Monitor Audio Silver RX Centre Review

The Monitor Audio Silver RX Centre is the dedicated center-channel speaker from the Silver RX series, introduced around 2009–2010 as part of Monitor Audio’s update to the earlier Silver RS range. Designed to match the sonic character of the RX floorstanders, bookshelves, and surrounds, it prioritizes clear dialogue, good dynamics, and seamless integration in home theater systems. It was typically priced around $675 at launch and remains a strong used-market option for those completing or building a Silver RX-based setup.

Design and Build

The RX Centre is a compact, sealed (closed-box) 2½-way design. It measures approximately 500 × 185 × 200 mm (roughly 19.7″ wide × 7.3″ high × 7.9″ deep) and weighs about 9.6 kg (21 lbs). The sealed enclosure was specifically chosen for better performance when placed in a cabinet, against a wall, or in restricted spaces.

Driver complement:

• One 1-inch (25 mm) C-CAM gold-dome tweeter
• One 6-inch (152 mm) RST C-CAM mid/bass driver
• One 6-inch (152 mm) RST C-CAM bass driver

The drivers use Monitor Audio’s Rigid Surface Technology (RST) cone profile and Ceramic-Coated Aluminium/Magnesium (C-CAM) material, along with bolt-through mounting for improved cabinet rigidity and reduced vibration. Crossover points are approximately 500 Hz and 3 kHz. The speaker features high-quality binding posts (often supporting bi-wiring) and was available in the same real-wood veneers and high-gloss finishes as the rest of the Silver RX range.

Key Specifications

• Type: 2½-way sealed center-channel speaker
• Frequency response: 45 Hz – 35 kHz
• Sensitivity: 90 dB (1 W/1 m)
• Nominal impedance: 6 ohms
• Power handling: 125 W RMS
• Recommended amplifier power: 40–125 W
• Crossover frequencies: ~500 Hz and 3 kHz
• Dimensions: ~500 × 185 × 200 mm
• Weight: ~9.6 kg

Sound Quality

In system reviews, the RX Centre is consistently praised for its clarity, dialogue intelligibility, and strong matching with the main Silver RX speakers.

• Dialogue and midrange: Excellent. Voices are clear, natural, and well-projected, with good presence and intelligibility even in complex movie soundtracks. The dual 6-inch drivers provide solid midrange body and authority.
• Tonal balance and matching: Very good timbre consistency with the RX floorstanders and surrounds. This helps create a cohesive front soundstage and smooth transitions as effects move across the channels.
• Dynamics and detail: Capable and engaging. It handles the dynamic demands of film soundtracks well, with clean highs from the gold-dome tweeter and controlled bass for a sealed design of this size.
• Bass: Extends usefully to around 45 Hz, which is respectable for a compact sealed center. Deep low-frequency effects still rely on a subwoofer, as expected.
• Off-axis performance: Acceptable for a horizontal center, though like many centers it shows some variation off-axis. Proper placement (at or near ear height, with minimal vertical offset from the main speakers) helps maintain consistency.

Overall, the RX Centre delivers the clarity and presence needed for movies while remaining refined enough for multichannel music. Reviewers noted its ability to “disappear” into a well-matched system and contribute to an immersive, emotionally engaging presentation.

Pros

• Clear, natural dialogue and strong midrange presence
• Excellent tonal matching with the rest of the Silver RX series
• Solid dynamics and detail for the size and price
• Sealed design works well near walls or in cabinets
• Attractive build and finish options
• Good sensitivity and relatively easy to drive

Cons

• Limited deep bass (requires a subwoofer for full-range effects)
• Off-axis response is not perfectly even (common for horizontal centers)
• Older model — later Silver centers offer refinements
• Moderate maximum output compared with larger or more powerful centers

Verdict

The Monitor Audio Silver RX Centre is a capable and well-matched center-channel speaker that prioritizes clarity, dialogue intelligibility, and seamless integration within the Silver RX range. Its sealed design, dual 6-inch RST drivers, and C-CAM gold-dome tweeter deliver clean, engaging performance for home theater use, while its compact size and attractive finishes make it easy to place.

It is not a high-output or deep-bass specialist, but it performs its primary role—clear, natural center-channel reproduction—very effectively when paired with matching RX speakers and a capable subwoofer. On the used market it remains a worthwhile choice for completing a Silver RX system or for listeners seeking a refined, coherent center at a reasonable price. Recommended for those who value system matching and dialogue clarity over maximum volume or extreme low-frequency extension.