GoldenEar SuperCenter Reference
Best center channel for audiophiles building a high-end home theater system.
This reference-performance center channel speaker is engineered for the most demanding home theater systems, offering a perfect sonic and cosmetic match for premium tower and bookshelf loudspeakers. It features a D’Appolito array with advanced bass/midrange drivers and a High-Velocity Folded Ribbon AMT tweeter, all housed within three isolated chambers for optimal performance. Pressure-coupled planar radiators extend bass response, while a unique linear-phase crossover network ensures exceptional clarity. The sophisticated design minimizes its visual footprint while maximizing acoustic output, delivering a lifelike, detailed, and expansive soundstage with impressive dynamic range.
$1499.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
869
/ 10803
#869 in Speakers
Price vs Category Average
-14%
Below average
Passive Radiator Surface Area
53.36344.3
/ in² (cm²)
Who it's for
- Movie lovers struggling to hear quiet dialogue in complex mixes
- Home theater enthusiasts seeking a wide, cinematic sound experience
- GoldenEar owners building a perfectly matched surround sound system
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious shoppers looking for entry-level audio solutions
- Apartment dwellers with limited space for large, heavy equipment
- Casual listeners using basic receivers or entry-level amplifiers
Performance breakdown
Dialogue Clarity
The AMT tweeter delivers crisp, articulate speech even in complex mixes.
Bass Extension
Planar radiators provide surprisingly deep, punchy lows for a center channel.
Soundstage Width
D’Appolito array creates a seamless, expansive sound field across the room.
Dynamic Range
Handles sudden cinematic shifts with effortless power and zero audible strain.
Build Integrity
Robust internal chambering ensures resonance-free performance at high volume levels.
System Integration
Perfectly voiced to match GoldenEar’s high-end tower speakers for cohesive audio.
Key Specs
Passive Radiator Surface Area
53.36in² (344.3cm²)
Efficiency
90dB 1W/1M @ 4Ω (2.83V/1M)
Frequency Response
38Hz – 25kHz (-6dB on axis @ 65Hz, anechoic bass response)
Nominal Impedance
4Ω
Low-Frequency Radiator Recommended Amplification
20–350 Wpc
Dimensions
35" W x 5.75" H x 11" D
Weight
31 lb.
Know before you buy
This center channel is designed to timbre-match GoldenEar’s Triton Reference towers and Aon bookshelf speakers. Using it alongside these models ensures a seamless, homogeneous soundstage across your entire front array.
While it features pressure-coupled planar radiators that provide impressive low-frequency extension down to 38Hz, it is still a center channel speaker. For a full-range home theater experience, you should still pair it with a dedicated subwoofer to handle the deepest LFE effects.
The SuperCenter Reference performs best with an amplifier capable of delivering between 20 and 350 watts per channel. Because it has a 4-ohm nominal impedance, ensure your receiver or amplifier is stable and rated to handle 4-ohm loads.
The D’Appolito array, which places the tweeter between the two bass/midrange drivers, helps create a more focused and uniform dispersion pattern. This design ensures that dialogue remains clear and consistent even if you are sitting slightly off-center from the screen.
The SuperCenter Reference measures 35 inches wide, 5.75 inches high, and 11 inches deep. Before purchasing, verify that your cabinet has enough clearance to accommodate these dimensions and allow for proper airflow, especially since the passive radiators are top-mounted.
The HVFR tweeter works by squeezing air rather than pushing it, which results in a faster, more detailed high-frequency response. This design minimizes distortion and provides a smoother, more lifelike sound that avoids the harshness sometimes found in traditional metal dome tweeters.
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$1500