They’re OK 🤷🏻♂️ KEF Q Series Home Theater Speakers Review | Q350, Q250c, Q50a
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2020
- We review some KEF Q series speakers. The Q350, Q250c and Q50a speakers in a dolby atmos setup. Paired with a Trinnov Altitude and McIntosh amplifiers.
BUY HERE:
Q50a: amzn.to/2EGma8S
Q250c: amzn.to/33aclcB
Q350: amzn.to/3idWhel
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Review Room: • HOME THEATER TOUR! 4K,...
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Equipment used for review:
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Sony 65A9G: bit.ly/2oxpJpD
Sony 75X900F:
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B&H - bit.ly/2MXyr8V
XPAND X105-RF-X1 3D glasses: amzn.to/2wGmmMz
Trinnov Altitude 16: bit.ly/2wec1My
McIntosh MC255
McIntosh MC257
Pro 4K HDR: amzn.to/3aJceH1
Panasonic UB9000:
Value Electronics - bit.ly/2n41miZ
B&H - bit.ly/2P6BWg3
Amazon - amzn.to/3399vTl
Oppo 203: amzn.to/2MgN7PM
AppleTV 4K: bit.ly/2qbWoSK
Bowers & Wilkins CT 7.4: bit.ly/2n41miZ
SVS PB-16: bit.ly/2QjiH47
Salamandar Talia Seating: bit.ly/2n41miZ
Middle Atlantic Rack: bit.ly/2J4wuX5
Niagara 3000: amzn.to/2ZHPOkM
Niagara 5000: amzn.to/31U7ufI
Shot on:
Sony a7III:
Amazon: amzn.to/2Bx0K90
B&H: bit.ly/33R19iP
Sony 24mm
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B&H: bit.ly/2s2QhAW
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th-cam.com/play/PLebwdQgy9ryeFWViFhwYoTVjWMLdbZH6m.html
I’m impressed by this reviewer. He has the most advanced home theater products available today and yet he doesn’t totally thrash an entry level system. Meaning he’s adjusting his expectations relative to price. Well done, sir.
Great review. I appreciate the knock test, bc it's somnething I do. And the quick edit comparisons for the different centers was great.
Another outstanding video review. Keep them coming :) For my room I have Goldenear and they have that fine detail without being Harsh.
I love my Q350s. I plan on getting a full 9.2 using the Q350s
I have the KEF Q550 for L/R, Q650c centre and E301 as surrounds, plus 4 Ci160QR in the ceiling for height (5.1.4). All speakers use the Uni‑Q drivers, so it gives a great detailed sense of atmosphere, with sounds appearing to come from any point in the room, not just where there are speakers. With crossover set to 80Hz (100Hz for the rears) I don't have any problems with volume either - the 650c is a pretty big centre channel so as long as it's not trying to play full range it never struggles, or any of the other speakers. Very happy with the sound.
Great video! Helped me a lot.
Question- I have Q250c (recently bought) as centre and 2x Q150 (old) as front right left. I am planning to upgrade right left to Q750 and will put the Q150 as behind surrounds. But my concern is the q250c about the ferrari analogy you mentioned whether it would sound ok with the Q250c. Would it matter even if I have a subwoofer connected ? Or is it only a concern if I don’t have a subwoofer?
Great review Shane. I have all Klipsch in my system and dont plan on upgrading anytime soon.
Great review. I hope you also review LS50 Meta in a home theater set up - like 2 LS 50 Meta for the center.
I have 5.1 Kef system. Left/Right Q750 towers, went with matching size Q650 Center, Q150s for sour round and Kube 8”. Powered with Denon 3700h. I’m in love with this setup and sound
this is exactly the same setup in thinking of getting (in japan so options are limited, and no stores to test at) -- how do you still like this set up? i've heard KEF have so many different reviews, muddy, harsh, amazing... would love to hear your opinion with this set up :)
@@SanFranSicko
I have a Q750+Q650c+Q150 Setup. It is very easygoing system and I have never managed to get them to sound harsh or anything like that, but I have a small home theater and don't really push the Speakers to high Volumes.
They soundstage and image incredibly well and never get fatiguing, no matter what you play on them.
If I had to criticize them I would point out that they are not as "dynamic" as some other Speakers (like Klipsch) but that is a tradeoff I am more than willing to make for their otherwise fantastic sound.
I run them with a Denon X6700h. Bass is fine on both the Q750 and the Q650c Speakers, but I have them crossed over at 60Hz (Audyssey suggested 40Hz) and combined with a pair of Subwoofers.
@@rolandrohde I have the older Q300s and I'm still torn between upgrading to Q350s or Q750s. What's your opinion? I also crossover my Q300s @ 60Hz. At this configuration, do you see any benefits from having Q750s instead of Q350s? Would love to read your take on that!
@@vladrapchan5330
I never tried the Q350 because I had heard that they aren't as good as the Q150...
I did compare the Q150 to the Q750, and despite crossing over at 60 like you do, the Q750 just sounded more controlled. I think the fact that the Q150 have a back-ported design while the Q750 have a front facing passive radiator makes a big difference. The bass on the Q750 is very dry and fast which is important for Movies and Music alike...
@@rolandrohde I have exactly this idea about the passive radiators. I think not only that, but the extra active bass woofer probably prevents the uni-q drive from working too hard and distorting the waves coming from the tweeter. All that probably makes the Q750 a better overall speaker...
I've have mine (Q350 and Q250) paired with an SVS SB-2000 Pro sub in 5.1.2. Looking to upgrade to 2x Q50a as well..... they sound great!
I like your demo format.
Heard KEF's many years ago. They were their then flagship floorstnading speakers. I recall comparing them to thee B&W Nautilus or 800 series. Forget which I preferred. :) But just recall I liked the KEF's and which ever amps that drove them. If I had the funds SI'd consider KEF's for sure. But likely their in-wall Ref THX speakers...which I haven't heard. Don't think any shops have them installed. But who knows...
What sub were you using here? Or did you not using one?
Happy Birthday Shane,
Nice review! I just upgraded from Denon x2300, KEF Q100x4, KEF Q200c, & SVS PB1000 x2 to Marantz SR8015, KEF R7, R3, R2c, & SVS SB16 x2. For next few months, will stick to 5.2. I will likely add 4 in-ceiling KEF atmos speakers and an amplifier later. Amp can power base speakers and AVR can do atmos. Any amp suggestions?
My usage is 2 channel as well as multichannel. For that reason i passed over the Kef Q lineup and opted for Kef R11 fronts and R3 surrounds. Wanted to start with better sounding speakers before anything else. Will take a bit longer this way but a nice payoff to look forward to.
Hey, which stand are you using for center channel? I liked it.
Great review! You are one of the best home theater reviewers on TH-cam! Almost bought the kef q series for my home theater but after lots of research and listening sessions I decided to go with canton speakers a lot more expensive but well worth it! Thanks!
These are the entry level models. Their R series are probably comparable to the Cantons.
@@therealshanelee can you review r series ?
Wow Shane found this older video and liked what you said. Since then, have you found anything better at or near that price point that sounds better?
Any ideas if this centre will work well with my q100's as fronts, I'm building a new house and was going to use kef ceiling speaker rears. The q100's rock 2.1 with velodyne 8inch and not bad as budget home theatre. Just trying to build on cheap is all.
Hey Shane. Have you done the Arendal sub review yet.
Hi, I run on Q950, Q350, Q50, Q650 and dual Kube 12b. All speakers are set to small at 80hz crossover on my pioneer lx sc901. It sounds natural without disturbing to neighbours. My setup is in leaving room. I can listen hours and hours at 65db without fatigue. Thanks for rear Q series speaker review on TH-cam. FYI, just subscribed your channel.
👍👍
Question I am looking to get a 7.2 theater system set up. What speakers would your recommend. Looking at about max 8k or cheaper. It's going to be hooked up to an 85" Samsung TV. In about a 15x25 room above my garage. I was told Kef are best bang for the buck. Thank you for your time.
I've got 4 x Q50a as my Atmos height speakers matched with B & W Front Centre and Surrounds and think they work brilliantly didn't think they were that good as upfiring as I didn't have an option for ceiling speakers
Great review as always. I did like that you did budget friendly.
Really not smart of Kef to send an incomplete system.
Maybe see if you can get the reference line next from kef?
Hey im a regular viewer of your videos amd its awesome. Can you help me with a suggestion. My room is 20*13*9.Im using denon 4700H. Which speaker package will be good for movies
Klipsch 620f+klipsch r51m+klipsch r52c
Or
Kef q650+q350
Good review. I have the R series version of these (R3, R2C, and R8A) in a 3.1.2 setup and have very much enjoyed these. They sound fantastic with lots of detail and a wide soundstage. The r8a atmos sounds really good for my room but that’s also because I have 8ft flat ceiling. R3’s sound like towers and provide the level of detail that the ls50s do with better bass response.
Nice! I'm starting my R Series build myself. I have the R3s now powered by a Rotel, getting the matching center soon.
Have you compared it with just having the r3 in stereo?
I have a 5.1 set up with 4 Q150s and the Q250c. Love the sound from them and looking to get the Q50s as heights in the future.
