Centre Speakers - Monitor Audio

A centre speaker is often regarded as most important speaker in a home cinema 5.1 speaker set-up as the centre channel is often used for speech and direct front centre action, handling the vast majority of this vital task. For this reason, we recommend selecting a centre speaker that integrates well with at least your other front speakers. Ideally, select the same brand and same level of speakers for the front and centre channels (for example if you use KEF R-series speakers on the fronts, we'd recommend using a KEF R-series centre speaker). We also sell pre-selected 5.1 speaker packages.

Monitor Audio Ltd is a British owned global specialist in hi-fi loudspeaker design. For over 40 years, they've incorporated stereo and surround sound systems and a range of sonically matched architectural speakers for ultra discreet high quality sound around the home and outside.

In 1972, Monitor Audio was founded and began in a small factory near Cambridge, England. Five years later, the company had opened a new purpose built facility in Rayleigh, Essex. The success was not simply a matter of excellent sound quality, although expert listeners around the world can testify to that. By consistently refining and applying technologies, Monitor Audio has become the world's foremost expert in developing metal dome drivers.

Since metal is not the easiest material to shape, many competitors choose paper or plastic for cones but metal's incredible properties allow more life-like sound reproduction when treated correctly. In their ever-evolving product portfolio, Monitor Audio continues to demonstrate the power of a high quality, high performance loudspeaker brand that serves every application, taste and budget - and every possible desire.

Their product ranges consist of traditional two channel hi-fi loudspeakers, home theatre systems, subwoofers and a concise range of architectural loudspeakers for discreet, high quality sound reproduction.

Monitor Audio is renowned for its technical expertise, innovation, industrial design and craftsmanship to the creation of world-class loudspeakers, which personify the brand's values and technical achievements. In November 2016 Monitor Audio acquired the Roksan brand recognising the incredible synergy between the company’s offerings.

Centre speakers typically use two main drivers as well and a tweeter. As suggested, in order to tonally match this with the rest of your equipment and deliver optimum stereo integration and imaging, it is highly recommended that the centre speaker is purchased to match the rest of your equipment. Using the same type of driver and tweeter across the whole of the front (and ideally rear) of your Surround Sound Speaker System is ideal, as it ensures that coherency and integration is maintained throughout your AV system. While we cite choosing speakers from the same range as being ideal, the reasoning is, for example, that pairing front channel speakers using dome tweeters with a centre speaker that uses a ribbon tweeter would be less than ideal, as there would be two differing presentations of high end frequencies, which could result in a confused and incoherent soundstage and imaging.

Thankfully, most manufacturers design their centre speakers to tonally and aesthetically match their other speakers, meaning that pairing with your AV kit is a breeze. If your existing kit is older or discontinued, our dedicated and knowledgeable team is always happy to assist with advice or demonstrations to help find the ideal centre speaker to integrate seamlessly with your equipment. We also offer free UK delivery, so you can be setup and ready to go in no time.

One factor to consider when purchasing is the height of the speaker, as typically it will be positioned beneath a TV, so ensuring it is not too large and blocking your TV is essential. Much like typical hi-fi and AV speakers, a centre speaker will usually perform better on a dedicated speaker stand. While they may be suitable for use, most speaker stands come in pairs. However, we also offer a range of centre speaker stands, which are available singly, and are designed to accommodate the wider footprint, and also tend to be of a lower height in order to position the speaker beneath a TV.

A dedicated speaker stand will position your speaker at the ideal listening height for optimum stereo imaging and integration. It will also assist in preventing unwanted resonance from affecting the sound your speaker produces. Many stands are fillable, which will add stability to the stand, as well as improving bass depth and authority.

Manufacturers are aware that an AV speaker system can be as much a piece of furniture as it is a functional piece of equipment and, with this in mind, many centre speakers are designed and built to the highest standard from a range of real woods and veneers. We stock a wide range of centre speakers, ranging from entry level models to high end, with a choice of styles and finishes to suit every taste and requirement. Some models are designed to be exceptionally slim, making them much easier to accommodate and position than their full-sized counterparts.