In this review, we will be comparing Blackstone TL1 and ProCenter 1000, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Polk Audio and Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk TL1 and Definitive ProCenter 1000 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Polk TL1 | Definitive ProCenter 1000 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.5" dome | 1" dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 2.5" Dynamic Balance | 2 x 4.5" BDSS |
|---|
| Frequency response | 125-20k Hz | 47-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-125 watts | 10-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 1.84kg / 4lbs | 3.64kg / 8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 3-15/16" x 15" x 3-7/16"
101.0 x 381.0 x 88.0mm | 4-7/8" x 14-5/8" x 5"
124.0 x 372.0 x 127.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Polk TL1 and Definitive ProCenter 1000 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* |
Polk TL1 |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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 Blackstone TL1 and ProCenter 1000 are 2-way speakers.
Polk TL1Definitive ProCenter 1000
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Polk TL1 |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.5-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 2.5-inch
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
Blackstone TL1 features a 0.5" silk dome Tweeter and 2 x 2.5" Dynamic Balance Woofer. On the other hand, the ProCenter 1000 features a 1" pure aluminum dome Tweeter and 2 x 4.5" BDSS Woofer.
Frequency Response
Blackstone TL1 has a frequency range of 125-20k Hz whereas ProCenter 1000 has a frequency range of 47-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the ProCenter 1000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Blackstone TL1's min frequency of 125Hz.
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
Blackstone TL1 and ProCenter 1000 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Blackstone TL1 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the ProCenter 1000's is at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Definitive ProCenter 1000 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk TL1, 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.
ProCenter 1000 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Blackstone TL1 has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 75 watts less than the ProCenter 1000.
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.
Definitive ProCenter 1000
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Blackstone TL1 features 5-Way post type posts and ProCenter 1000 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 Polk TL1's and Definitive ProCenter 1000's external dimensions. Polk TL1 has external dimensions of 101.0 x 381.0 x 88.0mm (3-15/16 x 15 x 3-7/16inch) whereas Definitive ProCenter 1000 has external dimensions of 124.0 x 372.0 x 127.0mm (4-7/8 x 14-5/8 x 5inch).
Polk TL1 is 23mm shorter and 39mm less deeper than Definitive ProCenter 1000 but it is also 9mm 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 Polk TL1 is approximately 335.3cm2 / 52.0inch2 and base area of the Definitive ProCenter 1000 is approximately 472.4cm2 / 73.2inch2. The Blackstone TL1 requires 29% less surface area than the ProCenter 1000 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 Polk TL1 weighs 1.84kg / 4lbs and the Definitive ProCenter 1000 weighs 3.64kg / 8lbs. This makes the ProCenter 1000 98% heavier than the Blackstone TL1.
Here is a comparison of how Blackstone TL1 and ProCenter 1000's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Definitive ProCenter 1000
What's in the Box of Polk TL1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Blackstone TL1:
- Gloss-black center-channel loudspeaker
- Detachable black cloth grille (attached)
- System Diagram/Warranty sheet
- Template
- Online Product Registration card
- Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of Definitive ProCenter 1000?
Here are the items that come with the ProCenter 1000:
- Black center-channel speaker
- Removable cloth grille (installed)
- 2 Plastic inserts
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
 Height |
101mm
vs
124mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
335cm2
vs
472cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
79USD
vs
249USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
2.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
47 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 4-1/2-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
| General |
Polk Audio Blackstone TL1 |
Definitive Technology ProCenter 1000 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker (Black) |
| Power Range |
10-125 watts |
10-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
125-20k Hz |
47-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
2.5" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Dynamic Balance |
BDSS |
| Tweeter Size |
0.5" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
101.0mm (4") |
124.0mm (4.9") |
| Width |
381.0mm (15") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Depth |
88.0mm (3.5") |
127.0mm (5") |
| Weight |
1.84kg (4lbs) |
3.64kg (8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Definitive ProCenter 1000 costs roughly 3.2x what Polk TL1 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 digs deeper - 47Hz against 125Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (89dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
B |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 takes more power (200W vs 125W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Polk TL1 is easier to place; Definitive ProCenter 1000 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Ported vs Passive Radiator. |
| Price |
A |
Polk TL1 is cheaper - $79 against $249, about 68% less; arguably a different class. |
A Polk TL1
B Definitive ProCenter 1000
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?
The usual trade-off: Definitive ProCenter 1000 measures better, Polk TL1 costs about 68% 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 125Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Polk TL1 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Definitive ProCenter 1000 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Polk TL1 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.