KEF Q-150 Bookshelf Speaker Review. Best for lovers of wide imaging.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 มี.ค. 2021
- Reviewed Today: KEF Q150 Bookeshelf Speakers
us.kef.com/q150-bookshelf-spe...
Preamp & Power Amplifier & Integrated amps used:
Kinki Studio EX-P7: www.kinki-studio.com/ex-p7
Kinki Studio EX-B7 monoblock: www.kinki-studio.com/ex-b7
IotaVX SA-3: www.iotaenterprises.co.uk/pro...
Source: Bluesound Node 2i
www.crutchfield.com/p_813NODE...
(all music is hi-res streamed from Tidal)
DAC: Schiit Modius
www.schiit.com/products/modius
RCA Cables: Analysis Plus Oval One
analysis.plus/product/oval-on...
Speaker Cables: Maze Audio REF4 or Eden Series
www.mazeaudio.com/speaker-cabl...
Subwoofers Used (individually):
REL HT1205: rel.net/shop/powered-subwoofe...
Rythmik F12SE: www.rythmikaudio.com/F12SE.html
Your results may vary based on your ears, room, and associated equipment:
![เจอประจำ ตอน เปิดเทอมวันแรก [EP.29]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/eFK-B836i60/mqdefault.jpg)
Nice review man, good job being fair and balanced. KEF did some nice improvements over the whole Q line compared to previous generations. Makes me really want to experience something newer from them. Lots of high praise out there.
Yeah I’ve heard the R3 and the LS50. The models progress nicely and just get better.
I enjoyed you and Randy. And, this review was what I like to call right on point. 10 minutes is enough to describe what you believe a speaker to portray. You hit the points, I know what I am in for if I buy a pair and that is really what I look for. Now I will dig for a Rel sub review to be used with two channel only and see what I come up with. Nice job and grow this channel.
Glad you enjoyed it! Here is a REL sub i reviewed, next one will be a pair of T5i. th-cam.com/video/LGvFEQcpjuE/w-d-xo.html
InstaBlaster.
I really appreciate you and your reviews. No matter the product you always cover them from top to bottom so we'll. Thank you!
Thank you bro, I do my best :)
Really enjoyed owning these speakers and a great honest review - thanks
Glad you like them!
Great review Sir....btw loved you and Randy together!
Glad you enjoyed it :)
Great review, keep it up!
Thanks Devin!
Great review!
Thank you!
These are a really intriguing speaker for me but I have to realize that I've often compromised before pulling trigger on any kind of gear in the past though-perhaps from cost guilt. I wonder if I should move up a big step in performance next time. I can afford it if I delay gratification for a month or three. I still have a crush on the somewhat similar Technics SB-C700E. I heard them in a small shop with bad acoustics and they really knocked me out regardless. Thanks for another short and sweet review. Enjoyed the chat with Cheapdude. Keep it up!
Thank's Eric. I like to wait and make bigger upgrades. I find that more satisfying than making small incremental upgrades.
Congrats on 4K subs bro.
Thank you bro 🙏🏻 it’s a blessing.
I do like the q series I used to own the q950 but was too big for my room so moved to small bookshelf's
Bought a pair of these in walnut last year for $300. Totally agree with this review. Surprisingly good especially for what I paid. May try the Danny Ritchie mod for these as I love hot-rodding everything!
I feel that, I used to mod everything but I've cooled down in recent years.
I’ve never seen the walnut for that low! You lucked out! I just ordered them on an open box deal and can’t wait for get them I
Excellent review Nemo,, 👍😎👍.
Glad you enjoyed it Irene!
Has anyone paired these with Schiit Vidar Monoblocks? Currently running a single Vidar but wondering if there would be any improvement with another.
I put these on speaker stands in the front about 12 ft apart and I put the crossover to full range some songs sound amazing While others sound of course not so robust but that's in the recording. When I paired these up to a 12-inch 240 watt Cambridge subwoofer and cross them over at 80 wow it was good
Love your job man, thank you. Do you think these ones with a class D amp would be a good match?
it would depend on the amp, the inexpensive sub $200 class D amps all sound the same to me, they're all just "okay".
Great review, thank you again!
I was thinking about pairing them with the IOTA SA3, what are your thoughts?
