In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers. Monitor Audio Bronze C150 is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Q950 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Bronze C150 and KEF Q950 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Bronze C150 | KEF Q950 |
|---|
| Brand | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 11th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" vented dome with waveguide | 1.5" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" aluminum | 2 x 8.0" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 66-30k Hz | 44-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-120 watts | 15-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.01kg / 15.4lbs | 20.68kg / 45.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6-9/16" x 17-13/16" x 8-15/16"
167.0 x 453.0 x 228.0mm | 43-15/16" x 14-1/4" x 12-3/8"
1117.0 x 362.0 x 315.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Monitor Audio Bronze C150 and KEF Q950 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* |
Monitor Audio Bronze C150 |
KEF Q950 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| 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 Bronze C150 and Q950 are 2-way speakers.
Monitor Audio Bronze C150KEF Q950
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Bronze C150 |
KEF Q950 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.5-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 8.0-inch
|
Bronze C150 features a 1" aluminum vented dome with waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" aluminum Woofer. On the other hand, the Q950 features a 1.5" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 2 x 8.0" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
Bronze C150 has a frequency range of 66-30k Hz whereas Q950 has a frequency range of 44-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the Q950 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 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
Bronze C150 and Q950 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Bronze C150 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Q950's is at 91 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the KEF Q950 a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Bronze C150, 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.
Q950 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Bronze C150 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Q950.
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
Bronze C150 features Binding post type posts and Q950 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 Monitor Audio Bronze C150's and KEF Q950's external dimensions. 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) whereas 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).
Monitor Audio Bronze C150 is 950mm shorter and 87mm less deeper than KEF Q950 but it is also 91mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Bronze C150 and KEF Q950 in scale.
Comparison image of Monitor Audio Bronze C150 and KEF Q950 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 Monitor Audio Bronze C150 is approximately 1032.8cm2 / 160.1inch2 and base area of the KEF Q950 is approximately 1140.3cm2 / 176.7inch2. The Bronze C150 requires 9% less surface area than the Q950 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Bronze C150?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Bronze C150:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 2 Terminal-jumpers (pre-installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Hex-key
- Quick Start Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of KEF Q950?
Here are the items that come with the Q950:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- 2 Outrigger feet
- 4 Spikes
- 6 Screws
- 6 Washers
- 4 Rubber inserts
- Hex-key
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Information