Still THE $299 Speaker to buy?! KEF Q150 Bookshelf Loudspeaker Review!
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- Опубліковано 18 бер 2022
- Some speakers stand the test of time. Do these? Lets talk...
Review Sample Provided by: KEF USA
This review is free of sponsorships, affiliate links, and financial compensation. Product offered as long term loan.
Patreon: / zerofidelityhifi
BDI Elements Cabinet (Black) as seen in the video: bit.ly/38ozr11 - Наука та технологія
Welp. I should have checked the pricing for the Q-Acoustics 3020i and the PSB P5's before filming this video. It looks like their prices jumped up quite a bit since I reviewed them, making the Q150 an even BETTER value by direct comparison. If you're on the fence about the lil' KEF's and if you think they'd suit your fancy, I'd say go for it. Links are in the description box.
The JBL Studio 530 are on sale at The Harman Store for $240/pair with Free Shipping. Not the prettiest speakers, but they do a heck of a lot right for that price ✌️
@@MrChristopherMolloy Yep, if you like that "live / Forward" listening experience, they are fantastic speakers. ESPECIALLY for the price!
The reasons I've been informed the Q150's are on a big sale is to liquidate inventory - all revised KEF speakers are going to employ the "Meta" material being utilized on their flagship model.
Available on both Crutchfield and Amazon now for $300.00.
@@Audiomainia2310 - Yep. I'm not sure when the new line is coming out though. They've been very hush hush about it. Still, I'd say it's clear to ALL of us that something will be released soon.
@@ZeroFidelity Do you mind mentioning the "linear or flat (neutral?)" speakers that come to mind at or below $1000? BR-03? 3020i? Which Elac? Others? Thanks - really useful video!
KEF Q150 with a Subwoofer sounds amazing. You can use a very average/cheap amp and they sound great. They are the least fussy speakers I have ever used. You can put them anywhere in the room. Great mids and treble. Great separation and image. Phenomenal phantom center. And, they never get fatiguing on the ear. Just make sure your amp is not too bright.
How would you rate a Cambridge AXR100 on the average/cheap spectrum you're describing?
One of the best review for this speaker, hands down! Within the first 5 mins, you will know whether to buy this speaker or not! Clear and incisive.
This is much more than a review, Sean. It's a complete and comprehensive description and tutorial on the Q150s, for average hifi consumers and enthusiasts alike. Superbly done.
I picked up a set four years ago as a entry speaker. I enjoyed them over my old polks. using them with an old sansui. love it.
Glad to see you back Sean! Nice job on the review!
I bought a pair a couple of months ago, picked them up for $315 new, I think I agree on a lot of your points, great speaker, sounds good with inexpensive electronics, initially I was a little underwhelmed compared to some of the other stuff I have but it quickly earned my respect, Quite frankly I think they are a really good looking speaker, good stuff🍻
One of the best and simple review on these speakers. Got them for my 5 year old son, in order to start appreciating music. Paid 250 bucks only.
Q150's great for deskfield too. Had mine about 3.5-4' roughly equilateral on desk, 9 inch stands. Great imaging and stage. Solid disconnected center image as always woth KEF.
Shawn, Like a quality speaker, you're always "True to the Source"..Thank you
You're by far the best reviewer I know on UA-cam. Especially being a subjectivist is really appealing for a new audiophile like me. I can't wait for your review on the B1+ and pit it against Jamos, Elacs, Sonys, JBLs or Q150s at this price point.
Thanks for such an in depth review. I purchased thees on black friday for daily listenting with my Cambridge AXA35 amp. Great combination. Very pleased with the set up now and sounding better each day, They are breaking in very nicely. Not the loudest system I have had but but still more than enough for any medium sized lisening room as long as you arent into rock concert listening levels. A warmer presentation with good bass but still fairly clear.
Thanks again for providing such informative and entertaining content.
I've just ordered a set for the exact same amp. I've had q acoustic 3010i but find I have to constantly play around with the bass and treble. Would be great to hear how yours sounds now? Now it's all run inn.
The music during the transition seems is slightly loud, mildly startling when wearing headphones. Glad to finally see you without a hat!
I bought the IOTAVX SA3 during their Black Friday sale Nov '21 based on your recommendation and then bought a pair of the KEF 150 speakers during Crutchfield's Christmas sale. It was a natural combination at that point.
