KEF R2C Center Speaker Review | Good..Just Good.
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- We've had the R2C in the system for a week or 2 now and I've got to say, you get what you paid for but nothing more. Out of the R series lineup this may be the least impressive speaker in the lineup but it does get the job done! I'm happy with as there are some really nice plus sides to it!
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It's always best to have the centre channel placed on top of the cabinet, (or on a stand) by having it placed within the cabinet one will not just lose the virtualisation but also the depth in dialogue, for example... when I placed my centre channel within the cabinet.. when the actors were talking from within a cave the echo effect was kinda of subtle but when it was placed on top of the cabinet there was absolutely no mistaking the echo effect throughout the whole of my livingroom!
I'm more of a 2-channel music listener and even though my Sonos Faber speakers are front ported, I still make sure they're away from boundary surfaces basically for the same effect except for time its for musical instruments being placed within my living room!
What Sonos Faber speakers are you using
Hi! Please share the movie you mentioned with the actors and experiencing the echo effect! Thanks!
This doesn't make sense to me considering the R2C cabinet is sealed. As lung as the front of the speaker is at least flush with the AV cabinet, it shouldn't matter right? Couldn't the differences you are hearing simply be attributed to the change in height?
@@TH-lo8mq I'm no expert, so you could be right, but I'm guessing reflections may be distorted when putting a speaker in a cabinet, even when flush.
@@bedroomcinemaguy5568sonus Faber sonetto's driven by an arcam amp.
Click on the red dragon twice to hear them.
You have to get a calibrated mic man. I've seen a number of spots in your videos where it could have helped out. It's only $79. Congrats on the new KEF's, you definitely upped your game.
what mic is that?
I bought a umik 1 right before the price inflation for like 110. it's crazy, they used to be 75 bucks and now go for about 130. Very useful for setting up subs 👍
I'll have to try it out. I think I can use my Anthem mic with similar results
@@Kpaceguy you can plug any mic in but I would not use anything that you don't have a calibration file for. It makes more sense to just pay the 79 dollars for the UMIK-1.
KEF makes very good sounding speakers. Not surprising that this is pleasing to your refined ears
When They See Us is such an incredibly well made series. That clip made me want to watch it again.
As an experiment, put your center on top of some 24-28" stands, directly in front of the cabinet, just before it hits the projector beam. Now the center tweeter is way close to ear height, and will be completely free standing.
Run that ARC Genesis again. Prepare for a substantially less +db boost, and consequently, mind blown.
I have a center channel stand that puts it about that height but it's too far into the room
Even through phone speakers I can tell a difference. Nice upgrade I’m looking for towers and I’m thinking about the cheapest Klipsch reference towers. Love your video’s, keep up the great work! 🤘❤️🔥
I appreciate it my friend
Kyle I'm the same kinda nuts as you...
I want IDENTICAL (drivers) all way around; That way there's one less variable to rule out...
If sound is still off, then its your room, or speaker placement that's left to tweak.
Identical drivers gives maybe 97% chance of better all-around cohesion, whereas more "expensive" or "better" box leaves you only 50/50 chance, maybe.
Your grounded just fine in your theory for building your very own Valhalla... :)
Onwards and upwards.
All my bed speakers are Elac Debut 2.0 towers with the C6.2 center (front ported) powered by the Marantz AV7705 and Marantz MM8807 and MM7055 (Atmos). I have upgraded everything except my speakers. When I built this latest HT, I went with Elac because they had the best price at that time, and I was starting from scratch. I started with a Marantz SR6013, then upgraded to the AV7705 with Emotiva BasX amps. Then I upgraded to the Marantz amps. The only thing I never felt like I wanted to upgrade is the Elacs. They are phenomenal for the money, and the center channel is excellent. I went from 150wpc Emotiva's to the 150wpc Marantz, and the same thing happened. All my trims went up a few, and I even had to increase the listening volume. Used to listen loud at around -10, but now it is about -2. Even tho it seems the Emotivas put out more power, in reality, the power is just more uniform on the Marantz. They absolutely crush the Emotivas. I guess my point is do not worry about trims and volume levels. Your ears are what matter. But yes, it is because your center is so low and how it is hitting the mic. Raise it ear/mic level, and I bet you are +2 at best, but again it really does not matter with the trim, but it would sound better higher. I would love to hear them KEFs
It sounds so warm and full.
Go get it man. You have indeed worked hard for it. 👍
Great review, I 've had some B&W 600 series for 26 years now and it's about time I had a change! I'm hoping to get some good Black Friday deals on KEF R5 / R2C / R8A.
