In this review, we will be comparing SuperCenter XL and Apex A40, two Passive Center Channel speakers from GoldenEar and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of GoldenEar SuperCenter XL and Monitor Audio Apex A40 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | GoldenEar SuperCenter XL | Monitor Audio Apex A40 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" gold dome C-CAM |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 2 x 5.5" C-CAM with RST® (Rigid Surface Technology) |
|---|
| Frequency response | 36-35k Hz | 50-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-250 watts | 50-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.55kg / 21lbs | 6.91kg / 15.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5-3/4" x 29" x 11-1/8"
147.0 x 737.0 x 283.0mm | 5-1/2" x 24" x 4-3/4"
140.0 x 610.0 x 121.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the GoldenEar SuperCenter XL and Monitor Audio Apex A40 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 XL |
Monitor Audio Apex A40 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
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
Both SuperCenter XL and Apex A40 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL |
Monitor Audio Apex A40 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x -inch
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
SuperCenter XL features a " Tweeter and 2 x " Woofer. On the other hand, the Apex A40 features a 1" gold dome C-CAM Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" C-CAM with RST® (Rigid Surface Technology) Woofer.
Frequency Response
SuperCenter XL has a frequency range of 36-35k Hz whereas Apex A40 has a frequency range of 50-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 36Hz, the SuperCenter XL can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Apex A40's min frequency of 50Hz.
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 XL and Apex A40 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SuperCenter XL sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Apex A40's is at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the GoldenEar SuperCenter XL a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Apex A40, 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 XL can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas Apex A40 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the SuperCenter XL.
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 XL features 5-Way post type posts and Apex A40 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 GoldenEar SuperCenter XL's and Monitor Audio Apex A40's external dimensions. GoldenEar SuperCenter XL has external dimensions of 147.0 x 737.0 x 283.0mm (5-3/4 x 29 x 11-1/8inch) whereas Monitor Audio Apex A40 has external dimensions of 140.0 x 610.0 x 121.0mm (5-1/2 x 24 x 4-3/4inch).
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 127mm wider, 7mm taller and 162mm deeper than Monitor Audio Apex A40.
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 XL is approximately 2085.7cm2 / 323.3inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Apex A40 is approximately 738.1cm2 / 114.4inch2. The SuperCenter XL requires 183% more surface area than the Apex A40 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 XL weighs 9.55kg / 21lbs and the Monitor Audio Apex A40 weighs 6.91kg / 15.2lbs. This makes the SuperCenter XL 38% heavier than the Apex A40.
Here is a comparison of how SuperCenter XL and Apex A40'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 XL?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SuperCenter XL:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 3 Leveling feet
- 3 Threaded-inserts
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Apex A40?
Here are the items that come with the Apex A40:
- LCR loudspeaker
- Grille
- Bracket (pre-installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 2 Rubber inserts
- Hex-key
- Set Up Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Important Information
- Mounting Template
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
36 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
1099USD
vs
1125USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
140mm
vs
147mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
738cm2
vs
2085cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL |
Monitor Audio Apex A40 |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-250 watts |
50-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
36-35k Hz |
50-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
C-CAM with RST® (Rigid Surface Technology) |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
gold dome C-CAM |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
147.0mm (5.8") |
140.0mm (5.5") |
| Width |
737.0mm (29") |
610.0mm (24") |
| Depth |
283.0mm (11.1") |
121.0mm (4.8") |
| Weight |
9.55kg (21lbs) |
6.91kg (15.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| 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 |
A generation apart: GoldenEar SuperCenter XL is the newer design, against a 2011 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 |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL digs deeper - 36Hz against 50Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (91dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
A |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL takes more power (250W vs 200W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Monitor Audio Apex A40 is easier to place; GoldenEar SuperCenter XL is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Passive Radiator vs Ported. |
| Price |
evenly matched |
Much the same money ($1,099 vs $1,125 a pair). |
A GoldenEar SuperCenter XL
B Monitor Audio Apex A40
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?
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL 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 50Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate GoldenEar SuperCenter XL the better fit for a large room and a very large room, and Monitor Audio Apex A40 for a small 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.