KEF also gave them a more refined cabinet, a new rear recessed port, and a new cone neck decoupler and motor system. * Magnetic Grilles sold separately. There's much more good than bad in Stereophile annnnnnnnnd I've loved JA since the early 1980s and will follow him most anywhere, Phew. You can also use the links below for general shopping.Amazon Universal Link: https://amzn.to/2pgOoPxeBay Universal Link: http://ebay.us/qITNXUAll music playback is FLAC files via Marantz USB DAC to PMA-SX11 analog input stageTimeline; 0:00 Quick Unboxing0:22 Build Quality2:42 Measurements \u0026 Review6:53 Sound Sample Although you can choose your type of amplifier can be considered as a customization feature. Canadians shop for TVs, home audio, AV furniture, housewares & home electronics. The KEF Q350 speakers turn out to . It comes with a rear port. Exceptional soundstage. If you're looking for a more refined sound compared to most "entry-level" passive bookshelf speakers but don't want to take out a loan, these are all-around great speakers. performance to the next level with patented technology, step-up. ELAC DBR62 - liked these too, but similar to Trangles, when comparing side by side with KEF, Elacs were more fatiguing. Plus Sanyo, B-Tech, Teac, Techcraft, LG, StudioTech, Bell'O & more. Absolutely a great buy when they're on sale, a decent buy at the $750 list price. If you're considering Bookshelf Speakers in the $640 range, you might want to check out some better options. I also noticed a bit of "talk" from the cabinet, but only rarely did I detect any cabinet resonances in the fundamental range of human speechapproximately 200750Hzwhile listening to music. Basically, if you thought KEF's previous speakers sounded good the new LS50 Collection takes that sound to the next level. Its recorded by measuring how loud, What you may not know about bookshelf speakers is that they dont always work straight out of the box. Gear Patrol participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. I bought these and a new set of Monoprice speaker stands. Reply Quote. Tweeters (over 2000Hz), midrange (200-2000Hz), and woofers (under 200Hz) are the most common types of drivers used in speakers. Setup Reviewing loudspeakers is plagued with uncertainty. The woofer sizes of the Q150 and Q350 vary. KEF Q150 vs KEF Q350 B&W 606 vs Klipsch RP-600M B&W 606 vs B&W 706 S2 Klipsch R-51M vs Klipsch R-41M Most Popular Passive Floor-standing Comparisons DALI Oberon 7 vs DALI Oberon 5 Klipsch RP-8000F vs Klipsch R-820F Klipsch R-620F vs Klipsch R-820F B&W 603 vs Wharfedale EVO4.4 Klipsch RP-8000F vs B&W 603 Klipsch RP-8000F vs Klipsch RP-8000F II ( I'm pleased that you found a way of revealing this in some sort of painless way, I think that JA keeps a stethoscope handy for revealing these types of issues ). Do you prefer accurate bass or loud bass? It certainly did no harm to the reproduction of this glorious organ recording. Sleek matte Black and White vinyl finishes are available on the Q350. The frequency range is wide, too, as you're getting lows in the 50Hz range and highs up near 50kHz. These are the best bookshelf speakers for your home audio setup, in a variety of price ranges. Also, not all the receivers come along with these elements. Alternatively, onecan position the speakerson open shelves with the tweeter at your ear height. At least they were Made in America - right? According to Dipin Sehdev of KEF America, the stamped basket "is equal in rigidity to the cast one" because "We designed the chassis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to increase its strength. Why? These speakers are easy to drive: I am using the Aiyima A07 class D paired with a Schiit Modi 3+ DAC that I am streaming high res audio to via my laptop. These are one of the best value speakers when on sale. The port seemed quiet, but not as quiet as when it was partially or fully blocked. Triangle Borea BR03 A step up in sound quality The Borea BR03 is one of the best bookshelf speaker sets we've heard, with extraordinary clarity and spaciousness plus plenty of bass. True audio, Tweeters produce the highest frequencies in sound, typically anything above 2,000 Hz. Please consider creating a new thread. or We who take our Music Hobby seriously ? debut reference dbr62. I can't wait to get mine, been on backorder for a few weeks, but they had absolutely glowing reviews from YouTube channels I trust, and they're cheap! Typically, these speakers require a wirele, Speaker wire is the connection used between speakers, amplifiers and receivers. They aren't great speakers because they are designed and built in the US, they are a great speaker that happens to be designed and built in the US and has fans willing to pay the premium for that. In speakers, frequency response is a critical component. The KEF Q350 Bookshelf Speaker is the most recent addition to theQ Series from KEF. But if those aren't deal breakers and you're looking for loudspeakers with unmatched retro flair, the JBL L82 Classic is about as cool as it gets. Because stereo sound is special. The problem is real and the challenges still exist in other industries. I bought and auditioned the Triangle Bro 3, the Klipsch RP 600M, Elac Unifi 2.0 and this KEF Q350. They didnt realize the R5 speakers werent playing until I pointed it out. The significant difference comes around the inbuilt wattage. Replaced Klipsch RP-600M with these and was literally blown away. DISCOVER . The KEF Q350 bookshelf speaker is the newest iteration of KEF award-winning Q Series. I looked up the warranty and it specifically excludes issues related to humidity . You and Art Dudley are terrific reviewers! We felt that any Loudspeaker we would offer would first need prove itself capable of outperforming it, not many could ! The Q350 is a small to medium-sized 2-way bookshelf speaker with a rear port. $379.00 SHOP NOW. Low-end performance is surprisingly deep and taut making them adept with all kinds of music and they will never be the weak link in your system. This probably explains Jones's roaming around from Pioneer to TAD to Elac. Triangle Borea BR03. The Danish hi-fi speakers have a traditional two-way design, comprised of a 25mm dome tweeter and 13cm midrange/bass driver, that deliver a way more dynamic sound than their normally $400 price tag would suggest. OK looks, but very boxy cheap cabinet with sharp edges and corners. It would be useful if JA could make a set of measurements for the Q350 while driven by the PrimaLuna Prologue Premium to show what would be the effect of that amp's output impedance on the speaker's frequency response. On the strength of this review, if I was not already satisfied by my vastly more expensive and bigger speakers I would be going to my local KEF dealer this morning. I'm wondering how they compare with my Paradigms, listened to and bought based upon Stereophile's glowing review of 20 years ago? There are two main types: acoustic suspension and bass reflex. Triangle Borea BR03 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker (Pair) LIGHT OAK. Adding the stands made a huge improvement. Music that was recorded in stereo needs to be listened to in that format unless we are content with listening to single loudspeakers again that attempt to simulate stereo or even surround sound with multiple drivers packed into an enclosure the size of a coffee can. The Dali Spektor 2 are another strong contender for the best budget bookshelf speakers that you can buy. What you spinning #nowplaying. - Oct 2018. Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2022. I mainly listen to classical and jazz. I hope someone asks Andrew Jones. You apparently do not read the newspapers to notice the hollowing out of Chinese manufacturing is beginning. There is a single horizontal brace in the middle of the cabinet. Now that we know about each speaker and their specifications, let us compare the two based on a few factors listed below: A speakers drivers are its brains. Europeans seem to be less accepting of Chinese product dumpers. For a bit of background, I'm a hobbyist audio and mastering engineer with about 20 years of studio experience. KEF Q350 Review - One of the best speakers available at $500 and also better than the LS50, Triangle Borea BR03 _(Z Reviews)_ Son, I am dissapoint.. Also, due to the better and more strategic position of the tweeter in this version of the speaker, it delivers a more powerful sound even at the higher frequencies. ITEM WATCH Canada-Wide Free Shipping. Excellent speakers, but be weary of less-than-ideal placement, Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2017. . I still miss all the Superb Gear that I once owned : Pro-Ac Tablets, Magnapan MG2s, Conrad-Johnson MV45a, Audible Illusions Modulus 2a, Bruce Brisson Cabling MH750s, Meridian M2s & M3s ( both in Rosewood ), both of my original Linn LP12s and a few other pieces of wonderful gear I had to part with as I left the Audio Industry for the Travel Work of a Major Corporation. Since the Q150 and Q350 have back ports to boost bass, you should not put them too close to the wall. Years ago I read B&W's first foray into manufacturing speakers in China resulted in a surprising find; after production for B&W's entry speakers stopped for the day at the factory, night shift workers had copied the original B&W speaker and were producing exact copies without B&W's permission, for the Chinese market, and in some cases badging them with the B&W logo for sale. only 