In this review, we will be comparing Prime Center and ProCenter 2000, two Passive Center Channel speakers from SVS and Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of SVS Prime Center and Definitive ProCenter 2000 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | SVS Prime Center | Definitive ProCenter 2000 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 1" dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 3-1/2" | — |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" polypropylene | 2 x 5.25" BDSS |
|---|
| Frequency response | 48-25k Hz | 42-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-200 watts | 10-250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.18kg / 20.2lbs | 4.55kg / 10lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-11/16" x 18-11/16" x 9-1/8"
196.0 x 475.0 x 232.0mm | 6-5/8" x 17" x 6-7/16"
169.0 x 432.0 x 164.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the SVS Prime Center and Definitive ProCenter 2000 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* |
SVS Prime Center |
Definitive ProCenter 2000 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
(* 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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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Prime Center is a 3-way design whereas the ProCenter 2000 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.
SVS Prime CenterDefinitive ProCenter 2000
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
SVS Prime Center |
Definitive ProCenter 2000 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 3-1/2-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Prime Center features a 1" aluminum dome Tweeter, a 3-1/2" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 350Hz and 2400Hz. On the other hand, the ProCenter 2000 features a 1" pure aluminum dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" BDSS Woofer.
Frequency Response
Prime Center has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz whereas ProCenter 2000 has a frequency range of 42-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the ProCenter 2000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Prime Center's min frequency of 48Hz.
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
Prime Center and ProCenter 2000 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Prime Center sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the ProCenter 2000's is at 91 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Definitive ProCenter 2000 a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Prime Center, 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 2000 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas Prime Center has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the ProCenter 2000.
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 2000
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Prime Center features 5-Way post type posts and ProCenter 2000 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
SVS Prime Center's 5-Way 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 SVS Prime Center's and Definitive ProCenter 2000's external dimensions. SVS Prime Center has external dimensions of 196.0 x 475.0 x 232.0mm (7-11/16 x 18-11/16 x 9-1/8inch) whereas Definitive ProCenter 2000 has external dimensions of 169.0 x 432.0 x 164.0mm (6-5/8 x 17 x 6-7/16inch).
SVS Prime Center is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 43mm wider, 27mm taller and 68mm deeper than Definitive ProCenter 2000.
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 SVS Prime Center is approximately 1102.0cm2 / 170.8inch2 and base area of the Definitive ProCenter 2000 is approximately 708.5cm2 / 109.8inch2. The Prime Center requires 56% more surface area than the ProCenter 2000 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 SVS Prime Center weighs 9.18kg / 20.2lbs and the Definitive ProCenter 2000 weighs 4.55kg / 10lbs. This makes the Prime Center 102% heavier than the ProCenter 2000.
Here is a comparison of how Prime Center and ProCenter 2000's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Definitive ProCenter 2000
What's in the Box of SVS Prime Center?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Prime Center:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille (pre-installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber bumpers
- Owners Manual
- SVS brochure
- Online Product Registration Card
What's in the Box of Definitive ProCenter 2000?
Here are the items that come with the ProCenter 2000:
- Black center-channel speaker
- Removable cloth grille (installed)
- 2 Plastic inserts
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
48 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 5-1/4-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
169mm
vs
196mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
708cm2
vs
1102cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
379USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
SVS Prime Center |
Definitive Technology ProCenter 2000 |
| Brand |
SVS |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker (Premium Black Ash) |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-200 watts |
10-250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
48-25k Hz |
42-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
polypropylene |
BDSS |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
3-1/2" |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
350Hz and 2400Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
196.0mm (7.7") |
169.0mm (6.7") |
| Width |
475.0mm (18.7") |
432.0mm (17") |
| Depth |
232.0mm (9.1") |
164.0mm (6.5") |
| Weight |
9.18kg (20.2lbs) |
4.55kg (10lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: SVS Prime Center is the newer design, against a 2007 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Definitive ProCenter 2000 digs deeper - 42Hz against 48Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Definitive ProCenter 2000 is more sensitive (91dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
B |
Definitive ProCenter 2000 takes more power (250W vs 200W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Definitive ProCenter 2000 is easier to place; SVS Prime Center is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Ported vs Passive Radiator. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. SVS Prime Center sits in a wider range (8 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
evenly matched |
Much the same money ($399 vs $379 a pair). |
A SVS Prime Center
B Definitive ProCenter 2000
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?
Definitive ProCenter 2000 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 48Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate SVS Prime Center the better fit for a small room, and Definitive ProCenter 2000 for a large room and a very 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.