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Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150 vs Bluesound Node 2i

Budget Pick

in Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150

119 reviews

View Product Details

Bluesound Node 2i

Bluesound Node 2i

112 reviews

View Product Details

Great sound quality with detail, full soundstage, and volume without distortion

Sharp and expensive-looking design

Recommended by many users, especially when purchased on sale

Compared favorably to other speakers, including the ELAC UB5 and Klipsch R51

Compatible with various amplifiers and streaming devices

Great functionality, integrating both streaming services and hard media into a single product

Excellent sound quality

Stable streaming integrity

Easy to set up and takes up a small footprint

Digital to analog converter is praised for its quality

Not enough bass for some users

Some users note disappointment with the build quality

Price may be too high for some users, but many recommend purchasing on sale

Not all users have had a positive experience with wireless streaming

Some compatibility issues with certain devices have been reported

Not all users have found the integration of music services to be as seamless as advertised

Verdict

Overall, the KEF Q150 speakers receive positive reviews for their sound quality, with many users impressed by their detail, full soundstage, and volume without distortion. Some users note that the speakers lack bass, while others mention disappointment with the build quality. However, many users recommend the speakers, especially when purchased on sale. The KEF Q150 is compared favorably to other speakers, including the ELAC UB5 and Klipsch R51. Users also mention various amplifiers and streaming devices used to power the speakers.

Verdict

Overall, the Bluesound Node 2i is a highly functional and versatile streaming DAC with excellent sound quality. It integrates well with various streaming services and hard media, and the BLU OS app is available on both smartphones and Windows. The streaming integrity is stable, and it is easy to set up and takes up a small footprint. The digital to analog converter is also praised for its quality. However, some users have reported issues with wireless streaming and compatibility with certain devices. Despite this, the majority of reviews are positive and recommend the Bluesound Node 2i for those looking for a high-quality streaming DAC.

Reviews by Topic

Our analysis shows how reviewers feel about different topics. Please note these are not full reviews.

Sound Quality

Build quality not impressive - prefer Klipsch rp-500m

This are very smooth sounding speakers - they will never sound shrill or fatiguing. The flip side of this is the treble is not as detailed and exciting as other speakers. I own the Klipsch RP-500M and I prefer those speakers overall, and I think a lot of people would. If you can find the Klipsch for a similar price, they sound more clear, exciting, and dynamic

Finally Happy with My System

Phono Pre - Simaudio Moon 110LP v2 - This is a great little phono pre for the money. It has a ton of loading options for its level and sounds great.

Positive

reddit.com/r/audiophile

Connectivity

Nice value for $300

Bought these and the Elac Uni-Fi UB5 to compare them. Bought them both at discounts. Paid $300 during a sale for these. I think the overall the Elac sounds better but these aren't bad

Thinking of sending it back--it'll all depend on the sound once I get the replacement power cord. It also seems incapable of creating a local network share on my Mac. Really disappointed with the software. The product support also isn't good--unresponsive and unhelpful

Price

youtube

KEF Q-150 Bookshelf Speaker Review. Best for lovers of wide imaging.

It does seem to look a little bit like a five year old took a paintbrush to it when you get up close - and i wouldn't be the first person to say that ...

Positive

I'm considering this a major win since I'm in it for less than $300 which is only slightly more than the Amazon option (that doesn't stream full Hi-Res and isn't compatible with their own app or web player) and significantly less than the Bluesound Node 2i. Quite frankly I'm tempted to dismiss even higher end streamers as well but don't want to incite a debate really.

Positive

reddit.com/r/audiophile

Design

youtube

Better than the LS50!? KEF Q150 Review

I like fake wood, it's nice, it's got some grain in it. It's well appointed. I like the little kef badging. It looks good uh anyway, uh five and a qua...

Positive

The FANTASTIC Device That Happily Led Me Away From SONOS - A 1 Year and 5 Month review

Full stop. The BlueOS software is more attractive, much better laid out in terms of UI/UX, has more available settings, is easier to setup and add/move devices, on and on..

