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Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150 vs KEF Q350

Budget Pick

in Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150

119 reviews

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Best for Most

in Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q350

78 reviews

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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 performance for both movies and music

Clear and detailed sound

Good value for the price

Potential for optimal performance with a subwoofer

Positive reviews from experienced audio enthusiasts

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 placement close to a wall due to rear port design

Some negative reviews regarding build quality and blown tweeters (isolated incidents)

None mentioned

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 Q350 bookshelf speakers receive positive reviews for their performance and value. They are praised for their ability to handle both movies and music, with clear and detailed sound. Some reviewers recommend pairing them with a subwoofer for optimal performance. The rear port design is noted as a potential issue if placed too close to a wall. There are some negative reviews regarding the build quality and some issues with blown tweeters, but these seem to be isolated incidents. The KEF Q350 is generally considered a good buy at its retail price of $500.

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 Q350 speakers pack a punch

Looking with the company's proprietary coaxial driver in the middle and nothing else, the driver consists of a 6.5 inch aluminum offer with a one-inch...

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

Excellent speakers, but be weary of less-than-ideal placement

After setting them up, I toed them in toward my listening position and connected them to my Marantz NR1607 ( Marantz NR1607 Ultra HD 7.2 Channel Network A/V Surround Receiver with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi ) using 12 gauge copper speaker wire. I then went through the Marantz Audyssey MultEQ room correction wizard using the Marantz-supplied calibration microphone.

Price

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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

youtube

KEF Q350 Review - One of the best speakers ... - YouTube

Wild Jacks. So what are we talking about today? The Kev Q350s currently priced at $700. We're going to get to that though. So if you're new here, cons...

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

youtube

The KEF Q350 Loudspeaker REVIEWED! - YouTube

Featuring a computational fluid dynamics port design with the port repositioned to the rear of the speaker, clarity is improved by reducing the audibi...

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

Decent mid/high detail but bass is overwhelming, very undefined and sloppy

I tried the foam plugs for the bass reflex port in the back and positioning in/out from the walls, but the bass remained very woolly and not tight at all. Pairing with a subwoofer and having most of the bass go to the subwoofer cleans the sound signature up a little bit but the overall sound quality lacked detail and definition. The SONY CSS5 at $78-$128 per pair outperforms this $499-$599 speaker easily in definition, detail and instrument separation.

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.

And the ultimate setup would be with the gigantic Q650C. But, they say, the center speaker is the most important speaker and you want the biggest speaker you can possibly afford.

Negative

reddit.com/r/hometheater

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

Q350 vs Q150 | The Definitive Review

Many reading this are probably in the same predicament they find themselves in when the Q150 and Q350 frequently go on sale for $300 and $500 respectively. I too found myself on that see-saw of trying to decide which to buy and if the Q350 was worth the extra $200. I scoured the internet for any comparisons or comments and found very little worthwhile info. From the bits I did gather, there seemed to be a general consensus that the Q150 had cleaner treble, but the Q350 sounded bigger, warmer, had better mids, and more bass

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

Excellent speakers, but be weary of less-than-ideal placement

UPDATE 3/26/18: Shortly after posting this review, my Marantz NR1607 died. Amazon processed it as a return, even though I was past my 30 days (thanks Amazon). I then purchased the Denon AVR-X3300W ( https://www.amazon

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

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The Kef for people who don’t like Kef | Q150 Bookshelf Speaker Review

New from Amazon for about $ 350, they go on sale for 350, quite often for that price. I think this is great. I will recommend this all day long for $ ...

Positive

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