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KEF Q650c vs KEF Q550 Comparison

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KEF Q650c

Passive Center Channel | 64-28k Hz

KEF Q650c
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KEF Q550

Passive Floor-standing | 58-28k Hz

KEF Q550
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KEF Q650c KEF Q650c
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KEF Q550 KEF Q550
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KEF Q650c
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KEF Q550
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KEF Q650c vs KEF Q550 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by KEF. KEF Q650c is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Q550 is a Floor-standing speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of KEF Q650c and KEF Q550 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

KEF Q650c Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 11th Generation Uni-Q Driver
  • 1" Dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 6.5" aluminum Woofer
  • 64-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:15-150watts
  • Weight:13.64kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 212.0" x 24-13/16" x 11-15/16"( 212.0 x 631.0 x 304.0mm )

KEF Q550 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 11th Generation Uni-Q Driver
  • 1" Dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer
  • 58-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:15-130watts
  • Weight:14.55kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 894.0" x 11-5/8" x 12-5/16"( 894.0 x 296.0 x 313.0mm )

Q650c and Q550 are members of KEF's Q series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

KEF Q Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
KEF Q150
  
Bookshelf 51-28k Hz 86 dB8Ω 1 x 5.25"
KEF Q350
  
Bookshelf 63-28k Hz 87 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
KEF Q950
  
Floor-standing 44-28k Hz 91 dB8Ω 2 x 8.0"
KEF Q750
  
Floor-standing 48-28k Hz 88 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
KEF Q550
Floor-standing 58-28k Hz 87 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"
KEF Q650c
Center Channel 64-28k Hz 87 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
KEF Q250c
  
Center Channel 68-28k Hz 87 dB8Ω 1 x 5.25"

What size room are the KEF Q650c and KEF Q550 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 KEF Q550
Near-field Poor Bad
Small Room Average Poor
Mid-size Room Good Good
Large Room Average Good
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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KEF Q650c and KEF Q550 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both Q650c and Q550 are 2-way speakers.

Driver KEF Q650c KEF Q550
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 2 x 6.5-inch 2 x 5.25-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 Q550 features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.

Frequency Response

Q650c has a frequency range of 64-28k Hz whereas Q550 has a frequency range of 58-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 58Hz, the Q550 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q650c's min frequency of 64Hz.

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

Q650c
Q550
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

KEF Q650c
KEF Q550
Min
Average
Max

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

Q650c and Q550 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 87 dB.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

Q650c
Q550
Min
Average
Max

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.

Q650c can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Q550 has a max power handling value of 130 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the Q650c.

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

Q650c features Binding post type posts and Q550 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

KEF Q650c Terminals
KEF Q650c'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 Q650c's and KEF Q550'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 KEF Q550 has external dimensions of 894.0 x 296.0 x 313.0mm ( 35-3/16 x 11-5/8 x 12-5/16inch) .

KEF Q650c is 682mm shorter and 9mm less deeper than KEF Q550 but it is also 335mm 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 KEF Q650c is approximately 1918.2cm2 / 297.3inch2 and base area of the KEF Q550 is approximately 926.5cm2 / 143.6inch2. The Q650c requires 107% more surface area than the Q550 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

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 KEF Q550?

    Here are the items that come with the Q550:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • 2 Outrigger feet
  • 4 Spikes
  • 6 Screws
  • 6 Washers
  • 4 Rubber inserts
  • Hex-key
  • Owners Manual
  • Warranty Information

  • Reasons to choose KEF Q650c over KEF Q550
    Max Input Power 150 watts vs 130 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Minimum Impedance 4.2 ohms vs 3.5 ohms Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 5.25 inches Larger woofer
    Height 212mm vs 894mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Price per pair* 750USD vs 1400USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose KEF Q550 over KEF Q650c

    Low Frequency Response 58 Hz vs 64 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Dolby Atmos Drivers Optional vs No Dolby Atmos Compatibility
    Base Surface Area 926cm2 vs 1918cm2 Takes less floor space
    KEF Q650c vs KEF Q550 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General KEF Q650c KEF Q550
    Brand KEF KEF
    Speaker Type Center channel speaker Floor-standing speaker
    Power Range 15-150 watts 15-130 watts
    Sensitivity 87 dB 87 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance 4.2 ohms 3.5 ohms
    Frequency Response 64-28k Hz 58-28k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 2
    Woofer Size 6.5" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition aluminum Aluminum
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Dome Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 2500Hz 2500Hz
    Firing Direction n/a front
    Physical Specs
    Height 212.0mm (8.3") 894.0mm (35.2")
    Width 631.0mm (24.8") 296.0mm (11.7")
    Depth 304.0mm (12") 313.0mm (12.3")
    Weight 13.64kg (30lbs) 14.55kg (32lbs)
    Enclosure Passive Radiator Passive Radiator
    Finish n/a MDF/Wood-grain vinyl
    Available Colors Satin White, Satin Black, Walnut Walnut
    Grille optional n/a
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs n/a No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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