That muffle sound with the centre speaker that you were talking about that's what I get with mine. And I have tried absolutely everything. Changing crossover lowering base which is pretty low anyway. My room is small my centre speaker is in a cabinet but there's no Port at the back so it should be ok. Keep up the good work with the videos👍
I had the same issue and found out it was the cabinet the center was in. The center I was using was fairly small one with duel 4” woofers. I fixed the issue by buying acoustic 1/4” felt and treating the sides and upper part of the cabinet. It cleaned up the sound. My center was ported so the muffle sound was pretty sever. I doubled the felt panels to make it more dense. I had the center for about 2 years and recently upgraded to a 51/4” duel drives. I’m still using the same treated cabinet still sounds really good even with a larger center that can produce Lower frequency
Hope this helps
Kudos man!!.. They all match well. Few tweaks over time.. you'll get it right.
Yes.. placements are tricky with large screens.. and not transparent screen.
Keep at it !
Its transparent
@@Kpaceguy - Ah..cool.. but now with such pretty speakers.. to keep the sound staging for a center and the screen at eye level, would you ever consider putting the center behind the screen?..
What about a false wall box .. big enough for a matching KEF in wall for a center.. and keep the towers outside?.. that way you aren't losing nearly 15 inches to accommodate for a full center.. and a in-wall back box is shallow enough to keep the room space.
Just an idea.. I'd consider it if it were my space to wrestle.
I’m looking to get a new set off speakers, I’ve been thinking about the Kef R range but I’ve decided to go with the monitor audio gold 5g the 300 5g sound amazing it’s going to be a massive upgrade for me can’t wait
Enjoy!
From my personal experience: if you haven’t got kids lose the grill it does affect sound to some degree. Secondly when you room correct check the response from center channel for any dips in frequency- being so close to floor it might create some and then it won’t sound as good as it can in other words if there is null room correction most likely won’t fix it. Also too high crossover would muffle sound as you’re asking you lfe to do more and it’s less clear - adding dedicated sub to center makes a huge difference.
Btw +9 could indicate a null in response which processor trying to get rid off
Screen problem - did you think about bolting you projector to the ceiling? Or making little stand you can extend for center channel and have projector behind it
I won't put this projector on the ceiling a part of the reason for getting it is to not have to. I have considered making a stand as well OR getting a bigger screen that allows me to pull the projector out enough that I can put the center In front without blocking light
Wow best intro yet my boy!
Thank you
Idea: replace the projector with a TCL 98 and move your center up! And I’m a big fan of full range:)
Replace lol I just got it!
Hey kaypace guy yamaha have a feature that is called dialog lift ans for some reason it works. Surprisingly Doesn't make it louder it actually makes the sound elevated when you have to place your centre low from your viewing
Ports on Center channels do serve a purpose. Low frequencies do come out of the center Channel. Just asked John Hunter over at Rel. They are recommending a subwoofer to complement your Center Channel and running it full range
Yes I know
@@Kpaceguy I only mentioned cuz you're own words were you don't see the point of having ports on a center Channel in the video
Shocked you didn't grab (5) Perlisten R5m monitors. That's my next and last set of speakers when I sell my Martin Logan XTi's. I had (4) KEF R3s and the R2C, but had issues with the driver dimpling and grills leaving this nasty black outline on the speakers. Hopefully, you have no issues GREAT content. 👍
I'm a tower speaker guy. Don't ask me why because I don't know lol
I’d bet it’s the placement why Arc boosted your CC +9. Try setting it on top of something that brings it closer to your L&R tweeter and re run Arc
Thank you. Awesome review.!!
I appreciate it
It’s a good sounding center channel speaker and I am just wondering if it being so low would have a effect on the output. I am also wondering if you noticed any differences with the KEF being a sealed speaker and if it help or hurt your sound being able to reproduce the lows at a lower volume?
You need to get yourself a Umik-1 and familiarize yourself with REW Kyle. You'll be better equipped to diagnose issues with your system rather than relying only on ARC. The ARC is great but not perfect.
Maybe put the center channel up where the projector is just to see what kind of response you get it might go down to a - setting that’s what I would do
Yes I have a center channel stand I may use
Great video! Beautiful looking center! Do you normally boost your center channel when watching movies?
Yes usually 3 or 4db higher than the mains
The center channel is set so high because it's not as efficient as the r11s also being a closed design makes it less efficient. I just bought R 11s myself and was thinking about buying this center that's why I'm watching your videos which are great by the way.. I'm using a q100 as a center now which I also thought was very weak until I turned it up to +5 which I thought was the sweet spot, I originally had it up to 9.. I called my salesman at Best buy and told him I was going to come and buy the r2c but I'm having second thoughts about spending another $1,300 when I can cut it with my q100.. was also thinking about hooking 2 of them up because I have 6 of them in my house.. and just so you know the q series can't hold a candle to the r series sound wise . Now that you have the r2 center you can't go back, It's just that I don't watch a lot of movies I bought the r11s for two channel music listening..
I just put two q100s together and wired them in parallel ..it made a huge difference, in changed the hot highs and boxiness. The two together seem more coherent with the r11s now..
I have to ask you.. do you feel that the rc2 sounds similar to the r11s in timber.. because I keep finding something wrong with my setup
I love looks of KEF speakers but never heard/listen, at this moment I own svs ultra’s paired with Monolith x7 and avm70 sounds amazing.
