There's more to a home theater system than the subwoofer
As the centerpiece of your home theater speaker setup, the center channel is the crucial component when it comes to clear vocals and narrative. Let's face it, nothing is more annoying than straining to hear the plot of a movie. With KEF's Q600c center channel speaker, you won't miss a beat thanks to the large 6.5" Uni-Q array, 6.5" bass driver, and 6.5" auxiliary bass radiator. Plus, the hefty 1" aluminum tweeter has the tenacity to provide the emotional range, mood, and character of the human voice.
Uni-Q: every seat in the room is the sweet spot
KEF's latest version of the Uni-Q array uses state-of-the-art technology (and makes it affordable). The vented tweeter design makes clarity a priority and insures a smooth transition to midrange frequencies thanks to KEF's Stiffened Dome technology. Adding the new Tangerine Waveguide to the tweeter protects the dome and improves the efficiency and sound dispersion at the highest frequencies. Matched directivity (mounting the tweeter in the center of the bass driver) improves the uniformity of the tonal balance across the listening area — improving off-axis stereo imaging. For lows and mids, the new aluminum driver cones and large aluminum voice coils deliver fast, clean response at high power levels. The Z-flex surround gets rid of the conventional half-roll and adds one that allows simple deformations at low frequencies, but resists complex deformations in the midrange. The result is clear, unsmeared sound. But, beyond all this techno-speak, the Uni-Q array does one thing and does it well — disperse sound evenly throughout the room. It's like playing duck-duck-goose where everybody's a winner.
Crossover — simply good acoustic performance
If you've ever peeked inside a speaker cabinet, you may be tempted to decry the simplicity of the design. Interestingly enough, the simpler the crossover design, the better the acoustic performance. And we're saying simple, not cheap. The whole point of a crossover network is to filter the input signal to the separate bass, midrange, and treble drivers and to provide overall equalization and good tonal accuracy. For the Q Series, KEF put together lower, second order (i.e. a construction that uses the least amount of components) crossovers with simple electrical filter topologies for free-flowing, unconstrained, and dynamic swings and a big, open stereo image with believable overall geometry. How do they get away with using lower order crossovers? They know that carefully designed drive units and enclosures ensure only minimal filtering is necessary: genuinely good high-performance drivers = the realization of the full potential of low order acoustic crossovers. More simply put, KEF is all quality, and you don't have to be an engineer to hear the difference (thankfully).
Sound engineering — inside and out
What may seem a Herculean task to the non-engineer was undoubtedly down-right fun for the developers at KEF. Beyond the high-performance components, KEF has taken care of every single detail, right down to the top-side adjustable floorstander spikes. The cabinets are ultra rigid with 30% more internal volume for the best bass and midrange response. The gold-plated bi-wire terminals provide the clearest signal transmission possible. And the sexy, exotic, and very guilt-free wood veneers that consist of recycled wood fiber instead of unsavorily harvested hardwoods. (Hey, just because KEF provides luxurious sound doesn't mean they have to take more than their share.) KEF knows it's in the details. It's not just an experience. It's a KEF experience. Kind of gives you that warm fuzzy feeling, doesn't it?
Incredible center channel (February 07, 2012)
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Reviewed By: Benjamin M. - Alamogordo, NM
The KEF Q600 is a HUGE upgrade from my KEF IQ60. The new tweeter design makes highs sound unbelievable and the woofers hit the midrange just right. I couldnt be happier with my purchase. Just make sure that this speaker will fit in your entertainment center because it is HUGE! Great constuction, engineering, and incredible sound quality. If you are in the market for a new center channel, look no further.
Great Center Channel (September 28, 2011)
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Reviewed By: Randy V. - Burlingame, CA
I replaced an old KEF Model 100 with this and it is great. I have Kef Reference 103-4s that are in great shape and needed to match the acoustics of those and this speaker is perfect..
The one caution I would state is that you need to make sure that the center matches the other speakers. I was going to buy an XQ50c at the recommendation of a local high end store. I had even ordered it from Vanns when KEF finally returned an email I had sent asking about the best match. They were out due to Hurricane Irene. They told me that the XQ50 would be off by several milliseconds from the 103-4s and if anybody had very good hearing as my wife does, it would sound terrible. Vanns was able to stop the shipment of the Xq50c and instead I ordered the Q600c which works great.
My sound system is back to sounding like it is brand new and everything is balanced and crisp.
So if you have other KEF Speakers I strongly suggest you call KEF support and find which center will match. Neither Vanns or the high end stereo stores anyplace have that level of knowledge. But Vanns will give you the best price.
Comparison Specifications
- Power handling: 15 - 150 Watts
- Nominal impedance: 8 Ohms
- KEF UNI-Q driver: One 6.5" aluminum Uni-Q / one 1.0" vented aluminum dome HF
- Woofers: One 6.5" aluminum LF / one 6.5" aluminum ABR
- Sensitivity: 87dB
- Max. output: 110dB
- Crossover frequency: 500Hz / 2.5kHz
- Frequency response: 45Hz - 40kHz
Dimensional Specifications
- 8.3" H x 24.8" W x 11.9" D
- 31.1 lbs.
KEF Q600C center channel Warranty Details
5-year limited manufacturer's parts and labor warranty
