It's the Walmart thinkers that have China making the unserviceable Land Fill Filler for us. For reference, the human ear can hear a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (shor, When sound is played through a speaker, an electromagnet is activated using the power from the amplifier to bring the driver forward, and another magnet pulls the driver back. Many other technical specifications come along with these new speaker models. The midrange sounds clean with a warm tonal balance that makes them ideal for a lot of solid-state and tube amplifiers. The price of the KEF Q350 is double the price of Q150. A loudspeakers frequency response ranges from 45Hz to 20 kHz. Audiophiles who like more bass should still match this with a subwoofer. So what is this entry level "Audiophile" price concept being frequently touted ? It uses the same Driver and framework content as the Q150. These modest stand-mounted speakers let me feel that. In simple words, we can say that KEF q150 has a very wide soundstage and sounds fantastic even at low volume with neutral sound. This reduces resonance within an enclosed space. The Q350 is a small to medium-sized 2-way bookshelf speaker with a rear port. You will only use this t, For the environmentally conscious, choosing an ENERGY STAR Certified speaker may be important to you. The Uni-Q driver array is at the core of the advanced Q Sequence. 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. Triangle Borea BR03 are $7.01 more expensive than the average speakers ($299.98). People who love to enjoy their music at higher bass can attach a subwoofer to it. I bought these and a new set of Monoprice speaker stands. 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 speakers entire functioning is based on the unique arrangement of the driver, which is dubbed and integrated with uni-Q technology. The KEF bookshelf speakers are small to medium-sized perfect, and they are perfect for any room or even for a moderate space. I'm not yielding to marketplace pressures. Seriously. I originally ran the LS50s not on stands, just sitting on the same cabinet as my electronics. The louder the speaker will be, the higher the sensitivity. Cons:. But maybe this isn't a bad thing? 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. 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. For more sophisticated listeners, or for those who truly want the best sound reproduction, a midrange driver is crucial. More specific and focused drivers means more accurate, robust sound. Triangle was much clearer on the treble and highs. Please consider creating a new thread. 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. As a result of this sometimes it does need to be paired with a subwoofer which will eventually increase your cost. This is a perfect example. Your comparison of the Stirling Broadcast to the Falcon Acoustics was extremely helpful. The ports design has been tweaked to reduce vibration at higher speeds, resulting in little port noise and LF compression. I had the Kef LS50s but they made my ears bleed after like 45 mins so I had to get rid of em. Browse online or visit our disribution center in Richmond Hill Ontario. 0637203215728, 0637203215742, 0637203216282. I'm proud of my Stereophile reviews of Schiit Audio's Yggdrasil DAC ($2299) and Ragnarok integrated amplifier ($1699). And as the model was launched recently, it is more advanced and equipped with better features and technology. For a retail price of $500 I am so incredibly blown away. Because people like you won't pay the premium and instead expect the Government to. Q Acoustics is now pushing hard into the high-end with the Concept 300 stand-mounted full-range bookshelf loudspeakers. It is capitalism in action. The data presented is for information purposes only. 4. KEF always seemed to have some sort of "entry" level loudspeaker, a price driven speaker like the beautiful CODA of the early 1980s. The drivers installed are also the same in KEF q150 and q100 speaker ranges. According to Sehdev, "The lower component count for 1st order network allows us to use better quality components for the price." Similar to KEF q150, this variant also lacks all of the control features. thanks for another great article! The primary components of a bookshelf speaker are drivers, which are the cones that actually create the sound. 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. I just sold my beloved focal 726 tower speakers that cost 3.5 times are much at the Q350s, and I also own a pair of Polk A3s. The SONY CSS5 at $78-$128 per pair outperforms this $499-$599 speaker easily in definition, detail and instrument separation. amazon.com. For a bit of background, I'm a hobbyist audio and mastering engineer with about 20 years of studio experience. Their design, clarity, and range are head and shoulders above anything in their price range. But the vast majority of people like yourself aren't willing to put their money where their mouths are and pay more for products built in the USA by people who get the (tiny) US minimum wage. 43.8K subscribers Triangle Borea BR03 Speakers https://amzn.to/2ybOCwj Price: $549 (April, 2020), Overall Rating: Pros: Detail Sound, Clean Midrange and Bass, Good Sound Stage. However bass is very undefined and sloppy (not tight, not controlled). Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. Though the speakers have the save drivers installed along with the same enclosure material like q150. ", While the motor systems of the LS50's and Q350's drivers are the same, the Q350's specified sensitivity is slightly higher: 87dB/2.83V vs the LS50's 85dB/2.83V. Overall, the KEF q150 and q350 are the perfect choices that you can make to get your hands on the best bookshelf affordable speakers. Triangle BR03; Save Share. Watched a zillion YouTube reviews. The Q350 is an excellent sounding speaker on its own. Audiophiles prefer bookshelf speakers because they are small and portable. I prefer loudspeakers with well-controlled directivity, which is the main reason I admire KEF's Uni-Q concentric drivers. There is nothing wrong with open and polite discussion, but not backing up any claims with insults and nationalist self-titillation gets you nowhere here. Product of the year? It is your task as a reader to accept their expertise or not, and to apply your own filters such as country of manufacture. How much would an non-Chinesium Audio Entry Level system cost ? Actually, it is very surprising to me that the evaluations have not been made using KEF's own dedicated stand as a starting point. Want a Sonos? The KEF Q350 bookshelf speaker is the newest iteration of KEF award-winning Q Series. High-rated Speakers in a similar price range. It was made in the UK. or We who take our Music Hobby seriously ? buying an amp dependent on THD, SNR, and power balancing with the speaker is preferred. 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. Hong Kong-based Gold Peak bought KEF (and Celestion) in 1992, IIRC. You must log in or register to reply here. Manufacturer-provided product description, urls and documents. I too found myself on that see-saw of trying to decide which to buy and if the Q350 was worth the extra $200. For my ears, I like KEF Q350 better than LS50. DISCOVER . The speakers output can be amplified at various sound levels and volumes with different bass and frequencies. Some are even made with more unique materials like wood. The Pass Labs amp and KEF Q350s reproduced the sound of each instrument with almost pitch-perfect tone and above-average force and texture. premium . On other selections on this LP, the flute made breathy, lifelike notes. We can say lack in terms of the control system. The KEF LS50 Meta is available in four colors: carbon black, titanium gray, mineral white and a special edition crimson red. 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. Is there an address for sending the driver back for service ? 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". They also have been integrated with the same bracing technology Point to Point (P2P) that's in the company's $6,500 Concept 500 loudspeakers, which helps them be better at eliminating miscellaneous vibrations. 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? The soundstage is comprehensive and big, with heavy bass and reasonable treble, making these speakers suitable for confined areas. HR acquits himself by hinting of the up-coming Harbeth reporting, so we hafta forgive and forget. In terms of the speaker/stand interface, KEF does provide some stick-on black rubber pads. No worries. In the past few years, Bowers & Wilkins decided to update its famed 600 range of speakers (which is now over 25 years old). In this post, we have included a detailed comparison between KEF Q150 Vs. KEF Q350. Now, the World is Competitive again and I'm wanting to return to the Good old Days of the 1970s. 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. It is the logical thing to do in the free enterprise system of which the US is purportedly a shining light. Ending Thoughts - KEF Q150 Vs Q350. It is a 2-way bookshelf speaker, which comes along with a rear port as well. Pretty cheeky. This may require an app from the brand, such as Yamahas, Speakers with built-in Bluetooth allow you to stream audio content directly from device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop) on the speakers. I have listened to many many speakers around this and we'll above this price range. All the drivers are arranged back to back together and are in the center of the cabinet. Has anyone paired them with a denon 600ne? Is there any of these that should be a clear favourite? Lower sensitivity speakers require more power from the amplifier to achieve higher volumes. performance to the next level with patented technology, step-up. 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). 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. I too found myself on that see-saw of trying to decide which to buy and if the Q350 was worth the extra $200. Below are their opinions. The sound is FULL bodied, clear, and I have cranked it up well beyond 90 DB without ANY distortion. 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! Theres also speculation that the Q150 is inherently superior because it uses the same size driver and similar size enclosure as the LS50. The Q350 features a New cabinet, sleek New finishes, and an improved 6.5 Unit-Q driver Array. The position also ensures lesser mechanical resonance and also helps in generating more stable output as well. Just wonderin'. After this bad experience, Ive been ordering from Crutchfiield which has 60 day returns and actually checks its gear. The Q350 doesn't have the same constrained layer damping as the LS50. NEW 2023 : SECRET New Hi-Fi & Home Theater In-wall speaker LCR7. At least they were Made in America - right? They are usually made by equally wonderful girls. No doubt, there are more expensive speakers available in this range, but KEF q150 stands out from all these with these stunning features. These items were sold in major retail stores across America. Really wanted to like this speaker but I returned it. The KEF Q350, however, while a reasonable product for $749, doesn't stack up against its competitors quite as well. You can drive these with 35-50 watts and wipe the floor with any wireless loudspeaker for many years to come. ", 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. It was purchased new by a member and kindly drop shipped to me for testing. The PSB Alpha P5 is available in two finishes: walnut or black ash. I'm also a Maggie owner and open baffle fan and would have liked to see the obvious comparison with MMGs rather than just with the same old tiny boxes. Whereas KEF q350 has a large woofer, stronger bass, and sounds complete. Wharfedale D220 also developed the bass extension that I did not expect. I just sold my beloved focal 726 tower speakers that cost 3.5 times are For a retail price of $500 I am so incredibly blown away. All of these speakers are highly regarded. I'd rather the Rogers, Halbeth, Magnapan.7, the ProAc Tabletts ( my long term favorite ). Excellent speakers, but be weary of less-than-ideal placement, Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2017. 