Short answer: the Revel C426Be. It ranks #24 of 98 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $5,444.95. The Paradigm Founder 90C ranks #96, rated 2.5/5, at $2,899.99, $2,544.96 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Revel C426Be is the more accurate pick. A three-way center with a 1” beryllium tweeter in Revel’s acoustic lens waveguide, a 5.25” midrange and four 6.5” woofers. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.27 against 2.08 for the Paradigm Founder 90C. The tradeoff: The listening window is less even than the best centers here, spanning 3.1dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and the directivity index varies more across frequency (3.8dB deviation).
The Paradigm Founder 90C is the deeper-bass pick. A three-way center with a coaxial 1” AL-MAC ceramic dome tweeter in a 6” AL-MAG midrange, plus two 7” Carbon-X passive radiators in a sealed cabinet. Its bass reaches about 52.7Hz before falling 3dB, against 66.7Hz for the Revel C426Be. Watch for: Its preference score is low for the price, 2.08 without a subwoofer and 4.22 with one: the listening window spans 4.6dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and the predicted in-room response is not smooth (0.40).
Buy the Revel C426Be. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $2,544.96 with the Paradigm Founder 90C does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel C426Be | Paradigm Founder 90C | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,444.95 each | $2,899.99 each |
| Ranked | #24 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers | #96 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” beryllium dome tweeter with acoustic lens, 5.25” DCC aluminum midrange, 4x 6.5” DCC aluminum woofers | Coaxial 1” AL-MAC ceramic dome tweeter and 6” AL-MAG midrange, 2x 7” Carbon-X passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz-40kHz -6dB (manufacturer specified) | 55Hz-23kHz ±2dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 91dB anechoic, 94dB in-room (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (dual rear ports) | sealed with passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 38.5”W x 14”D (268 x 977 x 356 mm) | 8.9”H x 35.7”W x 12.9”D (226 x 908 x 327 mm) |
| Weight | 71 lbs (32.2 kg) | 48.1 lbs (21.8 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 35.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 42.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.27 | 2.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.96 | 4.22 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Revel C426Be:
- KEF Reference 2 Meta vs Revel C426Be
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- Paradigm Founder 70LCR vs Paradigm Founder 90C
- SVS Ultra Evolution Center vs KEF Q6 Meta
- SVS Ultra Evolution Center vs SVS Prime Center
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
Revel C426Be: $5,444.95 each Audio Advice eBay
Pros: A three-way center with a 1” beryllium tweeter in Revel’s acoustic lens waveguide, a 5.25” midrange and four 6.5” woofers. Erin’s Audio Corner measured a preference score of 5.27 without a subwoofer, behind only the Perlisten and Ascend centers, helped by deep bass of 66.7Hz (-3dB) and about 35Hz (-10dB). Horizontal dispersion is wide (about ±60 degrees), so off-center seats hear the same dialogue balance, and 90dB sensitivity makes it easy to drive. Measured bass extension of 66.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The listening window is less even than the best centers here, spanning 3.1dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and the directivity index varies more across frequency (3.8dB deviation). It is 977mm wide and 32.2kg, and at $5445 it is one of the more expensive centers here.
Full Revel C426Be review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 35.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 38.5”W x 14”D (268 x 977 x 356 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” beryllium dome tweeter with acoustic lens, 5.25” DCC aluminum midrange, 4x 6.5” DCC aluminum woofers |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz-40kHz -6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.27 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.96 |
| Weight | 71 lbs (32.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (dual rear ports) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Paradigm Founder 90C: $2,899.99 each Audio Advice eBay
Pros: A three-way center with a coaxial 1” AL-MAC ceramic dome tweeter in a 6” AL-MAG midrange, plus two 7” Carbon-X passive radiators in a sealed cabinet. Erin’s Audio Corner measured bass to 52.7Hz (-3dB) and about 42Hz (-10dB), and Paradigm rates it at a high 91dB sensitivity. Measured bass extension of 52.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its preference score is low for the price, 2.08 without a subwoofer and 4.22 with one: the listening window spans 4.6dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and the predicted in-room response is not smooth (0.40). At $2900 several far cheaper centers here measure better. It is 908mm wide and weighs 48 lb.
Full Paradigm Founder 90C review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 42.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.9”H x 35.7”W x 12.9”D (226 x 908 x 327 mm) |
| Drivers | Coaxial 1” AL-MAC ceramic dome tweeter and 6” AL-MAG midrange, 2x 7” Carbon-X passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz-23kHz ±2dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB anechoic, 94dB in-room (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.22 |
| Weight | 48.1 lbs (21.8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed with passive radiators |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons