In this review, we will be comparing Apex A40 and Ultra Center, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Monitor Audio and SVS. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Apex A40 and SVS Ultra Center first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Monitor Audio Apex A40 and SVS Ultra Center 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Monitor Audio Apex A40 and SVS Ultra Center compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Apex A40 is a 2-way design whereas the Ultra Center 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.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Apex A40 |
SVS Ultra Center |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Apex A40 features a 1" gold dome C-CAM Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" C-CAM with RST® (Rigid Surface Technology) Woofer . On the other hand, the Ultra Center features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" composite glass-fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 500Hz and 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
Apex A40 has a frequency range of 50-35k Hz whereas Ultra Center has a frequency range of 45-32k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Ultra Center can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Apex A40's min frequency of 50Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Apex A40 and Ultra Center have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Apex A40 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Ultra Center's is at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Apex A40 a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Ultra Center, 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. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Apex A40 can handle a max power of 225 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Apex A40 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS , 25 watts less than the Ultra Center.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Ultra Center features 5-Way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Apex A40 has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
SVS Ultra Center's 5-Way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Monitor Audio Apex A40's and SVS Ultra Center's external dimensions. 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) whereas SVS Ultra Center has external dimensions of 207.0 x 561.0 x 285.0mm ( 8-1/8 x 22-1/16 x 11-3/16inch) .
Monitor Audio Apex A40 is 67mm shorter and 164mm less deeper than SVS Ultra Center but it is also 49mm wider.
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 Monitor Audio Apex A40 is approximately 738.1cm2 / 114.4inch2 and base area of the SVS Ultra Center is approximately 1598.9cm2 / 247.8inch2. The Apex A40 requires 54% less surface area than the Ultra Center 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 Monitor Audio Apex A40 weighs 6.91kg / 15.2lbs and the SVS Ultra Center weighs 14.09kg / 31lbs. This makes the Ultra Center 104% heavier than the Apex A40.
Here is a comparison of how Apex A40 and Ultra Center'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 Monitor Audio Apex A40?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Apex A40:
LCR loudspeakerGrilleBracket (pre-installed)4 Self-adhesive rubber feet2 Rubber insertsHex-keySet Up GuideImportant Safety InstructionsImportant InformationMounting Template
What's in the Box of SVS Ultra Center?
Here are the items that come with the Ultra Center:
Center channel loudspeakerGrille2 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)4 Rubber feetOwners ManualSVS brochureOnline Product Registration Card
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
32k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
140mm
vs
207mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
738cm2 (610x121mm)
vs
1598cm2 (561x285mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
225 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
1125USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Monitor Audio Apex A40 |
SVS Ultra Center |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
50-200 watts |
20-225 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-35k Hz |
45-32k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
C-CAM with RST® (Rigid Surface Technology) |
composite glass-fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
gold dome C-CAM |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
4" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
500Hz and 2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
140.0mm (5.5") |
207.0mm (8.1") |
| Width |
610.0mm (24") |
561.0mm (22.1") |
| Depth |
121.0mm (4.8") |
285.0mm (11.2") |
| Weight |
6.91kg (15.2lbs) |
14.09kg (31lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Gloss White |
Black Oak,Piano Gloss Black,Piano Gloss White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |