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  1. Home
  2. KEF Speakers
  3. KEF Coda W vs KEF Q150

KEF Coda W vs KEF Q150 Comparison

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KEF Coda W

Powered Bookshelf | 41-20k Hz

KEF Coda W
Check price atAmazon›
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KEF Q150

Passive Bookshelf | 51-28k Hz

KEF Q150
Check price atAmazon›
KEF Coda W KEF Coda W
Check price atAmazon›
KEF Q150 KEF Q150
Check price atAmazon›
KEF Coda W
See at AMAZON
KEF Q150
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KEF Coda W vs KEF Q150 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Coda W and Q150, two Bookshelf speakers by KEF. The main difference between these two speakers is that the KEF Coda W is a Powered speaker which means that it has a built-in amplifier inside the speaker body so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp whereas the KEF Q150 is a Passive speaker so has to be matched with an amplifier to get any sound from it.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of KEF Coda W and KEF Q150 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsKEF Coda WKEF Q150
BrandKEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961
KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961
Design2-way2-way
Built-in amplifier100-watt RMS—
Uni-Q driver12th Generation Uni-Q11th Generation Uni-Q
Tweeter1" Hard-Dome1" Dome
Woofer5.25"5.25" Aluminum
Frequency response41-20k Hz51-28k Hz
Sensitivity—86 dB
Impedance—8 ohms
Power range—10-100 watts
Max depth / sample rateNo / 96 kHz—
BluetoothBuilt-in—
App controlYes—
Weight11.29kg / 24.8lbs5.60kg / 12.3lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)11.25" x 6.625" x 11.8125"
286.0 x 169.0 x 301.0mm
11.9" x 7.0" x 10.9"
303.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.


Drivers

Both Coda W and Q150 are 2-way speakers.

Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 5.25 inch
KEF Coda W
Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 5.25 inch
KEF Q150

TweeterWoofer

Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.

Driver KEF Coda W KEF Q150
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5.25-inch 1 x 5.25-inch

Coda W features a 1" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Woofer. On the other hand, the Q150 features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.

Frequency Response

Coda W has a frequency range of 41-20k Hz whereas Q150 has a frequency range of 51-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 41Hz, the Coda W can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q150's min frequency of 51Hz.

The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Coda W
Q150
Min
Average
Median

Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

KEF Q150  Port
KEF Q150 Port

Physical Specs

The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare KEF Coda W's and KEF Q150's external dimensions. KEF Coda W has external dimensions of 286.0 x 169.0 x 301.0mm (11.25inch x 6.625inch x 11.8125inch) whereas KEF Q150 has external dimensions of 303.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm (11.9 x 7.0 x 10.9inch).

KEF Coda W is 11mm narrower and 17mm shorter than KEF Q150 but it is also 23mm deeper.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF Coda W and KEF Q150 in scale.

KEF Coda W vs KEF Q150 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of KEF Coda W and KEF Q150 Size and External Dimensions

Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base surface area of the KEF Coda W is approximately 508.7cm2 / 78.8inch2 and base area of the KEF Q150 is approximately 500.4cm2 / 77.6inch2. The Coda W requires 2% more surface area than the Q150 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:

KEF Coda W vs KEF Q150 Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of KEF Coda W and KEF Q150 on a Media Console

What's in the Box of KEF Coda W?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Coda W:
  • Power speaker
  • Passive speaker
  • 6.5' AC power cord
  • 9.75' C-Link proprietary speaker cable
  • Remote control
  • 2 \"AAA\" batteries
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Important Safety Information
  • Warranty Information
  • Extended Warranty
  • Important Safety Information & Instructions

What's in the Box of KEF Q150?

Here are the items that come with the Q150:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Foam port plugs
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owner's Manual
  • Warranty Registration Card


Reasons to choose KEF Coda W over KEF Q150

Speaker Type Powered vs Passive Built-in amplifier
Uni-Q Driver 12th Generation vs 11th Generation Newer generation Driver
Low Frequency Response 41 Hz vs 51 Hz Generates deeper bass
Height 286mm vs 303mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Reasons to choose KEF Q150 over KEF Coda W

High Frequency Response 28k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency
Base Surface Area 500cm2 vs 508cm2 Takes less floor space
Price per pair* 600USD vs 999USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

KEF Coda W vs KEF Q150 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General KEF Coda W KEF Q150
Brand KEF KEF
Speaker Type Powered Stereo Speakers Bookshelf speakers
Sensitivity n/a 86 dB
Impedance n/a 8 ohms
Impedance n/a 3.7 ohms
Frequency Response 41-20k Hz 51-28k Hz
Amplifier
Watts RMS (Continuous) 100-watt RMS n/a
Max Bit Depth No n/a
Max Sample Rate 96 kHz n/a
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 5.25" 5.25"
Woofer Composition Aluminum
Woofer Surround Material n/a Rubber
Tweeter Size 1" 1"
Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Dome
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Crossover Frequency n/a 2500Hz
Firing Direction n/a rear
Physical Specs
Height 286.0mm (11.3") 303.0mm (11.9")
Width 169.0mm (6.7") 180.0mm (7.1")
Depth 301.0mm (11.9") 278.0mm (10.9")
Weight 11.29kg (24.8lbs) 5.60kg (12.3lbs)
Enclosure Bass Reflex
Finish n/a MDF/Vinyl-wrapped
Available Colors n/a Black, Walnut, White
Mounting Bracket No
Recommended Stand Height n/a 18-24"
Grille n/a Yes
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Biamp Inputs n/a No
Phone Input No n/a
Subwoofer Output mono-RCA n/a
Digital Input 1 n/a
HDMI Input ARC n/a
Headphone Jack No n/a
Ethernet Port No n/a
Other
Parts Warranty 2 Yr (3 Yr registered) 5 Years
Labor Warranty 2 Yr/3 Yr registered) 5 Years

Verdict

Different kinds of product: one is active with its amplifier built in, the other passive and needs one. Judge them on how you want to own the system, not just the specs.

AreaBetterWhy
BassAKEF Coda W digs deeper - 41Hz against 51Hz.
What you buydependsKEF Coda W is a complete system - just add a source. KEF Q150 also needs an amplifier: more money and another box, but you choose it.
ConnectionsdependsKEF Coda W has Bluetooth and HDMI built in. With KEF Q150 that all comes from the amplifier you pair it with.
Upgrade pathdependsKEF Q150 can be re-amped later and outlive several amplifiers; KEF Coda W ages as one unit.
SizedependsSimilar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit.
ExpandabilityAKEF Coda W: a sub output.
PriceBKEF Q150 is cheaper - $600 against $999, about 40% less; arguably a different class. Speakers only - an amplifier narrows that gap.

A KEF Coda W  B KEF Q150
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.

Which should you choose?

KEF Coda W suits you if you want one box, ready to play, with nothing else to buy. KEF Q150 suits you if you already have an amplifier, want to choose the electronics, or expect to upgrade in stages. Neither is the better speaker in the abstract. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 51Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper KEF Q150 much easier to justify. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $399 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.

And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.


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