Gees Shawn, about the perfect review. You laid down such a fantastic review. I think you nailed it.
Thanks!
@@ZeroFidelity, I really think it was an amazing review. Sean, it really was perfect.
Great analysis and review!!! Bet they would sound great in an analog system!
I would recommend these for Surround back speakers and they are perfect. For music it comes down to taste and ears....
Nice review and I like the longer hair man!
Have these....they are awesome...zero regrets...brilliant top end.
I got a pair a year ago for $300. Great sound & imaging.
You know Sean I got into Hi-Fi about 6 years ago and it was during that time I started watching your videos. You know when I first started out I didn't care for you, I didn't care for your review style and I also didn't care for the way that you seem to think about products.
For whatever reason I started watching your newer content and more and more I find that I go back and watch the older content and I find that I'm agreeing with it and I'm agreeing with sort of the things you have to say and your perspective. I guess I'm trying to say that the more I get into this and the longer I'm into it the more I realize that you're right.
Anyway keep up the good work and much love from One of your supporters.
Great review Sean
Thank you for this share;this Review was to the piont & honest.
I LOVE mine. They scale up well too. I ended up doing extreme toe in to get the perfect image and depth.
May I have the dimensions of the room where these speakers are located?
You are an excellent reviewer.
Great video..Great Value Proposition
Really considering these. All the character seems to be what I'd enjoy. I'll keep an eye for a sale.
.... Nice Hat =)
There's another unique YT channel I follow, which isn't reviews, but is instead a database of samples of many combinations of popular speakers and amps all playing the same group of tracks, to make those like me who have nowhere to go hear gear in person a way to compare the sound of different gear that we are interested in- @E Project
I enjoy the spit it out quickly review style.
my friend has a pair of these and he loves them!
Have always been intrigued with Kef speakers
"I'm going to start out by addressing the big question right up front".
Everyone: "Where's your hat!?"
I was wondering the same thing,maybe fresh out of the shower?🤔
Wondering if that also impacted in-room response…LoL
Great review buddy...
Shaun, I give in looking for my ideal speaker, I just want great bass great mids and great highs, I don't want a temperature of hot or cold, no bleeding from my eardrums . I want a speaker to listen to music, the review's are great but there is always a but .. to get the discription of music to my ears I will pay a premium price .
Great reviews as always and thankyou for the time you put in ..
I picked up a pair for $300 last year at Christmas...no regrets...bought a Schiit equalizer with $300 savings with it
Great review, you're a good speaker!
Hey sean, great review as usual!
I would really like to know how the song you used at the comparison intersection is called.
Have a great day :)
Hey Shawn, Thank you for your review. I enjoy watching them. I always liked Kef, even from when the first uni-q came out 20 years ago, and the imaging on those were great, but a little bright highs, back then I went with Mission 750le's. Currently I have 14 yr old Sonus Faber toy bookshelf and center with 4" mids and ring radiator tweeters. The Sonus are quite forgiving of practically everything. Going with Q150 and Q250c to liven things up. I have 2 sealed 12" for my bass. Using a Pioneer home theater with Dirac, and hoping not to use the EQ. But looking forward to a huge soundstage! Excellent video - keep up the good work! I love it that you review more Bookshelfs ---- cause that's why we have sub's lol. Cheers
Hey Shawn, got my Kef 'q's 150 and 250c. Set them up fronts toe'd iin as usual high fi speakers. Big mistake - omg the treble was accentuated. Read the manual and Kef do not suggest to toe in, or a minimal amount would be ok, I probally have them toe'd like 7 degrees. They sure look weird with speakers almost straight in my room, but that has calmed the highs immensely. Gonna enjoy theses now. Your review was right on thank you!
This is a very helpful video
If you could buy a single one for 150$ get em and flip it on its side and use it as a center channel. Probably the best center channel for the price. You can also DSP it (due to its coaxial design it wouldn't go crazy)
I love your fairness!
Love this format. SIck!
For anyone looking for a decent stereo system consider the Kef Q 150-$300. The Cambridge Audio CXA 61-$599. The Audio Technica LP 120-usb-$299. All prices are today 2/14 and may change.So for for about $1200 you have a pretty decent system for relatively little money. PS. Upgrade the cartridge on the AT-120.
Hey what did you do with our Sean?! He’s the guy with the cap! That is an AWESOME price for a pair of KEF speakers.
and for a third person: I use them as computer speakers with an SMSL AD18 amp. They sound absolutely terrific!!
I just picked these up for $349 I'm going to use them as my front height speakers for Dolby Atmos they'll be 1 ft from the ceiling and 2 ft from the wall high on top of my entertainment center i will angle them down to my listening position
Erin's measurements with his Klippel system don't show it to be V shaped at all, but does show a slightly elevated treble and a couple of minor resonances around 1khz. Other good sounding $300 speakers you didn't mention are the Polk XT20 and the Elac B6.2.
I was curious so I just looked at his results. Bro. He literally circles the HF response and remarks about it being boosted, which in his words, may cause the sound to come across as "brittle" / "bright" to some. What you also see is a distinct rise in the lower mids and upper bass. That's V curve. This is a common voicing strategy for most hi-fi speakers at and below 1 grand.
@@ZeroFidelityOk, Sean. I don't hear these to be V shaped at all. I hear speakers like most of the Klipsch R and RP series, the B&W 600 series, and the Jamo S series, which all have a big suckuout in the mids and super elevated treble as V shaped, which Is not what these sound like to me at all. His estimated in room response follows the ideal almost perfectly, with no elevated midbass, only elevated treble above 7khz.
i just pair it with smsl sa300 - so far its good enough for me, for my desktop, nearfield listening
I have the q350 and can recommend these, over the ls50 and meta I had last year even, best for the money, on a side note I have realized these uni-q drivers after owning different models their bass response is better and more controlled on an amp with a higher damping factor, makes a pretty big noticeable difference.
Great review thank you. Would you recommend the Q150's over the Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 which you have also reviewed for a desktop/near field setting??
I want those diffusors 😄
Always enjoy some zero
GR-Research has a EQ curve on these. A bit of a bump at 700hz and a roll off in the upper treble. Overall pretty good esp at this price range.
I was going to upgrade my center, but the big ones people hype are too tall, so i decided to just use my old Q100s and add a 150 as a center or vice versa. They say the coaxial drivers are still better for off-axis listeners.
yup got one for $200 USD on marketplace, great for the small home office and can be driven by a simple class d with tone controls, yes I recommend tone controls for this
I love outside pics!
I’ve got a pair of these I’ve been using with an older denon amp, I love them, only thing I wish is that the soundstage was even bigger but to be honest I think that’s because my room is probably too big for them, and the build could be better, I originally had the q acoustics 3020i and these knocked those ones out the park, bass response everything just seemed a lot better, great speakers!
The KEF Q350 might suit you well. They are a similar sound but for a bigger room.
@@clinteastwood7198 funny thing is, I upgraded to an audiolab 6000a and now the soundstage is huge! However they now lack bass, but I think this is due to my room placements and furniture changing more than anything. I will be upgrading them soon I think, but to be honest I think I’ll try a taste of something different than kef.
@@Brett1334how big is your room?
Great review Sean…thanks. Off topic, but I wonder what your cabinet in the background is…the lattice doors look so cool.
It's from a company called BDI. Link is in the description box!
@@ZeroFidelity Thanks Sean
Great take.. Hey, what stands do you have those on when they are setting on that console (3-4")?
I bought these when they were first released and the price was much
lower than list. I use them strictly in a desk top environment with ample
tube power. They can be stellar with well recorded UA-cam videos or
right from my MacMini music files through a little Schiit Modi. I find them
pretty true to source without a lot of colour. The tube amp (Yaquin)
probably brings these speakers a bit of added warmth ..which I love.
If you can get these ar the price quoted here and you actually need
what they can provide ... it's a no brainer.
Looks amazing for the money. This or the speaker British Audiophile just reviewed?
Great review.
The Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 (6.5") also goes on sale for 300$. Which one would you choose between these two?
Josh, what do you think of the Lintons? Are you going to do a review on these and compare them to the KLH 5's?
Again a great review as usual.....i think i sell my Q 3020i
And give the Q150 a chance.
Yup I paid this for it back in 2020. A truly impressive speaker for the price.. I compared back to back with the Meta’s, and my Gen 1 S400’s -Given the obvious price differential, I honestly didn’t feel that the Meta’s and S400’s significantly better as their price suggests….
