If you are living is a cozy or rented apartment chances are that you suffer from space constraints. But this shouldn’t stop you from enjoying music or movies. The KEF bookshelf speakers come to the rescue as they are perfect for small to medium spaced rooms. The bass is good enough for you to enjoy the taut and tight sound while not bugging the neighbors. The KEF q150 vs q350 are two of the best choices that you can make.
Although there are some similarities between KEF Q150 vs Q350 they are quite different from each other. KEF 150 delivers a wide soundstage, neutral sound and sounds great even at low volume. While Q350 has a larger woofer responsible for good bass and it sounds fuller.
Define KEF Q150 speakers
Q150 is a 2-way bookshelf speaker with rear ports. It is an upgraded version of Q100 and comes after the flagship speaker LS50. The Q100 and Q150 have similar dimensions and drivers but Q100 has a front port whereas Q150 has the backport.
The speaker has a sleek cabinet of MDF to reduce any vibration or resonance. These speakers are very similar in the driver and cabinet design to the KEF LS50 speakers but they are cheaper. These powerful bookshelf speakers are ideal for a small room or to place beside your computer. Take a peak at Kef R300, as an alternative product.
Features
- 1″ vented aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide
- 5-1/4″ aluminum woofer
- Uni-Q driver array technology
- Bass-reflex cabinet with CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)
- Rear-firing port
- 5-way binding post speaker terminals
- Optional magnetic grille available
Also check out KEF Q100, which is kind of a similar product.
Define KEF Q350 speakers
Q350 is another model of KEF bookshelf speakers. It has the same driver and enclosure material like Q150 but differs in driver size and other technical specifications.
Q350 is a 2-way bookshelf speaker with a rear port which is best for small to medium rooms. For audiophiles who want extra bass can always pair a subwoofer with it.
As you can see the Q series bookshelf speakers are quite similar to each other in terms of technology, material, and others. Here’s another alternative product Elac UB5.
Features
- 1″ vented aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide
- 6-1/2″ aluminum woofer
- Uni-Q driver array technology
- Bass-reflex cabinet with CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)
- Rear-firing port
- 5-way binding post speaker terminals
- Optional magnetic grille available
KEF Q150 vs Q350: Similarities
| Q150 | Q350 | |
|---|---|---|
| Crossover frequency | 2.5kHz | 2.5kHz |
| Technology | Uni-Q array/CFD port | Uni-Q array/CFD port |
| Driver material | Hard-dome tweeter, Aluminium woofer | Hard-dome tweeter, Aluminium woofer |
| Nominal impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| enclosure | MDF/vinyl-wrapped | MDF/vinyl-wrapped |
Technology
Uni-Q array
The purpose of the Uni-Q array is to make sure you hear the audio uniformly no matter where you are in the room. This signature technology delivers sound with clarity by placing the tweeter in the middle of the midrange and bass cone.
The Uni-Q ensures ‘ultra-wide-dispersion’ and is responsible for coherent audio throughout the room. Click here to see speakers KEF ls50 and ls50w with same technologies.
CFD port
Both Q150 and Q350 have rear ports. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) port design at the back of the speaker enhances clarity by decreasing the audibility coming from the mid-range leakage.
Tweeter and bass
The tweeters are damped and the low-distortion inductor delivers excellent lower treble and cleaner bass.
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.
Enclosure
The enclosure of the driver should be such that it doesn’t vibrate at any frequency that might affect the audio quality. Both Q150 and Q350 are made of MDF which is considered good to avoid resonance.
Driver material
Driver material plays an important role in sound quality. There are drivers made from paper, metal and some have a soft or hard dome. These two models do not have any difference in material.
KEF Q150 vs Q350: Differences
| Q150 | Q350 | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | 1” tweeter, 5.25” woofer | 1” tweeter, 6.5” woofer |
| Frequency response | 51Hz – 28kHz ±3dB | 63Hz – 28kHz ±3dB |
| Amplifier requirement | 10-100W | 15-120W |
| Voltage sensitivity | 86dB | 87dB |
| Frequency Range Free Field (-6dB) | 47 | 42 |
| Maximum output | 108dB | 110dB |
| Dimension | 11.92 inches)x 7.08 inches x 10.944 inches | 14.09 inches x 8.26 inches x 12.04 inches |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
The difference at a glance:
The main feature that differs from the KEF Q150 and Q350 is its size and drivers. KEF 350 is bigger than Q150 with a larger woofer driver. However, the frequency response denotes that Q150 can get lower than Q350.
Driver size
Drivers are the heart of a speaker. Speakers usually have different drivers that cover different frequency range: tweeters (> 2000Hz), midrange (200-2000Hz), woofers (<200Hz).
Generally, larger drivers can generate more bass. Q150 and Q350 differ in terms of woofer size as Q350 is larger than the KEF Q150.
Frequency response
Frequency response is an essential factor in speakers. They denote the range of frequencies that a speaker generates and with a higher and lower frequency value. It affects the bass, mid, and treble of the audio along with tonal balance. A loudspeaker can produce a frequency response of 45Hz to 20 kHz.
Typically, the lower the lowest frequency, the deeper the bass. These two models differ in frequency response. From the table below it shows that Q150 can reach a lower frequency than Q350 which will deliver more bass.
Power
The amplifier requirements for these two models vary slightly. Which is better? Well, the answer is not straightforward and it depends on several factors.
The amplifier power should match with the speaker for optimum performance.
