In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers. Wharfedale Heritage Centre is a Center Channel speaker whereas the AK6 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Heritage Centre and Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale Heritage Centre | Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Midrange | 2" | 2" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6-1/2" | 15" fiber-composite with a trihedral exponential folded horn |
|---|
| Frequency response | 54-20k Hz | 33-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 105 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 14.03kg / 30.9lbs | 100.00kg / 220lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9-7/8" x 21-11/16" x 12-7/16"
251.0 x 551.0 x 316.0mm | 53" x 31-1/4" x 28-1/4"
1347.0 x 794.0 x 718.0mm |
|---|
Heritage Centre and AK6 are members of Klipsch's Heritage series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Wharfedale Heritage Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Heritage Centre and AK6 are 3-way speakers.
Wharfedale Heritage CentreKlipsch Klipschorn AK6
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Wharfedale Heritage Centre |
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 2-inch |
1 x 2-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-1/2-inch
|
1 x 15-inch
|
Heritage Centre features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter, a 2" Midrange and 2 x 6-1/2" Woofer. On the other hand, the AK6 features a 1" polyimide diaphragm compression Tractrix horn Tweeter, a 2" Midrange and 1 x 15" fiber-composite with a trihedral exponential folded horn Woofer.
Frequency Response
Heritage Centre has a frequency range of 54-20k Hz whereas AK6 has a frequency range of 33-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 33Hz, the AK6 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Heritage Centre's min frequency of 54Hz.
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
Heritage Centre is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the AK6 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Heritage Centre sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the AK6's is rated at 105 dB. This 15 dB difference makes the Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Heritage Centre, 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.
Wharfedale Heritage Centre
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
AK6 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Heritage Centre has a Binding post which doesn't 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 Wharfedale Heritage Centre's and Klipsch Klipschorn AK6's external dimensions. Wharfedale Heritage Centre has external dimensions of 251.0 x 551.0 x 316.0mm (9-7/8inch x 21-11/16inch x 12-7/16inch) whereas Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 has external dimensions of 1347.0 x 794.0 x 718.0mm (53 x 31-1/4 x 28-1/4inch).
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 243mm wider, 1096mm taller and 402mm deeper than Wharfedale Heritage Centre.
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.
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 needs about 227% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 is 402mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 is 1096mm taller.
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 Heritage Centre is approximately 1741.2cm2 / 269.9inch2 and base area of the Klipsch Klipschorn AK6 is approximately 5700.9cm2 / 883.6inch2. The Heritage Centre requires 69% less surface area than the AK6 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Wharfedale Heritage Centre?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Heritage Centre:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Self-adhesive feet
- Pair of white gloves
- User's Manual
What's in the Box of Klipsch Klipschorn AK6?
Here are the items that come with the AK6:
- 2 Loudspeaker cabinets
- 2 Subwoofer cabinets
- 2 Grilles
- Owners Manual
- Congratulations letter
- Klipsch brochure