Each speaker weighs almost 14 pounds and is 18 inches tall much bigger than traditional bookshelf speakers and they require a big room and a powerful amplifier. It needs saying that every Reviewer of Loudspeakers should own and use the LS3/5a as a Reference, I certainly did at my Esoteric Audio Salon. And I also hear they have a 'different' and 'unique' sound that's very appealing and fun to listen to. ps. Some Gear should've never been Sold. I added a SVS SB 2000-Pro sub and it literally calms my soul when I listen to them. Some are even made with more unique materials like wood. I could feel the pull and push of the players' bows. I will of course note that most of the companies you praise are foreign, and some manufacturer their products in China. The significant difference is that q100 has a front port, whereas KEF q350 has a backport. 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. Before investing, it becomes crucial to check out the various variants of a particular brand to get the perfect knowledge about which s better than the other and worth the money. The port seemed quiet, but not as quiet as when it was partially or fully blocked. Theft of intellectual property should indeed be stamped out, but has nothing to do with a company like KEF (or any of the other high end audio outfits) choosing to have their designs built in China. KEF Q150 has a current market retail price of $299/pair MoFi Electronics SourcePoint 10 loudspeaker, SVS Prime Pro wireless active loudspeaker, Fleetwood Sound Company DeVille SQ loudspeaker, Brilliant Corners #3: On the Horns of a DilemmaA for Ara speakers, the Lejonklou Klla streaming DAC, Thinking of You: Terry Hall & The Specials, Revinylization #39: New Reissues of Classic Ella and Billie on Verve and Decca, What I picked up at the Florida Expo 2023besides COVID, High End By Oz, Lansche, Thrax, Hifistay, Rotel, S.I.N. Your argument is odd (and perhaps a little personal). DISCOVER . buying an amp dependent on THD, SNR, and power balancing with the speaker is preferred. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . In China. You must log in or register to reply here. The Polk Audio L100 is available in two finishes: brown walnut or black ash. I'm probably choosing peanut butter over steak because of this Spiritual Position. Triangles talented standmounters take the fight to the established class leaders. Hence, you might need to purchase them separately. The LS50 is now a balance scale transducer system that the Pro-Audio World ( including Genelec ) are carefully evaluating and comparing , pretty much like you and Steve G. do within most of your workings. We felt that any Loudspeaker we would offer would first need prove itself capable of outperforming it, not many could ! These Kefs blow all the speakers in this price range clear out of the water. The speakers entire functioning is based on the unique arrangement of the driver, which is dubbed and integrated with uni-Q technology. Its EVO4.2 bookshelf speakers sound positively like floor-standing loudspeakers when positioned on solid stands (which cost an extra $300-$500) no subwoofer required. It was purchased new by a member and kindly drop shipped to me for testing. Affectionately, we called our obese landlord "Jaba The Hut" -- he had a huge factory (just below me) that employed illeagle alien workers for $2.50/hr making FAKE Disney and Mattel toys. The bass is usually louder if and whenthe lowest frequency is lower. * Measurement per unit, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The B&W 606 S2 Anniversary Edition is available in three finishes: black, white or oak. I kept moving them to determine which combination of wall-to-speaker distance and port plugging worked best. . Personally, I would be very happy if KEF would offer a stand that's specific to the LS50 including wire connections on the stand -- at the floor level instead of at waist-level on the speaker which is seriously ugly regardless of cable used. The SONY CSS5 at $78-$128 per pair outperforms this $499-$599 speaker easily in definition, detail and instrument separation. 3. Also, Q350s are way easier to drive. This comes with the exclusive arrangement of drivers which deliver pure sound. In Summary ( from my perspective ), Chinesium Loudspeaker can be made to sound dam good if you play them with Outstanding-Superb-Carefully Selected-Well Made front ends ! 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. We can say that KEF q150 is the upgraded version of q100 bookshelf speakers. Compared to the other drivers, midranges cover sounds, not surprisingly, in the middle of high/treble and low/bass tones. Every feature on the Ultra Bookshelf speaker cabinet is designed with a sonic purpose in mind. Should You Upgrade to Apple's Newest HomePod? I prefer loudspeakers with well-controlled directivity, which is the main reason I admire KEF's Uni-Q concentric drivers. But, for some guidance, consider that a larger tweeter (measured by diameter in inches or millimeters) will likely be louder and able to disperse sound over a larger area. 