Magnepan CCRx vs KEF R2c Comparison

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Magnepan CCRx

Passive Center Channel | 200-40k Hz

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KEF R2c

Passive Center Channel | 74-28k Hz

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Magnepan CCRx

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KEF R2c

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Magnepan CCRx

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KEF R2c

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Magnepan CCRx vs KEF R2c Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing CCRx and R2c, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Magnepan and KEF.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Magnepan CCRx and KEF R2c first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key Specs	Magnepan CCRx	KEF R2c
Design	—	3-way
Uni-Q driver	—	12th Generation Uni-Q
Tweeter	—	1" Dome
Midrange	—	5"
Woofer	—	2 x 5.25" Hybrid Aluminum
Frequency response	200-40k Hz	74-28k Hz
Sensitivity	88 dB	87 dB
Impedance	3 ohms	8 ohms
Power range	—	15-200 watts
Weight	—	16.90kg / 37.2lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)	15" x 39.5" x 5.5" 381.0 x 1003.3 x 139.7mm	6-15/16" x 21-11/16" x 12-7/16" 177.0 x 551.0 x 316.0mm

What size room are the Magnepan CCRx 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:

Listening Environment*	Magnepan CCRx	KEF R2c
Near-field	Good	Poor
Small Room	Good	Average
Mid-size Room	Average	Good
Large Room	Poor	Average
Very Large Room	No way	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.)

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.

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

Drivers

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that CCRx is a -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	Magnepan CCRx	KEF R2c
Driver Setup	-way	3-way
Tweeter	-inch	1-inch
Midrange	-	1 x 5-inch
Woofer	x -inch	2 x 5.25-inch

CCRx features a " Tweeter and x " Woofer. 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

CCRx has a frequency range of 200-40k Hz whereas R2c has a frequency range of 74-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 74Hz, the R2c can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the CCRx's min frequency of 200Hz.

The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.

Low Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

CCRx

R2c

Min

Average

Median

Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

CCRx is a 3 ohms speaker compared to the R2c which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. CCRx sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the R2c's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Magnepan CCRx a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF R2c, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

CCRx

R2c

Min

Average

Median

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Playing as

Magnepan CCRx

KEF R2c

Physical Specs

The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Magnepan CCRx's and KEF R2c's external dimensions. Magnepan CCRx has external dimensions of 381.0 x 1003.3 x 139.7mm (15 x 39.5 x 5.5inch) 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 452.3mm narrower and 204mm shorter than Magnepan CCRx but it is also 176.3mm 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 Magnepan CCRx is approximately 1401.6cm² / 217.2inch² and base area of the KEF R2c is approximately 1741.2cm² / 269.9inch². The CCRx requires 20% less surface area than the R2c which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of KEF R2c?

Here are the items that come with the R2c:

Center-channel loudspeaker
Grille
4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
User Manual
Warranty Information

Reasons to choose Magnepan CCRx over KEF R2c

Sensitivity	88 dB vs 87 dB	Play louder with same amount of amplification power
High Frequency Response	40k Hz vs 28k Hz	Generates higher frequency
Base Surface Area	1401cm² vs 1741cm²	Takes less floor space

Reasons to choose KEF R2c over Magnepan CCRx

Driver Setup	3-way vs -way	Have a dedicated mid-range driver
Nominal Impedance	8 ohms vs 3 ohms	Less selective with amplifiers
Woofer Size	5.25 inches vs inches	Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response	74 Hz vs 200 Hz	Generates deeper bass
Height	177mm vs 381mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Price per pair*	1300USD vs 7000USD	costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

Magnepan CCRx vs KEF R2c Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Magnepan CCRx	KEF R2c
Brand	Magnepan	KEF
Speaker Type	Center channel speaker	Center channel speaker
Sensitivity	88 dB	87 dB
Impedance	3 ohms	8 ohms
Impedance	n/a	3.2 ohms
Frequency Response	200-40k Hz	74-28k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity		2
Woofer Size	"	5.25"
Woofer Composition		Hybrid Aluminum
Woofer Surround Material	n/a	Rubber
Tweeter Size	-	1"
Tweeter Type	n/a	Dome
Aimable Tweeter	No	No
Midrange Driver	No	5"
Crossover Frequency	n/a	400Hz and 2900Hz
Firing Direction	n/a	rear
Physical Specs
Height	381.0mm (15")	177.0mm (7")
Width	1003.3mm (39.5")	551.0mm (21.7")
Depth	139.7mm (5.5")	316.0mm (12.4")
Weight	n/a	16.90kg (37.2lbs)
Enclosure	Dipole	Acoustic Suspension
Available Colors	n/a	Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut
Grille	n/a	Yes
Moisture Resistancy	No	No
Connections
Biamp Inputs	n/a	Yes
Other
Parts Warranty		5 Years
Labor Warranty		5 Years

Verdict

These sit in different price classes - Magnepan CCRx costs roughly 5.4x what KEF R2c does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.

Area	Better	Why
Bass	B	KEF R2c digs deeper - 74Hz against 200Hz.
Amplifier needs	evenly matched	Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power.
Amplifier match	B	KEF R2c is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it.
Size	depends	KEF R2c is easier to place; Magnepan CCRx is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
Cabinet	depends	Dipole vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it.
Expandability	B	KEF R2c: bi-amping.
Price	B	KEF R2c is cheaper - $1,300 against $7,000, about 81% less; arguably a different class.

A Magnepan CCRx B KEF R2c
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.

Which should you choose?

KEF R2c is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Magnepan CCRx if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 200Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Magnepan CCRx the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and KEF R2c for a mid-size room and a large room.

And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.