I know it's recommended to match all your speakers, but I got Rega R3 for the front, and they don't make surround speakers, and I'm not sure their center speaker is as good as value as the R3.
My current center is a Bose that I got 14 years ago for $100, and it stinks. It sounds muddy, and you can't hear dialogue at all. It's sturdy though, so I use it as an outdoor speaker more than anything.
I originally was going to limit it to $200, but for HT, the center speaker supposedly has the most demanding job. So here's some of the ones I'm considering that might match my Rega.
Wharfedale Evolution Centre $500
100W, 89 dB, 16.6” x 11.7” x 6.7”
Axiom VP 160 $400
400W, 95 dB, 6 ohms, 27.5” x 7.5” x 7.5”
Rega RVox Center $375
80W, 90dB,
Wharfedale Diamond 9 CS Center $350
120W, 88 dB, 15.7” x 9.2” x 7.8”
Paradigm CC-270 $279
100W, 90 dB, 22-3/4” x 10-1/4” x 7-1/2”
Axiom VP100 $250
http://www.axiomaudio.com/vp100_main.html
200W, 89 dB, 17” x 7.5” x 7.5”
Wharfedale Diamond 9 CC Center, $250
http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=WHARFD9CCB&product_name=Diamond 9 CC Center Channel Speaker
120W, 88dB, 13” x 5” x 5”
Wharfedale Diamond Kevlar Center, $198
100W, 88 dB sensitivity, 17.75” x 7.1” x 7”
Energy Connoisseur C1, MSRP $350, $200
http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=ENERCC1B&product_name=Connoisseur C-1 Center Channel Speaker
125W, 90 dB sensitivity, 22.8” x 9.75” x 6.5”