I think that will be good but only if you get the Q150 on sale. At full price I prefer the Elac DBR62.
@@NemoPropaganda fair enough, as I did. THX
Nothing effects the speakers' performance like the room they are in and Kef bookshelfs need smaller rooms to sound best. I have owned the older model the Q300 bookshelfs for 9 years and still have them now. I didn't like them for years but I kept them though. they sounded too dry no matter what I do to them. It was until last year when I prepared a small listening room (3m x 3m) which is much smaller than what I'm used to. The sound changed 180 degrees and I was just blown away by the performance of these speakers. The natural tone, imaging, & soundstage was nothing less than amazing.
I could see that, they do Image very wide.
Thank you for this comment, need speakers for a small room and this may be my choice
@Man Sang Woo I'd go with the bigger 350 unless you don't listen too loud but I might prefer the Monitor Audio Bronze 100 for that price...
Very helpful video! Regarding speaker stand height, I know you mentioned 1" above ear level, does this still stand (as I would think it goes against the manual - will go further into it in my comment for more details)? What's your opinion on the 'ideal' height (is there such a thing) - is it aligned with the conventional wisdom of tweeter height at ear level? I've watched a few videos and some suggest placing it higher than ear-level, and there's also a small minority that advocate for below ear level. I am looking at the Q150 speakers - and the manual for the Q150 suggests 18" - 24" (45-60cm) speaker stands - that seems awfully low and would be below ear level if I sit on my (or any conventional) couch. But the KEF designers/engineers surely must have put this in the manual for a reason? Does this mean they designed or voiced the Q150s in a way that aligns with 18" - 24" and therefore it would be prudent to strictly stick to getting stands within 18 - 24"? If not, should I go with 28" or 32" inch? 32" would be putting it at or just 1" above ear level I'd say, but given how conservative KEF were in their manual, I was wondering whether 28" would be a better choice too... Any advice here would be so helpful! Thank you.
I'm sitting on a subwoofer in the video :D, when I'm in my listening chair I had these about 1" above ear level IIRC. Generally I try to shoot for my ear being between the midwoofer and tweeter but to be completely honest I'm not very sensitive to speaker height give or take a few inches. I am however very sensitive to toe and horizontal distance between the two speakers. I would probably never intentionally go below ear height though. Test out what you like by shoving some books underneath your speakers maybe :)
@@NemoPropaganda Haha yeah I noticed and edited my earlier comment. Thanks for that - will give it a go!
Hello, can you perhaps review the JBL Studio 530? I would like to know how they compare to these speakers especially since I've heard KEF have 'crazy soundstage' (and I own these).
I usually only review current models and IIRC that's a long discontinued model that they keep selling only because there is back stock.
Nice review man, I have to go demo the q350 as people are making claims it beats the ls50 as well. When the q350 is on sale it sounds like a steal of a deal. The low level listening is my concern however...
Maybe the Q350 has more bass but it seems like you might actually like the LS50 if you prefer lower volumes, at least based on what I've seen other say.
Very nice 30 round magazine there. (i hope it's 30ty) Question, to improve the Q150 would you recommend adding more dense foam inside the box and upgrading the plugs and wire gauges? I hear its cheaply made compared to other speakers within its price point. It is hard to beat when these are on sale tho.
hey what's up Rack, yes sir! I have a 3 floor home and keep some 556 and 9 on each floor. So regarding modding the Q-150 I'm just not sure as thats not really my wheel house, I'm sure some things can be done to imrpove the sound but at the sale price of $300 I'd say just enjoy them :) I wouldn't mess around with adding too much damping material as that could affect the port tuning frequency then again its easy to undo if you don't like it so it might be worth experimenting for some people.
@@NemoPropaganda Thank You Sir. Glad your channel popped up in my feeds. Subbed rt after i saw this video. Very informative channel.
@@racktech6384 we have a free discord if you want to hop in :) Discord Link: discord.gg/3PkFQf4y6Z
Great review. Keen to get a pair soon and my first entry into the hifi world.