2 years cover too. Throughout the five weeks of my listening, I never stopped adjusting the Q350s' positions, but not because they never sounded rightthey sounded fundamentally good everywhere. Ive got two SVS SB2000 subwoofers, Yamaha receiver pre-outs to Rotel power amplifiers. High-Quality Drivers: A bookshelf design to be placed on a dedicated stand (S02 or S04), the Borea BR03 is equipped with a 25mm EFS silk dome tweeter and a 16cm midrange/bass driver. Also, the tweeter is placed right in the middle of the speakers driver unit. We can now look at eBay's Audiophile "Sold" listings to realize that quality Audio Gear maintains close to it's original purchase price and often the Gear appreciates to near current gear price points. The midrange was clear as water. Ouch, I'm feeling like I'm getting my ass kicked, Manufacturing wise. . Well, ok, KEF is a Chinese Company, now we need to see a Video Tour ( YouTube ) of the KEF China manufacturing Facilities to see if they are striving to maintain the KEF mystique or if they are just cashing in on the KEF Brand recognition. The position of the tweeter is also ideal for reducing the mechanical resonance, unwanted vibrations. Moreover, using a stand that is quite tall, probably in the range of 18 to 24 inches will enhance the experience tool. No doubt, there are more expensive speakers available in this range, but KEF q150 stands out from all these with these stunning features. I have listened to many many speakers around this and we'll above this price range. However, if I'm KEF and need some dam good "Print" reviewing, where on earth do I go? These cones come in three types: tweeters, midranges (sometimes called mids), and woofe, The type of enclosure, or cabinet, plays a key role in determining the focus of your sound. Wharfedale is one of the oldest loudspeaker manufacturers in the world and one of the best at designing affordable loudspeakers that can really reproduce a full-range sound. When the speakers arrived they looked fine but the tweeter on one speaker was blown. I'm thinking that this reviewer is say'n the Qs are competent competitors against ( and along side of ) the often touted Chinese Pioneers and Elac B5 & B6 & F6 of Andrew Jones, even among the "Loved" by Queen & Country, British Loudspeakers with their beautiful "real wood textures". The bass is usually louder if and whenthe lowest frequency is lower. The Linn Kann could, the ProAc Tablette certainly could, the Thiel CS3 could because it had deep bass, the Quad 63s might ( depending on Amplifier type ). That being said, it is true that some Chinese manufacturing facilities have produced counterfeit goods. Seattle Area. Active loudspeakers also require at least one of the loudspeakers to be plugged into the wall, limiting how you set the speaker up in your space. Compared to the other drivers, midranges cover sounds, not surprisingly, in the middle of high/treble and low/bass tones. 4. I mainly listen to classical and jazz. KEF Q150 has a current market retail price of $299/pair. And I also hear they have a 'different' and . Once I find out what they actually said, I am willing to give them a chance. There are so many LS3/5a choices in the market, including Graham Audio, which makes both an LS3/5 and an LS3/5a, and reviews such as this are very informative. Kef Q350. I read a zillion reviews. Triangle Borea BR02 vs. Dali Spektor 2 vs. KEF Q150 Triangle Borea BR02 - $450 Dali Spektor 2 - $350 KEF Q150 - $400 Are there any major differences to how these sound? It's too dam bad that we have to have our Cherished Local Brands plastered all over cheaper asian products !, KEF is doing exactly what Cooke avoided: diluting the Brand, our Brand if we own KEF stuff and our children's Brand if they hope to work in the Audio marketplace. If space is limited the Q350 will not limit your musical enjoyment, a Uni-Q driver and clever port design let it open up the sound. $799.00 sale $599.00 Add to Cart . Instead, in these KEF q150 drivers, the drivers are stacked one upon each other. Ideally, this is great for a small room. Thank you for the comparison of various LS3/5 offerings, very valuable indeed. After going through a few speakers with my Yamaha amp, KEF delivers the most dynamic and enjoyable sound. It is a 2-way bookshelf speaker, which comes along with a rear port as well. Worked into the now complete system the performance of the HT system is a true force of nature. Buy Epson Projectors, Onkyo AV Equipment, Sonos wifi audio, Samsung LED in Canada. You must log in or register to reply here. Browse online or visit our disribution center in Richmond Hill Ontario. https://www.av-online.hu/pictures/gallery/kef-q350_2017-09-18/big/KEF-Q350-hangfal-csatlakoz%C3%B3_big.jpg. The