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SVS Prime Center vs Polk R400 Comparison

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SVS Prime Center

Passive Center Channel | 48-25k Hz

SVS Prime Center
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Polk R400

Passive Center Channel | 48-39K Hz

Polk Audio Reserve R400
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SVS Prime Center SVS Prime Center
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Polk R400 Polk R400
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SVS Prime Center
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Polk R400
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SVS Prime Center vs Polk R400 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Prime Center and R400, two Passive Center Channel speakers from SVS and Polk Audio.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of SVS Prime Center and Polk R400 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

SVS Prime Center Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1" dome Tweeter
  • 3-1/2" Midrange
  • 2 x 5.25" polypropylene Woofer
  • 48-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-200watts
  • Weight:9.18kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 196.0" x 18-11/16" x 9-1/8"( 196.0 x 475.0 x 232.0mm )

Polk R400 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Pinnacle Ring Radiator Tweeter
  • 2 x 6.5" Polypropylene Turbine Cone Woofer
  • 48-39K Hz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-200watts
  • Weight:14.91kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 199.0" x 24-5/16" x 14-5/8"( 199.0 x 618.0 x 372.0mm )

What size room are the SVS Prime Center and Polk R400 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 Polk R400
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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the SVS Prime Center and Polk R400 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my 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 R400 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.

Driver SVS Prime Center Polk R400
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 6.5-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 R400 features a 1" Pinnacle Ring Radiator Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Polypropylene Turbine Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.

Frequency Response

Prime Center has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz whereas R400 has a frequency range of 48-39K Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.

Low Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Prime Center
R400
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

SVS Prime Center
Polk R400
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

Prime Center and R400 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 R400's is at 89 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Polk R400 a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Prime Center, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

Prime Center
R400
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

Prime Center and R400 has the same power range of 20-200 watts.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Prime Center features Binding post type posts and R400 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

SVS Prime Center Terminals
SVS Prime Center's 5-Way post terminals

Polk R400Binding post Terminals
Polk R400's Binding post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Prime Center and R400 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.

If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.

Polk R400  Port
Polk R400 dual Port

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Polk R400'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 Polk R400 has external dimensions of 199.0 x 618.0 x 372.0mm ( 7-13/16 x 24-5/16 x 14-5/8inch) .

Polk R400 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 143mm wider, 3mm taller and 140mm deeper than SVS Prime Center.

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 Polk R400 is approximately 2299.0cm2 / 356.3inch2. The Prime Center requires 52% less surface area than the R400 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 SVS Prime Center weighs 9.18kg / 20.2lbs and the Polk R400 weighs 14.91kg / 32.8lbs. This makes the R400 62% heavier than the Prime Center.

Here is a comparison of how Prime Center and R400's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
SVS Prime Center
Polk R400
Min
Average
Max

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 Polk R400?

    Here are the items that come with the R400:
  • Center-channel loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • Owners Manual
  • Online Registration

  • Reasons to choose SVS Prime Center over Polk Audio Reserve R400
    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    Height 196mm vs 199mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 1102cm2 vs 2299cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 399USD vs 649USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Polk Audio Reserve R400 over SVS Prime Center

    Sensitivity 89 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 5.25 inches Larger woofer
    High Frequency Response 39k Hz vs 25k Hz Generates higher frequency
    SVS Prime Center vs Polk R400 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General SVS Prime Center Polk Audio Reserve R400
    Brand SVS Polk Audio
    Speaker Type Center channel speaker (Premium Black Ash) Center channel speaker
    Power Range 20-200 watts 20-200 watts
    Sensitivity 86 dB 89 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance n/a 4.1 ohms
    Frequency Response 48-25k Hz 48-39K Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 2
    Woofer Size 5.25" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition polypropylene Polypropylene Turbine Cone
    Woofer Surround Material n/a Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type dome Pinnacle Ring Radiator
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 3-1/2" N/A"
    Crossover Frequency 350Hz and 2400Hz 2500Hz
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 196.0mm (7.7") 199.0mm (7.8")
    Width 475.0mm (18.7") 618.0mm (24.3")
    Depth 232.0mm (9.1") 372.0mm (14.6")
    Weight 9.18kg (20.2lbs) 14.91kg (32.8lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Available Colors Black Black, Walnut
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs n/a No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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