In this review, we will be comparing AURA C and R2c, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Wharfedale and KEF. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale AURA C and KEF R2c first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale AURA C 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Wharfedale AURA C and KEF R2c 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that AURA C is a 2-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 |
Wharfedale AURA C |
KEF R2c |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.0625 x 3.5-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
AURA C features a 1.0625 x 3.5" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Glass Fiber Matrix 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
AURA C has a frequency range of 48-22k Hz whereas R2c has a frequency range of 74-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the AURA C can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R2c's min frequency of 74Hz.
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
AURA C is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the R2c which has a nominal impedance of 8 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 AURA C can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. AURA C sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the R2c's is rated at 87 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale AURA C a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF R2c, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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.
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 AURA C and R2c features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Wharfedale AURA C's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
KEF R2c's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
AURA C has a side firing port whereas R2c has a rear firing ports.
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 Wharfedale AURA C's and KEF R2c's external dimensions. Wharfedale AURA C has external dimensions of 305.0 x 667.0 x 401.0mm ( 12inch x 26-1/4inch x 15-3/4inch ) 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) .
Wharfedale AURA C is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 116mm wider, 128mm taller and 85mm deeper than KEF R2c.
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 Wharfedale AURA C is approximately 2674.7cm2 / 414.6inch2 and base area of the KEF R2c is approximately 1741.2cm2 / 269.9inch2. The AURA C requires 54% more surface area than the R2c 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 Wharfedale AURA C weighs 27.27kg / 60lbs and the KEF R2c weighs 16.90kg / 37.2lbs. This makes the AURA C 61% heavier than the R2c.
Here is a comparison of how AURA C and R2c'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 Wharfedale AURA C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of AURA C:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrilleBase2 Jumper wires4 Self-adhesive rubber feetPair of white glovesUser Manual
What's in the Box of KEF R2c?
Here are the items that come with the R2c:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille4 Self-adhesive rubber feetUser ManualWarranty Information
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
3.6 ohms
vs
3.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
74 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
177mm
vs
305mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1741cm2 (551x316mm)
vs
2674cm2 (667x401mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1300USD
vs
1799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Wharfedale AURA C |
KEF R2c |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
25-200 watts |
15-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.6 ohms |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
48-22k Hz |
74-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Glass Fiber Matrix |
Hybrid Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.0625 x 3.5" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
400Hz and 2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
side |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
305.0mm (12") |
177.0mm (7") |
| Width |
667.0mm (26.3") |
551.0mm (21.7") |
| Depth |
401.0mm (15.8") |
316.0mm (12.4") |
| Weight |
27.27kg (60lbs) |
16.90kg (37.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
Multi-layer wood |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Piano Black,Piano Walnut,White Gloss |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |