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KEF Q150 vs KEF Q550 Comparison

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KEF Q150

Passive Bookshelf | 51-28k Hz

KEF Q150
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KEF Q550

Passive Floor-standing | 58-28k Hz

KEF Q550
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KEF Q150 KEF Q150
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KEF Q550 KEF Q550
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KEF Q150
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KEF Q550
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KEF Q150 vs KEF Q550 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by KEF. KEF Q150 is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Q550 is a Floor-standing speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of KEF Q150 and KEF Q550 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

KEF Q150 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 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 )

KEF Q550 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 11th Generation Uni-Q Driver
  • 1" Dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer
  • 58-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:15-130watts
  • Weight:14.55kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 894.0" x 11-5/8" x 12-5/16"( 894.0 x 296.0 x 313.0mm )

Q150 and Q550 are members of KEF's Q series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

KEF Q Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
KEF Q150
Bookshelf 51-28k Hz 86 dB8Ω 1 x 5.25"
KEF Q350
  
Bookshelf 63-28k Hz 87 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
KEF Q950
  
Floor-standing 44-28k Hz 91 dB8Ω 2 x 8.0"
KEF Q750
  
Floor-standing 48-28k Hz 88 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
KEF Q550
Floor-standing 58-28k Hz 87 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"
KEF Q650c
  
Center Channel 64-28k Hz 87 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
KEF Q250c
  
Center Channel 68-28k Hz 87 dB8Ω 1 x 5.25"

What size room are the KEF Q150 and KEF Q550 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 Q150 KEF Q550
Near-field Average Bad
Small Room Good Poor
Mid-size Room Average Good
Large Room Poor Good
Very Large Room Bad Poor

(* 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 Q150 and KEF Q550 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 Q150 and Q550 are 2-way speakers.

Driver KEF Q150 KEF Q550
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5.25-inch 2 x 5.25-inch

Q150 features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. On the other hand, the Q550 features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.

Frequency Response

Q150 has a frequency range of 51-28k Hz whereas Q550 has a frequency range of 58-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 51Hz, the Q150 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q550's min frequency of 58Hz.

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

Q150
Q550
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

KEF Q150
KEF Q550
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

Q150 and Q550 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Q150 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Q550's is at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the KEF Q550 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Q150, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Q150
Q550
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.

Q150 can handle a max power of 130 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Q150 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 30 watts less than the Q550.

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

Q150 features Binding post type posts and Q550 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

KEF Q150 Terminals
KEF Q150's Post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Q150 has a rear firing port whereas Q550 has a front firing ports. KEF Q550's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to KEF Q150 with its rear-firing port.

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 KEF Q150's and KEF Q550's external dimensions. KEF Q150 has external dimensions of 303.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm ( 11.9 x 7.0 x 10.9inch) whereas KEF Q550 has external dimensions of 894.0 x 296.0 x 313.0mm ( 35-3/16 x 11-5/8 x 12-5/16inch) .

KEF Q550 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 116mm wider, 591mm taller and 35mm deeper than KEF Q150.

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 Q150 is approximately 500.4cm2 / 77.6inch2 and base area of the KEF Q550 is approximately 926.5cm2 / 143.6inch2. The Q150 requires 46% less surface area than the Q550 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of KEF Q150?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Q150:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Foam port plugs
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owner's Manual
  • Warranty Registration Card
  • What's in the Box of KEF Q550?

    Here are the items that come with the Q550:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • 2 Outrigger feet
  • 4 Spikes
  • 6 Screws
  • 6 Washers
  • 4 Rubber inserts
  • Hex-key
  • Owners Manual
  • Warranty Information

  • Reasons to choose KEF Q150 over KEF Q550
    Minimum Impedance 3.7 ohms vs 3.5 ohms Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier
    Low Frequency Response 51 Hz vs 58 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Height 303mm vs 894mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 500cm2 vs 926cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 600USD vs 1400USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose KEF Q550 over KEF Q150

    Max Input Power 130 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Sensitivity 87 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
    Port Position Front vs Rear Gives more flexibility placing close to walls
    Passive Radiator 2 x 5.25-inch vs None Increases the bass performance
    Dolby Atmos Drivers Optional vs No Dolby Atmos Compatibility
    KEF Q150 vs KEF Q550 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General KEF Q150 KEF Q550
    Brand KEF KEF
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Floor-standing speaker
    Power Range 10-100 watts 15-130 watts
    Sensitivity 86 dB 87 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance 3.7 ohms 3.5 ohms
    Frequency Response 51-28k Hz 58-28k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 2
    Woofer Size 5.25" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition Aluminum Aluminum
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Dome Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 2500Hz 2500Hz
    Firing Direction rear front
    Physical Specs
    Height 303.0mm (11.9") 894.0mm (35.2")
    Width 180.0mm (7.1") 296.0mm (11.7")
    Depth 278.0mm (10.9") 313.0mm (12.3")
    Weight 5.60kg (12.3lbs) 14.55kg (32lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Passive Radiator
    Finish MDF/Vinyl-wrapped MDF/Wood-grain vinyl
    Available Colors Black, Walnut, White Walnut
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height 18-24" n/a
    Grille Yes n/a
    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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