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Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150 vs Emotiva Airmotiv B1+

Budget Pick

in Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150

119 reviews

View Product Details

Emotiva Airmotiv B1+

Emotiva Airmotiv B1+

70 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 sound quality and clarity

Versatile performance

Affordable price

Folded-ribbon tweeter produces magical sound

Solid choice for entry-level audio setup

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 much low bass extension

Some reviewers find them a bit thin sounding

None mentioned beyond these two points

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 Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ speakers are highly praised for their sound quality, versatility, and affordability. Many reviewers recommend them as a great entry-level option for those looking to upgrade their audio setup. The folded-ribbon tweeter is particularly noted for its effortless and magical sound. While some reviewers mention a lack of bass extension, the overall consensus is that these speakers are a solid choice for the price.

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

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Airmotiv B1+ Bookshelf Speaker Full Review

You'Ve got magnetically attached grills, so it's easy to move them on and off, depending on your desires, your needs, and you also get rubber feet tha...

Positive

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

Cheap speakers and nicer sub vs nice speakers and cheap sub

Ideally I’d pair it w a set of Emotiva Airmotiv B1+, they’re cheap but punches way above their weight & goes down to 47Hz (w a pronounced top end)— plenty of compensation for the sub & speaker to integrate w each other. IMO — try to pair them so they’d work in harmony together, complimenting each other’s weak points.

Neutral

reddit.com/r/BudgetAudiophile

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

Emotiva Airmotiv B1 review: Audiophile sound for a popcorn price

Emotiva has been delivering affordable studio gear for 10 years but has only started getting serious about consumer products in the last couple. The affordable Airmotiv B1 bookshelf and the Airmotiv T1 floorstander are the first entry-level models to appear, and by golly they're good.The B1 is the cheapest of the two and sounds tremendous for 300 bucks, with performance that's versatile in a way few budget speakers are. Sure, it's not much of a looker, but the magnetic grille will help some

Positive

Design

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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

These Speakers are Incredible, as well as the other components I purchased from Emotiva!

My wife asked him to design a system so that I could play all my albums again. We had a tight space to put this in, so she explained what was available. I had gotten rid of all of my audio components 30 years ago, so we were starting from scratch. Our friend recommended the Airmotiv B1+ Speakers with wall mounts, a BAS X TA1 Stereo Preamp/DAC/tuner and a Pro-Ject turntable

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

Is KEF Q150 is the most popular speaker under $500

They don’t have much low bass extension (significantly less than the larger Q350). If you are considering those and you’re in the US, I would also advise that you consider the Emotiva B1+, the Q’s you mentioned, the Elac B5.2, the PSB Alpha P5, the Jamo C93 II, and the Wharfedale Diamond 225 (while they’re still available) as options.

Negative

reddit.com/r/BudgetAudiophile

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.

Picked up the klipsch r-41m for $90 on amazon, loving them!

To big and sounded like garbage to my ears, at least in a nearfield setup. Saw the sale on these and decided to pick them up and see what the deal is with klipsch.

Neutral

reddit.com/r/BudgetAudiophile

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

Very Pleased With My B1+ Speakers!

I thought I would like the treble end of their range, and I do. What surprised me was the detail they are capable of as they descend into the mid-bass range, and the lack of distortion throughout, and these are just hours old. I have them in a near-field setup in a 2.1 configuration - with the sub crossed at 100 hrtz and turned down low

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

Desktop Recommendations

I went through this exercise recently, here is my thread. I ended up paying more to get the Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ which are great (but the price has increased to $300 since I bought them). Do not try to use the Micca OoOs nearfield, the sweet spots are very narrow.

Negative

reddit.com/r/BudgetAudiophile

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

Upgrading 2.1 setup (with integrated amp) to 5.1.2 for Atmos

Reflected off the ceiling will be mediocre. Not sure what your budget is but if you're trying to keep things afordablish..

Positive

reddit.com/r/hometheater

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