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KEF Q950 vs KEF Q150
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KEF Q950

Passive Floor-standing | 44-28k Hz

KEF Q950
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KEF Q150

Passive Bookshelf | 51-28k Hz

KEF Q150
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KEF Q950 vs KEF Q150 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by KEF. KEF Q950 is a Floor-standing speaker whereas the Q150 is a Bookshelf speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of KEF Q950 and KEF Q150 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

KEF Q950 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 11th Generation Uni-Q Driver
  • 1.5" Dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 8.0" Aluminum Woofer
  • 44-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 91 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:15-200watts
  • Weight:20.68kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1117.0" x 14-1/4" x 12-3/8"( 1117.0 x 362.0 x 315.0mm )

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 )

Q950 and Q150 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 Q950 and KEF Q150 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 Q950 KEF Q150
Near-field Bad Average
Small Room Poor Good
Mid-size Room Good Average
Large Room Good Poor
Very Large Room Poor Bad

(* 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 Q950 and KEF Q150 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 Q950 and Q150 are 2-way speakers. Q950 features a 1.5" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 2 x 8.0" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz. On the other hand, the Q150 features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.

Frequency Response

Q950 has a frequency range of 44-28k Hz whereas Q150 has a frequency range of 51-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the Q950 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q150's min frequency of 51Hz.

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 Floor-standing class in our database.

Low Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

Q950
Q150
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

KEF Q950
KEF Q150
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

Q950 and Q150 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Q950 sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Q150's is at 86 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the KEF Q950 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Q150, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Floor-standing Speakers

Q950
Q150
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.

Q950 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Q150 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Q950.

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

Q950 features Post type posts and Q150 has a 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

Q950 has a front firing port whereas Q150 has a rear firing ports. KEF Q950'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 Q950's and KEF Q150's external dimensions. KEF Q950 has external dimensions of 1117.0 x 362.0 x 315.0mm ( 43-15/16 x 14-1/4 x 12-3/8inch) whereas KEF Q150 has external dimensions of 303.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm ( 11.9 x 7.0 x 10.9inch) .

KEF Q950 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 182mm wider, 814mm taller and 37mm deeper than KEF Q150.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF Q950 and KEF Q150 in scale.

KEF Q950 vs KEF Q150 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of KEF Q950 and KEF Q150 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 Q950 is approximately 1140.3cm2 / 176.7inch2 and base area of the KEF Q150 is approximately 500.4cm2 / 77.6inch2. The Q950 requires 128% more surface area than the Q150 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of KEF Q950?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Q950:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • 2 Outrigger feet
  • 4 Spikes
  • 6 Screws
  • 6 Washers
  • 4 Rubber inserts
  • Hex-key
  • Owners Manual
  • Warranty Information
  • What's in the Box of KEF Q150?

    Here are the items that come with the Q150:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Foam port plugs
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owner's Manual
  • Warranty Registration Card

  • Reasons to choose KEF Q950 over KEF Q150
    Max Input Power 200 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Sensitivity 91 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 8.0 inches vs 5.25 inches Larger woofer
    Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
    Low Frequency Response 44 Hz vs 51 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Port Position Front vs Rear Gives more flexibility placing close to walls
    Passive Radiator 2 x 8-inch vs None Increases the bass performance
    Dolby Atmos Drivers Optional vs No Dolby Atmos Compatibility
    Reasons to choose KEF Q150 over KEF Q950
    Minimum Impedance 3.7 ohms vs 3.2 ohms Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier
    Height 303mm vs 1117mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 500cm2 (180x278mm) vs 1140cm2 (362x315mm) Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 600USD vs 2200USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)


    KEF Q950 vs KEF Q150 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General KEF Q950 KEF Q150
    Brand KEF KEF
    Speaker Type Floor-standing speaker Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 15-200 watts 10-100 watts
    Sensitivity 91 dB 86 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance 3.2 ohms 3.7 ohms
    Frequency Response 44-28k Hz 51-28k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 1
    Woofer Size 8.0" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition Aluminum Aluminum
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1.5" 1"
    Tweeter Type Dome Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 2200Hz 2500Hz
    Firing Direction front rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 1117.0mm (44") 303.0mm (11.9")
    Width 362.0mm (14.3") 180.0mm (7.1")
    Depth 315.0mm (12.4") 278.0mm (10.9")
    Weight 20.68kg (45.5lbs) 5.60kg (12.3lbs)
    Enclosure Passive Radiator Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl MDF/Vinyl-wrapped
    Available Colors Walnut Black, Walnut, White
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height n/a 18-24"
    Grille n/a Yes
    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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