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Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150 vs KEF LS50W

Budget Pick

in Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150

119 reviews

View Product Details

KEF LS50W

66 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

Top-notch build quality

Simple and intuitive setup process

Excellent command of lower frequencies

Can be paired with a subwoofer for optimal performance

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 reviewers have had a positive experience with the KEF control app and wireless capabilities

Some reviewers have reported technical difficulties and issues with customer service

Not all reviewers have found the speakers to be neutral in sound, with some finding them too forward or harsh for their taste.

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 KEF LS50W speakers have received positive reviews for their stunning sound quality and top-notch build quality. Some reviewers have noted difficulties with the KEF control app and the wireless capabilities, but others have found the setup process to be simple and intuitive. Many recommend pairing the speakers with a subwoofer for optimal performance. While some reviewers have switched to passive speakers for a more neutral sound, others consider the LS50W to be some of the best speakers they've ever heard. However, there have been a few reports of technical difficulties and issues with customer service.

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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KEF LS50 Wireless Speakers Unboxing and Review!

Why do they call us their active music system? Well, it's quite simple: it's because each speaker houses, two amplifiers, so one for the mid-range dri...

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

Setup was easy. I had no problems with the app

Also, at one time I got an error code saying the left speaker wasn't connected. I checked the cables and all was good so I simply restarted the speakers and the error cleared. I haven't seen the error again so maybe it was a fluke. Or maybe it's waiting until I'm out of warranty to present itself in a more permanent way

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 listened to good speakers for the first time, and now everything else sounds so bad that it's literally depressing me. Is this a common experience?

Using built in dac and a chromecast. Got a great deal on the speakers second hand 2 weeks old. You don’t have to blow the bank to compete with your car stereo. In a small room people love the KEF LS50W

Positive

reddit.com/r/audiophile

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

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HIFI SPEAKER REVIEW: KEF LS50 WIRELESS!

Looking speakers they're hefty they're made to a high standard and they look great. So if you're looking for a two-channel stereo for a listening room...

Positive

Bass

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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

Amazing speakers; horrendous software

You may want a larger sub for a larger room, but I'd very much recommend staying with a sealed box design and tuning the levels and placement carefully, as it's going to be pretty easy to ruin the careful tuning of these speakers with an overpowering, boomy bass line. (Unless that's your thing, in which case, go for it!) The only problem, which is proving to be increasingly serious, is the software support. Right now I'm dealing with an issue where, after being powered on, the LS50 system outputs much to strong of a signal to the subwoofer. This is fixed the moment I adjust the volume on the LS50s or the computer connected to them, but I frequently forget and am startled the moment a strong bass line kicks in (quickly jumping up to tap the volume controls before I start figuratively rattling my neighbors' windows)

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.

Fantastic sound, until one broke. Long wait for replacements.

At this point I would recommend buying the cheaper / smaller LS-X and a subwoofer instead. But save your shipping box for returns and consider an extended warranty.

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

Best monitor speakers made under $15k. BUY THEM, you will not regret it.

KEF hit a home run here and for smallish rooms (min is 12X13), when set up right they are phenomenal. Amazing.

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

Sounds great but not good at being internet enabled

The bluetooth works well but as INTERNET ENABLED these fall short. The App is really terrible, It DOES NOT SUPPORT SPOTIFY OR PANDORA so really you are left with streaming your mp3s or setting up another device that does the streaming that the app should be doing over the internet. For the price, I would expect these speakers to have done a better job working directly with the web, but I can't bring myself to return them because they sound so good. Enjoy them, just know that you will not get the networking ability of a Sonos or a Bose, but much better sound

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

Accuracy beyond belief

The purpose of these small but powerful KEF LS 50W’s is to reproduce, without coloration the lower mid’s to upper frequency responses of the audio spectrum with enough accuracy to recreate the most realistic representation of natural sound possible.

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