What's your take on the recommended amp to drive these? NAD 3020v2, Denon PMA-600NE, or Marantz PM6007? Saw your other video on Denon PMA-600NE that needs to be paired with care but I don't have the knowledge to process the advice. :(
Currently on Creative X7 with bundled EMU XM7. Will probably try to drive these with X7 for a while to get a feel of the difference before upgrading to a "proper" amp and experience the difference again. Perhaps you can also provide your views if it makes sense to retain the X7 as pre-amp and/or DAC to feed into one of the shortlisted amp above as power amp? Thanks!
P.S. Going to run this through Apple TV 4K (HDMI) -> TV (Toslink) -> amp. Apple TV is the gateway to my media server to play Flac/MP3/TH-cam/movies or otherwise receive Air Play from my mobile devices.
Hi bro! I would get an Emotiva TA1 or IotaVX SA3.
@@NemoPropaganda Hey! Thanks for the speedy reply. Unfortunately, I have not been able to source for the Emotiva or IotaTV. No distributorship that I can find. Even if I could somehow get delivery there's no way I could try to arrange for audition and certainly no after sales. Not sure if I were to look harder offline might there be specialist retailers that carry them.
If I have to go with Denon/Marantz/NAD above, which would you recommend or not at all? I have arranged for an audition for the KEF Q150 next week and I am not sure if there're options to switch out the amp and what they are using for the demo.
@@dsmp5634 okay i understand, so I don't have any experiene with those amps except the Denon, maybe try asking in my discord channel? discord.gg/nemopropaganda
Nice review...! Which are the best "warm... romantic" speakers that u've heard ?
Bowers & Wilkins 800 D3.
I have got into KEF speakers recently, I bought the new ls50 Meta's they are amazing. If you liked these speakers then you will love the sound of the Meta's check them out if you can.
How many watts per Channel were you driving when you review these? Also did you have them at full range ? Do you ever use a sub while reviewing speakers
I have multiple amps, the weakest one at the time was 50w, yes I only do full range, not running full range wouldn't be a review, the speaker is designed to run full range, yes I use a subwoofer half the time.
I own a Denon PMA-30 and was considering a pair of KEF Q150 for Desktop use. So you say this will not work in my favor?
I have not heard the PMA 30.
Awesome review my friend! I hooked these up with the Arylic A50 in my bedroom...Yo!! They are amazing!!
Oh yeah, they can do some things really well!
I mis typed... I paired it the Kef Q350!!!
what speaker stands are those? im struggling to find large-enough speaker stands for my kef q150, the things are like 7 inches wide and 10.5 inches deep
try the Kanto SP or SX stands. As far as what I have in this video they don't fit the speaker very well, you just can't tell in the video.
Nice review sir i would like to pair them with smsl ao300 85w x 2 ?
do it!
So lower volume in a desktop situation you enjoyed these but lower volume with more distance not so much? Considering these speakers for a simple listening setup at my computer. Why I’m asking. Thanks!
I think they will be cool for desktop but only at the sale price :).
@@NemoPropaganda Yea hard to beat at the current price really. My budget is about 1,000 give or take. I listen to a lot of older Industrial Music that really benefits from a properly voiced V shaped curve that still has strong vocal delivery. My main system is running the Dynaudio Evoke 20's and they can sound really thin and underwhelming with a lot of my music. I haven't added a sub yet so hopefully that will give me more of the muscular sound I'm looking for. Relatively new to this hobby so I have a lot to learn!
@@unklecorky2181 Nice dude, yah I think you'll like the 150, it's pretty bass heavy for how small it is but the room will have an impact on that also. Getting good bass from desktop systems can be a challenge but I hope it works out well for you!
Would you recommend these for modern music?
Or are these the best for classical, more instrumental content?
I listened to mostly modern music for this review :)
Thank you!
Would these be good for front height speakers? I would put them 3 ft away from the wall on top of my entertainment center about a foot from the ceiling pointed at the listening position
I'm not sure brother, I don't do any multichannel systems so I'm not sure what matters for atmos or what metrics are valuable.
Hi amigo. What do you think about Kef Q150+CA CXA61 or Kef Q150+Marantz PM6007?. Which opción is your favorite?
I actually have not herd either amp.
How do these compare to the Emotiva B1+ in terms of data retrieval?
about equal.
So would these speakers be ideal if they were gonna be used for your front surround sound?
as front main speakers I would prefer something larger but if the room is small like 12x14 I think it would do well to have a few of these with a sub for a nice 5.1 channel setup.
