In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by SVS. SVS Prime Center is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Prime Satellite is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of SVS Prime Center and SVS Prime Satellite 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 )
SVS Prime Satellite Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 4.5" Polypropylene Woofer
- 69-25k Hz Frequency Response
- 85 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-150watts
- Weight:3.00kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 224.0" x 4-15/16" x 6-3/8"( 224.0 x 126.0 x 162.0mm )
Prime Center and Prime Satellite are members of SVS's Prime series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
What size room are the SVS Prime Center and SVS Prime Satellite 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 |
SVS Prime Satellite |
| 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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the SVS Prime Center and SVS Prime Satellite 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 Prime Satellite 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 |
SVS Prime Satellite |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 3-1/2-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 4.5-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 Prime Satellite features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polypropylene Woofer .
Frequency Response
Prime Center has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz whereas Prime Satellite has a frequency range of 69-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the Prime Center can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Prime Satellite's min frequency of 69Hz.
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
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
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 Prime Satellite 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 Prime Satellite's is at 85 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the SVS Prime Center a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Prime Satellite, 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. 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 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Prime Satellite has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Prime Center.
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 5-Way post type posts and Prime Satellite has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
SVS Prime Center's 5-Way post terminals
SVS Prime Satellite's 5-Way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Prime Center and Prime Satellite 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.
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 SVS Prime Satellite'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 SVS Prime Satellite has external dimensions of 224.0 x 126.0 x 162.0mm ( 28-32inch x 4-15/16inch x 6-3/8inch ) .
SVS Prime Satellite is 349mm narrower and 70mm less deeper than SVS Prime Center but it is also 28mm taller.
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 SVS Prime Satellite is approximately 204.1cm2 / 31.6inch2. The Prime Center requires 440% more surface area than the Prime Satellite which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of SVS Prime Center?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Prime Center:
Center channel loudspeakerGrille (pre-installed)4 Self-adhesive rubber bumpersOwners ManualSVS brochureOnline Product Registration Card
What's in the Box of SVS Prime Satellite?
Here are the items that come with the Prime Satellite:
2 Satellite loudspeakers2 Grilles (pre-installed)8 Self-adhesive rubber bumpersOwners ManualSVS brochureOnline Product Registration Card
Max Input Power 
Driver Setup 
Sensitivity 
Woofer Size 
Height 
Base Surface Area 
Price per pair*