Short answer: the KEF Q Concerto Meta. It ranks #11 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $999.99; the JBL 708i ranks #122, rated 3.7/5, and costs $2,998, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The KEF Q Concerto Meta is the more accurate pick. A neutral three way bookshelf speaker that sounds consistent from seat to seat, with smooth treble that many rivals at its price lack. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.01 against 4.33 for the JBL 708i. Watch for: Radiation pattern measures about ±50°, narrower than the reviewer’s preferred ±60° for a stronger sense of envelopment.
The JBL 708i is the deeper-bass choice. A high-output 8 inch professional monitor with a compression driver and waveguide, designed to run bi-amplified with JBL processing. Its bass reaches about 43.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 53Hz for the KEF Q Concerto Meta. The catch: This is not self-powered: achieving the measured active-mode response requires compatible external amplification and JBL processing, adding substantial cost and complexity.
Buy the KEF Q Concerto Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL 708i and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
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Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the KEF Q Concerto Meta scores 7.7 against 6.2 for the JBL 708i on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Efficiency: the JBL 708i is rated at 90 dB sensitivity against 84.2 dB for the KEF Q Concerto Meta, so it plays as loud with roughly a third of the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (35 Hz vs 35.6 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q Concerto Meta | JBL 708i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.99 per pair | $2,998 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #122 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 35.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43.9Hz (measured active-mode, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 8.3”W x 12.4”D (414 x 210.8 x 315 mm) | 17.2H x 9.8W x 11.5D in |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal |
| 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” compression driver, 8” woofer |
| Sensitivity | 84.2dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 90dB (1W/1m) |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.01 | 4.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.71 | 6.21 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way passive/bi-amplified, dual front ports |
| Maximum SPL | - | 108dB continuous, 114dB peak |
| Amplifier Power | - | External Crown DCI amplifier and JBL DSP required for measured active configuration |
Where the Ratings Come From
- KEF Q Concerto Meta: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- JBL 708i: Spinorama.org measurements.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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