Short answer: the Wharfedale EVO 5.C if sound quality matters most, the Polk Audio Reserve R400 if price matters most. The Wharfedale EVO 5.C ranks #40 of 131 center channel speakers, rated 4.0/5, at $1,298. The Polk Audio Reserve R400 ranks #48, rated 3.8/5, at $559, $739 cheaper.
Why pick the Wharfedale EVO 5.C: The center of the EVO 5 range, with the AMT tweeter of the Wharfedale EVO 5.4 between two 5” Kevlar woofers, rated at 89dB. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
What the Polk Audio Reserve R400 does well: Larger dual 6.5-inch Turbine cone drivers paired with Polk X-Port bass reflex design extend low frequencies down to 48Hz (-3dB). Watch for: Horizontal 2-way MTM driver layout narrows the ideal off-axis listening window for wide seating arrangements.
Buy the Wharfedale EVO 5.C if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Polk Audio Reserve R400 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Wharfedale EVO 5.C 3.7 to 4.3; Polk Audio Reserve R400 3.6 to 4.0). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale EVO 5.C | Polk Audio Reserve R400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,298 per pair | $559.00 |
| Ranked | #40 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated | #48 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (manufacturer specified) | 48Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1x 35x70mm AMT tweeter, 2x 5” Kevlar cone woofers | 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 2 x 6.5” Turbine cone woofers |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (manufacturer specified) | 89dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 48Hz - 39kHz (-3dB) |
| Dimensions | 7.4”H x 20.5”W x 10.4”D (188 x 520 x 265 mm) | 7.8”H x 24.2”W x 13.8”D (197 x 615 x 350 mm) |
| Weight | 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg) | 32.8 lbs (14.9 kg) |
| Enclosure | Bass reflex (slot-loaded port) | - |
| Warranty | 3 years | - |
| Country | United Kingdom | - |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Wharfedale EVO 5.C:
- SVS Ultra Evolution Center vs Wharfedale EVO 5.C
- Wharfedale EVO 5.C vs Dynaudio Emit 25C
- Polk Audio Reserve R400 vs Polk Audio Reserve R350
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs Polk Audio Reserve R400
- Polk Audio Reserve R400 vs Polk Audio Reserve R300
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 EVO 5.C: $1,298 per pair Estimated Music Direct eBay
Same family: the Wharfedale EVO 5.1 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.9/5), the Wharfedale EVO 5.2 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.1/5), the Wharfedale EVO 5.3 (smaller floorstanding, estimated 4.2/5) and the Wharfedale EVO 5.4 (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5). See every Wharfedale EVO generation.
Pros: The center of the EVO 5 range, with the AMT tweeter of the Wharfedale EVO 5.4 between two 5” Kevlar woofers, rated at 89dB.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Rated from 56Hz, and The Audio Tailor found it needs careful placement for even dispersion.
Full Wharfedale EVO 5.C review and specifications →
| Released | 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 7.4”H x 20.5”W x 10.4”D (188 x 520 x 265 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 35x70mm AMT tweeter, 2x 5” Kevlar cone woofers |
| Enclosure | Bass reflex (slot-loaded port) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Weight | 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Polk Audio Reserve R400: $559.00 Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Polk Reserve R100 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.4/5), the Polk R200 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.2/5), the Polk Reserve R500 (smallest floorstanding, rated 4.2/5), the Polk Reserve R600 (floorstanding, estimated 4.2/5), the Polk Audio Reserve R700 (largest floorstanding, rated 4.3/5), the Polk Audio Reserve R300 (smaller center, ranked lower, estimated 3.6/5) and the Polk Audio Reserve R350 (smaller center, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: Larger dual 6.5-inch Turbine cone drivers paired with Polk X-Port bass reflex design extend low frequencies down to 48Hz (-3dB). Higher 89dB sensitivity and substantial dynamic output for large home theaters.
Cons: Horizontal 2-way MTM driver layout narrows the ideal off-axis listening window for wide seating arrangements. Rating estimated based on Polk R200 and Polk Reserve R600 measurements.
Full Polk Audio Reserve R400 review and specifications →
| Released | 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8”H x 24.2”W x 13.8”D (197 x 615 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 2 x 6.5” Turbine cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 39kHz (-3dB) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 32.8 lbs (14.9 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