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 JBL 4349 ranks #82, rated 3.6/5, and costs $7,500, 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 tradeoff: Radiation pattern measures about ±50°, narrower than the reviewer’s preferred ±60° for a stronger sense of envelopment.
Why pick the JBL 4349: A high-output studio-monitor design with a large 12-inch woofer, compression driver and front-panel high-frequency controls. Watch for: Large, heavy and costly, with response/directivity imperfections that keep measured preference below less expensive neutral monitors.
Buy the KEF Q Concerto Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL 4349 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q Concerto Meta | JBL 4349 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,399.99 per pair | $7,500 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #82 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) | 51.3Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 8.3”W x 12.4”D (414 x 210.8 x 315 mm) | 29.1H x 17.5W x 13.5D 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 | 1.5-inch compression driver, 12-inch woofer |
| Sensitivity | 84.2dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 91dB |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each | 82.9 lbs (37.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.01 | 4.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.71 | 6.05 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way front-ported studio monitor |
| Frequency Response | - | 32Hz-25kHz (-6dB) |
| Power Handling | - | 200W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to KEF Q Concerto Meta:
- TAD Compact Reference One (CR1TX) vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- 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
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs March Audio Sointuva AWG
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- See all 104 comparisons
JBL 4349: $7,500 per pair eBay
Pros: A high-output studio-monitor design with a large 12-inch woofer, compression driver and front-panel high-frequency controls. Its local Spinorama scores are 4.32 raw and 6.05 with a subwoofer, with strong 36Hz measured extension. Measured bass extension of 51.3Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Large, heavy and costly, with response/directivity imperfections that keep measured preference below less expensive neutral monitors. Four-ohm impedance and high output capability call for substantial amplification.
Full JBL 4349 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 29.1H x 17.5W x 13.5D in |
| Drivers | 1.5-inch compression driver, 12-inch woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way front-ported studio monitor |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz-25kHz (-6dB) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Power Handling | 200W |
| Sensitivity | 91dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.05 |
| Weight | 82.9 lbs (37.6 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons