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Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150 vs KEF LSX

Budget Pick

in Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150

119 reviews

View Product Details

Best for Most

in Wireless Speaker

KEF LSX

90 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

Versatile connectivity options

Portable and compact size

Easy to use app (for some reviewers)

Well-built and aesthetically pleasing design

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 streaming from phone or network due to cumbersome app (mentioned by some reviewers)

App and connectivity can be problematic for some users

Instructions can be difficult to follow for some users

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 LSX speakers receive positive reviews for their sound quality and versatility in terms of connectivity options. Some reviewers note that the app and connectivity can be problematic, but others find it easy to use. The speakers are praised for their size and portability, but some reviewers suggest pairing them with a subwoofer for a fuller sound. While the instructions can be difficult to follow, most reviewers find the setup process manageable. Overall, the KEF LSX speakers are recommended for those looking for a high-quality wireless speaker system.

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

youtube

KEF's LSX is a more affordable hi-fi system in a box

It's fantastic these set. These are the right size speakers for this desk, especially with the profile that I've set in the calf control app. We must ...

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

Great Sound, Poor Connectivity

I really wanted to love these - for their size and price point they have a great soundstage/imaging and I'm not sure you can do much better given the constraints as far as sound goes. A little on the bass-heavy side for me and a little warm/colored but really for their size they are quite impressive. However, unfortunately the app/connectivity issues were a real dealbreaker. I spent hours debugging/reconnecting/going back and forth with KEF support trying to figure out why the speakers would not reconnect after randomly losing Wi-Fi connection

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

New to speakers, which of these three Black Friday speakers would be preferable?

List is $1,300 but I picked up a pair last year around this same time for just over $700 (from MusicDirect I think). Well worth it for sound and functionality, especially if streaming is your priority. These plus your turntable (and preamp if needed) is all you need for a decent sized space.

Positive

reddit.com/r/BudgetAudiophile

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

Almost perfect... frustratingly bad remote and app

I bought them for listening to music and as a better option than a sound bar for my tv. The remote has to be the worst designed thing I have ever used. The remote has red lettering on black, the buttons are flush and it seems to be just an afterthought.

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

Sell my KEF LSX and buy pair of sonos five?

Ultimately I’d go with the 5s for music, that bass is just pfffwooar even if the mids are a bit recessed...

Neutral

reddit.com/r/sonos

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.

Upgraded from 25y old system to KEF LSX

Because my room wasn’t big enough for all the speakers I ditched two of the Heco speakers and also the CD and cassette player. Bought myself a bluetooth dongle to make it a little more functional to use.

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

OK sound, poor value

The AirPlay connectivity is very unreliable, but that's mostly Apple's fault (my 10+ year-old Squeezebox gear works better and more reliably than that!). I also ended up using the cable to connect the two speakers, because I had some connection drops when using the wireless mode. Out of the box, they sound really boomy, loud and muddy: make sure you use the remote control app to change the settings, otherwise you will be disappointed by the sound. The bad: I dropped the remote control on the floor and it now refuses to work, so I have to use the app to turn it on/off

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

SONOS Five or KEF LSX?

Big plus for KEF is that midrange presentation (and coaxial type of sound) - very specific for KEF (many people like that)...

Negative

reddit.com/r/sonos

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