In this review, we will be comparing Premier 520LCR v2 and Q6 Meta, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Paradigm and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 and KEF Q6 Meta first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 | KEF Q6 Meta |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 12th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 0.75" Hard-dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6" | 2 x 6.5" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 75-23k Hz | 63-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 93 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | Up to 200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 14.11kg / 31lbs | 14.14kg / 31.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-5/16" x 23-7/16" x 12-1/8"
211.1 x 595.3 x 308.0mm | 8.3" x 24.8" x 11.9"
210 x 629 x 303 mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Premier 520LCR v2 is a 2-way design whereas the Q6 Meta 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.
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2KEF Q6 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 |
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 |
KEF Q6 Meta |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Premier 520LCR v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6" Woofer. On the other hand, the Q6 Meta features a 0.75" vented aluminum dome with MAT absorber Hard-dome Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 560 Hz, 2.7 kHz.
Frequency Response
Premier 520LCR v2 has a frequency range of 75-23k Hz whereas Q6 Meta has a frequency range of 63-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 63Hz, the Q6 Meta can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Premier 520LCR v2's min frequency of 75Hz.
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
Premier 520LCR v2 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Q6 Meta which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Q6 Meta can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Premier 520LCR v2 sensitivity is rated at 93 dB and the Q6 Meta's is rated at 86 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Q6 Meta, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
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.
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Premier 520LCR v2 features Binding post type posts and Q6 Meta has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/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 Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2's and KEF Q6 Meta's external dimensions. Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 has external dimensions of 211.1 x 595.3 x 308.0mm () whereas KEF Q6 Meta has external dimensions of 210 x 629 x 303 mm (8.3 x 24.8 x 11.9 in.).
KEF Q6 Meta is 1.1mm shorter and 5mm less deeper than Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 but it is also 33.7mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Near-identical footprints.
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 Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is approximately 1833.5cm2 / 284.2inch2 and base area of the KEF Q6 Meta is approximately 1905.9cm2 / 295.4inch2. The Premier 520LCR v2 requires 4% less surface area than the Q6 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 Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 weighs 14.11kg / 31lbs and the KEF Q6 Meta weighs 14.14kg / 31.1lbs. This makes the Q6 Meta 0% heavier than the Premier 520LCR v2.
Here is a comparison of how Premier 520LCR v2 and Q6 Meta's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2
What's in the Box of KEF Q6 Meta?
Here are the items that come with the Q6 Meta:
- Q6 Meta
- Magnetic grilles (pair)
- Rubber feet
- Port bungs
- User manual and warranty information
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 High Frequency Response |
23k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1833cm2
vs
1905cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
63 Hz
vs
75 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
210mm
vs
211mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
800USD
vs
900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 |
KEF Q6 Meta |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Sensitivity |
93 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
75-23k Hz |
63-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6" |
4" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
560 Hz, 2.7 kHz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
211.1mm (8.3") |
210.0mm (8.3") |
| Width |
595.3mm (23.4") |
629.0mm (24.8") |
| Depth |
308.0mm (12.1") |
303.0mm (11.9") |
| Weight |
14.11kg (31lbs) |
14.14kg (31.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Satin Black,Satin White,Walnut |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
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 | B | KEF Q6 Meta digs deeper - 63Hz against 75Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is more sensitive (93dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | KEF Q6 Meta is cheaper - $800 against $900, about 11% less. |
A Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 B KEF Q6 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?
The usual trade-off: Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 measures better, KEF Q6 Meta costs about about 13% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 75Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.