In this review, we will be comparing Q650c and HTM6 S2, two Passive Center Channel speakers from KEF and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF Q650c and BW HTM6 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KEF Q650c | BW HTM6 S2 |
|---|
| Brand | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | 11th Generation Uni-Q | — |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 1" Decoupled Double Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" aluminum | 2 x 5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 64-28k Hz | 72-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-150 watts | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 13.64kg / 30lbs | 7.82kg / 17.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-5/16" x 24-13/16" x 11-15/16"
212.0 x 631.0 x 304.0mm | 6-3/8" x 18-15/16" x 11-1/16"
162.0 x 482.0 x 281.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the KEF Q650c and BW HTM6 S2 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* |
KEF Q650c |
BW HTM6 S2 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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.
Drivers
Both Q650c and HTM6 S2 are 2-way speakers.
KEF Q650cBW HTM6 S2
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
KEF Q650c |
BW HTM6 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5-inch
|
Q650c features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. On the other hand, the HTM6 S2 features a 1" Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Continuum Woofer.
Frequency Response
Q650c has a frequency range of 64-28k Hz whereas HTM6 S2 has a frequency range of 72-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 64Hz, the Q650c can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the HTM6 S2's min frequency of 72Hz.
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
Q650c and HTM6 S2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 87 dB.
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.
Q650c can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas HTM6 S2 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the Q650c.
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
HTM6 S2 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Q650c has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KEF Q650c's Binding post terminals
BW HTM6 S2 '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 KEF Q650c's and BW HTM6 S2 's external dimensions. KEF Q650c has external dimensions of 212.0 x 631.0 x 304.0mm (8-5/16 x 24-13/16 x 11-15/16inch) whereas BW HTM6 S2 has external dimensions of 162.0 x 482.0 x 281.0mm (6-3/8 x 18-15/16 x 11-1/16inch).
KEF Q650c is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 149mm wider, 50mm taller and 23mm deeper than BW HTM6 S2 .
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 Q650c is approximately 1918.2cm2 / 297.3inch2 and base area of the BW HTM6 S2 is approximately 1354.4cm2 / 209.9inch2. The Q650c requires 42% more surface area than the HTM6 S2 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 KEF Q650c weighs 13.64kg / 30lbs and the BW HTM6 S2 weighs 7.82kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the Q650c 74% heavier than the HTM6 S2.
Here is a comparison of how Q650c and HTM6 S2'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 Q650c?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Q650c:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of BW HTM6 S2 ?
Here are the items that come with the HTM6 S2:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (pre-installed)
- Two-piece foam plug
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Manual
- Warranty Information
- Bowers Wilkins brochure
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
64 Hz
vs
72 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
one 6.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Price per pair* |
750USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
Minimum Impedance |
4.3 ohms
vs
4.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Height |
162mm
vs
212mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1354cm2
vs
1918cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
KEF Q650c |
Bowers & Wilkins HTM6 S2 Anniversary Edition |
| Brand |
KEF |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
15-150 watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.2 ohms |
4.3 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
64-28k Hz |
72-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
aluminum |
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Decoupled Double Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
212.0mm (8.3") |
162.0mm (6.4") |
| Width |
631.0mm (24.8") |
482.0mm (19") |
| Depth |
304.0mm (12") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Weight |
13.64kg (30lbs) |
7.82kg (17.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Satin White, Satin Black, Walnut |
Black, White, Oak |
| Grille |
optional |
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 | KEF Q650c digs deeper - 64Hz against 72Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | A | KEF Q650c takes more power (150W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | BW HTM6 S2 is easier to place; KEF Q650c is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Passive Radiator vs Ported. |
| Expandability | B | BW HTM6 S2 : bi-amping. |
| Price | A | KEF Q650c is cheaper - $750 against $899, about 17% less. |
A KEF Q650c B BW HTM6 S2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system 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?
KEF Q650c has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 72Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, KEF Q650c has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, BW HTM6 S2 is the easier speaker to get right.
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.