In this review, we will be comparing Reference 1 Meta and Q150, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF Reference 1 Meta and KEF Q150 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KEF Reference 1 Meta | KEF Q150 |
|---|
| Brand | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | 12th Generation Uni-Q | 11th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" aluminium dome with MAT | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 5" | — |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" aluminium cone | 5.25" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 45-35k Hz | 51-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-200 watts | 10-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 18.20kg / 40lbs | 5.60kg / 12.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 17.3" x 8.1" x 16.6"
440 x 205 x 422 mm | 11.9" x 7.0" x 10.9"
303.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the KEF Reference 1 Meta 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 Reference 1 Meta |
KEF Q150 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Good |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Reference 1 Meta is a 3-way design whereas the Q150 is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
KEF Reference 1 MetaKEF Q150
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
KEF Reference 1 Meta |
KEF Q150 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Reference 1 Meta features a 1" aluminium dome with MAT Tweeter, a 5" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" aluminium cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 2100Hz. 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
Reference 1 Meta has a frequency range of 45-35k Hz whereas Q150 has a frequency range of 51-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Reference 1 Meta can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q150's min frequency of 51Hz.
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
Reference 1 Meta is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Q150 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Reference 1 Meta can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Reference 1 Meta sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the Q150's is rated at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the KEF Q150 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Reference 1 Meta, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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.
Reference 1 Meta can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Q150 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Reference 1 Meta.
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
Reference 1 Meta features Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Q150 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KEF Reference 1 Meta's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
KEF Q150's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Reference 1 Meta and Q150 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.
KEF Q150 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 Reference 1 Meta's and KEF Q150's external dimensions. KEF Reference 1 Meta has external dimensions of 440 x 205 x 422 mm (17.3 x 8.1 x 16.6) whereas KEF Q150 has external dimensions of 303.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm (11.9 x 7.0 x 10.9inch).
KEF Reference 1 Meta is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 25mm wider, 137mm taller and 144mm deeper than KEF Q150.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF Reference 1 Meta and KEF Q150 in scale.
Comparison image of KEF Reference 1 Meta 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 Reference 1 Meta is approximately 865.1cm2 / 134.1inch2 and base area of the KEF Q150 is approximately 500.4cm2 / 77.6inch2. The Reference 1 Meta requires 73% more surface area than the Q150 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 Reference 1 Meta and KEF Q150 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 Reference 1 Meta weighs 18.20kg / 40lbs and the KEF Q150 weighs 5.60kg / 12.3lbs. This makes the Reference 1 Meta 225% heavier than the Q150.
Here is a comparison of how Reference 1 Meta and Q150'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 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
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
|
Uni-Q Driver |
12th Generation
vs
11th Generation
|
Newer generation Driver |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
51 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Minimum Impedance |
3.7 ohms
vs
3.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Height |
303mm
vs
440mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
500cm2
vs
865cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
600USD
vs
9000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
KEF Reference 1 Meta |
KEF Q150 |
| Brand |
KEF |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
50-200 watts |
10-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
85 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-35k Hz |
51-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
aluminium cone |
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
aluminium dome with MAT |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5" |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
450Hz and 2100Hz |
2500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
440.0mm (17.3") |
303.0mm (11.9") |
| Width |
205.0mm (8.1") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
422.0mm (16.6") |
278.0mm (10.9") |
| Weight |
18.20kg (40lbs) |
5.60kg (12.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Vinyl-wrapped |
| Available Colors |
High-Gloss White/Blue, High-Gloss White/Champagne, High-Gloss Black/Grey, High-Gloss Black/Copper, Satin Walnut/Silver |
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 |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - KEF Reference 1 Meta costs roughly 15x what KEF Q150 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 Reference 1 Meta digs deeper - 45Hz against 51Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (85dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | KEF Q150 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | KEF Reference 1 Meta takes more power (200W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | KEF Q150 is easier to place; KEF Reference 1 Meta is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | A | KEF Reference 1 Meta: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | KEF Q150 is cheaper - $600 against $9,000, about 93% less; arguably a different class. |
A KEF Reference 1 Meta B KEF Q150
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 Reference 1 Meta measures better, KEF Q150 costs about about 15x the price% 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 51Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper KEF Q150 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate KEF Reference 1 Meta the better fit for a mid-size room, a large room and a very large room, and KEF Q150 for near-field listening and a small room.
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.