In this review, we will be comparing R2 Meta and R6 Meta, two Passive Center Channel speakers by KEF Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF R2 Meta and KEF R6 Meta first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
R2 Meta and R6 Meta are members of KEF's R META series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
What size room are the KEF R2 Meta and KEF R6 Meta 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 R2 Meta and KEF R6 Meta 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 R2 Meta and R6 Meta are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
KEF R2 Meta |
KEF R6 Meta |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5-inch |
1 x 5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
R2 Meta features a 1" Aluminum with MAT absorber Hard-Dome Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" Hybrid Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 560Hz and 2500Hz. On the other hand, the R6 Meta features a 1" Aluminum with MAT absorber Hard-Dome Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Hybrid Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 500Hz and 2400Hz.
Frequency Response
R2 Meta has a frequency range of 67-28k Hz whereas R6 Meta has a frequency range of 65-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the R6 Meta can go slightly deeper then the R2 Meta's min frequency of 67Hz.
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
R2 Meta and R6 Meta have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R2 Meta sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the R6 Meta's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the KEF R6 Meta a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF R2 Meta, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the R2 Meta and the R2 Meta can provide this impedance level.
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.
R2 Meta can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas R2 Meta has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the R6 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
Both R2 Meta and R6 Meta features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
KEF R2 Meta's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
KEF R6 Meta's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts 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 R2 Meta's and KEF R6 Meta's external dimensions. KEF R2 Meta has external dimensions of 177.0 x 553.0 x 312.0mm ( 6-15/16-inch x 21-3/4-inch x 12-1/4-inch) whereas KEF R6 Meta has external dimensions of 202.0 x 626.0 x 339.0mm ( 7-15/16-inch x 24-5/8-inch x 13-5/16-inch) .
KEF R6 Meta is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 73mm wider, 25mm taller and 27mm deeper than KEF R2 Meta.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF R2 Meta and KEF R6 Meta in scale.
Comparison image of KEF R2 Meta and KEF R6 Meta Size and External Dimensions
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 R2 Meta is approximately 1725.4cm2 / 267.4inch2 and base area of the KEF R6 Meta is approximately 2122.1cm2 / 328.9inch2. The R2 Meta requires 19% less surface area than the R6 Meta 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 R2 Meta weighs 15.45kg / 34lbs and the KEF R6 Meta weighs 17.82kg / 39.2lbs. This makes the R6 Meta 15% heavier than the R2 Meta.
Here is a comparison of how R2 Meta and R6 Meta'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 R2 Meta?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R2 Meta:
1 R2 Meta 1 microfiber grille Rubber feet User manual and warranty information
What's in the Box of KEF R6 Meta?
Here are the items that come with the R6 Meta:
1 R2 Meta 1 microfiber grille Rubber feet User manual and warranty information
 Height |
177mm
vs
202mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1725cm2 (553x312mm)
vs
2122cm2 (626x339mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1399USD
vs
1999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
67 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
KEF R2 Meta |
KEF R6 Meta |
| Brand |
KEF |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
15-200 watts |
15-250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
67-28k Hz |
65-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Hybrid Aluminum |
Hybrid Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5" |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
560Hz and 2500Hz |
500Hz and 2400Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
177.0mm (7") |
202.0mm (8") |
| Width |
553.0mm (21.8") |
626.0mm (24.6") |
| Depth |
312.0mm (12.3") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
15.45kg (34lbs) |
17.82kg (39.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Sealed |
Sealed |
| Available Colors |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
5 years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
5 years |