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. Though being variants of the same brand, there are many similarities between both KEF q150 and q350, but they are different from each other. Well, the increment in prices is only due to the larger size of the driver. I am thrilled with these speakers, they will outlast my ears. Additionally, they have gorgeous-yet-bespoke design and are available in a number of different wood finishes including black ash, cherry mahogany, light oak and walnut. It was operating as an employee owned business when in 2014 there was a management led buyout by Sonovox Group (China). The Q350s front port has been relocated to the rear. The proportions of the Triangle are entirely satisfying. I wonder who got them next. 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. The Triangle Borea BR03 is a great Bookshelf Speaker for its $379 asking price. 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. Luxman, Triangle and Marantz working perfectly together, #nowspinning. Kef Q350 are a well-known option at the top of the price range. A painful mistake. You are racist. Triangle Borea BR03 : Read more . It's here. There will always be a market for bookshelf speakers. 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. 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. A general rule of thumb is a bigger woofer means louder, more powerful bass. The fantastic speakers are perfect for any small room, hall, or living space. We stayed "live", now earning JDPower Awards for the first time for any US manufacturer of Transportation Products. Sign up for the latest news and exclusive promotions. I do not use a sub as a result. Maybe the reviewer took a Subway Train to NJ and had a nice look-round the KEF USA Parts & Service Centre. The problem is real and the challenges still exist in other industries. Bookshelf speakers do a rather convincing job recreating the soundstage; the physical space (studio, garage, music hall) where the recording was made and that illusion of being there with your favorite artist is a big part of the experience. The front port has been shifted to the rear of the Q350. Every feature on the Ultra Bookshelf speaker cabinet is designed with a sonic purpose in mind. Also, Q350s are way easier to drive. Behoove is the Duty or Responsibility to do something, I'm cautioning people about the concealed affects & effects from handing your/our cherished designs to Nation/States working to destroy our Foundational Industries. ps. The woofer is the driver that is responsible for low frequency sounds and bass - crucial for well-rounded, booming sound. Three minutes in I was staring blankly, eyes closed, swaying slowly in my seat, astounded by how much larger and more serious every note had become. Hence, it turns out an excellent way for saving power along with excellent sound delivery. Moreover, using a stand that is quite tall, probably in the range of 18 to 24 inches will enhance the experience tool. ( 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 ). Now comes the price that you should consider before you finally decide to invest in any of the variants. It's the stuff you'll find at places like Best Buy and Amazon. It has an effect on the soundsbass, midrange, and treble, as well as tonal harmony. Usually, the traditional arrangement of drivers is made in vertical form. Hence, you might need to purchase them separately. "KEF can hold its head up high: the Q350s are a cut above the rest. Also, not all the receivers come along with these elements. We need Solid Asian Trade Agreements & Asian respect for Intellectual Property, not more fake ROLEX watches or sonic equivalents of our excellent loudspeaker designs. All of these speakers are highly regarded. The Q350s generated a proper soundstage and good timbres throughout my small listening room. 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. This is a review and detailed measurements of the KEF Q350 Bookshelf/stand-mount speaker. Dali Oberon 1 (280 euro) Triangle Borea BR03 (300 euro) KEF Q150 (360 euro) They would be used for nearfield listening now (desk usage), but hoping to use them in a medium-sized room at some point in the future. Gray Well-known member. It's a complex thing that our next generations will be working, struggling, anguishing with. Trust me and ignore any negative reviews for this speaker. ps. The tenor of your posts ill behooves the audiophile community or Stereophile. I'll join Raymond Cooke by turning over in my grave ( when it comes to that sort of thing -- three decades from now, fingers crossed ), where the KEF Q350 is manufactured: You apparently do not read the newspapers to notice the hollowing out of Chinese manufacturing is beginning. Also, the orientation doesnt matter. The bass is usually louder if and whenthe lowest frequency is lower. Or, is the Q series mostly aimed at those Big Screen 4K TV Buyers at Costco? Maybe different sellers? Besides, the Q series KEF speakers are almost similar to each other in terms of technology, features, and design elements. Triangle BR03 - liked them, but when comparing side by side with KEF, Triangles sounded more . Common points from expert reviews summarized. Buying a piece of Gear is like a Marriage Commitment, a Love Affair, a Relationship. The parameters are carefully considered in the rest of the review so that you come up with the right decision about which speakers best suits your needs in the aspect of money, space, and requirements. I reckon some other customer blew it out, returned it, and Amazon doesnt actually check stuff out. 