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KEF R6 Meta vs KEF R2 Meta Comparison

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KEF R6 Meta

Passive Center Channel | 65-28k Hz

KEF R6 Meta
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KEF R2 Meta

Passive Center Channel | 67-28k Hz

KEF R2 Meta
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KEF R6 Meta KEF R6 Meta
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KEF R2 Meta KEF R2 Meta
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KEF R6 Meta
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KEF R2 Meta
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KEF R6 Meta vs KEF R2 Meta Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing R6 Meta and R2 Meta, two Passive Center Channel speakers by KEF

Let's have a brief look at the main features of KEF R6 Meta and KEF R2 Meta first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

KEF R6 Meta Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 12th Generation Uni-Q Driver
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 5" Midrange
  • 2 x 6.5" Hybrid Aluminum Woofer
  • 65-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 88 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:15-250watts
  • Weight:17.82kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 202.0" x 24-5/8" x 13-5/16"( 202.0 x 626.0 x 339.0mm )

KEF R2 Meta Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 12th Generation Uni-Q Driver
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 5" Midrange
  • 2 x 5.25" Hybrid Aluminum Woofer
  • 5" Midrange
  • 67-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:15-200watts
  • Weight:15.45kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 177.0" x 21-3/4" x 12-1/4"( 177.0 x 553.0 x 312.0mm )

R6 Meta and R2 Meta are members of KEF's R META series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

KEF R META Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
KEF R3 Meta
  
Bookshelf 58-28k Hz 87 dB4Ω 1 x 6.5"
KEF R11 Meta
  
Floor-standing 46-28 Hz 90 dB4Ω 4 x 6.5"
KEF R5 Meta
  
Floor-standing 52-28k Hz 87 dB4Ω 2 x 5.25"
KEF R7 Meta
  
Floor-standing 48-28k Hz 88 dB4Ω 2 x 6.5"
KEF R6 Meta
Center Channel 65-28k Hz 88 dB4Ω 2 x 6.5"
KEF R2 Meta
Center Channel 67-28k Hz 87 dB4Ω 2 x 5.25"

What size room are the KEF R6 Meta and KEF R2 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:

Listening Environment* KEF R6 Meta KEF R2 Meta
Near-field Poor Poor
Small Room Poor Poor
Mid-size Room Good Good
Large Room Good Good
Very Large Room Average Average

(* 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 R6 Meta and KEF R2 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 R6 Meta and R2 Meta are 3-way speakers.

Driver KEF R6 Meta KEF R2 Meta
Driver Setup 3-way 3-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange 1 x 5-inch 1 x 5-inch
Woofer 2 x 6.5-inch 2 x 5.25-inch

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. On the other hand, the 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.

Frequency Response

R6 Meta has a frequency range of 65-28k Hz whereas R2 Meta has a frequency range of 67-28k 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

R6 Meta
R2 Meta
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

KEF R6 Meta
KEF R2 Meta
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

R6 Meta and R2 Meta have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R6 Meta sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the R2 Meta's is at 87 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 R6 Meta and the R6 Meta can provide this impedance level.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

R6 Meta
R2 Meta
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.

R6 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 R6 Meta and R2 Meta features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.

KEF R6 Meta Terminals
KEF R6 Meta's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

KEF R2 MetaCustom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts Terminals
KEF R2 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 R6 Meta's and KEF R2 Meta's external dimensions. 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) whereas 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) .

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 R6 Meta and KEF R2 Meta in scale.

KEF R6 Meta vs KEF R2 Meta Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of KEF R6 Meta and KEF R2 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 R6 Meta is approximately 2122.1cm2 / 328.9inch2 and base area of the KEF R2 Meta is approximately 1725.4cm2 / 267.4inch2. The R6 Meta requires 23% more surface area than the R2 Meta 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 R6 Meta weighs 17.82kg / 39.2lbs and the KEF R2 Meta weighs 15.45kg / 34lbs. This makes the R6 Meta 15% heavier than the R2 Meta.

Here is a comparison of how R6 Meta and R2 Meta's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
KEF R6 Meta
KEF R2 Meta
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of KEF R6 Meta?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of R6 Meta:
  • 1 R2 Meta
  • 1 microfiber grille
  • Rubber feet
  • User manual and warranty information
  • What's in the Box of KEF R2 Meta?

    Here are the items that come with the R2 Meta:
  • 1 R2 Meta
  • 1 microfiber grille
  • Rubber feet
  • User manual and warranty information

  • Reasons to choose KEF R6 Meta over KEF R2 Meta
    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

    Reasons to choose KEF R2 Meta over KEF R6 Meta

    Height 177mm vs 202mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 1725cm2 vs 2122cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 1399USD vs 1999USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    KEF R6 Meta vs KEF R2 Meta Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General KEF R6 Meta KEF R2 Meta
    Brand KEF KEF
    Speaker Type Center channel speaker Center channel speaker
    Power Range 15-250 watts 15-200 watts
    Sensitivity 88 dB 87 dB
    Impedance 4 ohms 4 ohms
    Impedance 3.2 ohms 3.2 ohms
    Frequency Response 65-28k Hz 67-28k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 2
    Woofer Size 6.5" 5.25"
    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 500Hz and 2400Hz 560Hz and 2500Hz
    Physical Specs
    Height 202.0mm (8") 177.0mm (7")
    Width 626.0mm (24.6") 553.0mm (21.8")
    Depth 339.0mm (13.3") 312.0mm (12.3")
    Weight 17.82kg (39.2lbs) 15.45kg (34lbs)
    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

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