In this review, we will be comparing Nero MB5 and Q150, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from OSD and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of OSD Nero MB5 and KEF Q150 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | OSD Nero MB5 | KEF Q150 |
|---|
| Brand | OSD
United States · founded 2003 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 11th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Fiberglass | 5.25" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-30k Hz | 51-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 100 watts | 10-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.45kg / 12lbs | 5.60kg / 12.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11-15/16" x 7-5/16" x 9-5/8"
304.0 x 177.8 x 245.0mm | 11.9" x 7.0" x 10.9"
303.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the OSD Nero MB5 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* |
OSD Nero MB5 |
KEF Q150 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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
Both Nero MB5 and Q150 are 2-way speakers.
OSD Nero MB5KEF Q150
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
OSD Nero MB5 |
KEF Q150 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Nero MB5 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Fiberglass Woofer. 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
Nero MB5 has a frequency range of 50-30k Hz whereas Q150 has a frequency range of 51-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the Nero MB5 can go slightly deeper then 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
Nero MB5 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 Nero MB5 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Nero MB5 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Q150's is rated at 86 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the OSD Nero MB5 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Q150, 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.
Both handle the same maximum of 100 watts RMS, though Nero MB5 is rated 100 watts and Q150 10-100 watts.
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.
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 OSD Nero MB5's and KEF Q150's external dimensions. OSD Nero MB5 has external dimensions of 304.0 x 177.8 x 245.0mm (11-15/16inch x 7-5/16inch x 9-5/8inch) whereas KEF Q150 has external dimensions of 303.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm (11.9 x 7.0 x 10.9inch).
OSD Nero MB5 is 2.2mm narrower and 33mm less deeper than KEF Q150 but it is also 1mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of OSD Nero MB5 and KEF Q150 in scale.
Comparison image of OSD Nero MB5 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 OSD Nero MB5 is approximately 435.6cm2 / 67.5inch2 and base area of the KEF Q150 is approximately 500.4cm2 / 77.6inch2. The Nero MB5 requires 13% less surface area than the Q150 which gives it a small advantage 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 OSD Nero MB5 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 OSD Nero MB5 weighs 5.45kg / 12lbs and the KEF Q150 weighs 5.60kg / 12.3lbs. This makes the Q150 3% heavier than the Nero MB5.
Here is a comparison of how Nero MB5 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 OSD Nero MB5?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Nero MB5:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
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
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
51 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
435cm2
vs
500cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Height |
303mm
vs
304mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
OSD Nero MB5 |
KEF Q150 |
| Brand |
OSD |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
100 watts |
10-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-30k Hz |
51-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiberglass |
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
304.0mm (12") |
303.0mm (11.9") |
| Width |
177.8mm (7") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
245.0mm (9.6") |
278.0mm (10.9") |
| Weight |
5.45kg (12lbs) |
5.60kg (12.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Vinyl-wrapped |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black, Walnut, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
18-24" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (50Hz vs 51Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | A | OSD Nero MB5 is more sensitive (90dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| 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 | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. KEF Q150 sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
A OSD Nero MB5 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, OSD Nero MB5 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.