In this review, we will be comparing Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker and SuperCenter X, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Aperion and GoldenEar.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker and GoldenEar SuperCenter X first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker | GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
|---|
| Brand | Aperion
United States · founded 1998 | GoldenEar
United States · founded 2010 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" | 2 x 5.25" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-30k Hz | 45-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-100 Watts watts | 20-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.62kg / 19lbs | 6.82kg / 15lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7.3" x 19.1" x 9.1"
185.4 x 485.1 x 231.1mm | 5-7/8" x 20-1/16" x 11-1/8"
150.0 x 510.0 x 283.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker and GoldenEar SuperCenter X speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker and SuperCenter X are 2-way speakers.
Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel SpeakerGoldenEar SuperCenter X
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker features a 1" Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Woofer. On the other hand, the SuperCenter X features a " HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker has a frequency range of 55-30k Hz whereas SuperCenter X has a frequency range of 45-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the SuperCenter X can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker's min frequency of 55Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the SuperCenter X which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the SuperCenter X's is rated at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the GoldenEar SuperCenter X a more sensitive speaker compared to Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 200 watts RMS, though Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker is rated 20-100 Watts watts and SuperCenter X 20-200 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker features 5-Way post type posts and SuperCenter X has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker's and GoldenEar SuperCenter X's external dimensions. Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker has external dimensions of 185.4 x 485.1 x 231.1mm (7.3 x 19.1 x 9.1inch) whereas GoldenEar SuperCenter X has external dimensions of 150.0 x 510.0 x 283.0mm (5-7/8 x 20-1/16 x 11-1/8inch).
Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker is 24.9mm narrower and 51.9mm less deeper than GoldenEar SuperCenter X but it is also 35.4mm taller.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
GoldenEar SuperCenter X needs about 29% more floor or shelf area. GoldenEar SuperCenter X is 52mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker is 35mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker is approximately 1121.1cm2 / 173.8inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperCenter X is approximately 1443.3cm2 / 223.7inch2. The Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker requires 22% less surface area than the SuperCenter X which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker weighs 8.62kg / 19lbs and the GoldenEar SuperCenter X weighs 6.82kg / 15lbs. This makes the Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker 26% heavier than the SuperCenter X.
Here is a comparison of how Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker and SuperCenter X's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker
What's in the Box of GoldenEar SuperCenter X?
Here are the items that come with the SuperCenter X:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 3 Leveling feet
- 3 Threaded-inserts
- Owners Manual
 Base Surface Area |
1121cm2
vs
1443cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
30k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
7-inch x 10-inch quadratic planar bass
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
150mm
vs
185mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
| Brand |
Aperion |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-100 Watts watts |
20-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-30k Hz |
45-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
185.4mm (7.3") |
150.0mm (5.9") |
| Width |
485.1mm (19.1") |
510.0mm (20.1") |
| Depth |
231.1mm (9.1") |
283.0mm (11.1") |
| Weight |
8.62kg (19lbs) |
6.82kg (15lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
A generation apart: Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker is the newer design, against a 2015 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | GoldenEar SuperCenter X digs deeper - 45Hz against 55Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | GoldenEar SuperCenter X is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | GoldenEar SuperCenter X is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (200W vs 200W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Passive Radiator. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($749 vs $749 a pair). |
A Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker B GoldenEar SuperCenter X
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
GoldenEar SuperCenter X has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Aperion Novus N5C 5.25" Center Channel Speaker the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and GoldenEar SuperCenter X for a mid-size room and a large room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.