KEF Q150 Bookshelf Speaker | Full Review

I've spent a few weeks listening to the KEF Q150s in this video I discuss my impressions
#KEF #HiFi #Review
0:00 Introduction
0:34 Specifications
1:09 Subscribers
1:38 Review Changes
2:17 Q150 Design
4:04 Design Ranking
4:58 Q150 Features
6:13 Features Ranking
6:33 Audio Samples
6:59 Test Hardware
7:27 Sound Quality
12:54 Value
13:38 Wrap Up
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If you want to purchase something from KEF, please use the links below:
Q150 Bookshelf - amzn.to/3nuGETk
Q350 Bookshelf - amzn.to/3ahhqnH
Q250c Center - amzn.to/37qdeQE
Q550 Floorstanding - amzn.to/3gV15pO
Q750 Floorstanding - amzn.to/37sF2E3
LS50 Wireless II - amzn.to/2LKyPuK
R2C Center - amzn.to/3ntqIkb
R5 Floorstanding - amzn.to/2IYDZ5b
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Links to my home theater setup
Front Left/Right: Klipsch RP-260F - amzn.to/2MaM8An
Center: Klipsch RP-440C - amzn.to/2Jy8v0E
Surrounds: Klipsch RP-150M - amzn.to/2kZN8eo
Atmos Speakers: Energy Take Classics 5.1 - Purchase amzn.to/2l0ubbs
Subwoofer: Hsu Research VTF-2 MK5 - Review • HSU Research VTF-2 MK5...
Speaker Stands: Sanus Basic Series - amzn.to/2JrPb5q
Speaker Wire: Monoprice Access Series 12 AWG CL2 Rated 2 Conductor - amzn.to/2y4btcT
AV Receiver: Denon AVR-X4400H - amzn.to/2JuznyM
External Amplifier: Monoprice Monolith 7 - amzn.to/2ZXrTvu
4K UHD BluRay Player Sony UBP-X700 - amzn.to/2V8CimO
Television: TCL 55" 6 Series - 55 Inch: amzn.to/2QUvKsN
65 Inch: amzn.to/2QRS9XX
Television Stand: Z-Line Flat Panel 3 in 1 TV Mount System - amzn.to/2Lys9N0
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Contact the Home Theater Hobbyist
Email: [e-mail]
Twitter: / hthobbyist
Disclaimer: This description contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link you will be taken to our affiliate and I'll receive a small commission. This commission supports this channel and allows us to bring you more videos like this.

[@randykelly5692]

Happy New Year to everyone who watches this channel.

[@dwayneharris1438]

Nice. I purchased the Q150 Last week. I match them with my Q750, 650, these Q150 are my surrounds. Man I could not believe how they open up my sound stage. I am hearing imaging that I have not heard when I had my SVS Elevations as my surrounds. They are on sale for 349.99. I like your review. No I would not us them as my fronts but for surrounds they perfect.

[@crazyME456]

excellent review! very well done. clean, organized, informative and unbiased. hope you can review it's biggest brother - the q950 too.

[@davebutler3905]

Excellent review. So much detail and comparison. Thank you!

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to subscribe and share the videos!

[@eyestick8012]

Liking the new grading system, Cody. Happy New Year to you and your family, and that is a cool shirt.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thank you and thank you 😀

[@ston3dassasn228]

Happy New Year to you and yours as well. Also, I am jealous of that shirt.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thank you! 😁😁😁 I just finished rewatching season 1 and some of season 2 again! It’s such a great show!!!

[@ston3dassasn228]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist I agree. My wife watches it as well, and she is not into star wars at all. Cool with me, 😂😆 LoL.

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

The famous Q150's, great review!

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thank you 🙏🏾

[@MrAMF50]

excellent review thanks

[@guatobean2869]

wow, that was relaxing and informative!

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks

[@donaldbanhart9682]

I love your reviews dude.. excellent delivery.. knowledgeable.. thank you.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thank you 🙏🏾

[@donaldbanhart9682]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist you bet.

[@Terry.W]

Happy new Year ..I listen to a lot of vinyl and like a good deep sound....these look good..

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

They have great detail so they are a good choice 😁

[@The_Jastrom]

Love your reviews! - The Jastrom

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks 🙏🏾

[@chinacrash22]

I love your reviews and other videos. Great job. I hope you also review the Q750 and Q950 please. 😊🙏

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thank you 🙏🏾! I don’t have plans to review the Qs at the moment but if I get an opportunity, I will.

[@derekandrusyna8315]

Great review

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks 🙏🏾

[@carlproctor9101]

They are really good for a small speaker

[@Surindersd57]

Great review, I like your calm reviews. How would you compare these with Polk s15 (or Polk s20?)?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

I haven’t tried the Polk so I can’t say, sorry.

[@timwynn6079]

I have Q750 and quite happy with the SQ coming off them, I highly recommened grills, cause the exposed drives are prone to several hazards.

[@Pentenfi]

I use mine with grills as well. Great speakers:)

[@Birmingham_racing]

I've got q950 I bought the grills but don't use them

[@Jack181996]

I always appreciate your reviews! Why don't you review the new monitor audio bronze? They look great, and a comparison with the Q Acoustics would be interesting. Both have won the EISA award

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thank you! 😁 I need to reach out to Monitor PR.

[@alleycat2144]

Just discovered your channel. Great review! How would these compare to a soundbar like the Sonos Beam / Bose 600 for watching movies?

[@nelsonsacristan8629]

Thanks for the review. Have you heard other kef speakers compared to these?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

No I haven’t.

[@alvarofamorim]

Thanks for the video! Very informative! How do you compare these with Q3020i? Do you put them at the same score(7)? Thanks!

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

The 3020i don’t have as much detail but they have slightly more high end clarity.

[@juancarloshernandezaguiler3645]

Great job, i have the previous model, the Q100 and I love it, wich bookshelf has more clarity and definition than the Q150s in the

[@stephanobro20154]

I like definitive technology d9 but I recommend waiting for the holidays to get the flagship d11 for 800

[@deepfriedbutter]

Thanks!

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

You’re welcome

[@silkhead44]

bought a pair in dec on sale for $300 USD...listening pleasure worth way more

[@rafaelalberto5051]

how do you compare these to q acoustic concept 20, I heard that the concepts have a wide soundstage also

[@farnsworthification]

great channel

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thank you!!! Happy New Year!

[@max_0183]

Great job!!! According to you, which are better to listen music, Kef q150 or qacoustics 3030i? Thx from Italy!!

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Interesting question!! 😀😀 Haven't done the comparison, but I'm thinking Q150.

[@Rivcuban]

I'm a new subscriber. Great videos! I was in the market for bookshelf speakers. I initially purchased the Elac 2.0 B6.2. They sounded terrible. I tried many different placements. I have a Cambridge integrated amplifier. It's hooked up to a NAD CD player and an Audio Technica turntable with a stylus upgrade. So I returned the Elacs and purchased the KEF Q150s. Wow, what a difference! They sound damn good for a small bookshelf speaker. The treble was a little too bright. The bass is amazing. The soundstage is excellent. Like you said it lacks a tad of detail. Overall I would give them an 8.5. One quick question. How do remove those plastic caps that are blocking the banana plug connection? I can't get them out.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks for watching! I remember having an issue removing them as well. ☺️ I think I used a knife with a thin edge blade. Then I was able to get it under the cap and pull them out.

[@Rivcuban]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist I googled my problem with the plastic caps and there were many complaints about the same issue. I was really lucky with the price I paid for the KEFs. I bought them for $299 and now they cost $599. Yikes.

[@Michelleana]

Happy new year! I want to upgrade my front and centers I currently have the pioneer Andrew Jones towers and center. What do you recommend the KEF Q towers and center or the Klipsch RP800F and center?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Happy New year! Sorry I haven't heard the Pioneer towers so I can't say which would be best. 😞

[@Michelleana]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist no worries. I really enjoy watching your reviews.

[@bgaviator]

How well would these work for L/C/R in a home theater environment?

[@SIRHOT]

i have them, they definitely need some 8 to 20hz eq adjustment. dont have enough treble. also it has too much lower midrange. other than that all clear and great. oh also the bass too much for me i used the sponges for the back hole.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks for sharing

[@itsdannyftw]

Another one man - regarding speaker stand height, what's your opinion on the 'ideal' height (is there such a thing) - is it aligned with the conventional wisdom of tweeter height at ear level? I've watched a few videos and some suggest placing it higher than ear-level, and there's also a small minority that advocate for below ear level. I am looking at the Q150 speakers - and the manual for the Q150 suggests 18" - 24" (45-60cm) speaker stands - that seems awfully low and would be below ear level if I sit on my (or any conventional) couch. But the KEF designers/engineers surely must have put this in the manual for a reason? Does this mean they designed or voiced the Q150s in a way that aligns with 18" - 24" and therefore it would be prudent to strictly stick to getting stands within 18 - 24"? If not, should I go with 28" or 32" inch? 32" would be putting it at or just 1" above ear level I'd say, but given how conservative KEF were in their manual, I was wondering whether 28" would be a better choice too... Any advice here would be so helpful! Thank you.

[@carlproctor9101]

Ear level

[@jc4626]

Great question, I just got a set of these as well, and yes the manual states 18 to 24” in height, which I find totally bizarre. My center channel is on a 18” stand, and I currently have my 150’s on 27” stands, would the front sound field improve any by getting a lower stand? Thank you for your help.

[@robertmcelfresh1031]

Wait - the 'phantom image' has a lot to do with the spacing and how the 2 speakers are angled to create the phantom image. I suspect one set of speakers was setup more optimally than the other. Anyway - hope you and your family are safe.

[@mikegreen6062]

Kef Q series versus the Heco Aurora lineup. Which would you chose for a 5.1 home theater setup?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Probably the Heco, it works a little better for movies whereas the KeF sound is more for music.

[@mikegreen6062]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist Thank you! I just wish HECO made atmos speakers to go with the series

[@Ryyderdie]

These often go on sale for 350 many times in a year... Do you think its still worth it to buy at that price point or are there still better alternatives in your opinion?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

At that price I think they’re a great deal. Since the bass is surprisingly good I they’re a nice well rounded speaker.

[@axzhor]

Do you think this would work well as a center with a pair of Pioneer FS52 ?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

I haven’t tried the pioneer but …….. my guess is that technically it will work but it won’t sound the best because the speakers don’t have the same tonality.

[@premajwani1290]

Which amplifier will go with these speakers i am using marantz 6006 and Yamaha as 500 not enjoying with these

[@tonymosley6951]

Stick with the brighter sounding amp (Yamaha). Marantz will make it sound more warm sounding... Need more power, try emotiva or outlaw amps.

[@vanderhoff66fu]

I just ordered these on sale for $349 I'm going to use them for my front height speakers they will be 2 ft from the wall and 1 ft from the ceiling on my high entertainment center above my left and right speakers

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Enjoy!

[@vanderhoff66fu]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist do you think they will do a good job as high speakers?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

@vanderhoff66fu yes, I would put the foam plugs in the back and set the crossover at 80hz in your receiver/ surround processor so your subwoofer can handle the bass below 80hz.

[@derrickdower3615]

Hi my name is derrick I was viewing your channel and about two or three years ago you did a hookup on a soundbar to the receiver I'm not sure if I have the same hook up as was shown in the video because my output has video in and video out I just want to know if it is a way to still make that work I would appreciate if you could give me some input on that thank you be safe have a blessed day

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Hi Derrick! For the Soundbar to receiver connection use the preamp out connection on your receiver. Or the audio out (receiver red and white) to one of your sound bar’s audio inputs, no video inputs needed. Hopefully this helps! God bless you and your family!

[@AromaFrank]

Have u had chance to listen to the wharfedale diamond 12.2 ?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

No not yet, I haven't been able to get a pair but I have talked with a PR person. Hopefully I will be able to get something from them in the near future. 😀

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

I finally got an opportunity to listen to the Diamond 12's, you can check out my review here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqSYnJd3nrF0las

[@AromaFrank]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist Thanks. I see that u r reviewing the 2.0 only. I was thinking about the 2.2. I’m wondering if the 2.2 would change the whole picture..

[@vanderhoff66fu]

My speakers did not accept banana plugs only regular speaker wire did yours have the banana plug in the back

[@jeremymerry7967]

will the Denon AVR-S670H power these enough?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Yes, I think so.

[@michael-4k4000]

Are the speakers good for me yes or no?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Obviously I can’t speak for you but they are a great build with nice clean highs and great bass presentation. If that’s what you’re interested in then yes.

[@Fredd165]

Those audio samples sounded horrible to me so I might have to demo in person

[@itsdannyftw]

Have you had a chance to listen to the Q550? What are your thoughts?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Unfortunately I haven’t but I have a contact at KEF so I may get the opportunity in the future.

[@itsdannyftw]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist Thanks for the reply man. In a 5m x 5m x 2.5m (L x W x H) room, do you think the floorstanders (Q550/Q750) are overkill versus something like the Q150s? I have an SvS SB2000, and new to building out a home theatre. I plan to get the Q650c and eventually the Q50as too. Thanks again

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Hmmm great question, since you have the sb2000 your bass needs are handled so I’d probably go for the 150s and spend the extra money on some other piece of gear. Maybe another sb2000? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 But really you could get the 650 and 50s a bit earlier than planned.

[@itsdannyftw]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist Thanks man! In terms of amps, We have a choice between all of these (good friend is selling his shop and allowing me to choose any one receiver) - Yamaha RX-A4A, Denon AVE-S960H, Yamaha RXA2080B, Yamaha RX-V6a, Denon AVR-S750H, Denon AVR-x2700H. They're all different price points but I want to get something for my setup that's not too overkill but at the same time future proof. The RXA2080B is the most expensive and highest Watt output, but I believe but it is quite old (2018?) and doesn't support 4k/120 (which I think would be useful for sports watching or gaming for the kids) nor HDMI 2.1 or VRR. And from your video, does not have some of the latest DTS support or HDR either. The RX-A4A looks to be the newest (Aug 2021), but it's also quite expensive where I live (higher price than RXA2080B) compared to the RXA2080B's 150w, it is only 110w. However how important is Wattage? Is 110w enough? I am looking at the following setup: 2 x Kef Q150 / Q550 / Q750 (say I go for the q750 as opposed to q150s) for front 2 x Kef Q150 for rear (and potentially down the track, 2 more of these as side speakers) 1 x Kef Q650c 2 x Kef Q50a (for Atmos, and potentially down the track, 2 more of these as toppers for the rear surround speakers) I understand the Q750 has up to 150w, so if I go with a 100w-110w receiver, will it be at a disadvantage in a 5m x 5m x 2.6m (WxLxH) room? Or it'll suffice for the listening levels in that room? I just heard it's safer to go with a higher Watt Receiver relative to the speaker's watt, versus the other way around as it gives more 'headroom' in case you need more power and not destroy your speakers. Any recommendations / suggestions regarding the amp?

[@scottgunther2021]

And right before I go to buy them, the sale ends. Dang it

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

😞😞

[@RP-ms7lu]

Compared to its size, KEF150 sound big and wide. Sound is clean and bass is good.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks for sharing!

[@SIRHOT]

i like calm people but is there someone sleeping? ;)

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Yes, sometimes. 😁

[@jonikirhan9455]

Prize money 💸

[@thegrimmer]

Not highth -- hight

[@billb4567]

Great review but I think all KEFs are very overpriced, and $300 is the most I would ever pay for these (I owned two). No way they are worth $600 and to charge extra for the grills, is an insult. I can't believe that they want $1500 for the ls50's, that is insane.

[@Birmingham_racing]

I own 950 they won't give subwoofers run for their money

[@dwormon8525]

Funny talked the whole video ????

[@brugj03]

This not a review it`s a pep talk commercial. The audio samples are laughable, you can`t hear anything about the speakers with them. Are you working for Kef?