Short answer: the KEF LS50 Meta for better sound quality, the KEF Q1 Meta for the lower price. The KEF LS50 ranks higher than the KEF Q1 Meta (#37 vs #64 of 178 bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the KEF LS50 Meta, is rated 4.5/5 at $1,599; the KEF Q1 Meta is rated 3.6/5 at $399.99, $1,199.01 cheaper.
Why pick the KEF LS50: A compact two-way built around KEF’s 5.25” Uni-Q coaxial driver, which places a 1” aluminium tweeter in the center of the woofer. The catch: Bass is limited, 82.8Hz (-3dB) and about 44Hz (-10dB), and sensitivity is low at 85dB, so it needs a capable amplifier and benefits from a subwoofer.
The KEF Q1 Meta is the deeper-bass pick. 12th generation Uni-Q coaxial driver places the 1” vented aluminium dome tweeter at the centre of the 5.25” aluminium woofer, with KEF’s Metamaterial Absorption Technology behind the tweeter. Its bass reaches about 65.1Hz before falling 3dB, against 82.8Hz for the KEF LS50. Watch for: The only measurements are KEF’s own, not independently verified, and spinorama.org computes no preference score for them because the data is truncated at low frequencies.
Buy the KEF Q1 Meta if price matters most. For better sound quality, the KEF LS50 Meta, the replacement for the discontinued KEF LS50, is rated higher but costs $1,599.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A compact two-way built around KEF’s 5.25” Uni-Q coaxial driver, which places a 1” aluminium tweeter in the center of the woofer.
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12th generation Uni-Q coaxial driver places the 1” vented aluminium dome tweeter at the centre of the 5.25” aluminium woofer, with KEF’s Metamaterial Absorption Technology behind the tweeter.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LS50 | KEF Q1 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.99 per pair Discontinued | $399.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #37 of 178 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #64 of 178 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5.25” (130mm) Uni-Q magnesium/aluminium alloy woofer with coaxial 1” (25mm) vented aluminium dome tweeter | Uni-Q: 130mm (5.25”) aluminium cone woofer, 25mm (1”) vented aluminium dome tweeter with MAT |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | 79Hz-28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 51Hz-20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Dimensions | 11.9”H x 7.9”W x 10.9”D (302 x 200 x 278 mm) | 11.9”H x 7.1”W x 10.9”D (302 x 180 x 277 mm) |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) each | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 65.1Hz (measured, KEF vendor data via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 44.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | about 43.4Hz (measured, KEF vendor data via spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.39 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.62 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
| Recommended Power | - | 10-150W |
| Maximum SPL | - | 108dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.1kHz |
| Cabinet Color | - | Satin Black, Satin White, Walnut |
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: KEF LS50 (measured by Audio Science Review) and KEF Q1 Meta (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
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