Q350 features a New cabinet, sleek New finishes, and an improved 6.5 Unit-Q driver Array. After replacing the LS50s with the not-yet-broken-in KEF Q350s, I restarted Eis Thanaton. We stayed "live", now earning JDPower Awards for the first time for any US manufacturer of Transportation Products. ReviewFinder is reader-supported - if you click on a link on ReviewFinder and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. is a knock-off Rolex a good thing ? The tenor of your posts ill behooves the audiophile community or Stereophile. Voices, instruments, and recorded atmosphere not only felt more expansive; everything seemed more exposed, more sacred, more directly communicative, possibly even more darkly transparent. #1. Regarding hardware, content, and other features, the Q series bookshelf speakers are very close. Would you like to receive updates from KEF and be notified when this product becomes available? In this post, we have included a detailed comparison between KEF Q150 Vs. KEF Q350. The two most popular materials are metals (aluminum, titanium, etc.) Is Stereophile writing to the emerging iPhone ( smart phone ) Audiophile Marketplace where Billions of potential Loudspeaker buyers are lurking at every Apple Store, spending their discretionary incomes on evolving technologies? I will of course note that most of the companies you praise are foreign, and some manufacturer their products in China. This number describes the electrical resistance provided by the speaker to the power signal sent by your amplifier. The Q350 has a new cabinet, new colours, and a 6.5 Uni-Q driver array that has been upgraded.The Q350 features an improved Uni-Q driver array that smooths out treble frequencies, as well as reinterpreted crossovers for smoother, more precise bass. Also, they are speaker than KEFLS50 speakers as well. High-rated Speakers in a similar price range. ", The LS50 crossover has a third-order low-pass filter and a second-order high-pass filter; the Q350 has first-order filters for the high and low passes. General Motors ( our Previous CEO Rick Wagoner ) was planning on moving about 35% of GM's Content to China until the Financial Crisis finally killed us, Obama came the the rescue with a critical loan and the demand of keeping GM "Local". I prefer loudspeakers with well-controlled directivity, which is the main reason I admire KEF's Uni-Q concentric drivers. I'm proud of my Stereophile reviews of Schiit Audio's Yggdrasil DAC ($2299) and Ragnarok integrated amplifier ($1699). The Q350s front port has been relocated to the rear. This is a perfect example. Sometimes, this capability comes with the caveat, Speakers with Wi-Fi connectivity connect directly to your home Wi-Fi network to stream audio from your devicessmartphone, tablet, laptop, etc. How much would an non-Chinesium Audio Entry Level system cost ? These differences in degrees of directness and exposure made me excited to be reviewing a British loudspeaker that could accomplish such things while costing only $649.99/pair. I played a variety of music during the break in period and have been very pleased with them. Triangle BR03 $500-1000 Wharfedale Evo 4.1 Ascend Sierra 1 ELAC UB52 $1000-2000 Ascend Sierra 2EX ELAC UBR62 Focal Aria 906 Whatever speakers you go with, I can't recommend a pair of these 6" or 9" stands strongly enough---imo a must-have for every desktop system. The effect is a more complex, realistic three-dimensional sound picture that is spread more uniformly across the room than can be achieved with a traditional speaker. The SONY CSS5 at $78-$128 per pair outperforms this $499-$599 speaker easily in definition, detail and instrument separation. The Q150 comes with just enough bass for small to medium rooms and does not instil a vibration. Kathy Gifford having her beautiful Designer clothes made by near slave labor was a rather public scandal that started the Chinesium kinds of Rants. The BasX A-100 Stereo Flex Amplifier, SMSL Q5 Pro, or Dayton Audio DTA2.1BT are all viable options. I'm interested in seeing more from Triangle. The soundstage is comprehensive and big, with heavy bass and reasonable treble, making these speakers suitable for confined areas. Does anyone have a view on their use of untreated paper for the woofer cone, particularly the longevity? It is your task as a reader to accept their expertise or not, and to apply your own filters such as country of manufacture. Paired with the right amplifier, these are end-game loudspeakers that also look the part. Now comes the price that you should consider before you finally decide to invest in any of the variants. Buying a piece of Gear is like a Marriage Commitment, a Love Affair, a Relationship. Also, as now you know about