In this review, we will be comparing R6 Meta and Sonetto CII, two Passive Center Channel speakers from KEF and Sonus Faber. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF R6 Meta and Sonus Sonetto Center II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the KEF R6 Meta and Sonus Sonetto Center II 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 R6 Meta and Sonus Sonetto Center II 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
Both R6 Meta and Sonetto CII are 3-way speakers.
Driver |
KEF R6 Meta |
Sonus Sonetto Center II |
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.15-inch
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5-inch |
2 x 6-inch |
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 6-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 Sonetto CII features a 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 2 x 6" aluminum cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1.650 Hz.
Frequency Response
R6 Meta has a frequency range of 65-28k Hz whereas Sonetto CII has a frequency range of 42-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Sonetto CII can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R6 Meta's min frequency of 65Hz.
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
R6 Meta and Sonetto CII 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 Sonetto CII's is at 91 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Sonus Sonetto Center II a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF R6 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
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 300 watts RMS from the amp the whereas R6 Meta has a max power handling value of 250 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the Sonetto CII.
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 Sonetto CII features dual binding post speaker terminals for 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 Sonus Sonetto Center II'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 Sonus Sonetto Center II has external dimensions of 289.0 x 743.0 x 409.0mm ( 12 x 30 x 16inch) .
Sonus Sonetto Center II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 117mm wider, 87mm taller and 70mm deeper than KEF R6 Meta.
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 Sonus Sonetto Center II is approximately 3038.9cm2 / 471.0inch2. The R6 Meta requires 30% less surface area than the Sonetto CII 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 R6 Meta weighs 17.82kg / 39.2lbs and the Sonus Sonetto Center II weighs 16.20kg / 35.6lbs. This makes the R6 Meta 10% heavier than the Sonetto CII.
Here is a comparison of how R6 Meta and Sonetto CII'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 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 Sonus Sonetto Center II?
Here are the items that come with the Sonetto CII:
1 Masks1 Fabric dust guards1 Basis2 Jumpers1 Manual
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
202mm
vs
289mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
2122cm2 (626x339mm)
vs
3038cm2 (743x409mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
1999USD
vs
2199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
250 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
General |
KEF R6 Meta |
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center II |
Brand |
KEF |
Sonus Faber |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
Power Range |
15-250 watts |
50-300 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
91 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
65-28k Hz |
42-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6" |
Woofer Composition |
Hybrid Aluminum |
aluminum cone |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.15" |
Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
high definition DAD Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
5" |
6" |
Crossover Frequency |
500Hz and 2400Hz |
1.650 Hz |
Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
202.0mm (8") |
289.0mm (11.4") |
Width |
626.0mm (24.6") |
743.0mm (29.3") |
Depth |
339.0mm (13.3") |
409.0mm (16.1") |
Weight |
17.82kg (39.2lbs) |
16.20kg (35.6lbs) |
Enclosure |
Sealed |
Bass Reflex |
Available Colors |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
Wood, White, Black, Wenge |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 years |
|
Labor Warranty |
5 years |
|