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 L100 Classic MKII ranks #95, rated 3.9/5, and costs $5,599.90, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The KEF Q Concerto Meta is the more accurate option. 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 4.64 for the JBL L100 Classic MKII. The tradeoff: Radiation pattern measures about ±50°, narrower than the reviewer’s preferred ±60° for a stronger sense of envelopment.
What the JBL L100 Classic MKII does well: A big modern take on a classic studio monitor, with a 12 inch woofer, smooth even sound, deep bass and adjustable treble controls. Watch for: The response has a moderate -0.30dB-per-octave downward tilt and the bass alignment is somewhat resonant at Q 1.64.
Buy the KEF Q Concerto Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL L100 Classic MKII and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the KEF Q Concerto Meta scores 7.7 against 6.6 for the JBL L100 Classic MKII 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 L100 Classic MKII 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 32.2 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q Concerto Meta | JBL L100 Classic MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.99 per pair | $5,599.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #95 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 32.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 8.3”W x 12.4”D (414 x 210.8 x 315 mm) | 25.1H x 15.7W x 14.6D 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” titanium-dome tweeter, 5.25” midrange, 12” pulp-cone woofer |
| Sensitivity | 84.2dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 90dB |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each | 58.9 lbs (26.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.01 | 4.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.71 | 6.59 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 3-way, front-ported |
| Country | - | United States (design) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- KEF Q Concerto Meta: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- JBL L100 Classic MKII: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
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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