all the specs and features of the KEF q150 and q350 bookshelves speaker variant, lets look at the difference in the prices. One knock on Amazon, it took a month before I got these! Someone please define Chinesium: aside from the fact that many of the best built best sounding audio products I know are both designed and manufactured in China, I must tell you: Throughout the 1980s I lived in a giant factory-loft builting in Brooklyn. For my ears, I like KEF Q350 better than LS50. Decent mid/high detail but bass is overwhelming, very undefined and sloppy, Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2022. Optimizing a loudspeaker's radiation pattern is the Uni-Q's raison d'tre. Show newer Speakers. ( at the cost of crushing our local suppliers of quality ) dam em. Their task is surely not to act as an entry drug to the (IMHO) aurally bizzare cult of the LS 35a, but rather to find good products and tell us about them. All the drivers are arranged back to back together and are in the center of the cabinet. The Q350 doesn't have the same constrained layer damping as the LS50. A stronger eastern dragon makes Big Sam feeling inferior ! Thanks for Naim , I'll be looking for one of the Uniti pieces. It uses the same Driver and framework content as the Q150. This is how the drivers can incorporate and change the audio even though you are seated next to the speakers. Is there any of these that should be a clear favourite? The KEF LS50 Meta is available in four colors: carbon black, titanium gray, mineral white and a special edition crimson red. As the circulation of air can make a difference in the bass reflex of the sound. Some are even made with more unique materials like wood. If your budget provides you with the liberty of spending more, you should probably opt for the Q350.The Q350s CFD port ensures a deep and clean bass whilst eliminating noise or distortion. Wasn't thrilled initially, played with the positioning and added an Energy subwoofer I had on hand and that's when they really started to sound good. These Kefs blow all the speakers in this price range clear out of the water. Q Acoustics is a British audio company that makes some of the best affordable speakers, and its 3020i are the best bet for most people. In China. Every feature on the Ultra Bookshelf speaker cabinet is designed with a sonic purpose in mind. HR acquits himself by hinting of the up-coming Harbeth reporting, so we hafta forgive and forget. 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Select a location to see product availability, Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2022. When space seems to be at a shortage, the Q Series bookshelf speakers shine. . Another significant design factor of the LS50 is that it's intended to be used with heavy Sand filled Stands so that the added mass would further dampen it's Cabinet resonances. Though both the variants of the speaker use the same driver arrangement, the design of the KEF Q350 speakers is also more sturdy and thicker. The Q350is bigger than the Q150 and is ideal if you already have a tall stand maybe in the range of 18-24 inches. Mistahhhhhhhh Space., You're Not Suggesting Block or unblock port if using with subwoofers? Meanwhile, Kef Q350 did not receive any endorsements this month. And at $550 if they're as good as they're hyped up to be, then it's a steal. If you have empirical evidence for Chinese manufactured equipment being of worse quality please present it. As a result of this sometimes it does need to be paired with a subwoofer which will eventually increase your cost. 2-way bookshelf. The front port has been shifted to the rear of the Q350. The Polk Audio L100 is available in two finishes: brown walnut or black ash. Having said all the above I do have to admit that the United States has had Post WW11 lack of competition because everyone else had to rebuild. and soft textiles (silk, cloth, Woofers are built with a variety of materials, such as paper, plastic, polypropylene, Kevlar, or metal. I bought and auditioned the Before buying these KEFs, I like many others obsessionally belabored the choice. Even Foxconn has stated it could move some production overseas. i always look for your reviews. ( for gods sake ) "Real Wood" & pride of ownership ! KEF q350, very much like q150, is a popular passive bookshelf speaker. I tried the foam plugs for Really wanted to like this speaker but I returned it. Budget premium sound quality and look gorgeous. The sound was thicker than it should be, but instruments and voices appeared more tangibly in the room than with the Rogue Sphinx. That unless on a budget, one should just spring for the Q350. Triangle BR03; Save Share. Oh, that's right, no smartphones are made in any of those countries.