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Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150 vs Klipsch R-41M

Budget Pick

in Bookshelf Speaker

KEF Q150

119 reviews

View Product Details

Klipsch R-41M

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 detail in highs and mids

Compact size

Excellent build quality

Can be a capable performer when paired with quality components

Attractive 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 those who prefer a more balanced sound with stronger bass extension

Some users find the treble to be aggressive and fatiguing

Scooped out mids may not be ideal for some listeners

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

The Klipsch R-41M bookshelf speakers have received mixed reviews, with some praising their compact size and impressive detail in the highs and mids, while others criticize their aggressive and fatiguing treble and weak bass extension. Many users recommend pairing them with a subwoofer for a more immersive experience. The Klipsch reference line is known for its bright treble, which some listeners may find harsh. Overall, the R-41M speakers are considered a capable performer for their price range, especially when matched with quality components in a desktop or small to medium-sized room setup.

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

Ok speaker, strange connectivity with Yamaha receiver

I guess the dynamic range and power of the speakers is what's expected of them at this spec and price. In terms of auditory impact, not impression, sounds like a 1990s CD before they re-mastered them. I use the Yamaha S202BL receiver, volume turn to 50 and above in order to "feel" anything. My turntable is a cheapo ION MP3 converter with built in pre-amp, maybe I need a better record player? Anyhow, what's really weird is that when connecting (via the loose copper speaker wires) to the speaker sockets on the Yamaha, the red and black go into the respective holes of the Yamaha, only ONE SIDE of EACH SPEAKER work (either only R or L)

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

Amazing Sound For The Price

All in all they're quite nice at this price point. They fit where I need them. I used banana plugs to connect the speaker outputs - in fact I also ordered some plugs to make up my own speaker cables when I ordered the speakers. First time I've used banana plugs that I didn't have to solder

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

1 surround into my small apartment office (12x12 or so) and currently have Klipsch r-41m and r-25c because I got a steal of a deal on them. ($100 for the setup new in the boxes, can't beat that).

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

Great bookshelf speakers for surround sound

My plan was to wall mount the speakers closer to their original positioning using the keyhole mount on the back. This is where I found possibly the one flaw with the design of these speakers. They are rear ported, so they needed additional spacing between the speaker and the wall to allow for the rear port to have sufficient space. I placed a set of rubber feet attached by adhesive to the back of the speakers at the bottom of the back panel to get the needed clearance

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

Impressive Performers When Matched with Quality Components and Cables.

While it performs well overall, it can struggle with the lower frequencies at medium to high volumes. Of course, a lot will depend on what you're playing through them. In a desktop set-up, with near field listening, you may find them to be more than adequate, but at the core of a home theater set up, or with bass heavy music like Travis Scott's, "Highest In The Room" or "Butterfly Effect," without a subwoofer, you're going to notice the R-41M's limitations pretty quickly, especially at higher volumes. While they're reasonably capable performers by themselves (with an amplifier, of course), and much better than most active speakers in the $100-$300 range, they're not particularly neutral or consistent

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.

Great bookshelf speakers

Bought some new speaker wire with banana plugs to use with these speakers, the posts are compatible with 5 different means of connection (most new speakers are). The bad: the bass port is on the back, so it needs to be out further from a wall or the back of the shelf. Not a deal breaker because it’s still a small medium sized speaker, and I’m not getting much bass from them anyway. This might be the way I have it set up, I’m using a Yamaha rxv667 which I love but some of the settings are hard to get into and tweak

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

Looking for first real turntable

The R-41M’s are dogshit speakers… some of the worst on the market. Super aggressive and fatiguing treble, weak bass extension, scooped out mids. Get the Neumi BS5 instead. Far better and also cheaper even when the Klipsch are on sale

Negative

reddit.com/r/turntables

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

r/audiophile Shopping, Setup, and Technical Help Desk Thread

I have a Sony STR-DH190 and a pair of Klipsch R-41M's. I don't like how I can't stream through Wifi and have to use Bluetooth. I'm not a fan of Bluetooth audio.

Negative

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

Great speakers!

I have these on my desk, and I think that's a perfect application for them. Being 4" drivers they're not really suited for a large room or at the forefront of a theater system, though they would make good satellites for a surround setup. They hold up great at lower volumes and are in a fairly compact box suitable for a desk. Speaking of the box, it's definitely adequate, but not the highest quality ever

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