In this review, we will be comparing Q8 Meta and Q4 Meta, two Passive Surround speakers by KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF Q8 Meta and KEF Q4 Meta first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KEF Q8 Meta | KEF Q4 Meta |
|---|
| Brand | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | 12th Generation Uni-Q | 12th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Hard-dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" | 5.25" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 105-20k Hz | 65-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | Up to 150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.49kg / 9.9lbs | 5.73kg / 12.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6-15/16" x 7-1/8" x 10-1/4"
176.2 x 181.0 x 260.4mm | 15.7" x 9.8" x 5.6"
400 x 250 x 142 mm |
|---|
Q8 Meta and Q4 Meta are members of KEF's Q Meta series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
KEF Q Meta Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Q8 Meta and Q4 Meta are 2-way speakers.
KEF Q8 MetaKEF Q4 Meta
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 Q8 Meta |
KEF Q4 Meta |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Q8 Meta features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Woofer. On the other hand, the Q4 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 1.8 kHz.
Frequency Response
Q8 Meta has a frequency range of 105-20k Hz whereas Q4 Meta has a frequency range of 65-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the Q4 Meta can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q8 Meta's min frequency of 105Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Surround class in our database.
Low Frequency
Surround 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
Q8 Meta and Q4 Meta have the same Impedance of 4 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 86 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 Q8 Meta and the Q8 Meta can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Surround Speakers
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
Q8 Meta features Binding Post type posts and Q4 Meta has a Binding Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KEF Q4 Meta'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 Q8 Meta's and KEF Q4 Meta's external dimensions. KEF Q8 Meta has external dimensions of 176.2 x 181.0 x 260.4mm () whereas KEF Q4 Meta has external dimensions of 400 x 250 x 142 mm (15.7 x 9.8 x 5.6 in.).
KEF Q8 Meta is 69mm narrower and 223.8mm shorter than KEF Q4 Meta but it is also 118.4mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
KEF Q8 Meta needs about 33% more floor or shelf area. KEF Q8 Meta is 118mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. KEF Q4 Meta is 224mm taller.
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 Q8 Meta is approximately 471.3cm2 / 73.1inch2 and base area of the KEF Q4 Meta is approximately 355.0cm2 / 55.0inch2. The Q8 Meta requires 33% more surface area than the Q4 Meta 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 Q8 Meta weighs 4.49kg / 9.9lbs and the KEF Q4 Meta weighs 5.73kg / 12.6lbs. This makes the Q4 Meta 28% heavier than the Q8 Meta.
Here is a comparison of how Q8 Meta and Q4 Meta's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Surround class.
Weight
All Surround Speakers
What's in the Box of KEF Q4 Meta?
Here are the items that come with the Q4 Meta:
- Q4 Meta
- Magnetic grilles (pair)
- Rubber feet
- Port bungs
- User manual and warranty information
 Height |
176mm
vs
400mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
900USD
vs
1000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
105 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
355cm2
vs
471cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
KEF Q8 Meta |
KEF Q4 Meta |
| Brand |
KEF |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Surround speaker |
Surround speaker |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
105-20k Hz |
65-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
1.8 kHz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
176.2mm (6.9") |
400.0mm (15.7") |
| Width |
181.0mm (7.1") |
250.0mm (9.8") |
| Depth |
260.4mm (10.3") |
142.0mm (5.6") |
| Weight |
4.49kg (9.9lbs) |
5.73kg (12.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Satin Black,Satin White,Walnut |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in KEF's Q Meta series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | KEF Q4 Meta digs deeper - 65Hz against 105Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | KEF Q8 Meta is easier to place; KEF Q4 Meta is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | A | KEF Q8 Meta is cheaper - $900 against $1,000, about 10% less. |
A KEF Q8 Meta B KEF Q4 Meta
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?
The usual trade-off: KEF Q4 Meta measures better, KEF Q8 Meta costs about about 11% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 105Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper KEF Q8 Meta much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, KEF Q4 Meta has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, KEF Q8 Meta is the easier speaker to get right.
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.