In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers. Wharfedale Heritage Centre is a Center Channel speaker whereas the kO-R2 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Heritage Centre and Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale Heritage Centre | Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | Compression Horn |
|---|
| Midrange | 2" | — |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6-1/2" | 15" Paper |
|---|
| Frequency response | 54-20k Hz | 39-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 97 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | up to 300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 14.03kg / 30.9lbs | 54.65kg / 120.2lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 45-1/2" x 25-3/8" x 22-1/4"
1156.0 x 645.0 x 565.0mm |
|---|
Heritage Centre and kO-R2 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Heritage Centre is a 3-way design whereas the kO-R2 is a 2-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.
Wharfedale Heritage CentreKlipsch OJAS kO-R2
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 OJAS kO-R2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
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 kO-R2 features a " K-706 driver Compression Horn Tweeter and 1 x 15" Paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 760Hz.
Frequency Response
Heritage Centre has a frequency range of 54-20k Hz whereas kO-R2 has a frequency range of 39-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 39Hz, the kO-R2 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 kO-R2 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 kO-R2's is rated at 97 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 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
Heritage Centre features Binding post type posts and kO-R2 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 Wharfedale Heritage Centre's and Klipsch OJAS kO-R2'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 OJAS kO-R2 has external dimensions of 1156.0 x 645.0 x 565.0mm (45-1/2 x 25-3/8 x 22-1/4inch).
Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 94mm wider, 905mm taller and 249mm 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 OJAS kO-R2 needs about 109% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 is 249mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch OJAS kO-R2 is 905mm 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 OJAS kO-R2 is approximately 3644.3cm2 / 564.9inch2. The Heritage Centre requires 52% less surface area than the kO-R2 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