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. They deliver unrivaled levels of coherency, clarity and presence in a stand-mounted design that can compete with significantly more expensive loudspeakers. thanks! Your argument is odd (and perhaps a little personal). I have not heard them, but suggest that these might be good choice of subject for a future review, to find out if these are worthwhile entry level. Pairing with a subwoofer and having most of the bass go to the subwoofer cleans the sound signature up a little bit but the overall sound quality lacked detail and definition. In 1981 they produced the 3030 receiver which was the first model made in Taiwan, this particular model wasn't very successful, doesn't attract the cash in the used market because it does not have the build quality the Norwegian manufactured ones do. Trust me and ignore any negative reviews for this speaker. This has been my Life-Long hobby and part time Career Path. 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. This number is given in watts. Below, we've rounded up our favorite passive bookshelf speakers of 2022. I have listened to many many speakers around this and we'll above this price range. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I don't want you to go out of your way. 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. When the speakers arrived they looked fine but the tweeter on one speaker was blown. Triangle Borea BR03 Hi-Fi Bookshelf Speakers Pair (White) for Home Theater Systems or Music, 100 W Power Handling, High Efficiency Horn-Loaded Tweeters, Excellent Realism, Fast and Accurate by triangle Color: White Change Write a review How customer reviews and ratings work Top positive review All positive reviews Story Angel Since the Q150 and Q350 have back ports to boost bass, you should not put them too close to the wall. 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. You can enjoy the high volume music with taut sound in your house without even troubling your neighbors. Is there anything coming out of China that has "Lasting" Value, is there anything Chinese that our Grandchildren will be taking to their Antique Road Show ? The last speaker I reviewed, the Totem Signature One, had a rear port that whistled at about 560Hz, so the very first thing I listened for with the Q350s was noise from their ports and cabinets. To optimise the listening experience, the Q series provides the Uni-Q driver has been repositioned to the center of the cabinet. The B&W 606 S2 Anniversary Edition is available in three finishes: black, white or oak. 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. The Ragnarok showcased the Q350's reproduction of instrumental tones. The BasX A-100 Stereo Flex Amplifier, SMSL Q5 Pro, or Dayton Audio DTA2.1BT are all viable options. However, if I'm KEF and need some dam good "Print" reviewing, where on earth do I go? And I also hear they have a 'different' and . Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2022. Technology devices with this label are required to meet certain industry standards as it relates. . Therefore, you can either use exposed wires or banana plugs here. Nuff said, done here. I could sense the thicknesses of the wood of the stringed instruments. The position of a speaker has a significant impact on the sound quality. Show newer Speakers. They didnt realize the R5 speakers werent playing until I pointed it out. Additionally, these are not very hard loudspeakers to drive and they can play very loudly without losing any sense of control or focus. I tried the foam plugs for Really wanted to like this speaker but I returned it. The Best Outdoor Speakers for Your Backyard and Summer Parties, Larger than your average bookshelf speaker, Larger than your average bookshelf speakers, Design (especially without grille covers) won't be for everybody. This causes the driver t, Power handling, or peak power, is the highest wattage a speaker can accept from an amplifier before it burns out or becomes damaged. I have no profit motives in posting this, have no business associations with those parties. The tweeter is placed in the acoustic middle of the midrange cone, taking the acoustic concept of a single point source closer to reality than ever before. Low Stock : Order Soon Order by 2pm: Ships Today. 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. The sound quality of the Q150 is comparable to that of the KEF LS50, but at a lower cost. Please keep in mind that the KEF Q150 is a 2-way concentric design with the tweeter dwelling in the middle of the woofer while the Polk is a 3-way design with the midrange on the top, the tweeter just below it, and the woofer below that (The woofer is housed in a separate chamber inside of the cabinet; isolating it from the midrange driver and 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. $799.00 sale $599.00 Add to Cart . Not sure if I understand this right, but are you saying the Q350's really need the Tontrager stands to shine?