91dB so it plays loud on modest receivers. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured centers; the rating is estimated from its predecessor’s measurements.
Buy the Polk Audio XT35. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Stage 2 245C and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio XT35 | JBL Stage 2 245C | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 each | $439.95 each |
| Ranked | #14 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers | #88 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 4x 3” bi-laminate paper woofers | 1” anodized aluminum tweeter with HDI waveguide, 4x 4.5” polycellulose woofers |
| Frequency Response | 84Hz-26kHz (manufacturer specified) | 55Hz-25kHz -6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (manufacturer specified) | 91dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 4.2”H x 24.4”W x 5.6”D (106 x 620 x 141 mm) | 6.1”H x 29.1”W x 8.5”D (156 x 740 x 217 mm) |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) | 26.5 lbs (12 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 59.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.43 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported (dual rear ports) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Polk Audio XT35 compares with other leading options:
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Klipsch RP-500C II
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Polk Audio Reserve R350
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Polk Audio XT30
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Aperion Audio Novus N5C
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.Ci
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 XT35: $279.00 each Amazon eBay
Pros: A slim center only 106mm tall, built to sit under a TV, with a 1” Terylene dome tweeter between four 3” woofers. Erin’s Audio Corner measured very low on-axis deviation (0.19, among the flattest of any center here) and a listening window within 2.2dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, for a preference score of 4.43 that reaches 7.34 with an ideal subwoofer. That is a remarkable result at $279. Measured bass extension of 85.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Small woofers limit bass to 85Hz (-3dB) and about 59Hz (-10dB), so it really needs a subwoofer with a crossover around 100Hz. Its predicted in-room response is less smooth (0.57) than the top centers here, so reflections color the sound more in a lively room.
Full Polk Audio XT35 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 59.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 4.2”H x 24.4”W x 5.6”D (106 x 620 x 141 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 4x 3” bi-laminate paper woofers |
| Frequency Response | 84Hz-26kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.43 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Klipsch RP-500C II
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Polk Audio Reserve R350
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Polk Audio XT30
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Aperion Audio Novus N5C
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.Ci
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Polk Audio Reserve R300
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Paradigm Monitor SE 2000C
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30
- See all 12 comparisons
JBL Stage 2 245C: $439.95 each Estimated Amazon eBay
Older models: the JBL Stage A125C (ranked higher, rated 3.4/5) and the JBL Stage A135C (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: The only center in JBL’s Stage 2 line: a 1” anodized aluminum tweeter in JBL’s HDI waveguide with four 4.5” polycellulose woofers in a 2.5-way layout, rated at a high 91dB so it plays loud on modest receivers.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured centers; the rating is estimated from its predecessor’s measurements. Four small woofers in a long, low cabinet tend to narrow horizontal coverage, as measured on the Stage A135C it replaces. It is 740mm wide.
Full JBL Stage 2 245C review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 6.1”H x 29.1”W x 8.5”D (156 x 740 x 217 mm) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 1” anodized aluminum tweeter with HDI waveguide, 4x 4.5” polycellulose woofers |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz-25kHz -6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs (12 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (dual rear ports) |
- 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