KEF Q150 Bookshelf Speaker, Passive, Satin Black

Product Information

Extended Glass Cylinder Assembly. 220mm high (standard chamber is 133mm high). For increased source to sample distance and coating large samples. Along with being Bluetooth compatible, make sure the amp will connect to Bluetooth devices faster and provide stable and consistent connection. However, if wireless isnt an issue for you, you can totally skip this part. Aesthetics Cambridge Audio CXA60 integrated amplifier has excellent musical representation. It is accurate, clear, precise, and seems like an all-in-one solution for music lovers. However, the CXA80 is the best sounding between the two. I absolutely love it for it's intended use. With the change to working more from home I've added a desk to the rear of my home theatre room and started using the system more for music, something I never really planned to do. I thought those two knobs were level controls which is surprising in a passive speaker. Turns out they are just shunting knobs that short the highs and lows together. Or disconnect them if you want to bi-wire wire/bi-amp them.

Driver Type: Uni-Q driver array, featuring a 1" vented aluminum dome tweeter and 5.25" aluminum midrange driver. Generally, larger drivers can generate more bass. Q150 and Q350 differ in terms of woofer size as Q350 is larger than the KEF Q150. Easier to not have crossover cancellation. (Off topic PM: why no active crossovers at -999dB per tenth of an octave?) Whether we're reviewing a set of bookshelf speakers that cost a few hundred pounds or a fair few thousand, our review philosophy doesn't change, and you can be sure that any five-star speakers (and particularly What Hi-Fi? Award-winning ones) will offer up a fantastic performance for the price.

What to look for in the best bookshelf speakers

Balanced XLR is very popular which is needed to pair high-end devices. Other standard connections include, subwoofer out, preamp out, A+B speaker, etc. Wired or wireless Allows multiple users to input and store coating recipes, with a new feature to sort recipes per user according to recent use. Our recommendation is that all of these speakers will benefit from being placed on a dedicated pair of speaker stands. The "nref" arrow is the center of the coaxial driver as you would look into it. We see that there is a strong sound source below it which has to be the port. Something coming out of that port is combing with the main driver and causing cancellation in the middle (to some extent). The frequency is 1.4 kHz. If we convert that to wavelength we get nearly 12 inches which happens to be the height of the cabinet. So it looks like it is a longitudinal mode of the internal cabinet coming out the port causing that partial cancellation. It's a huge step up from the MAT-less R3 (a previous five-star model) in terms of refinement, crystal-clear vocals and dynamism. These R3 Metas are spacious, dig deep, perform admirably both at loud and low volumes (a rare talent), and are delivered with a precision and accuracy that seems to come oh-so-easily to them.

