SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS by TYPE
    • Passive Bookshelf Speakers
    • Passive Floor-standing Speakers
    • Passive Center Channel Speakers
    • Passive In-wall Speakers
    • All Passive Speakers
    • Powered Subwoofers
    • Powered Stereo Speakers
  • AMPLIFIERS
  • SMART FIND

KEF Q1 Meta vs B&W 607 S3 Comparison

x
Speaker to replace
Change

KEF Q1 Meta

Passive Bookshelf | 51-20k Hz

KEF Q1 Meta
CHECK PRICE
Change
    
B&W 607 S3

Passive Bookshelf | 52-28k Hz

Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3
CHECK PRICE
KEF Q1 Meta KEF Q1 Meta
See at AMAZON
B&W 607 S3 B&W 607 S3
See at AMAZON
KEF Q1 Meta
See at AMAZON
B&W 607 S3
See at AMAZON
KEF Q1 Meta vs B&W 607 S3 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Q1 Meta and 607 S3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from KEF and Bowers Wilkins.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of KEF Q1 Meta and B&W 607 S3 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

KEF Q1 Meta Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 12th Generation Uni-Q Driver
  • 1" Hard dome Tweeter
  • 5.25" Aluminum Woofer
  • 51-20k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:Up to 150watts
  • Weight:6.09kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 302.0" x 7.1" x 10.9"( 302 x 180 x 277 mm )

B&W 607 S3 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Decoupled Double Dome Titanium Tweeter
  • 5" Continuum Woofer
  • 52-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 84 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:30-100watts
  • Weight:4.65kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 300.0" x 6.5" x 9.3"( 300.0 x 166.0 x 235.0mm )

What size room are the KEF Q1 Meta and B&W 607 S3 speakers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:

Listening Environment* KEF Q1 Meta B&W 607 S3
Near-field Poor Average
Small Room Average Good
Mid-size Room Good Average
Large Room Average Poor
Very Large Room Poor Bad

(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2. Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KEF Q1 Meta and B&W 607 S3 compare 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 Q1 Meta and 607 S3 are 2-way speakers.

Driver KEF Q1 Meta B&W 607 S3
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5.25-inch 1 x 5-inch

Q1 Meta features a 1" vented aluminum dome with MAT absorber Hard dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.1 kHz. On the other hand, the 607 S3 features a 1" Titanium Decoupled Double Dome Titanium Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer .

Frequency Response

Q1 Meta has a frequency range of 51-20k Hz whereas 607 S3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 51Hz, the Q1 Meta can go slightly deeper then the 607 S3's min frequency of 52Hz.

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

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Q1 Meta
607 S3
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

KEF Q1 Meta
B&W 607 S3
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

Q1 Meta is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the 607 S3 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Q1 Meta can provide this impedance level.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Q1 Meta sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the 607 S3's is rated at 84 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the KEF Q1 Meta a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 607 S3, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Q1 Meta
607 S3
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

Q1 Meta can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 607 S3 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Q1 Meta.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

607 S3 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Q1 Meta has a Binding Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

KEF Q1 Meta Terminals
KEF Q1 Meta's Binding Post terminals

B&W 607 S3 Terminals
B&W 607 S3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Q1 Meta and 607 S3 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.

If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.

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 KEF Q1 Meta's and B&W 607 S3's external dimensions. KEF Q1 Meta has external dimensions of 302 x 180 x 277 mm ( 11.9 x 7.1 x 10.9 in.) whereas B&W 607 S3 has external dimensions of 300.0 x 166.0 x 235.0mm ( 11.8 x 6.5 x 9.3inch) .

KEF Q1 Meta is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 14mm wider, 2mm taller and 42mm deeper than B&W 607 S3.

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 Q1 Meta is approximately 498.6cm2 / 77.3inch2 and base area of the B&W 607 S3 is approximately 390.1cm2 / 60.5inch2. The Q1 Meta requires 28% more surface area than the 607 S3 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

Weight Comparison

The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The KEF Q1 Meta weighs 6.09kg / 13.4lbs and the B&W 607 S3 weighs 4.65kg / 10.2lbs. This makes the Q1 Meta 31% heavier than the 607 S3.

Here is a comparison of how Q1 Meta and 607 S3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
KEF Q1 Meta
B&W 607 S3
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of KEF Q1 Meta?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Q1 Meta:
  • Q1 Meta (pair)
  • Magnetic grilles (pair)
  • Rubber feet
  • Port bungs
  • User manual and warranty information​
  • What's in the Box of B&W 607 S3?

    Here are the items that come with the 607 S3:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 2 Two-piece foam port plugs
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
  • Manual
  • Bowers & Wilkins brochure
  • Warranty Information

  • Reasons to choose KEF Q1 Meta over Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3
    Max Input Power 150 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Sensitivity 86 dB vs 84 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Minimum Impedance 3.2 ohms vs 3.0 ohms Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier
    Woofer Size 5.25 inches vs 5 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 51 Hz vs 52 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Price per pair* 600USD vs 900USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 over KEF Q1 Meta

    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    High Frequency Response 28k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 300mm vs 302mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 390cm2 vs 498cm2 Takes less floor space
    KEF Q1 Meta vs B&W 607 S3 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General KEF Q1 Meta Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3
    Brand KEF Bowers Wilkins
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range Up to 150 watts 30-100 watts
    Sensitivity 86 dB 84 dB
    Impedance 4 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance 3.2 ohms 3.0 ohms
    Frequency Response 51-20k Hz 52-28k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 5.25" 5"
    Woofer Composition Aluminum Continuum
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Hard dome Decoupled Double Dome Titanium
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver N/A" No
    Crossover Frequency 2.1 kHz n/a
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 302.0mm (11.9") 300.0mm (11.8")
    Width 180.0mm (7.1") 166.0mm (6.5")
    Depth 277.0mm (10.9") 235.0mm (9.3")
    Weight 6.09kg (13.4lbs) 4.65kg (10.2lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish n/a MDF/Vinyl
    Available Colors Satin Black,Satin White,Walnut Matte Black, Matte White, Oak, Red Cherry
    Mounting Bracket No
    Recommended Stand Height n/a 24-26"
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs n/a Yes
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

    Most Popular Speakers
    Klipsch Reference R-51M
    Klipsch R-51M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    3-way | 89 dB | 4 ohms
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    2-way | 87 dB | 6 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
    B&W 606 S2
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    KEF Q150
    KEF Q150
    2-way | 86 dB | 8 ohms
    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
    Klipsch RP-500M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    2-way | 87 dB | 8 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606
    B&W 606
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    Copyright © 2025 by SpeakerDecision
    About Privacy Contact US Camera Decision

    Report a Correction