In this review, we will be comparing Gold C250 6G and R6 Meta, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Monitor Audio and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G and KEF R6 Meta first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G | KEF R6 Meta |
|---|
| Brand | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 12th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 3" | 5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6" HDT C-CAM | 2 x 6.5" Hybrid Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 64 Hz – 60 kHz | 65-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87.5 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 250 watts | 15-250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 15.32kg / 33.7lbs | 17.82kg / 39.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-1/16" x 21-1/8" x 13-3/16"
205.0 x 537.0 x 335.0mm | 7-15/16" x 24-5/8" x 13-5/16"
202.0 x 626.0 x 339.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G |
KEF R6 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Gold C250 6G and R6 Meta are 3-way speakers.
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6GKEF R6 Meta
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G |
KEF R6 Meta |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 3-inch |
1 x 5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Gold C250 6G features a 1" MPD III Tweeter, a 3" Midrange and 2 x 6" HDT C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 800 Hz - 2700 Hz. 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
Gold C250 6G has a frequency range of 64 Hz – 60 kHz whereas R6 Meta has a frequency range of 65-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 64Hz, the Gold C250 6G can go slightly deeper then the R6 Meta's min frequency of 65Hz.
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
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
Gold C250 6G and R6 Meta have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Gold C250 6G sensitivity is rated at 87.5 dB and the R6 Meta's is at 88 dB.
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 Gold C250 6G and the Gold C250 6G 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 250 watts RMS, though Gold C250 6G is rated up to 250 watts and R6 Meta 15-250 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Gold C250 6G and R6 Meta features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G's Binding post 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
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 Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G's and KEF R6 Meta's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G has external dimensions of 205.0 x 537.0 x 335.0mm (21-1/8 x 8-1/16 x 13-3/16) 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).
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G is 89mm narrower and 4mm less deeper than KEF R6 Meta but it is also 3mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G and KEF R6 Meta in scale.
Comparison image of Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G 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 Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G is approximately 1799.0cm2 / 278.8inch2 and base area of the KEF R6 Meta is approximately 2122.1cm2 / 328.9inch2. The Gold C250 6G requires 15% 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 Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G weighs 15.32kg / 33.7lbs and the KEF R6 Meta weighs 17.82kg / 39.2lbs. This makes the R6 Meta 16% heavier than the Gold C250 6G.
Here is a comparison of how Gold C250 6G and R6 Meta's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Gold C250 6G:
- Center-channel speaker
- 3 Grilles
- 4 Rubber feet
- 2 Jumper-plates (pre-installed)
- Hex-key
- Quick Setup Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
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
 Minimum Impedance |
3.9 ohms
vs
3.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
64 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
60k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1799cm2
vs
2122cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
|
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
202mm
vs
205mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
1999USD
vs
2499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G |
KEF R6 Meta |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 250 watts |
15-250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87.5 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.9 ohms |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
64 Hz – 60 kHz |
65-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
HDT C-CAM |
Hybrid Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
3" |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
800 Hz - 2700 Hz |
500Hz and 2400Hz |
| Suggested Break-in Period |
4 Rubber feet |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
205.0mm (8.1") |
202.0mm (8") |
| Width |
537.0mm (21.1") |
626.0mm (24.6") |
| Depth |
335.0mm (13.2") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
15.32kg (33.7lbs) |
17.82kg (39.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Sealed |
| Available Colors |
Macassar Wood Veneer, High-Gloss Black, Satin White |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (64Hz vs 65Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (250W vs 250W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G: bi-amping; KEF R6 Meta: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | KEF R6 Meta is cheaper - $1,999 against $2,499, about 20% less. |
A Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G B KEF R6 Meta
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it.
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.