Just got these Kef Q150 from a local Best Buy, the maple color (on sale for $329.99). Even without being broke in, they have a surprising amount of bass and the sound is incredible. I have tried the Polk Signature S55 towers, Polk Signature S15 bookshelf speakers, Q Acoustics 3020i, Boston Acoustics CS 260 II towers, and the NHT SuperOne 2.1. The Q150 sound overall the best, with the NHT close in second. I am powering these with a SMSL AO200 MKII amplifier, SMSL DO200 MKII DAC, and using a RSL Speedwoofer 10s. The bass output of these is unbelievable for their size.
Good speakers, but people need to be aware that at least once a year KEF puts these and even their Q350 on sale for HALF price and they are still making a decent amount of money at that price point.
@@MasterofPlay7 it is weird though. These KEF and other speakers drop in value quickly, but I've seen 45 year old ADS speakers on Reverb and other sites going for 85% of their original prices allowing for inflation.
@@MasterofPlay7Isn't this generally not super true as the speakers dont go bad as fast as any other component? Like theyre not gonna hold retail value, but like 60-70% isnt a bad return and it has to be better than amplifiers and subwoofers.
I use them for my desktop setup, I found them perfect for near field listening. It's probably because of the uniQ driver, but the imaging is really good, great for gaming!
It needs good match with a bright amplifier to sound perfect. Excellent sound for the price. Musical and very good for long listening as it is easy and soothing on ear.
Yep. A few reviewers have wondered if that means they are coming out with a newer model in a while or are they just pricing them at what they are really "worth" while still making a reasonable profit.
Hello,very nice introductory video, I have a marant 2216b receiver. Would you recommend kef Q150 speakers for this receiver, or which speaker do you recommend for this classic receiver, thank you
Not specific to the KEF Q150, but I have to say that I have been disappointed with most speaker manufacturers in their specifications of driver sizes. I have Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 and like them just fine, but there's no way that woofer is 6.5" in diameter. Maybe if you measure the total outside of the metal part of the driver. The actual driver that moves measures about 4.5" in diameter across the foam surround. I've heard other manufacturers do the same in overstating the size of their drivers. Back in the 1970s and 1980s they didn't do this. A 12" driver actually measured 12" across the foam surround.
That's why i bought Q 3030i which is true 6.5 inches.Real DEEP BASS.Wrfs 12.2s are 150 mm instead of 165 mm of the previous wrfs 225s that i have from 2018 (6.5 inches).
@@andreassouth1523 yeah, the next standmount speakers I buy will be checked out BEFORE I buy to ensure they aren't lying on their spec sheet. I've never tried the Q-Acoustics 3030i but will put them on my short list if I ever upgrade. Thanks.
@@rosswarren436 why do you need 6.5"? :) The size is not the whole story. 12.2 makes better bass with a smaller woofer rather than 3030i with a real 6.5'' woofer. It's all about implementation. I agree if we take 2 really good implementations one with a smaller and another one with a bigger woofer, you will feel the diff, but overall size doesn't matter if an implementation is weak.
@@rosswarren436 the actual size is not what you see, it's what is under the box/case. the magnet construction. the diameter of the whole woofer which is connected with screws.
Excellent speaker but needs a bright amplifier. I think denon N10 is very good match .Earlier I connected it with denon 600 NE and it sounded too placid. Excellent for extended listening as it musical and soothing on ear.
get the walnut versions..they will get compliments for looks.....they are the best speakers when they are on sale for $300/pair...midrange...nothing a Schiit Loki can't fix
I tried these out from your review. Sound very metallic,highs made me shrill, soundstage horizontal good 3d effect nothing. Sound ok low volumes but lacked dynamics sound boring, higher volumes more punchy ,come to life more, but abit muddle. These are not good for all music genres. Rock music just forget it. Overall dissappointed.
these boxes don't have a good midrange. Q 3030i that you reviewed , don't like and don't recommend have a surely a better midrange. The difference with male vocals is quite big.
The white Q150 design looks so beautiful, like it belongs in the museum of modern art.
Just got these Kef Q150 from a local Best Buy, the maple color (on sale for $329.99). Even without being broke in, they have a surprising amount of bass and the sound is incredible. I have tried the Polk Signature S55 towers, Polk Signature S15 bookshelf speakers, Q Acoustics 3020i, Boston Acoustics CS 260 II towers, and the NHT SuperOne 2.1. The Q150 sound overall the best, with the NHT close in second. I am powering these with a SMSL AO200 MKII amplifier, SMSL DO200 MKII DAC, and using a RSL Speedwoofer 10s. The bass output of these is unbelievable for their size.
Match it with denon N10 and see the dramatic change in sound !
Good speakers, but people need to be aware that at least once a year KEF puts these and even their Q350 on sale for HALF price and they are still making a decent amount of money at that price point.
Yea speakers don't hold their value, as soon as the new generation comes out the price is gonna plummet
@@MasterofPlay7 it is weird though. These KEF and other speakers drop in value quickly, but I've seen 45 year old ADS speakers on Reverb and other sites going for 85% of their original prices allowing for inflation.
