In this review, we will be comparing Monitor SE 2000C and ES30, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Paradigm and Polk Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm SE 2000C and Polk ES30 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm SE 2000C | Polk ES30 |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens | 1" High-res dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.5" mineral-filled polypropylene | 2 x 5.5" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-21k Hz | 55-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 93 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-100 watts | 20-125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.64kg / 19lbs | 8.64kg / 19lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-1/8" x 19-3/4" x 11"
181.0 x 502.0 x 280.0mm | 7-1/2" x 20-1/16" x 10-5/8"
191.0 x 510.0 x 270.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Paradigm SE 2000C 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* |
Paradigm SE 2000C |
Polk ES30 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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.
Drivers
Both Monitor SE 2000C and ES30 are 2-way speakers.
Paradigm SE 2000CPolk 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 |
Paradigm SE 2000C |
Polk ES30 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
Monitor SE 2000C features a 1" aluminum X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" mineral-filled polypropylene 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
Monitor SE 2000C has a frequency range of 65-21k Hz whereas ES30 has a frequency range of 55-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the ES30 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Monitor SE 2000C's min frequency of 65Hz.
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
Monitor SE 2000C and ES30 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Monitor SE 2000C sensitivity is rated at 93 dB and the ES30's is at 89 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Paradigm SE 2000C 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.
ES30 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS, whereas Monitor SE 2000C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the ES30.
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
Monitor SE 2000C features 5-Way post type posts and ES30 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Paradigm SE 2000C's Binding post terminals
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 Paradigm SE 2000C's and Polk ES30's external dimensions. Paradigm SE 2000C has external dimensions of 181.0 x 502.0 x 280.0mm (7-1/8 x 19-3/4 x 11inch) 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).
Paradigm SE 2000C is 8mm narrower and 10mm shorter than Polk ES30 but it is also 10mm deeper.
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 Paradigm SE 2000C is approximately 1405.6cm2 / 217.9inch2 and base area of the Polk ES30 is approximately 1377.0cm2 / 213.4inch2. The Monitor SE 2000C requires 2% more surface area than the ES30 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 Paradigm SE 2000C weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs and the Polk ES30 weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs.
Here is a comparison of how Monitor SE 2000C and ES30'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 Paradigm SE 2000C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Monitor SE 2000C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online 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
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
181mm
vs
191mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
250USD
vs
299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1377cm2
vs
1405cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Paradigm Monitor SE 2000C |
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
15-100 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
93 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
65-21k Hz |
55-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
mineral-filled polypropylene |
mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens |
High-res dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
181.0mm (7.1") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Width |
502.0mm (19.8") |
510.0mm (20.1") |
| Depth |
280.0mm (11") |
270.0mm (10.6") |
| Weight |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black, Walnut, White |
| Grille |
Yes |
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 | B | Polk ES30 digs deeper - 55Hz against 65Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Paradigm SE 2000C is more sensitive (93dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Polk ES30 takes more power (125W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| 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 | Paradigm SE 2000C is cheaper - $250 against $299, about 16% less. |
A Paradigm SE 2000C B Polk ES30
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?
The usual trade-off: Polk ES30 measures better, Paradigm SE 2000C costs about about 20% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 65Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Paradigm SE 2000C much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Paradigm SE 2000C the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Polk ES30 for a mid-size room and a large 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.