Bass

youtube

KEF Q150 Bookshelf Speakers - Hands On Review

The key 150 are a smoother sound in the mid-range and bass, delivering detail a bit on the sly with more body a little bit more resonance too. That ma...

Positive

And I think that now I am done with my HiFi system with the addition of Node 2i.

I've been trying with and without sub (without sub, there is a bass boost from the Sprout100 that can be disabled) and I ended up with SB-1000 as tracks such as Pink Floyd - Welcome to the machine just doesn't sound right without a sub.

Positive

reddit.com/r/audiophile

Size

Great for Smaller Room

Would I recommend them? Yes, BUT - small room and with something to cover the bottom two octaves (subwoofer). My priorities for good sound, a decent soundstage, stable imaging, dynamic range, and lack of coloration were satisfied. And I would buy them again, or possibly - if She Who Must Be Obeyed (aka "the Finance Committee") was willing - the KEF LS50s.

r/audiophile Shopping, Setup, and Technical Help Desk Thread

5. Small-ish form-factor (since this will likely sit on a side table, not may main rack)

Positive

reddit.com/r/audiophile

Treble

For the price expected more, but overall good speaker

The trebel were sparkling, the mid range more open and the bass though powerful had a rubbery(?) effect rather than sounding thunderous. The Klipsch disappointed, while the elacs did better in bass. Back to kef, they look amazing, smaller print, and would do good for movies and music alike. I really didn't want to send them back because they were really good but in my current plan I wanted some temporary speakers to fill a year without spending too much as I intend to go for floor fronts and surrounds pretty soon

Great quality sound

2>ProAc Tablette 50 system to start shining past the FLAC stations and the rare DSD track. I am feeding the Node 2i via analog to take advantage of the dual unfolding to rates of 350kHz-24bit-1600kbps such as with Orlinski's Anima Sacra and a bunch of Deutsche Gramofon classics, even Dua Lipa is featured in MQA now. The first unit was a fiasco, with analog out and fixed volume it had distorted treble AND to top it enabling tone control resulted in flat dull boomboxy sound. Before I ordered the TEAC NT-505 to replace the HD-DAC1 and Bluesound, I requested a Node 2i replacement from Amazon

Wireless Connectivity

Rich sounding loudspeakers that can really slap

I'm running these off an smsl ao200 amp via a Schitt Modi 3+ dac and an ifi zen blue bluetooth receiver. I am pleased as can be. Some have said these start to chuff at high volume but I've taken them to the height of comfortable listening levels where I can clearly see the woofers moving and all I can hear is clean and clear music full of clarity, power and refinement. They'd pair best with a revealing amp for sure

From verry happy to not so happy

(I shared the comments from BluOs with the vendor of the Mscaler who was surprised about the comments) So after a while I thought well I will not use the Mscaler on the Node 2I any more. Then fast forward, November 2021, firmware was updated and the windows software was updated, suddenly I cannot connect any more any bleutooth device anymore (it still worked with the android app, so it was not the unit). I contacted support again and got this message back, "Thank you for contacting the BluOS Support Crew. We have been able to reproduce this issue here in our labs

Mids

Worth every penny

I have a small living room, it's about 20 L x 13 ft W and these fill the entire area plus the kitchen with amazing sound at normal listening levels. You really have to run these about 50 hours or more to open them up and give some space from the wall as advised by Kef. I won't mention brands but I did return two sets of speakers before deciding to keep these, the uni-q driver works it's special magic to broaden the soundstage and imaging. With the Powernode the mids are so clear and the highs are smooth never shrill or annoying

Nifty device; software has some rough edges

IMO it isn't as terrible as some others suggest, but there is a learning curve. On the other hand, for the most part I can use the Node without the Bluesound software controls. I can use Roon, iTunes, or Pandora instead for most functions other than set-up (such as mapping IR remote control operations.)

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