In this review, we will be comparing Q650c and Bronze C150, two Passive Center Channel speakers from KEF and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF Q650c and Monitor Audio Bronze C150 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KEF Q650c | Monitor Audio Bronze C150 |
|---|
| Brand | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | 11th Generation Uni-Q | — |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 1" vented dome with waveguide |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" aluminum | 5.25" aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 64-28k Hz | 66-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-150 watts | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 13.64kg / 30lbs | 7.01kg / 15.4lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-5/16" x 24-13/16" x 11-15/16"
212.0 x 631.0 x 304.0mm | 6-9/16" x 17-13/16" x 8-15/16"
167.0 x 453.0 x 228.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the KEF Q650c and Monitor Audio Bronze C150 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 Q650c |
Monitor Audio Bronze C150 |
| 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 Q650c and Bronze C150 are 2-way speakers.
KEF Q650cMonitor Audio Bronze C150
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 Q650c |
Monitor Audio Bronze C150 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Q650c features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. On the other hand, the Bronze C150 features a 1" aluminum vented dome with waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" aluminum Woofer.
Frequency Response
Q650c has a frequency range of 64-28k Hz whereas Bronze C150 has a frequency range of 66-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 64Hz, the Q650c can go slightly deeper then the Bronze C150's min frequency of 66Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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
Q650c and Bronze C150 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Q650c sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Bronze C150's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Bronze C150 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Q650c, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
Q650c can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas Bronze C150 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the Q650c.
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.
Monitor Audio Bronze C150
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Q650c features Binding post type posts and Bronze C150 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KEF Q650c's Binding post terminals
Monitor Audio Bronze C150's Binding post terminals
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 Q650c's and Monitor Audio Bronze C150's external dimensions. KEF Q650c has external dimensions of 212.0 x 631.0 x 304.0mm (8-5/16 x 24-13/16 x 11-15/16inch) whereas Monitor Audio Bronze C150 has external dimensions of 167.0 x 453.0 x 228.0mm (6-9/16 x 17-13/16 x 8-15/16inch).
KEF Q650c is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 178mm wider, 45mm taller and 76mm deeper than Monitor Audio Bronze C150.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF Q650c and Monitor Audio Bronze C150 in scale.
Comparison image of KEF Q650c and Monitor Audio Bronze C150 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 Q650c is approximately 1918.2cm2 / 297.3inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Bronze C150 is approximately 1032.8cm2 / 160.1inch2. The Q650c requires 86% more surface area than the Bronze C150 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 Q650c weighs 13.64kg / 30lbs and the Monitor Audio Bronze C150 weighs 7.01kg / 15.4lbs. This makes the Q650c 95% heavier than the Bronze C150.
Here is a comparison of how Q650c and Bronze C150's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Monitor Audio Bronze C150
What's in the Box of KEF Q650c?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Q650c:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Bronze C150?
Here are the items that come with the Bronze C150:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 2 Terminal-jumpers (pre-installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Hex-key
- Quick Start Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
64 Hz
vs
66 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
one 6.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
167mm
vs
212mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1032cm2
vs
1918cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
395USD
vs
750USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
KEF Q650c |
Monitor Audio Bronze C150 |
| Brand |
KEF |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
15-150 watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.2 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
64-28k Hz |
66-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
aluminum |
aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
vented dome with waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
212.0mm (8.3") |
167.0mm (6.6") |
| Width |
631.0mm (24.8") |
453.0mm (17.8") |
| Depth |
304.0mm (12") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Weight |
13.64kg (30lbs) |
7.01kg (15.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Satin White, Satin Black, Walnut |
Walnut |
| Grille |
optional |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - KEF Q650c costs roughly 1.9x what Monitor Audio Bronze C150 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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (64Hz vs 66Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | A | KEF Q650c takes more power (150W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio Bronze C150 is easier to place; KEF Q650c is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Passive Radiator vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Monitor Audio Bronze C150 sits in a wider range (11 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Monitor Audio Bronze C150 is cheaper - $395 against $750, about 47% less; arguably a different class. |
A KEF Q650c B Monitor Audio Bronze C150
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 Q650c is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 90% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Monitor Audio Bronze C150 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the KEF Q650c appeals to you. In a large or open-plan room, KEF Q650c has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Monitor Audio Bronze C150 is the easier speaker to get right. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $355 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.