@@MasterofPlay7Isn't this generally not super true as the speakers dont go bad as fast as any other component? Like theyre not gonna hold retail value, but like 60-70% isnt a bad return and it has to be better than amplifiers and subwoofers.
I use them for my desktop setup, I found them perfect for near field listening. It's probably because of the uniQ driver, but the imaging is really good, great for gaming!
Do you feel like you need a sub?
But keep it at a distance of 3 meter and see the difference 😊
@@albertwesker2050 I don't think sub is needed , if you want too much bass then may be
@@albertwesker2050 I don't think sub is needed , if you want too much bass then may be
It needs good match with a bright amplifier to sound perfect. Excellent sound for the price. Musical and very good for long listening as it is easy and soothing on ear.
Just noted that as of today 01-27-2023, Crutchfield has these on sale for $299 with free shipping. That's $300 off the "normal" retail price.
They've been at $299 for a while now
Yep. A few reviewers have wondered if that means they are coming out with a newer model in a while or are they just pricing them at what they are really "worth" while still making a reasonable profit.
Thanks for this review!
I own the q950 and aslong as it has the same sound signature it will sound good
Hello,very nice introductory video, I have a marant 2216b receiver. Would you recommend kef Q150 speakers for this receiver, or which speaker do you recommend for this classic receiver, thank you
Not specific to the KEF Q150, but I have to say that I have been disappointed with most speaker manufacturers in their specifications of driver sizes. I have Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 and like them just fine, but there's no way that woofer is 6.5" in diameter. Maybe if you measure the total outside of the metal part of the driver. The actual driver that moves measures about 4.5" in diameter across the foam surround. I've heard other manufacturers do the same in overstating the size of their drivers. Back in the 1970s and 1980s they didn't do this. A 12" driver actually measured 12" across the foam surround.
That's why i bought Q 3030i which is true 6.5 inches.Real DEEP BASS.Wrfs 12.2s are 150 mm instead of 165 mm of the previous wrfs 225s that i have from 2018 (6.5 inches).
@@andreassouth1523 yeah, the next standmount speakers I buy will be checked out BEFORE I buy to ensure they aren't lying on their spec sheet. I've never tried the Q-Acoustics 3030i but will put them on my short list if I ever upgrade. Thanks.
@@rosswarren436 why do you need 6.5"? :) The size is not the whole story. 12.2 makes better bass with a smaller woofer rather than 3030i with a real 6.5'' woofer. It's all about implementation. I agree if we take 2 really good implementations one with a smaller and another one with a bigger woofer, you will feel the diff, but overall size doesn't matter if an implementation is weak.
@@jackdanyal4329 truth in advertising. Tell me the actual size of each driver. Anything else is a misleading lie.
@@rosswarren436 the actual size is not what you see, it's what is under the box/case. the magnet construction. the diameter of the whole woofer which is connected with screws.
Does it need a subwoofer? Or is the bass good enough? I listen primarily r&b and hip hop. Some songs with a lot of 808.
What speaker stands are you using? They look cool.
great review! how is it comparing to MA Bronze 50?
How do these compare to Wharfedale 12.0 or 12.1 ?
Excellent speaker but needs a bright amplifier. I think denon N10 is very good match .Earlier I connected it with denon 600 NE and it sounded too placid. Excellent for extended listening as it musical and soothing on ear.
Excellent review
get the walnut versions..they will get compliments for looks.....they are the best speakers when they are on sale for $300/pair...midrange...nothing a Schiit Loki can't fix
Kef Q150 vs SVS Prime? Mostly Rock & Metal
Kef q150 is brilliant. I match it with denon N10 and it sound brilliant. Great musical combination.
I tried these out from your review.
Sound very metallic,highs made me shrill, soundstage horizontal good 3d effect nothing. Sound ok low volumes but lacked dynamics sound boring, higher volumes more punchy ,come to life more, but abit muddle. These are not good for all music genres. Rock music just forget it.
Overall dissappointed.
these boxes don't have a good midrange. Q 3030i that you reviewed , don't like and don't recommend have a surely a better midrange. The difference with male vocals is quite big.
😊
The older 100 300 models are better built
Also sound less boxy
$250 for a pair at best buy
Where?
Very cheap looking speakers.
Q150 sounds great !
Nah look fine to me
For the money it looks nice!
BEST entry level speaker of all time
nope :) "best" is a quite subjective thing. but overall they are not the best ones.
@@jackdanyal4329 I listened 20 entry level speakers and KEF Q 150 is clearly THE WINNER
@@jackdanyal4329 you say no but dont offer any examples. What would be among the"best" around this price range?
@@MorTphyr as I mentioned, best is subjective. for me Diamond 12.2 is much better, Heco 300 is better for me or even smth from Elac
@@jackdanyal4329you mean Heco Aurora 300 (because there's Heco Celan 300 as well, the first series)?