So how does it sound? Just like most all loudspeakers, break-in time is required. So are room placement considerations with some experimentation. Right from the start, the Q150's impressed with wonderful detail minus obvious stand-out sonic aberrations, stable imaging, and neutrality. While I haven't yet taken any measurements, frequency response sounds acceptably linear, and amplifier load seems to be an easy one making for an easy match with most any decent amplifier (or receiver, if you're so inclined). Initially in my room, I preferred listening with the supplied foam cylinders inserted in the rear ports. However over time (after break-in) I preferred listening without the foam inserts. While the Q150's are tolerant of lesser quality amplifiers, they do benefit from higher quality amplification: I could readily identify differences between power amplifiers, prompting me to settle on one in particular. I don't find the Q150 tweeters to be harsh yet they are revealing and can point out weaknesses in up-stream electronics as well as in recordings. To me, the upper bass tends to the 'warm' side which is likely preferable to most listeners. I prefer a pinch more neutrality which I achieved with additional damping material. Ultimately I paired my Q150's with a subwoofer and a custom-designed active crossover network. With the 150's relieved of lower bass, they're able to focus on upper bass, midrange, and highs. Dynamic range is increased and potential distortion is lowered. One may also select an appropriately optimized power amplifier. (I've settled on a vintage analog MOSFET power amp to drive the Q150s. The subwoofer utilizes a digital power amp that provides much punch and weight.) It took much time to select crossover frequencies, amplitude, as well as phase which fortunately I may adjust continuously between 0 and 180 degrees. The overall result provides seamless integration, very wide frequency response, high dynamic range with fine imaging/sound-staging. Overall the the system sounds effortless, when reproducing all musical genres at various levels. The Spektor 2s are among the brand’s most affordable speakers. And while they are a relatively diminutive pair – 6.7 x 9.4 x 11.5 inches – they offer a wide soundstage and expressive equalisation. So whether you’re listening to vocals, instruments, or a bit of everything, the Spektor 2s will sound entertaining. Cambridge Audio worked relentlessly to produce the best-engineered amplifiers. The CX Series also included CXC CD transport, the CXN network music player, CXU universal Blu-ray player, and CXR120 and CXR200 AV receivers. The bass has a larger roll surround and KEF suspension drivers that deliver cleaner bass when the volume is increased. The Auxiliary Bass Radiator (ABR) produces a clear midrange and clearer bass. EnclosureI began the listening sessions with the Q150's by using the Cambridge AXA25 integrated amp (which is actually a full-sized, solidly constructed amp), and then later connected the custom (you have to go to Asia to find this one) Fosi HD-A1 Class AB 50 WPC amp - a built-like-a-tank difficult to find amp. Cables used to connect various components (mainly DAC units) were from World's Best Cables (WBC) and Blue Jeans Cables. All the amps mentioned above were already broken-in/warmed up, so I could jump right into the listening sessions.

They're commonly known as bookshelf speakers, as some are small enough to fit in/on a bookshelf, or even on to desks. But a bookshelf isn't necessarily where you should put them – we would always recommend placing them on dedicated speaker stands to ensure they sound their best. Many of the products on this list, such as the KEF LS50 Meta, clearly demonstrate they deliver their full potential when not shoved into a corner or in a bookshelf. The frequency response is similar in the two amps. Cambridge Audio CXA60 and CXA80 have a similar DAC, the 24-bit Wolfson WM8740. Music or any file from TV or any streaming device passes through it. Cambridge Audio CXA60 vs CXA80: Which one sounds better? Witness the epitome of acoustic innovation with the KEF Q Series Q150 Speakers. This pioneering creation is birthed from KEF's unrivaled dedication to the fusion of aesthetic form and audio function. Crafted out of high-quality materials, the speakers bear a sleek, modern look while offering a superior sound profile, destined to mesmerize the most discerning ears. Innovative Uni-Q Driver Array

USB Revision

Other things are important while choosing an amplifier like amplifier class. There are several types (Class A, Class D, Class A/B.) and each has its own pros and cons. Parting words: The KEF Q750 uses a famous KEF technology to great effect, with the Uni-Q drive unit. This involves positioning the treble unit in the middle of the woofer, creating a single point source for sound across the frequency range. The end result of this is a broader, more cohesive sound that offers excellent stereo within a wider listening area. You can also push the input button to select Bluetooth or USB. Blue means RCA/Bluetooth selection and red stand for XLR/USB. With the help of the Control Bus connection, you can connect with other CX products like the CXC or CXN. Are there any similarities? The digital audio inputs of both models are similar: 1 S/PDIF coaxial, 2 TOSLINK optical, 1 USB audio, Bluetooth (integrated). The outputs are as follows: Speakers A+B, 3.5mm headphone, Preamp Output, Subwoofer Output. Made from lightweight yet rigid aluminium, the woofer unit is fast to respond and linear in its response. This helps give life-like dynamics and low levels of distortion. Using technologies developed in their high-end Concept Blade speakers, the Q150 offers attention to detail not usually seen in speakers at this level. The Z-Flex woofer surround gives superior cone control, helping it blend seamlessly with the treble unit for a more even and consistent sound.