Short answer: the Polk Audio XT35. It ranks #14 of 98 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $279; the Polk Audio Reserve R350 ranks #40, rated 3.7/5, and costs $519, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Polk Audio XT35 is the better-sounding choice. A slim center only 106mm tall, built to sit under a TV, with a 1” Terylene dome tweeter between four 3” woofers. The tradeoff: Small woofers limit bass to 85Hz (-3dB) and about 59Hz (-10dB), so it really needs a subwoofer with a crossover around 100Hz.
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 XT35. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Polk Audio Reserve R350 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio XT35 | Polk Audio Reserve R350 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 each | $519.00 each |
| Ranked | #14 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers | #40 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 4x 3” bi-laminate paper woofers | 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 4x 4” Turbine cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 84Hz-26kHz (manufacturer specified) | 75Hz-35kHz -3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (manufacturer specified) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 3.9 ohms minimum, compatible with 4 to 8 ohm outputs (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 4.2”H x 24.4”W x 5.6”D (106 x 620 x 141 mm) | 5.6”H x 30”W x 7.4”D (141 x 762 x 188 mm) |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 59.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.43 | 3.97 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 | 6.72 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed |
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 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
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 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
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Klipsch Reference R-50C
- See all 12 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