Short answer: the Vandersteen VCC-5. It ranks #86 of 131 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $3,300. The Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 ranks #117, rated 3.0/5, at $3,000, $300 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Vandersteen VCC-5 is the better-sounding pick. A triaxial design: a 1” alloy dome tweeter mounted coaxially in a 6.5” midrange, with two 6.5” woofers inside the cabinet and first-order crossovers. The catch: On-axis response is uneven (0.96dB average deviation) and the listening window spans 4.5dB from 300Hz to 5kHz.
Why pick the Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2: A 3-way center for the Sonetto G2 range: the 1.1” DAD Arrow Point tweeter and a 4” Camelia midrange in a sealed chamber, flanked by two 6.5” woofers (crossovers at 350Hz and 4kHz). The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2, which showed an uneven listening window (a 4.25 Spinorama preference score).
Buy the Vandersteen VCC-5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $300 saving on the Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 is not enough to make up the difference.
About the ratings: the Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 2.6 to 3.4, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Vandersteen VCC-5 | Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,300 each | $3,000.00 each |
| Ranked | #86 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers | #117 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | 1” alloy dome tweeter coaxial with 6.5” mineral-filled polycone midrange, 2x 6.5” mineral-filled polycone woofers | 1.1” (28mm) DAD Arrow Point tweeter, 4” Camelia midrange, 2 x 6.5” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-30kHz ±2dB (manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 40kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 88dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 9.8”H x 24”W x 18”D (248 x 610 x 457 mm) | 9.3”H x 25.5”W x 13.9”D (235 x 648 x 353 mm) |
| Weight | 67.9 lbs (30.8 kg) | 38.8 lbs (17.6 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 41.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.85 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.05 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 350Hz, 4kHz |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Vandersteen VCC-5:
- Revel C426Be vs Vandersteen VCC-5
- Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 vs Vandersteen VCC-5
- Vandersteen VCC-5 vs DALI Rubikore Cinema
- DALI Rubikore Cinema vs Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2
- MAG Theatron MC12-C vs Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Vandersteen VCC-5: $3,300 each Audio Connection eBay
Same family: the Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III (smaller floorstanding, estimated 3.6/5) and the Vandersteen Treo CT (larger floorstanding, rated 3.8/5). See every Vandersteen generation.
Pros: A triaxial design: a 1” alloy dome tweeter mounted coaxially in a 6.5” midrange, with two 6.5” woofers inside the cabinet and first-order crossovers. Audio Science Review measured deep bass for a center, 52.7Hz (-3dB) and about 41Hz (-10dB), and dispersion that stays even both horizontally and vertically (about ±40 degrees each), so it tolerates being placed above or below the screen. Measured bass extension of 52.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis response is uneven (0.96dB average deviation) and the listening window spans 4.5dB from 300Hz to 5kHz. Sensitivity is a low 85dB and it weighs 68 lb. At $3300 it costs much more than centers that measure better.
Full Vandersteen VCC-5 review and specifications →
| Released | 2005 (21 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 41.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 9.8”H x 24”W x 18”D (248 x 610 x 457 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” alloy dome tweeter coaxial with 6.5” mineral-filled polycone midrange, 2x 6.5” mineral-filled polycone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-30kHz ±2dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.85 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.05 |
| Weight | 67.9 lbs (30.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2: $3,000.00 each Estimated Audio Advice eBay
Same family: the Sonus Faber Sonetto I G2 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3/5), the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.1/5), the Sonus Faber Sonetto III G2 (smaller floorstanding, estimated 3.2/5) and the Sonus Faber Sonetto V G2 (larger floorstanding, estimated 3.3/5). See every Sonus Faber Sonetto generation.
Pros: A 3-way center for the Sonetto G2 range: the 1.1” DAD Arrow Point tweeter and a 4” Camelia midrange in a sealed chamber, flanked by two 6.5” woofers (crossovers at 350Hz and 4kHz). Putting the midrange and tweeter in the middle keeps dialogue consistent for listeners off to the sides, and bass reaches 45Hz.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2, which showed an uneven listening window (a 4.25 Spinorama preference score). It is a 4 ohm load, 648mm wide and 17.6kg.
Full Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 350Hz, 4kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 9.3”H x 25.5”W x 13.9”D (235 x 648 x 353 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.1” (28mm) DAD Arrow Point tweeter, 4” Camelia midrange, 2 x 6.5” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 40kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 38.8 lbs (17.6 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- 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