Kef Q1 Meta Budget Bookshelf Speakers (Is $599 budget?) Are They As Good As Promised? Review

[@gdwlaw5549]

That round furniture just makes me smile too....Nice launch for KEF

[@Viewer500]

Thanks for the review, can you comment further on the sound quality differences between the Q1 and Q150. Current trying to determine if the extra $250 is worth it or not. I plan to add a sub (SB1000) as well.

[@twistyflora]

If I were shopping the two, I’d save my money and go with the Q150. But, for my preferences, I’d rather have the Wharfedale Diamond 225.

[@Evolved_ue7]

I have the kef r100 picked up immaculate 2nd hand £150 $200 it's a very good speaker for that money . I do still prefer some of more vintage kef speakers .. For the right speakers im always willing to pay more, i purchased the Triangle genese trio at a knocked down price new . Its not for all but for me it just hits the sweet spot for my genre of music listening ( female,jazz,singer song ...) its not a say Metallica speaker but does ok .. Thanks for the vid ..

[@twistyflora]

The r100 isn’t just a good speaker for the money. It is a good speaker. I find that I often enjoy speakers that stray from a neutral frequency curve. Triangle seems to have a lot of speakers that are worth checking out. Thanks for the comment. Glad you’re enjoying your music. Any new jazz albums that you’re enjoying right now?

[@Evolved_ue7]

@twistyflora Saxophone Boost by coffee ..

[@trevorbartram5473]

The Arcam A25 has been described as 'dark' so Qi's treble zing is disconcerting. Perhaps the tweeter needs to burnin more? The Meta absorber works at >1KHz (mainly tweeter) & won't help box resonances. It'll be interesting what Erin or Danny has to say about the Q1?

[@twistyflora]

Regarding burnin, I’ll keep listening. If the sound signature changes, I’ll provide an update. But these have been in the system for almost a month. But, maybe? I hope other reviewers get to share their experience. The more information, the better.

[@JalteJKR]

Tweeter burn-in is not a thing and even for woofers it is debatable. All that _could_ happen is that the drivers suspension components loosens up after initial use, and the Fs(resonance frequency) drops a little which probably isn't even noticeable. This happens since woofers physically have to move a lot.

[@twistyflora]

@@JalteJKR to be fair, burn-in is definitely a debated subject in hifi (similar to cables). Personally, I dont expect to hear a difference 3 months from now, but I’ll report it if I do.

[@hermansmit6046]

Thank You for Your review. I own a pair of LS 50 without meta. Do You think the Q1,s with meta are sounding beter than the orig. LS 50 , s ? I like to hear Your opinion.

[@twistyflora]

Build quality, the LS50 is incomparably better. Of memory serves me correctly, I think the sound is too similar (at normal listening levels) to consider a change.

[@hermansmit6046]

@@twistyflora Thank You for Your fast reply. I will keep playing music with my Kef ls50,s

[@h56243178]

Hi, will you recommend Q1Meta + AMP or LSX ii LT for computer on desktop setup? Pairing with a KEF Kube 10 sub woofer in both cases too.

[@twistyflora]

I haven’t used the LSX ii, so I can’t comment on it. But there are other setups I’d consider before the Q1 Meta (Wharfedale Diamond 225 or Omega Loudspeakers).

[@Hung_P]

what are your thoughts matching these speakers with Wiimamp Pro?

[@twistyflora]

I don’t think I’d trust a Wiim amp pro with a 4ohm speaker. But I haven’t tried the combination.

[@Hung_P]

@ thank you for the quick response. i've forgotten to mention that it is for my bedroom (i won't be playing past 70-77 decibels) and the Wiim amp can drive up to 120 watts down at 4 ohms. it would be great if you can review this combination.

[@ConorHanley]

I don't think $599 is budget , though the speaker is obviously a budget build, though I'm old so tend to view hi-fi in how much it used to cost but I also think Hi-Fi inflation is much more than average inflation, minus Chinese gear.

[@twistyflora]

Hifi inflation is ludicrous! I’m am a big advocate for buying gear as it goes on closeout. If I’m willing to be patient, it’s pretty easy to get Hifi gear at 50% off MSRP… and even the company is still making a decent profit (which is fine, they should get a profit). But, in every world I live in, $599 is a lot of money.

[@EARLandPEARL-c3i]

they need at least 2ft off the back wall

[@twistyflora]

Not necessarily. Depends on the bass response in your room. Closer to the wall definitely helps with a speaker like the Q1

[@EA-58]

I had the Q-150's nice speakers buid the build quality was terrible.

[@twistyflora]

I agree. The build quality of the cabinet is very basic. Though I think the build quality of driver is pretty solid.

[@Teachering]

I bought the KEF Q150 speakers several years ago. I don't listen to them because they suck.