Have you chance to listen svs ultra’s? I wonder how they compare sound wise.
You’re going to be using R3’s as surrounds? 😂 Hey, if you’re able to splurge, go for it! I feel like most people use those for their LCRs, haha. To put it in perspective, measurement-wise, I believe the R3’s actually beat the RC2 center channel you have. They’re supposed to be pretty great.
If you single wired the R2C what or how did you set the link connection knob(s) on the speaker. I am not sure how this works on these kef speakers. Any advise is appreciated.
You can't twist the knobs to close the circuit and run a single wire or you can open the circuit run 2 wires
I have the same kef R2c in black and it is a bit quiet. I have just bougt the Denon Avc-x3700h and been tinkering with the audyssey settings. I think i cracked it yesterday. Turned of dynamic eq and volume. Made a house curve in stead. And turned up the volume 2 db on the r2c. Everything sounds a lot better. So maybe you cant hear the center good enough because of the dynamic eq. if that is on, it boosts your rear surrounds and you lose detail from the front. Or maybe its a canselation problem. Could be the crosover. Its frustration until it good enough, but is it ever😉
I have an anthem lol
SVS Ultra Center is the best 👌
lol no
Definitely no
Question, any difference in quality those made in England and made in China ?
It's probably negligible
have you tried taking one of your KEF R3's and using it laid horizontal as a center channel? the directivity horizontally and vertically for the R3 is nearly equal at greater than plus/minus 50 degrees and the R3 well outperforms the R2C.
Haven't yet but will after listening to them in their normal application
Yeah, problem is you have to buy the pair then try to sell one (or find someone who is selling a single).
I skipped the kef center and went with the polk L400 center with my r11s. R11s are a beefy speaker. that r2C looked and sounded too rinky dink. You need a big cabinet. I think Kef was going for style. The L400s keep up and then some. L400 center is an amazing center. I don't think you can get a better center within 5 grand of that price. Maybe more. The L400 is a touch brighter but still shines and matches well as a center with the R11s. Dialog, glass breakage, crashes etc are clear as shit. It can get low as well.
Why didn't you get the Polk r700
My old center was a Q650c model with only two conections, i see these have 4 in the back, how would you plug these in a Emotiva amp? im confused
The exact same way.
Thanks for your response brother, you just gained a followe! I see that speaker has 2 connections on top and bottom, the Q650c only has two to plug straight into one channel on my amp?
Plus nine is quite High I agree with you, but I guarantee you the sensitivity of your Center channel is not the same as the towers. Even though they listed that way. I wonder if they just didn't want to freak people out with the true low sensitivity rating on the center Channel
I'll play with placement and see what happens
The center channel needs raised up from the floor. All center channel used in a surround systems I see are not that low.
You're correct
That’s weird that got calibrated that high because a have the same center in black with a marantz av7706 pre pro and it calibrated mine at -9.5 and my mains at -8.5 and it sounds great!
It's more than likely the placement
Would you say this is the best KEF center speaker?
No. The new Meta is
Can you please suggest the proper installation height from floor ? I m planning to install as a in wall speakers
Ear level
That would be very high from the floor. I built steps for my theater room and I think they around 12 inch height from ground
Hi There
I was just wondering what type of speakers and amplifiers do you want your anthem 70. Can you give me a list of all the equipment that you use with the processor. Thank you sylvan
I'll link to a video. I'm not going to list everything as it's in all my videos
ua-cam.com/video/BdBixc85sEg/v-deo.html
I have opportunity to buy this center speaker for $900 used. Only 5 months used for $900 doesn’t seem bad. Any advice?
Buy it
Thank you
You convinced me lol 😝
@@Kpaceguy quick question, I purchased the Kef Q750’s. Is the Kef R2C to big of a center? Is is a good fit for the Q750’s? Thank you
@@KEF1987 yes
Can't have a centre channel down on the floor like that and expect it to sound good.
It sounds great down there. The location doesn't change its quality it changes its projection
Your tech had to crank your center channel because you are using it with R11’s. My R7’s even give it a run for it’s money. If you’d gone with the Q model center channel you wouldn’t be as happy.
Well that's good to know
Did you mean q650c? How would you compare it to r2c?
I don't understand the thought behind running a speaker only rated down to 74 Hz at full range. You're losing all information below 74 Hz by doing so!
In room response is much lower than that. Somewhere in thr mid 40s
I would just use phantom center if you can't get a center channel that is the same size as your front left/right.
I could never
Get another r11 lay it on its side under your screen
I've thought about it. It's not going to change the placement issue it's the same width
If the center channel is the most important then you need to prioritize its placement above all else and just giving advice from one brother to another..... you ain't doing it any justice putting it down below
I'm sure deep down you already know this too
Of course I know. But it can't go anywhere else in this apartment so it's one of those "Is what it is" moments
What cross over do you use for this ?
60
@@Kpaceguy why not 80 could you explain?