Hi, Pedra. How are you liking that setup still? I priced out (and almost pulled the trigger) on that EXACT same 5.1 configuration today. My listening area is a little less than 150 square feet. Look forward to hearing your opinion. Thanks, and cheers!
@@Barleyleg hi. Yeah. I am still liking them a lot. They have a great sound for my space (18 x14 room). They work well with my Marantz 5013.
What kind of sub are you rocking in this setup
Hey, why haven't you tested this with the Q650C center channel, probably would have been better for seamless sound, no?
For the up-firing placement i think the implementation is flawed because you have treatment up in the ceiling (really tall also) so intended performance by KEF will be drastically reduced. Not a fan of the up-firing even if it was flat surface though.
I hope that you and other home theater's review makers make a videos for low end and budget devices for all people cant afford this expensive gears
I went from KEF Q to Arendal 1723S and your thoughts are similar to mine. The KEF Q L+R are fairly good but the centre is very anemic and light. It just doesn't run the show at all in a film. The Q50a I find are okay, still have them paired in my arendal system as upfirers. Nothing shocking but they seem to provide some good overhead effects at times, nice and compact too.
I find the soundtage of these speakers fantastic for their price. That was until I got the Arendals which have an absolutely gigantic soundstage and I struggle to think of another speaker which competes with them in that department. Its an unfair comparison but the Arendals made the KEF Qs feel like toys.
The centre channel bottoms and cannot handle low bass frequencies. If you play the track from gravity at full range, the centre channel will start making some alarming sounds and is clearly bottoming out. I had to increase crossover for this to go away.
Overall I find the KEF Q range really good, really easy to listen to, beautiful and sleek to look at, awesome soundstage for its price but overall.. I would not say they perform above their price tag. I feel as if they perform as a good speaker in this price range should. I also found they do not have very good detail retrieval but they are nice to listen to music on. I also did find at higher volumes, they didn't sound as good. I would rarely go anywhere close to reference on the KEFs. You will find yourself bumping the centre channel up a couple of DB on KEF which is always a bad sign imo for a speaker.
This is in contrast to my Arendals which I feel outperform their price comfortably.
Centre can't handle bass... That's why we have subs
I just finished my speaker setup, It took me a while but I have the Q series 750's towers, 650cc, just add the Q150's for my surrounds. KEF Ci200 for my front atmos. I used two Emotiva BasX 3 and 4 power amp. The 3 runs my front stage and the 4 that does my atmos and surrounds. Marantz SR5014 AV. When I did my Audyssey MultiEQ Editor I was amaze how close my dbs setting was. I did reading with my SPL meters no change in this reading as well 75 dbs across all speakers.
Hello, from India...
Nice information about KEF Q Series speakers, I'm likely to Upgrade my Polk RTi series with KEF Q Series speakers. I want your suggestion, is this change will make some drastic difference or RTi's are sufficient...!!! I'm not completely satisfied with Polk RTi's,,, I'm willing to get Q750 for L&R, Q650 for Center, Q150 for Surrounds, Ci160QR Ceiling Speakers for my Atmos Speakers. I'm going to use these with Denon X3700H. Right now I'm using Polk RTi A7, CSiA6, RTi A1 & C60i. Please reply that will be great help...🙏
I have a pair of dynaudio special 40, 3k euros, and a pair of kef q150, 300 euros.
I’ve tested both with a Hegel 360 for a few months.
The difference between them is so small, that it makes me think why to keep the dynaudio.
Can you do a review of the bowers and wilkins 600 anniversary edition?
I love my kef bookshelfs
I found a big step up to the R2c (but I do have R Series speakers all round...) For the money though the Q's are pretty decent.
hi ,when is your review of "ZAPPITI PRO 4K HDR AUDIOCOM CINEMA EDITION
" coming out?
I have the same set up apart from the Center which I have the q650c far better and 150s as rears love it and x2 svs sb2000s
Q250CB really worth it huh? Q150B how are the q150b for left for right this will be my main setup. really that great. I have some klipsch not that great for left and right and a small polk audio doesn't sound as great. I hope the setup for the q250cb and q150 is a big game changer!
Hi Shane, great video. You mentioned the treble might be a bit harsh, what would you suggest that might sound better for something in the same price range, or would you just tone down the treble on the amp. Thanks
I said some folks"might" think it's hard. I liked it.
not harsh at all i love it
Hi Sparechange, you mentioned your normal speakers are the B&W, i thought you had Arendal Sound ? Did you swap out your Arendals for the B&W ? If so, why ?
There's a video on the channel.
Proud owner of the Q350s, the soundstage it is amazing. Try to get the new LS50s meta for a review. Greetings
Hey, have you heard the Klipsch RP600M? If yes how would you compare it to your Q350s?
