In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT35 and Monitor SE 2000C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Polk Audio and Paradigm.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk XT35 and Paradigm SE 2000C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Polk XT35 | Paradigm SE 2000C |
|---|
| Brand | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" High-res dome | 1" X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens |
|---|
| Woofer | 4 x 3" bi-laminate paper cone | 2 x 5.5" mineral-filled polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 57-40k Hz | 65-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 93 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-200 watts | 15-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.36kg / 14lbs | 8.64kg / 19lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 4-3/16" x 24-7/16" x 5-9/16"
107.0 x 621.0 x 142.0mm | 7-1/8" x 19-3/4" x 11"
181.0 x 502.0 x 280.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Polk XT35 and Paradigm SE 2000C 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 XT35 |
Paradigm SE 2000C |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* 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 XT35 and Monitor SE 2000C are 2-way speakers.
Polk XT35Paradigm SE 2000C
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 XT35 |
Paradigm SE 2000C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 3-inch
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
Monitor XT35 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 4 x 3" bi-laminate paper cone Woofer. On the other hand, the 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.
Frequency Response
Monitor XT35 has a frequency range of 57-40k Hz whereas Monitor SE 2000C has a frequency range of 65-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the Monitor XT35 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 XT35 and Monitor SE 2000C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Monitor XT35 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Monitor SE 2000C's is at 93 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the Paradigm SE 2000C a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk XT35, 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.
Monitor XT35 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Monitor SE 2000C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Monitor XT35.
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 XT35 features Binding post type posts and Monitor SE 2000C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Polk XT35's 5-Way post terminals
Paradigm SE 2000C's Binding post terminals
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 XT35's and Paradigm SE 2000C's external dimensions. Polk XT35 has external dimensions of 107.0 x 621.0 x 142.0mm (4-3/16 x 24-7/16 x 5-9/16inch) whereas Paradigm SE 2000C has external dimensions of 181.0 x 502.0 x 280.0mm (7-1/8 x 19-3/4 x 11inch).
Polk XT35 is 74mm shorter and 138mm 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 Polk XT35 is approximately 881.8cm2 / 136.7inch2 and base area of the Paradigm SE 2000C is approximately 1405.6cm2 / 217.9inch2. The Monitor XT35 requires 37% less surface area than the Monitor SE 2000C 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 XT35 weighs 6.36kg / 14lbs and the Paradigm SE 2000C weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the Monitor SE 2000C 36% heavier than the Monitor XT35.
Here is a comparison of how Monitor XT35 and Monitor SE 2000C'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 Polk XT35?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Monitor XT35:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (attached)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration
- Wall-Mount Template
What's in the Box of Paradigm SE 2000C?
Here are the items that come with the Monitor SE 2000C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration Card
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
107mm
vs
181mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
881cm2
vs
1405cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
250USD
vs
299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Polk Audio Monitor XT35 |
Paradigm Monitor SE 2000C |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Low-profile center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
25-200 watts |
15-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
93 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
57-40k Hz |
65-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
3" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
bi-laminate paper cone |
mineral-filled polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
High-res dome |
X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
107.0mm (4.2") |
181.0mm (7.1") |
| Width |
621.0mm (24.4") |
502.0mm (19.8") |
| Depth |
142.0mm (5.6") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Weight |
6.36kg (14lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| 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 | A | Polk XT35 digs deeper - 57Hz against 65Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Paradigm SE 2000C is more sensitive (93dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Polk XT35 takes more power (200W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Polk XT35 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 XT35 sits in a wider range (9 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Paradigm SE 2000C is cheaper - $250 against $299, about 16% less. |
A Polk XT35 B Paradigm SE 2000C
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 XT35 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 Polk XT35 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Paradigm SE 2000C for near-field listening and a small 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.