In this review, we will be comparing SuperCenter X and Premier 600C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from GoldenEar and Paradigm.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of GoldenEar SuperCenter X and Paradigm 600C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | GoldenEar SuperCenter X | Paradigm 600C |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) | 1" X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" | 4 x 6.5" carbon-infused polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 45-35k Hz | 60-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 94 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-200 watts | 15-180 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.82kg / 15lbs | 19.55kg / 43lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5-7/8" x 20-1/16" x 11-1/8"
150.0 x 510.0 x 283.0mm | 8-3/16" x 35-11/16" x 13-11/16"
208.0 x 907.0 x 348.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the GoldenEar SuperCenter X and Paradigm 600C 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* |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
Paradigm 600C |
| 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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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that SuperCenter X is a 2-way design whereas the Premier 600C is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
GoldenEar SuperCenter XParadigm 600C
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
Paradigm 600C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
4 x 6.5-inch
|
SuperCenter X features a " HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Woofer. On the other hand, the Premier 600C features a 1" aluminum X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 4 x 6.5" carbon-infused polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
SuperCenter X has a frequency range of 45-35k Hz whereas Premier 600C has a frequency range of 60-25k 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 Premier 600C's min frequency of 60Hz.
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
SuperCenter X and Premier 600C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SuperCenter X sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Premier 600C's is at 94 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Paradigm 600C a more sensitive speaker compared to GoldenEar SuperCenter X, 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.
SuperCenter X can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Premier 600C has a max power handling value of 180 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the SuperCenter X.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
SuperCenter X features Binding post type posts and Premier 600C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Paradigm 600C's Binding post terminals
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 GoldenEar SuperCenter X's and Paradigm 600C's external dimensions. 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) whereas Paradigm 600C has external dimensions of 208.0 x 907.0 x 348.0mm (8-3/16 x 35-11/16 x 13-11/16inch).
Paradigm 600C is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 397mm wider, 58mm taller and 65mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperCenter X.
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 GoldenEar SuperCenter X is approximately 1443.3cm2 / 223.7inch2 and base area of the Paradigm 600C is approximately 3156.4cm2 / 489.2inch2. The SuperCenter X requires 54% less surface area than the Premier 600C 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 GoldenEar SuperCenter X weighs 6.82kg / 15lbs and the Paradigm 600C weighs 19.55kg / 43lbs. This makes the Premier 600C 187% heavier than the SuperCenter X.
Here is a comparison of how SuperCenter X and Premier 600C's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of GoldenEar SuperCenter X?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SuperCenter X:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 3 Leveling feet
- 3 Threaded-inserts
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of Paradigm 600C?
Here are the items that come with the Premier 600C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)
- 4 Rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration Card
- Center Channel Elevation Gauge
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
180 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
7-inch x 10-inch quadratic planar bass
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
150mm
vs
208mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1443cm2
vs
3156cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
749USD
vs
1099USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
| General |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
Paradigm Premier 600C |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-200 watts |
15-180 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
94 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-35k Hz |
60-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
carbon-infused polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) |
X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
4" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
150.0mm (5.9") |
208.0mm (8.2") |
| Width |
510.0mm (20.1") |
907.0mm (35.7") |
| Depth |
283.0mm (11.1") |
348.0mm (13.7") |
| Weight |
6.82kg (15lbs) |
19.55kg (43lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Gloss White |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X digs deeper - 45Hz against 60Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Paradigm 600C is more sensitive (94dB vs 90dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
evenly matched |
Similar power handling (200W vs 180W). |
| Size |
depends |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X is easier to place; Paradigm 600C is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Paradigm 600C sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
A |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X is cheaper - $749 against $1,099, about 32% less. |
A GoldenEar SuperCenter X
B Paradigm 600C
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 60Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Paradigm 600C has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, GoldenEar SuperCenter X 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.