Short answer: the Wharfedale Aura CS. It ranks #71 of 131 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $1,699; the Atlantic Technology 8600iC ranks #105, rated 3.4/5, and costs $2,000, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Wharfedale Aura CS: Compact 2-way center channel with 27x90mm AMT high-frequency transducer and dual 5-inch woven glass-fiber woofers. Watch for: 2-way horizontal MTM geometry creates off-axis phase cancellation outside the primary listening axis.
What the Atlantic Technology 8600iC does well: The 2024 replacement for the Atlantic Technology 8600eC, a sealed three-way center with two 8” glass fiber woofers instead of four, repositioned midrange and tweeter, better crossover parts and stronger woofer motors. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the Wharfedale Aura CS. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Atlantic Technology 8600iC and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Wharfedale Aura CS 3.4 to 3.8; Atlantic Technology 8600iC 3.0 to 3.8). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Aura CS | Atlantic Technology 8600iC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,699.00 | $2,000 |
| Ranked | #71 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated | #105 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (manufacturer specified) | 30Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 27 x 90mm AMT tweeter, 2 x 5” (130mm) glass fiber woofers | 1x 1” soft dome tweeter, 2x 3.5” midrange, 2x 8” glass fiber woofers |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 22kHz (±3dB) | 30Hz - 23kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m) | 93dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.6 ohms minimum) | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 8”H x 21.7”W x 11.8”D (202 x 552 x 300 mm) | 11.3”H x 29”W x 12.8”D (287 x 737 x 325 mm) |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) | 49.6 lbs (22.5 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Wharfedale Aura CS:
- Wharfedale Aura C vs Wharfedale Aura CS
- JBL HDI-4500 vs Atlantic Technology 8600iC
- Atlantic Technology 8600iC vs MAG Theatron MC12-C
- KEF R2 Meta vs Atlantic Technology 8600eC
- Atlantic Technology 8600eC vs Atlantic Technology 8600eLR
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
Wharfedale Aura CS: $1,699.00 Estimated Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the Wharfedale Aura 1 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.2/5), the Wharfedale Aura 2 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the Wharfedale Aura 3 (smaller floorstanding, estimated 4.6/5), the Wharfedale Aura 4 (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.7/5) and the Wharfedale Aura C (larger center, ranked higher, estimated 4.1/5).
Pros: Compact 2-way center channel with 27x90mm AMT high-frequency transducer and dual 5-inch woven glass-fiber woofers. Features slot-loaded profiled port (SLPP) bass management and low high-frequency distortion.
Cons: 2-way horizontal MTM geometry creates off-axis phase cancellation outside the primary listening axis. Rating estimated from Aura series testing.
Full Wharfedale Aura CS review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8”H x 21.7”W x 11.8”D (202 x 552 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 27 x 90mm AMT tweeter, 2 x 5” (130mm) glass fiber woofers |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 22kHz (±3dB) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.6 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 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
Atlantic Technology 8600iC: $2,000 Estimated Atlantic Technology eBay
Older model: the Atlantic Technology 8600eC (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5). See every Atlantic Technology 8600 generation.
Same family: the Atlantic Technology 8600iLR (floorstanding, estimated 3.2/5).
Pros: The 2024 replacement for the Atlantic Technology 8600eC, a sealed three-way center with two 8” glass fiber woofers instead of four, repositioned midrange and tweeter, better crossover parts and stronger woofer motors. Atlantic rates it from 30Hz (±3dB) at 93dB sensitivity, and it costs $500 less than the 8600eC did.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. At 74cm wide and 22.5 kg it needs a large, sturdy shelf, and it is sold only direct from Atlantic Technology.
Full Atlantic Technology 8600iC review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 30Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 11.3”H x 29”W x 12.8”D (287 x 737 x 325 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 1” soft dome tweeter, 2x 3.5” midrange, 2x 8” glass fiber woofers |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 23kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 93dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 49.6 lbs (22.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons