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KEF Q150 vs KEF Q550
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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 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

  • 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

  • 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
  • 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 Q750
  
Floor-standing 48-28k Hz 88 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
KEF Q950
  
Floor-standing 44-28k Hz 91 dB8Ω 2 x 8.0"
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"

In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how KEF Q150 and KEF Q550 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 Q150 and Q550 are 2-way speakers. 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, 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 under Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

KEF Q150
KEF Q550
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

KEF Q150
KEF Q550
Min
Average
Max

Impedance and Sensitivity

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

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

KEF Q150
KEF Q550
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Q150 has a power range of 10-100 watts RMS whereas Q550 has a power range of 15-130 watts.

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.



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
Width 180mm vs 296mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Depth 278mm vs 313mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
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) n/a
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 magnetic 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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