@@NemoPropaganda that's exactly the size of my room and kef q 150 and matching center channel speaker. Eventually put another pair in back. Thank you so much for the comment!
@@vegetarianbeast8165 i say do it then but i wouldn’t pay MSRP for them. I like these around $350/pair.
ESTA BIEN PARA EMPEZAR, CHULADAS DE BOCINAS
Hello I was thinking about these or the Heco 300s.
I have a Iotavx sa3 and I dont listen at very high levels..
Just wondering what you think thanks..
mmm, different sound, the Q150 has more clarity in the top end where the Heco is darker, both have good strong bass but the heco is more effortless. Midrange easy win goes to the Heco. The Q150 is a fine speaker at its sale price but for $50-$100 more I'd happily get the Aurora 300 unless top end clarity is your top priority then the Q150 easily wins.
@@NemoPropaganda Awesome thanks so much
@@NemoPropaganda so it might just be that the Q350 would be better ... im still on the fence about the aurora. its amazing in every way but i miss that midrange clarity a little.
@@roybrolsbeak try adding +1 or +2 treble with your tone controls, aim the speakers twoards you a little more, maybe .25 inches.
i will try this out thanks for the tip!@@NemoPropaganda
How you compare to the Triangle Borea BR02?
BR02 also has strong bass but the top end is darker compared to the Q150. That's the biggest difference.
Yeha its true but lots of stuff gets discounted like that just have to wait like a year or 2.or get refurbished.
What's a good subwoofer to pair with the Q150?
Hi Tummus, SVS sb1000 pro.
try buying in austrlia kef never discounts here
great review
That's a bummer, I would stay away then as for $600 the DBR62 by elac is better.
You gotta do the metas next then as a natural progression whilst these are still fresh in your mind
ehhh, I'd have to spend my own money to get those and I'd rather try other gear honestly :)
@@NemoPropaganda no probs. Focal 906's? See how much better they are to the 806's
@@slyfoxx8540 906’s are on the stands now playing with the dual REL T5i. It’s a damn good combination!!
@@NemoPropaganda Nice.👍
Already spoke to someone about a demo of them when lockdowns done so can finally find out for myself.
This waitings killing me.
Damn you’re still lockdown?
For music. Jazz to Rock how would you compare these to what I have now. Jamo C 603
i have not herad jamo speakers.
Hi I listened to these speakers at Best Buy and it was just one song that was available on the demo selection screen. The opening track to the Lazeretto album by Jack White. It sounded very very flat almost dull. I know it’s ridiculous to judge a speaker in a demo room off of one song, but it was all I had to work with. I did some comparisons to the Bowers and Wilkins anniversary speakers and not really a big difference. I’m just wondering if it is due to poor amplifier or the room acoustics. I was listening through a expensive Maranrz home theater receiver.
Exactly how many times does REL have to write REL on thier subs?
I dunno but i love it personally :)
You're gonna like the LS50 Meta, and the R3 is untouchable at $2k.
@@jkherberger I have the Meta's paired with a Hegel H120 and the sound quality is ridiculous it still continues to impress me every day!
At this price point i dont think you can get better than this.
@@hclandscapes I was just at KEF North America and they use Parasound for every demo. Hegel is top notch though.
@@jkherberger In the UK KEF mainly use Hegel for their KEF demonstrations. When i spoke to KEF they gave me the recommendation of the H120 to go with the ls50's,
I have tried a lot of amplifiers around this price point and for me the Hegel is easily the best
the "audiofool" says for the biggest brother, the q350 "its 80% the ls50 and 20% bloat" he refers to bass of course, do you think these are more or less the same with that bloated bass?
Sounds like it yes but I don't like saying things like "X product is Y% as good as Z product". If that were true then the Q350 would be worth 80% of the LS50 price and we all know that's not true.
