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Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150 vs Bose 901

Budget Pick

in Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150

119 reviews

View Product Details

Bose 901

23 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 immersive experience when set up properly with the equalizer

Natural sound

Legendary status and respected lineage

Spacious and clear sound

Does not need a subwoofer

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 ideal for smaller rooms

Requires proper placement and space to perform at its best

Performance without the equalizer can be lacking

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 reviews for the Bose 901 are mixed. Some reviewers praise the speaker's natural sound and immersive experience when set up properly with the equalizer, while others criticize its performance without the equalizer or in smaller rooms. Many reviewers mention the need for proper placement and space for the speaker to perform at its best. Some reviewers also mention the speaker's legendary status and respected lineage. However, there are also some reviewers who prefer other speakers for specific genres of music or activities like gaming.

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

THE BOSE ARE BACK IN TOWN.

Having owned them and done the "how TF do I make these sound good here?" thing over a span of \~20 years and a number of different rooms, I feel they're too close to the wall and too low (but not by much since you're seated when listening). That said, it looks like a good space for what they are capable of doing, but if you're utterly obsessive (and if you're trying to make 901's work in a room smaller than a stadium, you're *obsessive* :P ) there's even for the Bose a bit too much opportunity to reflect in that small sparse space. Certain wall treatment - not huge - might be worthwhile if you have a few years to experiment.

Positive

reddit.com/r/BudgetAudiophile

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

Beginning audio system in Mancave.

Just need to set proper amount from wall behind to get the bass response you want. More current = better sound.

Positive

reddit.com/r/audiophile

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

Finally finished my listening corner. (For now)

I think I got a little lucky with them because if I bury them in the corner they sound like absolute trash so I could see how room constraints could make these review really poorly. For anyone interested, the first 3 are obvious but either way; Bose 901 IV, Yamaha Cr2020, Yamaha YP-450, Sony TC-188SD, Sony PS-FL1.

Neutral

reddit.com/r/audiophile

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

Help me r/hometheater...you're my only hope...

They offer a similar performance with incredible mids. I would also not be afraid to look at the Bose 901’s. Those speakers were great for movies before anyone knew they wanted speakers for movies.

Positive

reddit.com/r/hometheater

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