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. In this, the main motive of the wave effect is to reduce the microscopic compression. is an intellectual rant about using poor ( but skilled ) Chinese labor force ( usually young female Farm Girls ) kept in Labor Dormitories ( like Foxcom ( who make our Apple Products ) for ultra competitive Costs resulting in the collapse of a Country's Position in Supplying any such Product. Moreover, by shifting the low-frequency port to the speakers back, the audio loss is minimized. I read a zillion reviews. But, as with any speaker metric, this number alone doesnt describe the loudness of the speaker and should be taken into consideration with other measurements such as sensitivity, which describes the loudness of a speaker per watt. 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. You will only use this t, For the environmentally conscious, choosing an ENERGY STAR Certified speaker may be important to you. Why do I get the feeling that ownership of these Qs is a "period of time" specific experience, not to be confused with Ownership of a Pair of LS3/5a Rogers being a "Lifetime" experience with Grandchildren lining up to inherit the darn things ? Generally, In addition to the shape of the tweeter, the material has a big impact on the type of sound emitted. Not sure if I understand this right, but are you saying the Q350's really need the Tontrager stands to shine? Is there any of these that should be a clear favourite? After this bad experience, Ive been ordering from Crutchfiield which has 60 day returns and actually checks its gear. The test report for that amp showed that it had a very high output impedance. Before buying these KEFs, I like many others obsessionally belabored the choice. I ordered these speakers as an open box in like new condition checked by Amazon. I hope someone asks Andrew Jones. Also, the Tensegrity stands don't come with the speakers and add a significant ($999) price bump. Does seem to level the playing field a bit maybe even reverse the budget argument, why is that not commented on? Now, one and two years later, respectively, I'm enjoying both Schiits more than ever. I played a variety of music during the break in period and have been very pleased with them. All of these speakers are highly regarded. KEF q350, very much like q150, is a popular passive bookshelf speaker. No doubt, there are more expensive speakers available in this range, but KEF q150 stands out from all these with these stunning features. Feb 5, 2020 . Kef Q350 customer reviews Similar to KEF q150, this variant also lacks all of the control features. These speakers are truly remarkable for their size and price. The Q350's resonance radiating chassis panels is a old trick from the cheap reciever speaker days. The frequency range is wide, too, as you're getting lows in the 50Hz range and highs up near 50kHz. They are usually made by equally wonderful girls. Ideally, this is great for a small room. Though the speakers have the save drivers installed along with the same enclosure material like q150. Apart from the Driver and design, both speakers also share the same crossover frequency of 2.5Hz, the same technology of the Uni-Q array/CFD port, and a nominal impedance of 8ohms. According to Sehdev, "The lower component count for 1st order network allows us to use better quality components for the price." That being said, it is true that some Chinese manufacturing facilities have produced counterfeit goods. That said, it is the looks that seal the deal the L82 Classic is a dead ringer for the L-100 Classic with the same vintage design, wooden cabinets and what are arguably the most conspicuous speaker grills ever made (available in blue, black or orange). I own superb gear now but I still miss my Vintage lovelies. What's the Best Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker? Now KEF brings out a similar less expensive model with its own set of qualities. They integrated their new proprietary Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), which KEF claims have the ability to "absorb 99% of the unwanted sound radiating from the rear of the driver." ( for gods sake ) "Real Wood" & pride of ownership ! We need Solid Asian Trade Agreements & Asian respect for Intellectual Property, not more fake ROLEX watches or sonic equivalents of our excellent loudspeaker designs. Triangle was less fatiguing. 14.09 x 8.26 x 12.04 in (358 x 210 x 306 mm), KEF reserves the right, in line with continuing research and development, to amend or change specifications. . Currently, Triangle Borea BR03 received 3 endorsements from Wirecutter (17 Jan 2023), Gear Patrol (6 Sep 2022) and What Hi-Fi (16 Nov 2022). Kathy Gifford having her beautiful Designer clothes made by near slave labor was a rather public scandal that started the Chinesium kinds of Rants. I bought these and a new set of Monoprice speaker stands. I scoured the internet for any comparisons or comments and found very little worthwhile info. Many other technical specifications come along with these new speaker models. There is a single horizontal brace in the middle of the cabinet. Hence, it turns out an excellent way for saving power along with excellent sound delivery. Wharfedale D220 also developed the bass extension that I did not expect. For those that think the Chinese make crap, if you own an iPhone of any variety, then I suggest you turn it in for a some other brand made in the UK, Germany, or the USA. I have tried a number of options in this price range and the KEF Q350 is superior: wide and detailed soundstage; high frequencies are nicely presented without sounding harsh; the mid range is full and allows you to listen to a wide range of music genres for long periods without any fatigue; and, the lower frequencies go down to the 40 Hz range and roll off very slowly below that, producing a warm and beefy/rich tone even at low volumes. Kef Q350 were released in 2017. 