I don't have hands-on experience with the KEFs, but I do know the Klipsch. They sound exciting and lively, but essentially they just didn't cut it for me. They have no imaging worth mentioning and their Crossover is cheap as dirt leading to a pretty awful frequency response. If you can get them really cheap they might be an option, but if you want quality, don't buy Klipsch.
@@rolandrohde bought the Q350 at a great deal!
I have Kef 3 Reference Fronts , Kef iQ3606 center - CANTON
Chrono AR-500 6" 2-Way Atmos Gloss black - Surrounds - Kef dipoles sub rear - 2 Kef cube 10b subs - Marantz SR6014 - Gonna add the kef Q50 for atmos to be at 9.2 system.. With the system being calibrated from the auto calibration the sound is fantastic.. Gonna first mount the Q50 on top of my reference 3 fronts these speakers are at least 20yrs old look and sound great except distortion coming from the right speaker on some movies
I find the Kef Q350 speakers great for 2ch stereo setup for Music and Netflix
You get enough bass with the 2 channel setup? I was thinking of doing 2.0 for awhile
I've got a pair of q750, q650,q150 surrounds and 4 ci160qr for atmos and a svs pb2000 pro but no amp yet😭 waiting for denon x-4700 🤞🏼 nxt month then can finally listen to them instead of just dribbling over them 😂
i own q350 and q150 tried the q150 as the center not bad............they sound very similar only difference is the q350 can go louder ............
Even with the Q650, the difference was not going to be outstandingly different.
KEF are a brand IMO that excel at music and a relaxing sound. For home theatre, they lack detail, power, dynamics and thumping bass. This extends to a lesser degree into their R series.
They're a great entry level speaker brand with premium build quality, beautiful looks, easy to listen to sound signature and a good soundstage. They're not however worth more than what you pay for them.
Also their decision to make you pay for the magnetic grilles is ridiculous. Testing these versus something like the Arendals, its a night and day difference that even a non-enthusiast can easily detect. Their pricing for their Q50a was also very strange as at one point it was the same price as the R50a. KEF's centres are notorious (yes even the Q650) for being not being the best.
I think Shane's review is extremely fair and given he has had far more premium speaker brands in that room, I always knew they would fall short despite what KEF like to say to hype up their products. Even their higher end (I'm talking 10k+ speakers) commonly review short compared to the competition at the extremely high end enthusiast level.
This or klipsch ?
Because so many speakers give it away, for movies with dolby atmos it's 7 or 8 speakers
KEF Q750s or SVS Prime Pinnacles? Q950s or SVS Ultras?
The same here.
Please review with a receiver and amps that most people would have in their home. Denon, marantz, pioneer etc. Trinnov and Macintosh doesn’t really seem realistic for most people’s budget. Great system by the way!
Trinnov + Mac is a no compromise system. Why would I add a weak link to the review system?
Still got those Arendals?
Nevermind you politely moved on months ago: )
Comments: test budget speakers
Shane: tests budget speakers with components kajillion times the amount of the speakers
If you want the speakers to sound their absolute best for a review you don't use a cheap receiver. I'm sure that makes sense to you.
Try jtr
Your testing up-firing atmos speakers in a room with sound absorbing materials on the ceiling...
Great video Shane! Too expensive for me to consider when I’d rather go the SVS route for home theater
SVS is a fantastic choice. I’m very impressed with them
Dark Knight what SVS do you have? I’m thinking about the prime towers to replace my Klipsch towers/center. Would love the ultras but I don’t have the room to give them enough room to breathe from the wall
@@stevenkeith2931 I have a Prime Center, Prime Elevations as my front height, & Prime Pinnacle towers. I’m currently saving for an SVS sub & eventually I’d like Prime Bookshelves to replace my old rear speakers
@@Jedi_Order81 do you like the prime centre? Have you consider to upgrade it to ultra centre? (I’ve got the same setup and the centre is a very weak point for me)
@@keepitshema - I did upgrade to the Ultra Center & I am very pleased with it
The q250c is the weak point of the series but he Q650c is too large for most people.
If they would only sell the Q350/Q150 as a single unit is would solve the "budget" option.
find a friend anb buy pair of350 than split it
I would get Elac Debut series anyday than these ones.
I wouldve had the kef q350's for all my channels
That would have been ideal.
Make up your mind up with speaker
I have these and you can barely hear these things, /Snake oil. Selling them.
What's this voice??
Tests reasonably priced speakers....connects them to 10k+ processor and amp lol.
Would you rather I connect them to subpar test gear?
I have a 5.4 setup . the q950 LR 650 center 150 rears with 4 of the 50a as heights they are very wide sound and crisp and clear love them