In this review, we will be comparing SuperCenter XL and R2c, two Passive Center Channel speakers from GoldenEar and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of GoldenEar SuperCenter XL and KEF R2c first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | GoldenEar SuperCenter XL | KEF R2c |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 12th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5" |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 2 x 5.25" Hybrid Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 36-35k Hz | 74-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-250 watts | 15-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.55kg / 21lbs | 16.90kg / 37.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5-3/4" x 29" x 11-1/8"
147.0 x 737.0 x 283.0mm | 6-15/16" x 21-11/16" x 12-7/16"
177.0 x 551.0 x 316.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the GoldenEar SuperCenter XL and KEF R2c 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* |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL |
KEF R2c |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
(* 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that SuperCenter XL is a 2-way design whereas the R2c is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL |
KEF R2c |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x -inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
SuperCenter XL features a " Tweeter and 2 x " Woofer. On the other hand, the R2c features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter, a 5" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" Hybrid Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 400Hz and 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
SuperCenter XL has a frequency range of 36-35k Hz whereas R2c has a frequency range of 74-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 36Hz, the SuperCenter XL can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R2c's min frequency of 74Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
SuperCenter XL and R2c have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SuperCenter XL sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the R2c's is at 87 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the GoldenEar SuperCenter XL a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF R2c, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
SuperCenter XL can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas R2c has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the SuperCenter XL.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
R2c features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. SuperCenter XL has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KEF R2c's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare GoldenEar SuperCenter XL's and KEF R2c's external dimensions. GoldenEar SuperCenter XL has external dimensions of 147.0 x 737.0 x 283.0mm (5-3/4 x 29 x 11-1/8inch) whereas KEF R2c has external dimensions of 177.0 x 551.0 x 316.0mm (6-15/16 x 21-11/16 x 12-7/16inch).
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL is 30mm shorter and 33mm less deeper than KEF R2c but it is also 186mm wider.
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 GoldenEar SuperCenter XL is approximately 2085.7cm2 / 323.3inch2 and base area of the KEF R2c is approximately 1741.2cm2 / 269.9inch2. The SuperCenter XL requires 20% more surface area than the R2c which gives it a small disadvantage 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 GoldenEar SuperCenter XL weighs 9.55kg / 21lbs and the KEF R2c weighs 16.90kg / 37.2lbs. This makes the R2c 77% heavier than the SuperCenter XL.
Here is a comparison of how SuperCenter XL and R2c's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of GoldenEar SuperCenter XL?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SuperCenter XL:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 3 Leveling feet
- 3 Threaded-inserts
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of KEF R2c?
Here are the items that come with the R2c:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User Manual
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
36 Hz
vs
74 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
147mm
vs
177mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
1099USD
vs
1300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
|
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
1741cm2
vs
2085cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL |
KEF R2c |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-250 watts |
15-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
36-35k Hz |
74-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Hybrid Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
400Hz and 2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
147.0mm (5.8") |
177.0mm (7") |
| Width |
737.0mm (29") |
551.0mm (21.7") |
| Depth |
283.0mm (11.1") |
316.0mm (12.4") |
| Weight |
9.55kg (21lbs) |
16.90kg (37.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL digs deeper - 36Hz against 74Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
A |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL is more sensitive (91dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
A |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL takes more power (250W vs 200W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Passive Radiator vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability |
B |
KEF R2c: bi-amping. |
| Price |
A |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL is cheaper - $1,099 against $1,300, about 15% less. |
A GoldenEar SuperCenter XL
B KEF R2c
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take KEF R2c if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 74Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate GoldenEar SuperCenter XL the better fit for a large room and a very large room, and KEF R2c for a small room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.