Полочная акустика — KEF Q150

The Q150 is the entry stand-mount model of the 2017 generation of the KEF Q Series, the eighth version of that line. The same launch brought the larger Q350, three floorstanders called Q550, Q750 and Q950, and the Q650c centre channel. KEF set the UK price at GBP 430 per pair, and the US price was USD 550 per pair, USD 100 below the Q350. KEF supplies it in pairs, finished in either Satin White or Satin Black.

Key specs that matter

The Q150 uses a passive two-way ported layout built around one Uni-Q array, in which a 25 mm vented aluminium dome tweeter sits at the acoustic centre of a 130 mm aluminium cone. The crossover hands over at 2.5 kHz. KEF rates the response at 51 Hz to 28 kHz within plus or minus 3 dB and gives a free field figure of 47 Hz at -6 dB. Sensitivity is 86 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, and maximum output reaches 108 dB. Nominal impedance is 8 ohms with a minimum of 3.7 ohms, and KEF advises amplifiers delivering 10 to 100 W. Each cabinet measures 303 x 180 x 278 mm (height, width, depth), or 307 mm tall on its rubber feet, and weighs 5.6 kg.

Engineering and use context

For this generation KEF added a Damped Tweeter Loading Tube behind the Uni-Q tweeter, aimed at the lower treble, and fitted a low distortion inductor in the crossover to clean up the bass. The reflex port left the front baffle for the rear panel, with a shape worked out by CFD (computational fluid modelling), so that less midrange leaks out through the opening. The Uni-Q array was also relocated to the middle of the cabinet to cut internal resonances. Next to the Q350, the Q150 cabinet is 55 mm lower and 30 mm narrower, and its bass extension stops 5 Hz higher, while the crossover point and impedance minimum stay the same. The front is a plain baffle without visible fixings, and the cabinets carry a matt satin finish. Full length magnetic grilles are sold as an option rather than packed in the box.

Pairing

With its nominal load, a moderate impedance dip and a modest power window, the Q150 suits integrated amplifiers and stereo receivers of ordinary output. In a 20 m2 living room or study a pair of Q150 can act as the main stereo speakers, while the Q650c centre from the same series allows a home cinema front row with matched drivers.

Alternatives

The KEF Q350 from the same 2017 range uses a 165 mm Uni-Q driver, rates 110 dB maximum output and sold for GBP 530 per pair.