At $300 this would be a good candidate for a GR Research crossover upgrade. Of course he overdoes the goodies and makes the package too expensive 🤷🏻
@@seanb3303 Or you could simply replace some of the stock xover parts with some better components of the same exact value for $50 or less. Granted, opening up and altering any hi-fi product will void the warranty, but hey - fun is fun. And you'll learn a bit more by doing this yourself in the process.
@@ZeroFidelity Good point Sean. That's what I always say about Danny. He could sell his plans for a crossover upgrade and let the buyer choose the level of parts that he/she can afford, but his business is in selling you his overpriced parts at a very hefty profit. It's not really about making your speakers better, but about selling his snake oil at very inflated prices IMO.
I have the q 350 and would have to agree, I've had the meta and older version of ls50 and I like the q350 better in pretty well every way, of course the 350 is bigger all around and has much more low end to boot. The only ones I've heard recently that would win over on these may be the xls encores and the revel performa m106, and it wouldn't be an easy shootout between the 3 models.
Sounds like a good deal, but my room is a tad large for these…
Thanks Sean….
the best thing is that even the Q350's here in Western Europe are around €350, and that's NOT on sale!
Hi Sean, have you had a chance to hear the Q350? Does the Q350 have the same slight metalic sound characteristic of the Q150s? P.S. I love my Parasound 275 new classic power amp I bought based on your positive review 4 years ago.
nice production values no cables shown in video
Just picked up a pair when one of my Vienna Acoustic bookshelf speakers gave up the ghost. Really surprised by how punchy these are. Lots of detail as well. Paid $250 for an open box set from Best Buy in perfect shape.
Other reviewers of the Q 150s said the treble was layed back. I bought some a couple of years ago (@ full price) and I needed 5 db treble boost on my amp before they sounded any good. So I traded them in for some more expensive B&W 706s and there was more treble and I could use them flat. My theory is that people didn't like the laid back treble and so KEF tizzed up the treble on the next model (like the KEF 50s are).
Side by side, the Q150's treble isn't (significantly) more laid back than what you get with the LS50 Metas. The only difference is that the LS50 Meta doesn't feature the same level of boost in the midrange and bass as the Q150. This alone will make the LS50 Meta sound a bit more aggressive in the treble by direct comparison. I suppose however, one could argue that if this is what you experience in the real world, then that's all that matters. Still, the point is that the Q150 is not an inherently laid back speaker. Especially once you give it some volume. But as always, treble is something that many people do not agree on. One mans bright is another mans smooth and visa versa.
@@ZeroFidelity Maybe the amp I used just didn't happen in the treble as much with those speakers. I had to wind the treble up a lot before I liked the sound (in that room). My B&W 706s have strong upper treble but not enough "chuff" in the voice sound for my liking. Strong cymbals but voice sound is a bit "muffly" on the 706s (in that room). My home designed and built speakers have a bit more "chuff" giving the voice a more 3D sound. That's just me. And My friends seem to agree. But the 706s are a God send cos overall they are the only thing I can go by as reference monitors for my made speakers. And then I make my own "artistic" slight tweaks to my made speakers after copying the 706 sound. The 706s made my speakers sing. Thanks for reading my comment and responding. Cheers Big Ears!
How do you feel about the 150s for home theater L/C/R setup? I'm concerned about off axis performance as some of my seating is off to the side. Main seats 13ft away, with off axis seat 10ft away. Thanks.
They are excellent speakers
Lol, i'm listening to a review of the KEF 150's on my PC w/ KEF 150's!
yes I love them...worth all of $300 maybe $350, that's it.
Question is though do you prefer these or the triangle BR03?
What about a large room? Stick with floor standing Q Acoustics 3050 or these and a sub?
Seems like KEF, like a lot of these speaker companies, have always had fake pricing and misleading “sales.” I almost copped the q150s awhile back, but on principle, I hate the idea of them making 600 a pop all this time for a $300 speaker. If it’s not a $600 speaker then it’s not a real sale. Also annoyed I didn’t bite on the sale q acoustics had before their price jump.
how does this compare to emotiva bookshelf which sounds very real with marantz cd6006 ??
I'm wonder how this speakers may sound pairing with a vintage Rotel RC960+RB980 gear...
