Short answer: the KEF Q Concerto Meta. It ranks #11 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $1,399.99; the GoldenEar BRX ranks #79, rated 3.6/5, and costs $1,499.98, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the KEF Q Concerto Meta: Really good in-room neutrality with consistent horizontal directivity from seat to seat. The catch: Radiation pattern measures about ±50°, narrower than the reviewer’s preferred ±60° for a stronger sense of envelopment.
Why pick the GoldenEar BRX: A compact premium standmount using GoldenEar’s folded-ribbon tweeter, 6-inch cast-basket woofer and two side-mounted passive radiators. The tradeoff: On-axis smoothness of 0.249, sound-power smoothness of 0.216 and predicted in-room smoothness of 0.29 are all mediocre for $750/pair.
Buy the KEF Q Concerto Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality than the GoldenEar BRX and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q Concerto Meta | GoldenEar BRX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,399.99 per pair | $1,499.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #79 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 8.3”W x 12.4”D (414 x 210.8 x 315 mm) | 12.1H x 8.1W x 12.3D in |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Drivers | 165 mm (6.5 in.) hybrid aluminium cone woofer, 100 mm (4 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 19 mm (0.75 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | HVFR folded-ribbon tweeter, 6” cast-basket mid/bass driver |
| Sensitivity | 84.2dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 90dB |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.01 | 4.21 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.71 | 6.57 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way with dual side passive radiators |
| Country | - | United States (design) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for KEF Q Concerto Meta:
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- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Perlisten S4b
- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs GR-Research NX-Studio
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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 Q Concerto Meta: $1,399.99 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Really good in-room neutrality with consistent horizontal directivity from seat to seat. Directivity holds remarkably steady from lower treble into upper treble, where many similarly-priced speakers narrow sharply as frequency rises: one of the reviewer’s top 10 picks under $1,500. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.2dB.
Cons: Radiation pattern measures about ±50°, narrower than the reviewer’s preferred ±60° for a stronger sense of envelopment. Needs to be pointed closer to on-axis rather than heavily toed out: combined with its rolled-off, shelved-down top end, too much toe-out makes it sound noticeably dark.
Full KEF Q Concerto Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 8.3”W x 12.4”D (414 x 210.8 x 315 mm) |
| Drivers | 165 mm (6.5 in.) hybrid aluminium cone woofer, 100 mm (4 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 19 mm (0.75 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.2dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.71 |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: HiFi Perfection? KEF CONCERTO META Delivers! More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website KEF Q Concerto Meta
- Erin’s Audio Corner: I Tested 250 Speakers So You Don’t Have To!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: HiFi Perfection? KEF CONCERTO META Delivers!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Absolute Favorite Products of 2024 Revealed
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs KEF R3 Meta
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs AsciLab F6B
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Wharfedale Aura 2
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Revel M106
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs KEF R3
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Audio First Cadentia 3
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs AsciLab C6B
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Buchardt Audio E50
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GoldenEar BRX: $1,499.98 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: A compact premium standmount using GoldenEar’s folded-ribbon tweeter, 6-inch cast-basket woofer and two side-mounted passive radiators. Its measured tonal slope is nearly neutral (-0.10dB/octave), bass alignment is well damped at Q 0.69, and estimated in-room extension reaches 51Hz. Measured bass extension of 85.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis smoothness of 0.249, sound-power smoothness of 0.216 and predicted in-room smoothness of 0.29 are all mediocre for $750/pair. The 4-ohm load benefits from a capable amplifier.
Full GoldenEar BRX review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Country | United States (design) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.1H x 8.1W x 12.3D in |
| Drivers | HVFR folded-ribbon tweeter, 6” cast-basket mid/bass driver |
| Enclosure | 2-way with dual side passive radiators |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.21 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.57 |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons