In this review, we will be comparing Q650c and R2c, two Passive Center Channel speakers by KEF Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF Q650c and KEF R2c first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the KEF Q650c 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KEF Q650c and KEF R2c 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Q650c 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 |
KEF Q650c |
KEF R2c |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5-inch |
|
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 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
Q650c has a frequency range of 64-28k Hz whereas R2c has a frequency range of 74-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 64Hz, the Q650c can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R2c's min frequency of 74Hz.
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
Q650c and R2c 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. 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 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Q650c has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the R2c.
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
R2c 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
KEF R2c's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
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 R2c'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 R2c has external dimensions of 177.0 x 551.0 x 316.0mm ( 6-15/16 x 21-11/16 x 12-7/16inch) .
KEF R2c is 80mm narrower and 35mm shorter than KEF Q650c but it is also 12mm deeper.
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 R2c is approximately 1741.2cm2 / 269.9inch2. The Q650c requires 10% 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 KEF Q650c weighs 13.64kg / 30lbs and the KEF R2c weighs 16.90kg / 37.2lbs. This makes the R2c 24% heavier than the Q650c.
Here is a comparison of how Q650c 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 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 R2c?
Here are the items that come with the R2c:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille4 Self-adhesive rubber feetUser ManualWarranty Information
 Minimum Impedance |
4.2 ohms
vs
3.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
64 Hz
vs
74 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| Passive Radiator |
one 6.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Price per pair* |
750USD
vs
1300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Height |
177mm
vs
212mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1741cm2 (551x316mm)
vs
1918cm2 (631x304mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
KEF Q650c |
KEF R2c |
| Brand |
KEF |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
15-150 watts |
15-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.2 ohms |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
64-28k Hz |
74-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
aluminum |
Hybrid Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
400Hz and 2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
212.0mm (8.3") |
177.0mm (7") |
| Width |
631.0mm (24.8") |
551.0mm (21.7") |
| Depth |
304.0mm (12") |
316.0mm (12.4") |
| Weight |
13.64kg (30lbs) |
16.90kg (37.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Satin White, Satin Black, Walnut |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
| 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 |