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. Noticeably missing from this ( beautiful turning of phrases ) AB comparison is the Magnapan MG.7 for a US $ price of "Affordable" and a Decades long Audiophile reputation for A+ performance level. Also, the orientation doesnt matter. Imagine expansive pipe-organ notes energizing the air and echoing throughout my little room. Today Is the Best Time to Save, The Full-Size HomePod Is Back, and More Affordable, This Fun Bluetooth Speaker Looks Like Nothing Else, Sonos Is Selling Refurbished Speakers for Cheap. Since the Q150 and Q350 have back ports to boost bass, you should not put them too close to the wall. For a retail price of $500 I am so incredibly blown away. I wonder who got them next. A facility tour will reveal all. Our 'British' boxes are always wonderful. However bass is very undefined and sloppy (not tight, not controlled). Manufacturer-provided product description, urls and documents. The JBL L82 Classic won't be for everybody. The vibration I felt, especially toward the bottom front of each side, was not subtle. Though being variants of the same brand, there are many similarities between both KEF q150 and q350, but they are different from each other. Ouch, I'm feeling like I'm getting my ass kicked, Manufacturing wise. The Q350s replicated Couperin's "Parish" and "Convent" organ masses with greater scale and finer, more intricate detail, but less forcefulness, than did the LS50s with the same amps. HR acquits himself by hinting of the up-coming Harbeth reporting, so we hafta forgive and forget. How much would an non-Chinesium Audio Entry Level system cost ? To optimise the listening experience, the Q series provides the Uni-Q driver has been repositioned to the center of the cabinet. I have no profit motives in posting this, have no business associations with those parties. - Oct 2018. OK looks, but very boxy cheap cabinet with sharp edges and corners. I originally ran the LS50s not on stands, just sitting on the same cabinet as my electronics. Opinions on that seem to vary quite widely. Triangle Borea BR03. The solutions you propose are basically the government intervening to support uncompetitive industries. is a knock-off Rolex a good thing ? In comparison to other bookshelf speakers, the Q150 is suitable for laptop tables. The louder the speaker will be, the higher the sensitivity. These modest stand-mounted speakers let me feel that. Mercedes Teamed Up with Apple to Add Spatial Audio, How to Turn Your Home Stereo Into a Sonos System, 5 Ways to Make Your Speakers Last a Lifetime, The Best Bookshelf Speakers for Your Home Hi-Fi System. Seas (makes some very nice tweeters, midrange, woofers) was founded in 1950 as a spin-off of the Norwegian radio manufacturers Radionette and Tandberg. 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. amazon.com. It's a complex thing that our next generations will be working, struggling, anguishing with. Everywhere I place them and every amp I connect them to makes a pair of speakers sound different. It might be racist to dismiss the problem as racist. This is a special type of wire that makes an electrical connection and transmits sound signals. The KEF 150 is recognised for its high-quality recording and accurate soundstage. But the reviews have told me a lot of characteristics that appeal to me, mainly the soft dome tweeter as opposed to metal (metal kills my ears and gives me fatigue) and that separation and vocals are strong, which is what im searching for. When the speakers arrived they looked fine but the tweeter on one speaker was blown. All of these speakers are highly regarded. Decent mid/high detail but bass is overwhelming, very undefined and sloppy, Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2022. The big drum in Guo YaZhi's Sorrow of the River (CD, MA Recordings M074A) was taut and surprisingly powerful, but YaZhi's various Chinese wind instruments sounded annoyingly hard and two-dimensional. The KEF Q350 speakers turn out to . The Q350 costs US $700 on Amazon including prime shipping. And I also hear they have a 'different' and . It is your task as a reader to accept their expertise or not, and to apply your own filters such as country of manufacture. It uses the same Driver and framework content as the Q150. The Uni-Q driver has been reconfigured to the middle of the cabinet to improve the clarity and quality of the Q Series bookshelf speakers by reducing unnecessary internal resonance and adding precision to their acoustic clarity and detail.Lower treble output is greatly enhanced with the