Kef Q650c Center Channel Speaker Review (by Erin)

[sweetchaos]

Thanks to @hardisj for another review!

Kef Q650c Center Channel Speaker Review

Kef Q650c Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

This is the 2.5-way center channel from Kef, which retails for US$750/ea.

Preference score (as per Erin): 3.5 (or 5.8 /w sub)

Conclusion:

Due to the sheer number of speakers I am testing at this time, all subjective and objective takeaways will be discussed in video form. As stated in the Foreword, this written review is purposely a cliff’s notes version. For details about the performance (objectively and subjectively) please watch the YouTube video.

Discuss!

 

[abdo123]

The tuning is weird but an AVR should whip to shape without issues with EQ. for an 'outdated' design not bad at all.

 

[sweetchaos]

Here's the comparison with Kef R2C:

Spoiler

 

[Sancus]

Disappointing how bright this is out of box. Excellent directivity as usual though, so in theory room EQ(or manual EQ) should bang this into decent shape at least. Definitely a lot worse than the R2C.

 

[Steve Dallas]

That's too bad. I was hoping this one would prove to be a hidden gem. At least it is correctable, but I generally dislike using correction throughout the entire FR, which this would need.

 

[RobL]

I have this as my center. Don’t have a lot to add, plays quite low, dialogue is clear and timbre seems very good to me…sounds fine in any of my seating as well.

Edit: Scratch that, I have the 600C…older version?

 

[Nootmuskaatje]

Disappointing how bright this is out of box. Excellent directivity as usual though, so in theory room EQ(or manual EQ) should bang this into decent shape at least. Definitely a lot worse than the R2C.

Half the price of the R2C and Audyssey fixed it pretty well (psychoacoustic smoothing, with sub). Increased 100-200Hz in app, didn't measure again.

 

[SpinifexV]

Well... Probably should have gone up to the R2C then. Still, it seems pretty good in use, not a lot to complain about.

 

[Nootmuskaatje]

Well... Probably should have gone up to the R2C then. Still, it seems pretty good in use, not a lot to complain about.

Q350: €179,- a piece
Q650C: €449,-

R3: €649,- a piece
R2C: €999,-

Only the front stage will cost 1490,- euro more than going with the Qs. For 35% of the price and some room EQ, you can get a pretty kick ass setup. Not all of us has an extra €1500,- to spend to get rid of a 5dB dip which some room corrections can solve.

 

[GabrielPhoto]

Is this really worse than the R2c? I am surprised it was discussed so little

 

[Benedium]

Is this really worse than the R2c? I am surprised it was discussed so little

Horizontal directivity is like mtm centers at only 20deg? It is more sensitive than r2c though. R4c would be best but the price...

 

[GabrielPhoto]

Horizontal directivity is like mtm centers at only 20deg? It is more sensitive than r2c though. R4c would be best but the price...

ouch I didnt notice that. Yeah, my THX 365c is way better. I am almost sure I am keeping the 365c as my center until one day I go with another JBL 590 as center. The last one I was considering trying was the R2C (aside from the SVS Ultra center I am getting tomorrow).
Regards

 

[Benedium]

ouch I didnt notice that. Yeah, my THX 365c is way better. I am almost sure I am keeping the 365c as my center until one day I go with another JBL 590 as center. The last one I was considering trying was the R2C (aside from the SVS Ultra center I am getting tomorrow).
Regards

Can you temporarily move one jbl590 to center and use say a spare bookshelf speaker for L/R? Curious about the results

 

[GabrielPhoto]

Oh I plan to test it out of curiosity too when I receive 4 more this week as I decided to go 6x 590 plus whatever center I end up with for now.

 

[Astrozombie]

There's no issues with flipping the tweeter using a JBL as a center? Or do you mean using it vertically?

 

[GabrielPhoto]

There's no issues with flipping the tweeter using a JBL as a center? Or do you mean using it vertically?

I will be testing vertically

 

[Ata]

I have been using a Q150 as a centre for my KEF LS50M LRs, and can't see why I need a dedicated centre channel, apart from some aesthetics benefit and a bit more SPL. I am using a sub with a 100 Hz xover.

 

[akarma]

I have been using a Q150 as a centre for my KEF LS50M LRs, and can't see why I need a dedicated centre channel, apart from some aesthetics benefit and a bit more SPL.

Yes same soughts

 

[dontpokethebear]

I just picked this up. I was happy with a phantom center for personal viewing but I now have family or friends over for movies often and I want to fix the audio for more than one seat. This was the best performing center channel in terms of clarity at 30 degrees I could find for less than $1000 and also was only 8 inches tall. My TV could go higher but it would look really weird if I put it up 10-12 inches. I almost splurged on the R2c since that's only 6 inches tall but I really could not justify spending double price. I ended up getting the last in-stock one at accessories4less for $100 off retail.

 

[sonick]

Apologies for the necro-bump but there's one on FB marketplace near me that seems to be a pretty good price, about the same if not lower than the Elac Unifi 2.0 UC52 at its lowest price on Amazon.

So assuming the price is the same, would it be better to go with an excellent used condition Q650c or a brand new Elac UC52?