Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the KEF LS50 is the better pick: it ranks #37 of 168 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5), against #48 (rated 3.7/5) for the KEF Q150. If you want one new, the KEF LS50 Meta replaces the KEF LS50 and is rated 4.5/5 at $1,599.99.
The case for 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 tradeoff: 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 Q150 is the deeper-bass pick. Two-way coaxial (Uni-Q) design with a 1” dome tweeter and 5.25” mid-range time-aligned in a single driver assembly, available in ported or sealed configuration. Its bass reaches about 51Hz before falling 3dB, against 82.8Hz for the KEF LS50. Watch for: A high-frequency lift in the estimated in-room response makes it sound noticeably brighter in an untreated room than in a heavily acoustically-treated one: a real preference factor depending on your room’s furnishings.
Buy the KEF LS50 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the KEF LS50 Meta, which replaces the KEF LS50.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LS50 | KEF Q150 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.99 per pair Discontinued | $350 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #37 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #48 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5.25” (130mm) Uni-Q magnesium/aluminium alloy woofer with coaxial 1” (25mm) vented aluminium dome tweeter | 130mm (5.25”) aluminium Uni-Q woofer, 25mm (1”) vented aluminium dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | ~85dB (300Hz-3kHz on-axis, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum) | 8 ohms nominal, about 4.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 79Hz-28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| 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 (303 x 180 x 278 mm) |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) each | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 44.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.39 | 4.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.62 | 7.06 |
| 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: KEF LS50 (measured by Audio Science Review) and KEF Q150 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to KEF LS50:
- Revel M105 vs KEF Q150
- KEF Q150 vs Dynaudio X14
- Wharfedale Super Denton vs KEF Q150
- KEF LS50 Meta vs KEF Q150
- KEF Q150 vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra Luna Duo
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
KEF LS50: $1,499.99 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the KEF LS50 Meta, ranked higher, rated 4.5/5, released Sep 2020. See every KEF LS50 generation.
Pros: 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. Audio Science Review measured a very flat on-axis response (0.21 average deviation) and smooth sound power, so it sounds natural in a room. Measured bass extension of 82.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: 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. Directivity is less even than its flat on-axis response suggests, for a preference score of 4.39 that reaches 6.62 with an ideal subwoofer. KEF replaced it with the KEF LS50 Meta in 2020. Discontinued.
Full KEF LS50 review and specifications →
| Released | 2012 (14 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 44.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.9”H x 7.9”W x 10.9”D (302 x 200 x 278 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (130mm) Uni-Q magnesium/aluminium alloy woofer with coaxial 1” (25mm) vented aluminium dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 79Hz-28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.62 |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
KEF Q150: $350 per pair Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the KEF Q1 Meta, ranked lower, rated 3.6/5, released Oct 2024.
Older model: the KEF Q100 (ranked lower, rated 2.4/5). See every KEF Q Series generation.
Same family: the KEF Q350 (larger bookshelf, rated 3/5), the KEF Q250c (smaller center, rated 3.9/5) and the KEF Q650c (larger center, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: Two-way coaxial (Uni-Q) design with a 1” dome tweeter and 5.25” mid-range time-aligned in a single driver assembly, available in ported or sealed configuration. Exceptional soundstage depth, a hallmark of KEF’s coaxial designs that the reviewer says few other speakers match. Bass extension reaches into kick-drum territory, respectable for a compact bookshelf speaker. Resonances present in measurements are consistent across on- and off-axis readings, meaning they can be effectively corrected with EQ. Distortion profile is essentially the same whether run sealed or ported, since a subwoofer crossover point sits above where the differences would matter anyway. At its sale price (around $300, sometimes seen at $400), the reviewer considers it a clear step up from his previous budget favorite in this range, the Emotiva B1+, mainly due to the superior soundstage depth. Measured bass extension of 51Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: A high-frequency lift in the estimated in-room response makes it sound noticeably brighter in an untreated room than in a heavily acoustically-treated one: a real preference factor depending on your room’s furnishings. A mild dip in the 1-2kHz region reduces vocal fullness somewhat. Unexplained resonances appear in measurements and persist in both sealed and ported configurations, pointing to enclosure or panel vibration rather than the port. Horizontal radiation is narrower than the reviewer generally prefers from KEF’s lineup, with directivity that widens somewhat around 1.2kHz (near a resonance) and again above about 5kHz. Compression testing at high output (102dB) shows significant nonlinearity, especially at lower frequencies: noticeably worse than a comparable Arendal bookshelf speaker costing over twice as much, which held up better until 80Hz. Not intended for loud listening without a subwoofer: the woofer will over-exert itself without a high-pass filter, and the reviewer recommends crossing over at 80-120Hz. At full retail price (around $600/pair), the value proposition is far less certain than at sale pricing. Discontinued.
Full KEF Q150 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.9”H x 7.1”W x 10.9”D (303 x 180 x 278 mm) |
| Drivers | 130mm (5.25”) aluminium Uni-Q woofer, 25mm (1”) vented aluminium dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, about 4.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | ~85dB (300Hz-3kHz on-axis, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Kef’s Cheapest Bookshelf. Is the Q150 worth your money? More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website KEF Q150
- GR-Research: KEF Q150… can it get any BETTER? More from GR-Research →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 5 AWESOME SPEAKERS Under $1000 You Won’t Regret
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Budget Stereo Systems You Will Love
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Erin’s Audio Corner: KEF Q1 Meta vs Emotiva vs Klipsch | The Real Differences
- Head-to-Head Comparisons