inclusion of the damped tweeter loading tube, which offers a smooth termination of sound emitted from the rear end of the tweeter, and a new low-distortion inductor provides clearer bass on the crossover. Watched a zillion YouTube reviews. I replaced the Bel Cantos with the Pass Laboratories XA25 stereo amplifier ($4900) and listened to Robert Palmer's Quintet for A-Clarinet, String Trio, and Piano, composed in 1952 and performed by clarinetist Arthur Bloom, violinist Kees Kooper, violist Paul Doktor, cellist Warren Lash, and pianist Mary Louise Boehm, and produced by Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz (LP, Vox Turnabout TV-S 34508, now available on CD as Albany 153). The Q350 is an excellent sounding speaker on its own. Regarding hardware, content, and other features, the Q series bookshelf speakers are very close. It was made in the UK. or is Waste Management the only option. A loudspeakers frequency response ranges from 45Hz to 20 kHz. Mistahhhhhhhh Space., You're Not Suggesting Block or unblock port if using with subwoofers? Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Replaced Klipsch RP-600M with these and was literally blown away. They're worth it to avoid an accident. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The Q350's cloth grille is optional at $39.98/pair, but KEF does include concentric, two-piece foam plugs to partially or fully block the rear-firing ports when the pair are positioned near room boundaries. Insert . I looked up the warranty and it specifically excludes issues related to humidity . The Q350 features a New cabinet, sleek New finishes, and an improved 6.5 Unit-Q driver Array. Thanks for Naim , I'll be looking for one of the Uniti pieces. The specs are Class A, 100 watts per channel at 0.006 THD and SNR of 105db. The attacks of piano notes felt surprisingly natural. 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. You can drive these with 35-50 watts and wipe the floor with any wireless loudspeaker for many years to come. Raymond Cooke of KEF got his "K" from his success in Exporting British technologically advanced Products, not from importing cheap labor Chinese loudspeakers. Triangle had cleaner, tighter bass but nowhere near the extension as the 12's on the JBL's. I then listened non blind with one of my Pioneer AJ 5 1/4 towers. Because stereo sound is special. True audio, Tweeters produce the highest frequencies in sound, typically anything above 2,000 Hz. Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2022. JavaScript is disabled. I reckon some other customer blew it out, returned it, and Amazon doesnt actually check stuff out. Decent mid/high detail and surprising amount of bass. Kef iQ30 was on the verge to be bright but still non-fatiguing on the run of 2-3 hours. The Q350 doesn't have the same constrained layer damping as the LS50. The Q150 are the smallest and most affordable speakers in KEF's Q series. You are racist. They deliver unrivaled levels of coherency, clarity and presence in a stand-mounted design that can compete with significantly more expensive loudspeakers. The Uni-Q driver has indeed been reconfigured to the middle of the cabinet to improve the clarity and quality of the Q Series bookshelf speakers. These speakers are among the best value for the money on the market IMO. Replaced Klipsch RP-600M with these and was literally blown away. Active loudspeakers are a better option for listeners who dont want the added expense of multiple components and an equipment rack filled with cables. Kef Q350 are a well-known option at the top of the price range. 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. I will mostly be using them to listen to classical music and watch films at my computer which is in front of a wall. The cost reductions might be hidden internally in an oversimplified crossover using excessively cheap components and maybe a thin unbraced cabinet, or maybe not. The speakers need to be 3/4 to 1 metre from side and back walls. In the end, I slightly preferred the Q350s 6' apart, toed in just a little, 33" from the wall behind them to their front baffles, and with their ports partially plugged. Alternatively, onecan position the speakerson open shelves with the tweeter at your ear height. These are one of the best value speakers when on sale. KEF Q150 has a current market retail price of $299/pair. The Q350s front port has been relocated to the rear. 2-way bookshelf. Even with full woofer excursion, the sound does not break up! NEW 2023 : SECRET New Hi-Fi & Home Theater In-wall speaker LCR7. I think the TRIANGLE BOREA BR03 Bookshelf Speakers are the new kings around $500. The woofer is the driver that is responsible for low frequency sounds and bass - crucial for well-rounded, booming sound. I tried the foam plugs for Really wanted to like this speaker but I returned it. If you're considering Bookshelf Speakers in the $640 range, you might want to check out some better options. 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". The BRC1 works well with the BR03. Usually located at the top of the speaker, tweeters come in different shapes (detailed below) and sizes. 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.