Voltage sensitivity
This criterion is a measure of the loudness of a speaker and should be denoted at 2.83V RMS at 1-meter distance. Speakers with more sensitivity mean it needs less power from the amp to play music at high volume.
The more the sensitivity, the louder the speaker can get. Here the Q350 can get slightly louder and will need less power if compared to the sensitivity of the Q150.
Dimension
In speakers, size matters. The larger the speaker, the more space the drivers get to move, and the better the sound. Q350 is slightly bigger than the Q150.
Things on which speaker audio depends:
Placement
The placement of a speaker affects the audio quality vastly. A simple method of toe-in or moving it closer or further from the wall makes a huge difference
Both Q150 and Q350 have rear ports to enhance bass, as a result, you should not place it very close to the wall. Also, bookshelf speakers should be placed on stands for best audio dispersion. Or you can place them on open shelves and make sure the tweeter remains at your ear level.
- Place the speakers 6” to 10” away from each other
- Use 18″ to 24” long stand
- Keep a distance of 9″ between the back wall and speaker and 39” from the side walls.
Click here to Understand speaker placement.
Amp
Based on several reviews, it is recommended to buy an amp based on THD, SNR, and power matching with the speaker. You can go with BasX A-100 Stereo Flex Amplifier, SMSL Q5 Pro, or Dayton Audio DTA2.1BT.
While looking for an amplifier, check the ‘recommended amplifier range’ in the datasheet of the speaker and choose the amplifier power within the range. You can also check our article on Understanding the amplifier.
Subwoofer
KEF has a subwoofer known as Kube you can add this sub with the KEF Q150 and Q350, if you seek deep bass.
When You Should Go For Q150?
- Q150 is ideal for desktop tables compared to other bookshelf speakers. This is because although you are sitting close to the speakers, the drivers will integrate and it will adjust the audio.
- Q150 is also well-suited for small rooms. So if you have space limitations then you can choose Q150 and place them on open shelves.
- Based on room structure the bass from Q150 will be sufficient so if you don’t want to spend extra on sub, you can buy Q150.
Benefits of KEF Q150
- Not room-shaking bass, but deep bass ideal for small to medium rooms.
- Neutral audio with clarity
- Unique features like Uni-Q and CFD port
- Port plugs available so that you can seal the port
- Cheaper than Q350
- Compact and sleek design
- Similar to the LS50 flagship speaker
- Based on frequency response the speaker can reach a lower frequency than Q350
Drawbacks
- Not ideal for large rooms
- Some people might need a sub for extra bass which will increase the cost
When You Should Go For KEF Q350?
- Similar to Q150, Q350 is also ideal to place in small rooms. They are larger than Q150 and if you place them on stands you should look for 18-24” long strands.
- For a small room, the deep bass of Q350 is enough for most of the people listening to music or movies. Some listeners even plugged the port to reduce bass.
- If you have a high budget you can go for Q350 instead of Q150.
The benefit of KEF Q350
- Larger soundstage
- Warm and deep bass due to larger driver
- Excellent at high volume
- Some might not need extra sub so it is cost-effective
- The port essentially decreases noise or any distortion and deliver deep and clean bass
- Similar to Q150, these are suitable for small spaces.
- You can use these for home theaters in a small room
Drawback
- The cost might be high for some
- Doesn’t come with a speaker grille.
- Doesn’t perform best at low volume
Expert Review
https://youtu.be/mjZGKyK1AeE
Alternative Products
Klipsch rp-600m
The RP-600M is a fantastic speaker with a lot of bass for its size and a smooth sound that makes you feel like you’re listening to live music in your home.
Pros:
- Very nice finish on the cabinets, great looking fronts.
- Great Balanced Sound
- Scales up with better electronics.
Cons:
Pricey.
Q Acoustics 3030i
The Q Acoustics 3030is is yet another outstanding speaker from the company, with a smoother response than others and a tone that is likely to be even and polished.
Pros
- Insightful and expressive
- Impressive, well-integrated bass
- Fine build
Cons
Loses composure on bass heavy tracks
FAQ:
With this section you will get answers to your problem that are arising while walking in the pavement of sound and speaker.
Are KEF Q350 speakers wireless?
Answer: KEF Q350 are wired speakers so you need to connect them to each other and then connect an amp with it. You can use banana plugs or space connectors with the terminals of the speakers. These speakers are not wireless so you don’t have the freedom to move them from place to place.
Do I need separate stands or can I place them on bookshelves?
Answer: It is not mandatory to place them on stands. However, bookshelf speakers are not meant to be placed on bookshelves specially closed ones.
You can place them on open shelves but you need to make sure that the drivers are at your ear level. They should also be away from the wall due to rear ports.
Can I use KEF Q150 speakers sideways?
Answer: due to Uni-Q array drivers you can place the KEF Q150 speakers sideways and experience the same audio quality. You can place them on rubber pads and either horizontally or vertically as you like.
Parting words
Bookshelf speakers are a compact speaker that audiophiles admire. You will get a detailed, wide soundstage with deep bass and appropriate treble that makes these ideals for small spaces.
If you are wondering, KEF Q150 vs Q350 which one should you buy? The answer lies in what you are looking for and your budget. Q350 is costlier than Q150 and also has a bigger driver, cabinet, and good detailed sound. With Q350 you might not need a subwoofer.
With Q150 you will get audio similar to KEF LS50 but at a lower price. KEF 150 is known for its excellent audio with the precise soundstage. At the end of the day, a lot will depend on the placement, amp, or subwoofer that you choose for the speaker. So choose wisely! and if you are still confused, you can check KEF R500.
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