I bought these open box from Crutchfield for $285 in 2019. They were like a gateway drug into this crazy speaker carousel I've been on ever since. I had the Pioneer BS22, Sony Core SSCS5, and the Infinity R162 right before it, and while those were pretty nice, the Q150 was the first time I heard a deep soundstage, which was intoxicating for me. I sold it because it would occasionally get too sibilant for my tastes, but it is very good for the money. But I do prefer the original ELAC UB5, Triangle BR02, and JBL Studio 530 overall more in the same price bracket.
Point source speakers will always have a better image cos the vowels&consonants of the voice sound are coming from the same place instead of 8" apart!
You need to hear open baffle
These speakers are so pretty and minimal compared to other speakers in this price range.
Whats is the short stand these are on in the background?
This is an excellent speaker paired with the Kef kube 12 and driving them is the SMSL A0200 amp and D0200 dac. I'm thinking of upgrading to the 350 or the R3. Great detail, sound stage and depth.
"This is an excellent speaker"
"I'm thinking of upgrading"
Spoken like a true audiophile 😉
I had the r3s they are spectacular. So amazing I sold them and bought r5s lol and am always looking for r11s
How these compare to Alsyvox Boticelli? Bayz Audio Counterpoints?
with the $80 class D aiyima a07 amplifier q150 or another speaker at $400 maximum price point for low volume, near field desktop use ? thanks
Does it make sense to buy Q150s and sit them on their sides underneath my TV in an LCR configuration? It is for a 5.1 setup in my bedroom. I play video games and watch movies on this TV. I have 7 inches of clearance under the TV for my speakers.
best with a good Sub of course. small speakers 5 in. ' mid bass' just can't move the air without technical expensive tricks like Kefs LS type sub. I looked at Amazon, yep, $299. note, I have the larger Q 350 and Metas + Sub.
I got these for my little closet system where I end up sitting a couple feet away. They do well in that scenario. Haven't tried them in the main system yet, but I expect them to be embarrassed there.
That Hair :) Thanks for the Video
I listened to them briefly at Best Buy one day but they seemed to have had a softer tone from what I heard. No way to tell except if it was in my own home for evaluation. But it does make a person question why it originally retails for several hundred dollars and being sold for half off? Maybe some design flaws that the manufacturer is hiding? Again trust your ears. And arrange for a trial period in your home. And that’s with any speaker. Not just these.
Should go loud with SPL of 86db, unless they start sounding worse at higher volumes. Rated up to 100 Watts - RMS I am presuming. 👍 as usual
They will go loud, but they won't sound very good doing it. The watt ratings are something to all but disregard.
Pretty good rear surround speakers?
The prior model Q100's are very similar and can be found even cheaper on the used market. Some people prefer the Q100's to the Q150's because they are heavier built and are front ported.
Good to know. Although I need to make it clear that the location of a port doesn't have as big of an impact as people think it does when it comes to how a loudspeaker performs near wall boundaries. That behavior has a lot more to do with tuning.
@@ZeroFidelity Actually, Thujan did a direct comparison Q100 vs Q150 video - ua-cam.com/video/QUHn3BEhUnM/v-deo.html
@@ericjohnson829 You just said Thujan. And for that reason, I'm out.. haha
@@ZeroFidelity lol
I just picked up a pair when they went on sale and replace the Sony SSC5. What budget amplifier/receiver would you pair with them. I got the kef’s because I have a small room and like a lively speaker.
How do they compare to the SSC5’s?
Hey, who's that guy? Usually here is some fella with a hat, what you have done to the original ZERO!?! 😃
Will these work in a slight longer room for movies? They would be 15ft from the seating. Not super audiophile here. First set of decent speakers. I would eventually upgrade to maybe the 350's and move them to surround but just wondering.
Also, the room is only 10 ft wide with 9.5ft ceilings.
For 300 its perfect for my desktop. Too bad i cant spend for any audio gear now.
Is this still good for buying in 2024?
If I missed it I’m sorry but if you could talk about speaker stands pros and cons etc. which ones you’ve used and how you rate them I’m all ears.
I may make another video about that, but I won't give an entire dissertation in the comments section. In short: My favorites are from a company named Tri-Art Audio. Expensive, but I like em'. Outside of that, the 'tried and true' stands usually involve buying something metal and then filling it with material like sand.
KEF make good speakers.