KEF Q150 Review

What to Consider Before Buying the KEF Q150?

One of the major concerns of people searching for reliable speakers is they don’t have enough room in their home for a sizeable floor-standing set of speakers.

You wouldn’t want to purchase those bulky speakers only to find you’re bumping into them every time you move around the room. A viable alternative could be to choose a bookshelf speaker like the KEF Q150.

Are you looking to meet the following requirements?:

• Aequate space in a room
• Small footprint speakers
• Exquisite sound quality
• Versatile design
• l  Affordable price

If so, the KEF model readily ticks all of the above boxes, making it one of the most versatile, efficient, and affordable bookshelf speakers in the market today.

Presenting the KEF Q150

This KEF speaker, one of the KEF Q series is just what you need if you are short on space and require a speaker to deliver a powerful sound. They have proven to be reliable, efficient, and, more importantly, do not disappoint when it’s time to fill up a small to medium-sized room.

This outcome should not be surprising since the company has been around since 1961 and designing and manufacturing some of the most brilliant sound systems in the market. The KEF Q150 is just another feather in the cap of a brand dedicated to brilliance ever since its inception.

Staying true to the brand’s motto of delivering the highest quality sound, this latest iteration of their bookshelf speaker boasts of the perfect balance between the latest technologies and sleek modern design.

It means these speakers fit comfortably in any contemporary setting. But, more importantly, this bookshelf speaker offers you;

• A sleek and modern design which fits in just about any setting
• The latest technologies to improve overall sound quality
• A smart combination of sturdy design and features which takes the audio performance to the next level
• A handsome and reliable bookshelf speaker which is competitively priced

Once you take a look at the impressive design of this sleek bookshelf speaker and the even more remarkable features under the hood, there’s very little that you can say about it that’s in a negative context.

It is a great bookshelf speaker to have if you want a reliable speaker with room-filling audio capabilities.

Pros of the KEF Q150:

• Enhanced 5.25-inch uni-q driver array
• Acoustically inert MDF cabinet
• Sleek and sophisticated design
• 1-inch tweeter
• The two-way bass-reflex design
• Redesigned interior cabinet to reduce internal resonance

Cons of the KEF Q150:

• No speaker grills

Let’s look closely at these pair of speakers.

Sleek and Sophisticated Speaker Cabinet Design Fits in Any Setting and Reduces Internal Resonance

One major issue which many people face when purchasing compact bookshelf speakers is noise interference. It keeps you from enjoying the full audio capacity of the speaker.

You don’t get this with the Q150.

I love that it is a bookshelf speaker designed with the quality of music in mind, with much work put into the cabinet’s overall design. 

The KEF bookshelf speaker’s enclosure has gone through a considerable upgrade in both its eye-catching external design and the internal design to reduce resonance.

So, right off the bat, the KEF Q150 solves two significant problems.

The first being a small footprint, and the second being muffled sound. It solves both of these problems by sporting a well thought of speaker design with a sleek cabinet and sharp edges, which looks like it will feel at home in just about any setting.

The improved internal design places the speaker’s components in the speaker cabinet strategically in a way that eliminates internal resonance. The result allows you to enjoy a full bass sound that fills the entire room.

Large 5.25-inch Uni-Q Driver Array Boasts a New Design for Improved Low Frequencies

Speaking of full and deep bass, these KEF speakers sport a sizeable 5.25-inch uni-q driver.

What’s unique is that it features a Computational Fluid Dynamics port design, which hits the ground running once you crank up the volume.

The audio quality takes you to another level with the addition of a low distortion inductor for the crossover, resulting in cleaner bass notes.

Also, the fact that the driver sits in a sealed cabinet means there’s a reduced load on the cone, leading to an increase in sound clarity and bass detail.

1-inch Tweeter Provides Dynamic Mid-Range and High Range Frequencies

There’s a 1-inch tweeter, which complements its sizable driver nicely and, together with the other features of this speaker, ensures you get an unforgettable audio experience.

The Q150 tweeter is all business in delivering an exquisite level of mid and high range frequencies, where you can get to enjoy crisp and clear tones.

The low distortion inductor integrates into the speaker’s design and ensures a superior sound performance by enabling enhanced treble performance.

Also, the inclusion of the damped tweeter loading tube means there is a gentle termination of any noise emanating from behind the tweeter.

Sit Anywhere Driver Array Produces a More Accurate and Closer to Natural Sound

The array places the tweeter conveniently in the middle of the mid-range and bass cone. While seemingly not meaning much, it’s a significant design upgrade.

Because it puts the acoustic ideal of a single point source much closer when compared to other KEF bookshelf speakers, this update alone ensures an enhanced sound quality.

Replacing the Q150 Binding Posts

One question that KEF bookshelf speaker owners ask is, “how to replace KEF Q150 binders?”

When it comes to replacing them, it’s not very difficult.

For starters, for those who are not aware, they are the connectors that are used in electronic test equipment to terminate or attach a single wire, also known as a test lead.

All you do is unscrew the binding post connected to the speaker.

You will need to use a pair of pliers to get a good grip.

Once removed, you will need to make sure that the banana plug you get is the right size. You can use a tool to attach the banana plug by screwing it on gently.

Are you wondering where to get the binding posts? Simply go online to find the right fit.

Another common question is, “How much power does a KEF Q150 need?”

The Q150 is a passive bookshelf speaker, which means it needs an AMP with 10-100 watts of power. The sensitivity of the Q150 is dB at 1 watt. So you only need less than 30wpc to drive these pair of speakers to get excellent performance from them.

Another question that users ask me is, “how to wire the KEF Q150?”

The good news is that cables do not have much to do with the overall sound quality of the Q150.

Any cable which is fitted with oxygen-free copper and comes with a half-decent gauge is going to be just fine for connecting the Q150. Say something like 14-gauge banana plug cables.

For the rest, just go through the user manual that comes with the speakers to find out how to wire your set.

What Do Buyers Say in KEF Q150 Reviews?

When it comes to the Q150, most of the reviews are positive and for a good reason.

KEF has put in much hard work into the exquisite design and build quality of these speakers, and it shows.

The speakers also come with an excellent combination of features that customers have praised across the board. What I’ve learned from the positive reviews on the Q150 is that its modern design and top-shelf parts make the Q150 a winner and well worth your money.

Here Are Some Alternatives to the KEF Q150

Verdict

So completes the KEF Q150 review. These bookshelf speakers are the go-to choice for many audio enthusiasts who are looking for the complete package.

My review demonstrates they deliver superior sound quality that is clear and crisp, along with a great looking exterior design.

The Q150 checks all the boxes, making it a top pick if you want an exquisitely designed bookshelf speaker with a sound that delivers in spades.

The Q150 bookshelf speakers allow you to enjoy the massive power of its 5.25-inch driver array and two-way bass-reflex design.

All of which are placed nicely within its acoustically inert MDF cabinet.

Overall, this is a smart choice for those audiophiles who value great speaker design and the exceptional sound quality that comes with it. 

To buy the KEF Q150 on Amazon, click here.

Want to look at other bookshelf speakers? Check out my post on the Best Bookshelf Speakers for 2020.