In this review, we will be comparing Monitor SE 2000C and ES35, 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 ES35 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm SE 2000C | Polk ES35 |
|---|
| 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 | 6 x 3" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-21k Hz | 66-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 93 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-100 watts | 20-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.64kg / 19lbs | 6.36kg / 14lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-1/8" x 19-3/4" x 11"
181.0 x 502.0 x 280.0mm | 4-3/16" x 24-7/16" x 6-1/16"
107.0 x 621.0 x 154.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Paradigm SE 2000C and Polk ES35 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 ES35 |
| 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 ES35 are 2-way speakers.
Paradigm SE 2000CPolk ES35
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 ES35 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
6 x 3-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 ES35 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 6 x 3" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance Woofer.
Frequency Response
Monitor SE 2000C has a frequency range of 65-21k Hz whereas ES35 has a frequency range of 66-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the Monitor SE 2000C can go slightly deeper then the ES35's min frequency of 66Hz.
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 ES35 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 ES35's is at 89 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Paradigm SE 2000C a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk ES35, 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.
ES35 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas Monitor SE 2000C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the ES35.
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 ES35 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Paradigm SE 2000C's Binding post terminals
Polk ES35's 5-Way post terminals
Polk ES35 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 ES35'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 ES35 has external dimensions of 107.0 x 621.0 x 154.0mm (4-3/16 x 24-7/16 x 6-1/16inch).
Polk ES35 is 74mm shorter and 126mm less deeper than Paradigm SE 2000C but it is also 119mm 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 Paradigm SE 2000C is approximately 1405.6cm2 / 217.9inch2 and base area of the Polk ES35 is approximately 956.3cm2 / 148.2inch2. The Monitor SE 2000C requires 47% more surface area than the ES35 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 ES35 weighs 6.36kg / 14lbs. This makes the Monitor SE 2000C 36% heavier than the ES35.
Here is a comparison of how Monitor SE 2000C and ES35'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 ES35?
Here are the items that come with the ES35:
- LCR loudspeaker
- Grille (attached)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Wall-mount template
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
66 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
250USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
|
Number of Woofers |
6
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
107mm
vs
181mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
956cm2
vs
1405cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Paradigm Monitor SE 2000C |
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Low-profile center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
15-100 watts |
20-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
93 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
65-21k Hz |
66-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
6 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
3" |
| 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") |
107.0mm (4.2") |
| Width |
502.0mm (19.8") |
621.0mm (24.4") |
| Depth |
280.0mm (11") |
154.0mm (6.1") |
| Weight |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
6.36kg (14lbs) |
| 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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (65Hz vs 66Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | A | Paradigm SE 2000C is more sensitive (93dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Polk ES35 takes more power (150W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Polk ES35 is easier to place; Paradigm SE 2000C is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Polk ES35 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Paradigm SE 2000C is cheaper - $250 against $399, about 37% less. |
A Paradigm SE 2000C B Polk ES35
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. Match it to your room: we rate Paradigm SE 2000C the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Polk ES35 for a mid-size room and a large room. In a large or open-plan room, Paradigm SE 2000C has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Polk ES35 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.