@@NemoPropaganda yes of course, he was refering to a comment made on somewhere, he couldnt stand the bass from the kefs, no matter with bungs or whatever, I heard a pair at a friends house and believe me the bass is so big, I have read kef made this on purpuse with the crossover or the bass reflex, not so refined nor tight of course, I wish the q150 was mor e refined the price is fine here where I live and the soundstage even in their bigger brother was huge!!!!!
and another thing that called my attention was the voices, I mean on the q 350, so present so clear without a hint of sibilance, if I were sure the kef q 150 is less "fat" on bass I really woulk like to take the risk and buy me a pair, my place is rather small and without any type of acoustic treatment, not at all
@@rafaelalberto5051 yeah, I'm honestly surprised the bungs didn't help, usually they do. At the end of the day the bass is more of that of a cheaper speaker but all of it's other aspects are very good.
@@NemoPropaganda Ill take the plunge and I´ll tell you one of these days how they perform with my class D amplifier, it doesnt get along with very bright speakers and I think these kefs will fill the bill
will the Denon AVR-S670H power them well enough?
yeah
@@NemoPropaganda thank you for the reply
@@jeremymerry7967 anytime bro!
Compare to the Vanatoo T0?
Never heard a vanatoo sorry.
These or q acoustics concept 20? in my country they cost the same
Sorry my I haven't heard Q Acoustics :(
@@NemoPropaganda as weird it might sound where I live, these and the concepts and dali oberon 3 and dynaudio emit m10 and even 20, klipsh m600 and even focal chora just slighty more expensive, they more or less cost the same
@@rafaelalberto5051 I havn't heard all of the hose but I absolutely LOVE the Focal Chora 806!! If you like detail and open sound nothing is better for the money but your amp must be open sounding also.
@@NemoPropaganda well, I have nuprime ida-8 , how do You see it for the focals?
@@rafaelalberto5051 I havn't heard that amp for but Focal Chora 806 you want an amp with a refined top end, a little texture in the midrange, and muscular bass as they don't have much on their own.
I have paired them with 2K and 300 bucks amps, and they sound really good, for sub 300 speakers; otherwise agree with your review.
hell yeah brother, enjoy them!!!!!!!!
@@NemoPropaganda My 5 year old son is enjoying them, bought for his room. :)
Do these play at $300? Got mine for $244!
excellent deal! I consider them to be competative up to the $400 maybe even $450 price category.
@@NemoPropaganda thanks.
where you get them for $244?
@@JMang101 Crutchfield, they were "Scratch/dent" but looked brand new to me. I couldn't tell where the scratch or dent if there is any at all. I think they were just bought and returned.
@@NemoPropaganda I like them, but I my Apple Home pod sounds better, we have 2 of the original Apple home pods and they sound so good, however, you are limited to apple devices.
Currently wait for these to go on sale for $299. Praying i don't have to wait more than 3 months.
If you want speakers now around that price the Emotiva B1+ are pretty amazing and only $249.
@@NemoPropaganda Thanks for the recommendation, but I'm kind of a KEF "fan boy", so i'll have to wait for a KEF sale. ☺
@@thetrumanshow4791 I totally understand bro, KEF does have some unique things about their sound and it's totally okay to be a fanboy :). Since the sale may be far away why not try to put $200 aside every month and just keep saving, maybe by the time the sale comes you'll be able to snag a used pair of LS50 Meta :D. Playing the long game can really pay off and if you're a KEF fan you'll love the hell out of them. It is kind of a shame that they don't have anything inbetween the Q and LS lines though.
@@NemoPropaganda I'm sure the Meta's sound great, but I do not like the look of the Metas. In fact, I think they are ass ugly and you could not pay me money to have them in my house. I do love the original LS50s in sports car red, but they dont sell those any more. If I were going to get a speaker like the Meta, I would simply leap frog them and go with the R3. Unfortunate, for my use case, I do not need speakers in that price range.
@@thetrumanshow4791 finally someone agrees with me lol, I hate the loot also my bro! It's the curved front baffle that kills it for me, I know it's functional but I still don't like it.
If it often goes on sale for 300 it is a 300 dollar speaker.
Except if you're trying not to offend Kef, it's very simple to tell it like it is. If they sell if for $300, it's a $300 speaker. If the finish is bad, the finish is bad. No need to make excuses by saying "at this price point in the industry." When you say that you're basically admitting to the industry ripping people off. There are $50 Bluetooth speakers with better finishes than this.
I as the reviewer am not the topic of the video, did you have a question about the speakers?
Look inside , really cheap !
i don't care about insides, only the sound matters to me :)
Literally doesn't matter at all if it performs well