In this review, we will be comparing Silver Centre 8G and Premier 520LCR v2, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Monitor Audio and Paradigm.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G and Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G | Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 |
|---|
| Brand | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" gold dome C-CAM | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 3" | — |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6" C-CAM RST III | 2 x 6" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 66-35k Hz | 75-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 93 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-200 watts | 15-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 11.70kg / 25.7lbs | 14.11kg / 31lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-1/16" x 20-1/8" x 10-11/16"
205.0 x 511.0 x 272.0mm | 8-5/16" x 23-7/16" x 12-1/8"
211.1 x 595.3 x 308.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Silver Centre 8G is a 3-way design whereas the Premier 520LCR v2 is a 2-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.
Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8GParadigm Premier 520LCR v2
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G |
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 3-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-inch
|
2 x 6-inch
|
Silver Centre 8G features a 1" gold dome C-CAM Tweeter, a 3" Midrange and 2 x 6" C-CAM RST III Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 620Hz and 3000Hz. On the other hand, the Premier 520LCR v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 650Hz and 1500Hz.
Frequency Response
Silver Centre 8G has a frequency range of 66-35k Hz whereas Premier 520LCR v2 has a frequency range of 75-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 66Hz, the Silver Centre 8G can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Premier 520LCR v2's min frequency of 75Hz.
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
Silver Centre 8G and Premier 520LCR v2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Silver Centre 8G sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the Premier 520LCR v2's is at 93 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G, 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.
Silver Centre 8G can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Premier 520LCR v2 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Silver Centre 8G.
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.
Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Silver Centre 8G features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Premier 520LCR v2 has a Binding post which doesn't 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 Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G's and Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G has external dimensions of 205.0 x 511.0 x 272.0mm (8-1/16 x 20-1/8 x 10-11/16inch) whereas Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 has external dimensions of 211.1 x 595.3 x 308.0mm ().
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 84.3mm wider, 6.1mm taller and 36mm deeper than Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G.
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.
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 needs about 32% more floor or shelf area. Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is 36mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall.
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 Silver Centre 8G is approximately 1389.9cm2 / 215.4inch2 and base area of the Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is approximately 1833.5cm2 / 284.2inch2. The Silver Centre 8G requires 24% less surface area than the Premier 520LCR v2 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 Silver Centre 8G weighs 11.70kg / 25.7lbs and the Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 weighs 14.11kg / 31lbs. This makes the Premier 520LCR v2 21% heavier than the Silver Centre 8G.
Here is a comparison of how Silver Centre 8G and Premier 520LCR v2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Low Frequency Response |
66 Hz
vs
75 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
205mm
vs
211mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1389cm2
vs
1833cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Price per pair* |
900USD
vs
1200USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G |
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
50-200 watts |
15-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
93 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.0 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
66-35k Hz |
75-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
C-CAM RST III |
|
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
gold dome C-CAM |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
3" |
6" |
| Crossover Frequency |
620Hz and 3000Hz |
650Hz and 1500Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
205.0mm (8.1") |
211.1mm (8.3") |
| Width |
511.0mm (20.1") |
595.3mm (23.4") |
| Depth |
272.0mm (10.7") |
308.0mm (12.1") |
| Weight |
11.70kg (25.7lbs) |
14.11kg (31lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Sealed |
|
| Finish |
MDF/High gloss, veneer or satin paint |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
High Gloss Black, European Walnut, Satin White |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
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 | Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G digs deeper - 66Hz against 75Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is more sensitive (93dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G takes more power (200W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G is easier to place; Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G: bi-amping. Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is cheaper - $900 against $1,200, about 25% less. |
A Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G B Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2
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?
Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 33% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 75Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 much easier to justify. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.