In this review, we will be comparing Q3 Meta and Opticon 2 MK2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from KEF and DALI.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF Q3 Meta and DALI Opticon 2 II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KEF Q3 Meta | DALI Opticon 2 II |
|---|
| Brand | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | 12th Generation Uni-Q | — |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard dome | 1.125" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Aluminum | 6.5" Wood Fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 49-20k Hz | 59-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 86.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | Up to 150 watts | 30-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.23kg / 18.1lbs | 7.73kg / 17lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14.1" x 8.3" x 12"
357 x 210 x 305 mm | 13-13/16" x 7-11/16" x 11-11/16"
351.0 x 196.0 x 297.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the KEF Q3 Meta and DALI Opticon 2 II 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 Q3 Meta |
DALI Opticon 2 II |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Q3 Meta and Opticon 2 MK2 are 2-way speakers.
KEF Q3 MetaDALI Opticon 2 II
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 Q3 Meta |
DALI Opticon 2 II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.125-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Q3 Meta features a 1" vented aluminum dome with MAT absorber Hard dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.0 kHz. On the other hand, the Opticon 2 MK2 features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
Q3 Meta has a frequency range of 49-20k Hz whereas Opticon 2 MK2 has a frequency range of 59-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 49Hz, the Q3 Meta can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Opticon 2 MK2's min frequency of 59Hz.
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
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.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Q3 Meta and Opticon 2 MK2 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Q3 Meta sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Opticon 2 MK2's is at 86.5 dB.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Q3 Meta and the Q3 Meta can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 150 watts RMS, though Q3 Meta is rated Up to 150 watts and Opticon 2 MK2 30-150 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Q3 Meta features Post type posts and Opticon 2 MK2 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
DALI Opticon 2 II's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Q3 Meta and Opticon 2 MK2 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.
DALI Opticon 2 II 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 Q3 Meta's and DALI Opticon 2 II's external dimensions. KEF Q3 Meta has external dimensions of 357 x 210 x 305 mm (14.1 x 8.3 x 12.0 in.) whereas DALI Opticon 2 II has external dimensions of 351.0 x 196.0 x 297.0mm (13-13/16 x 7-11/16 x 11-11/16inch).
KEF Q3 Meta is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 14mm wider, 6mm taller and 8mm deeper than DALI Opticon 2 II.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF Q3 Meta and DALI Opticon 2 II in scale.
Comparison image of KEF Q3 Meta and DALI Opticon 2 II 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 Q3 Meta is approximately 640.5cm2 / 99.3inch2 and base area of the DALI Opticon 2 II is approximately 582.1cm2 / 90.2inch2. The Q3 Meta requires 10% more surface area than the Opticon 2 MK2 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:
Size Comparison image of KEF Q3 Meta and DALI Opticon 2 II on a Media Console
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 Q3 Meta weighs 8.23kg / 18.1lbs and the DALI Opticon 2 II weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the Q3 Meta 6% heavier than the Opticon 2 MK2.
Here is a comparison of how Q3 Meta and Opticon 2 MK2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of KEF Q3 Meta?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Q3 Meta:
- Q3 Meta (pair)
- Magnetic grilles (pair)
- Rubber feet
- Port bungs
- User manual and warranty information
What's in the Box of DALI Opticon 2 II?
Here are the items that come with the Opticon 2 MK2:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Congratulations Card
 Low Frequency Response |
49 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
800USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
351mm
vs
357mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
582cm2
vs
640cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
KEF Q3 Meta |
DALI Opticon 2 MK2 |
| Brand |
KEF |
DALI |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
Up to 150 watts |
30-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86.5 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
49-20k Hz |
59-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Wood Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.125" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2.0 kHz |
2000Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
357.0mm (14.1") |
351.0mm (13.8") |
| Width |
210.0mm (8.3") |
196.0mm (7.7") |
| Depth |
305.0mm (12") |
297.0mm (11.7") |
| Weight |
8.23kg (18.1lbs) |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Satin Black,Satin White,Walnut |
Satin Black, Tobacco Oak, Satin White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - DALI Opticon 2 II costs roughly 1.9x what KEF Q3 Meta does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | KEF Q3 Meta digs deeper - 49Hz against 59Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (150W vs 150W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price | A | KEF Q3 Meta is cheaper - $800 against $1,500, about 47% less; arguably a different class. |
A KEF Q3 Meta B DALI Opticon 2 II
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 Q3 Meta has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 59Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $700 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.