In this review, we will be comparing Q6 Meta and Premier 600C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from KEF and Paradigm. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF Q6 Meta and Paradigm 600C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the KEF Q6 Meta and Paradigm 600C 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KEF Q6 Meta and Paradigm 600C compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Q6 Meta and Premier 600C are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
KEF Q6 Meta |
Paradigm 600C |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 4-inch |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
4 x 6.5-inch
|
Q6 Meta features a 0.75" vented aluminum dome with MAT absorber Hard-dome Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 560 Hz, 2.7 kHz. On the other hand, the Premier 600C features a 1" aluminum X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 4 x 6.5" carbon-infused polypropylene Woofer .
Frequency Response
Q6 Meta has a frequency range of 63-20k Hz whereas Premier 600C has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the Premier 600C can go slightly deeper then the Q6 Meta's min frequency of 63Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Q6 Meta is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Premier 600C which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Q6 Meta can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Q6 Meta sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Premier 600C's is rated at 94 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Paradigm 600C a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Q6 Meta, 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. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Q6 Meta can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Premier 600C has a max power handling value of 180 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the Q6 Meta.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Q6 Meta features Binding post type posts and Premier 600C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Paradigm 600C's Binding post terminals
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare KEF Q6 Meta's and Paradigm 600C's external dimensions. KEF Q6 Meta has external dimensions of 210 x 629 x 303 mm ( 8.3 x 24.8 x 11.9 in.) whereas Paradigm 600C has external dimensions of 208.0 x 907.0 x 348.0mm ( 8-3/16 x 35-11/16 x 13-11/16inch) .
KEF Q6 Meta is 278mm narrower and 45mm less deeper than Paradigm 600C but it is also 2mm taller.
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 KEF Q6 Meta is approximately 1905.9cm2 / 295.4inch2 and base area of the Paradigm 600C is approximately 3156.4cm2 / 489.2inch2. The Q6 Meta requires 40% less surface area than the Premier 600C which gives it a small advantage 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 KEF Q6 Meta weighs 14.14kg / 31.1lbs and the Paradigm 600C weighs 19.55kg / 43lbs. This makes the Premier 600C 38% heavier than the Q6 Meta.
Here is a comparison of how Q6 Meta and Premier 600C'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 KEF Q6 Meta?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Q6 Meta:
Q6 Meta Magnetic grilles (pair) Rubber feet Port bungs User manual and warranty information
What's in the Box of Paradigm 600C?
Here are the items that come with the Premier 600C:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)4 Rubber feetOwners ManualOnline Registration CardCenter Channel Elevation Gauge
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
180 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Base Surface Area |
1905cm2 (629x303mm)
vs
3156cm2 (907x348mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
800USD
vs
1099USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
63 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
208mm
vs
210mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
KEF Q6 Meta |
Paradigm Premier 600C |
| Brand |
KEF |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
Up to 200 watts |
15-180 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
94 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
63-20k Hz |
60-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
carbon-infused polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Aluminum |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-dome |
X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
4" |
4" |
| Crossover Frequency |
560 Hz, 2.7 kHz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
210.0mm (8.3") |
208.0mm (8.2") |
| Width |
629.0mm (24.8") |
907.0mm (35.7") |
| Depth |
303.0mm (11.9") |
348.0mm (13.7") |
| Weight |
14.14kg (31.1lbs) |
19.55kg (43lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Satin Black,Satin White,Walnut |
Gloss White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |