Short answer: the KEF Q3 Meta, if you are buying new. The Behringer B2030P ranks higher than it (#132 vs #151 of 216 bookshelf speakers, 3.6/5 vs 3.4/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the KEF Q3 Meta is still sold new at $899.99.
Buy the KEF Q3 Meta, since the Behringer B2030P is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Behringer B2030P | KEF Q3 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $220 per pair Discontinued | $899.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #132 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #151 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 98.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.75” woofer, 0.75” ferrofluid-cooled tweeter | 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12.5H x 8.4W x 8.3D in | 14.1”H x 8.3”W x 12”D (357.0 x 210.0 x 305.0 mm) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Handling | up to 100W | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, vertical slot | ported, rear |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 84.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.30 | 4.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 | 6.50 |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Behringer B2030P (measured by Audio Science Review) and KEF Q3 Meta (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Behringer B2030P compares with other leading options:
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 vs Behringer B2030P
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Behringer B2030P
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Behringer B2030P
- Dynaudio Emit 20 vs Behringer B2030P
- JBL Studio 630 vs Behringer B2030P
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The Two Speakers In Full
Behringer B2030P: $220 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows strong horizontal directivity control, keeping the response nearly constant off-axis through most of the audible spectrum, with a wide beamwidth that eases seating position and toe-in requirements. Distortion measurements hold up well against the pricier Revel M106 at both 86dB and 106dB SPL. With EQ to tame a resonance around 800Hz and a bit of a bass fill, the reviewer called it a “winner” that could play loud without bottoming out. Measured bass extension of 98.1Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.5dB.
Cons: A resonance around 800Hz shows up clearly in the on-axis response and the waterfall/CSD plot, and the flat, near-horizontal predicted in-room response makes it sound bright without an equalization target curve. Vertical directivity is only typical, not exceptional. Long discontinued: the reviewer noted you’ll have to hunt for a used pair.
Full Behringer B2030P review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 98.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.5H x 8.4W x 8.3D in |
| Drivers | 6.75” woofer, 0.75” ferrofluid-cooled tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | up to 100W |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, vertical slot |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Behringer B2030P vs JBL Studio 630
- Behringer B2030P vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Behringer B2030P vs Infinity IL10
- Behringer B2030P vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Behringer B2030P vs Dynaudio Special Forty
- Behringer B2030P vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
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- Behringer B2030P vs Polk Monitor XT20
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KEF Q3 Meta: $899.99 per pair Amazon $899.99 Crutchfield $899.99 eBay
Older model: the KEF Q350 (ranked lower, rated 3/5). See every KEF Q Series generation.
Same family: the KEF Q1 Meta (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.6/5), the KEF Q4 Meta (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.4/5), the KEF Q Concerto Meta (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5), the KEF Q7 Meta (smaller floorstanding, estimated 3.5/5), the KEF Q11 Meta (larger floorstanding, rated 4/5), the KEF Q6 Meta (center, rated 3.9/5) and the KEF Q8 Meta (surround, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: Coaxial two-way design (1” vented aluminum dome tweeter with Meta absorber embedded in a 6.5” aluminum cone mid/bass driver) delivering unusually wide dispersion both horizontally and vertically (about ±60° each): wider than typical KEF models, which usually run closer to ±50° horizontal and ±15-20° vertical for non-coaxial designs. A deliberate ~2dB bump around 120Hz gives a satisfying sense of kick-drum impact, a voicing choice the reviewer personally favors even though it’s not strictly accurate. Extended bass-shelf tuning allows placement close to a rear wall (about 1 foot) without sounding boomy. Good directivity overall means it takes well to EQ correction if desired. Cabinet resonances around 350-370Hz and 600Hz look concerning in impedance measurements, but blind ABX testing (24 trials) after adding damping material couldn’t reliably distinguish the treated cabinet from the untreated one: these particular resonances appear to fall below the threshold of audibility. Sturdier build than previous KEF Q-series models. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.5dB.
Cons: Not well suited to high-output use: compression and strain in the 1-2kHz region emerge above about 90dB at 10 feet, so a high-output home theater setup isn’t the best application. A slight loss of attack and clarity around 1-2kHz was noticeable both subjectively and in measurements. F3 of 52Hz with a fairly quick rolloff below 50Hz means a subwoofer is still recommended for real bass extension, even for moderate-volume home theater use. Sealed configuration (using the included port bungs) pushes the bass rolloff up into the 100Hz+ region: the reviewer recommends leaving it in ported mode instead. Sounds best pointed directly at the listener; toeing it out 30° rolls off the top end without a meaningful soundstage benefit. Compression testing shows real breakdown at 102dB/1m, with the woofer losing excursion control: confirms the practical output ceiling. An unexplained -5dB dip appears in on-axis measurements that the reviewer couldn’t attribute to a specific cause.
Full KEF Q3 Meta review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.3”W x 12”D (357.0 x 210.0 x 305.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.50 |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons