In this review, we will be comparing ProCenter 1000 and ES30, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Definitive Technology and Polk Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive ProCenter 1000 and Polk ES30 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive ProCenter 1000 | Polk ES30 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 1" High-res dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4.5" BDSS | 2 x 5.5" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
|---|
| Frequency response | 47-30k Hz | 55-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-200 watts | 20-125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.64kg / 8lbs | 8.64kg / 19lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 4-7/8" x 14-5/8" x 5"
124.0 x 372.0 x 127.0mm | 7-1/2" x 20-1/16" x 10-5/8"
191.0 x 510.0 x 270.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Definitive ProCenter 1000 and Polk ES30 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* |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 |
Polk ES30 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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.
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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both ProCenter 1000 and ES30 are 2-way speakers.
Definitive ProCenter 1000Polk ES30
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 |
Polk ES30 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
ProCenter 1000 features a 1" pure aluminum dome Tweeter and 2 x 4.5" BDSS Woofer. On the other hand, the ES30 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance Woofer.
Frequency Response
ProCenter 1000 has a frequency range of 47-30k Hz whereas ES30 has a frequency range of 55-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the ProCenter 1000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the ES30'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
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
ProCenter 1000 and ES30 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. ProCenter 1000 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the ES30's is at 89 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Definitive ProCenter 1000 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk ES30, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
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.
ProCenter 1000 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas ES30 has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 75 watts less than the ProCenter 1000.
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.
Definitive ProCenter 1000
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
ProCenter 1000 features 5-Way post type posts and ES30 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Polk ES30's 5-Way post terminals
Polk ES30 Port
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 Definitive ProCenter 1000's and Polk ES30's external dimensions. Definitive ProCenter 1000 has external dimensions of 124.0 x 372.0 x 127.0mm (4-7/8 x 14-5/8 x 5inch) whereas Polk ES30 has external dimensions of 191.0 x 510.0 x 270.0mm (7-1/2 x 20-1/16 x 10-5/8inch).
Polk ES30 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 138mm wider, 67mm taller and 143mm deeper than Definitive ProCenter 1000.
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 Definitive ProCenter 1000 is approximately 472.4cm2 / 73.2inch2 and base area of the Polk ES30 is approximately 1377.0cm2 / 213.4inch2. The ProCenter 1000 requires 66% less surface area than the ES30 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 Definitive ProCenter 1000 weighs 3.64kg / 8lbs and the Polk ES30 weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the ES30 137% heavier than the ProCenter 1000.
Here is a comparison of how ProCenter 1000 and ES30's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Definitive ProCenter 1000
What's in the Box of Definitive ProCenter 1000?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ProCenter 1000:
- Black center-channel speaker
- Removable cloth grille (installed)
- 2 Plastic inserts
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
What's in the Box of Polk ES30?
Here are the items that come with the ES30:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (attached)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
47 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
two 4-1/2-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
124mm
vs
191mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
472cm2
vs
1377cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
249USD
vs
299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
30k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Definitive Technology ProCenter 1000 |
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker (Black) |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
10-200 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
47-30k Hz |
55-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
BDSS |
mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
High-res dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
124.0mm (4.9") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Width |
372.0mm (14.6") |
510.0mm (20.1") |
| Depth |
127.0mm (5") |
270.0mm (10.6") |
| Weight |
3.64kg (8lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Black, Walnut, White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Year |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Polk ES30 is the newer design, against a 2007 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 digs deeper - 47Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (90dB vs 89dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
A |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 takes more power (200W vs 125W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 is easier to place; Polk ES30 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Passive Radiator vs Ported. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Polk ES30 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
A |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 is cheaper - $249 against $299, about 17% less. |
A Definitive ProCenter 1000
B Polk ES30
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
Definitive ProCenter 1000 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Polk ES30 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. 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. In a large or open-plan room, Polk ES30 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Definitive ProCenter 1000 is the easier speaker to get right.
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.