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SVS Prime Center vs SVS Ultra Center Comparison

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SVS Prime Center

Passive Center Channel | 48-25k Hz

SVS Prime Center
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SVS Ultra Center

Passive Center Channel | 45-32k Hz

SVS Ultra Center
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SVS Prime Center SVS Prime Center
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SVS Ultra Center SVS Ultra Center
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SVS Prime Center
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SVS Ultra Center
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SVS Prime Center vs SVS Ultra Center Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Prime Center and Ultra Center, two Passive Center Channel speakers by SVS

Let's have a brief look at the main features of SVS Prime Center and SVS Ultra Center 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 Ultra Center Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1" Dome Tweeter
  • 4" Midrange
  • 2 x 6.5" composite glass-fiber Woofer
  • 4" Midrange
  • 45-32k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-225watts
  • Weight:14.09kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 207.0" x 22-1/16" x 11-3/16"( 207.0 x 561.0 x 285.0mm )

What size room are the SVS Prime Center and SVS Ultra Center 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 Ultra Center
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 Ultra Center 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

Both Prime Center and Ultra Center are 3-way speakers.

Driver SVS Prime Center SVS Ultra Center
Driver Setup 3-way 3-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange 1 x 3-1/2-inch 1 x 4-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 Ultra Center features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" composite glass-fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 500Hz and 2200Hz.

Frequency Response

Prime Center has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz whereas Ultra Center has a frequency range of 45-32k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Ultra Center can go slightly deeper then the Prime Center's min frequency of 48Hz.

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
Ultra Center
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

SVS Prime Center
SVS Ultra Center
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 Ultra Center 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 Ultra Center's is at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the SVS Ultra Center 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
Ultra Center
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 can handle a max power of 225 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Prime Center has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS , 25 watts less than the Ultra 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

Ultra Center features 5-Way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Prime Center has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

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

SVS Ultra Center5-Way post Terminals
SVS Ultra Center's 5-Way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Prime Center and Ultra Center 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 Ultra Center'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 Ultra Center has external dimensions of 207.0 x 561.0 x 285.0mm ( 8-1/8 x 22-1/16 x 11-3/16inch) .

SVS Ultra Center is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 86mm wider, 11mm taller and 53mm 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 SVS Ultra Center is approximately 1598.9cm2 / 247.8inch2. The Prime Center requires 31% less surface area than the Ultra Center 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 SVS Ultra Center weighs 14.09kg / 31lbs. This makes the Ultra Center 53% heavier than the Prime Center.

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

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
SVS Prime Center
SVS Ultra Center
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 SVS Ultra Center?

    Here are the items that come with the Ultra Center:
  • Center channel loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • 2 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)
  • 4 Rubber feet
  • Owners Manual
  • SVS brochure
  • Online Product Registration Card

  • Reasons to choose SVS Prime Center over SVS Ultra Center
    Height 196mm vs 207mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 1102cm2 vs 1598cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 399USD vs 799USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose SVS Ultra Center over SVS Prime Center

    Max Input Power 225 watts vs 200 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Sensitivity 87 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 5.25 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 45 Hz vs 48 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 32k Hz vs 25k Hz Generates higher frequency
    SVS Prime Center vs SVS Ultra Center Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General SVS Prime Center SVS Ultra Center
    Brand SVS SVS
    Speaker Type Center channel speaker (Premium Black Ash) Center channel speaker
    Power Range 20-200 watts 20-225 watts
    Sensitivity 86 dB 87 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 48-25k Hz 45-32k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 2
    Woofer Size 5.25" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition polypropylene composite glass-fiber
    Woofer Surround Material n/a Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type dome Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 3-1/2" 4"
    Crossover Frequency 350Hz and 2400Hz 500Hz and 2200Hz
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 196.0mm (7.7") 207.0mm (8.1")
    Width 475.0mm (18.7") 561.0mm (22.1")
    Depth 232.0mm (9.1") 285.0mm (11.2")
    Weight 9.18kg (20.2lbs) 14.09kg (31lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Available Colors Black Black Oak,Piano Gloss Black,Piano Gloss White
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs n/a Yes
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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