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GoldenEar Aon 3 vs KEF Q150
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GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor

Passive Bookshelf | 38-35k Hz

GoldenEar Aon 3
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KEF Q150

Passive Bookshelf | 51-28k Hz

KEF Q150
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GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor vs KEF Q150 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and Q150, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from GoldenEar and KEF. Let's have a brief look at the main features of GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and KEF Q150 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor Key Specs

  • " Folded Ribbon Tweeter
  • 7" Polypropylene Woofer
  • 38-35k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:10-250watts
  • Weight:6.82kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 356.0" x 9" x 11-1/16"( 356.0 x 229.0 x 281.0mm )

KEF Q150 Key Specs

  • 11th Generation Uni-Q Driver
  • 1" Dome Tweeter
  • 5.25" Aluminum Woofer
  • 51-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:10-100watts
  • Weight:5.60kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 303.0" x 7.0" x 10.9"( 303.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm )

In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and KEF Q150 compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and Q150 are 2-way speakers. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor features a " Folded Ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 7" Polypropylene Woofer . On the other hand, Q150 features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.

Frequency Response

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has a frequency range of 38-35k Hz whereas Q150 has a frequency range of 51-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 38Hz, the GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q150's min frequency of 51Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers under Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor
KEF Q150
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor
KEF Q150
Min
Average
Max

Impedance and Sensitivity

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and Q150 has the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and Q150's is at 86 dB. This 4 dB difference makes GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Q150, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor
KEF Q150
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has a power range of 10-250 watts RMS whereas Q150 has a power range of 10-100 watts.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor features Post type posts and Q150 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor Terminals
GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor's 5-way post terminals

KEF Q150 Terminals
KEF Q150's Post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and Q150 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generlly need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.

KEF Q150  Port
KEF Q150 Port

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, We are going to compare GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor's and KEF Q150's external dimensions. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has external dimensions of 356.0 x 229.0 x 281.0mm ( 14 x 9 x 11-1/16inch) whereas KEF Q150 has external dimensions of 303.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm ( 11.9 x 7.0 x 10.9inch) .

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 49mm wider, 53mm taller and 3mm deeper than KEF Q150.



Reasons to choose GoldenEar Aon 3 over KEF Q150
Max Input Power 250 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
Sensitivity 90 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Woofer Size 7 inches vs 5.25 inches Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response 38 Hz vs 51 Hz Generates deeper bass
High Frequency Response 35k Hz vs 28k Hz Generates higher frequency
Mounting Bracket Yes vs No Allows mounting on walls
Passive Radiator two 8-inch side-mounted vs None Increases the bass performance
Reasons to choose KEF Q150 over GoldenEar Aon 3
Height 303mm vs 356mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Width 180mm vs 229mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Depth 278mm vs 281mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor vs KEF Q150 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General GoldenEar Aon 3 KEF Q150
Brand GoldenEar KEF
Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
Power Range 10-250 watts 10-100 watts
Sensitivity 90 dB 86 dB
Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
Impedance n/a 3.7 ohms
Frequency Response 38-35k Hz 51-28k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 7" 5.25"
Woofer Composition Polypropylene Aluminum
Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
Tweeter Size " 1"
Tweeter Type Folded Ribbon Dome
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Crossover Frequency n/a 2500Hz
Firing Direction rear rear
Physical Specs
Height 356.0mm (14") 303.0mm (11.9")
Width 229.0mm (9") 180.0mm (7.1")
Depth 281.0mm (11.1") 278.0mm (10.9")
Weight 6.82kg (15lbs) 5.60kg (12.3lbs)
Enclosure Acoustic Suspension Bass Reflex
Finish MDF/Lacquer MDF/Vinyl-wrapped
Available Colors Black Black, Walnut, White
Mounting Bracket Yes No
Recommended Stand Height 24-26" 18-24"
Grille n/a magnetic
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Biamp Inputs No No
Other
Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years


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