Short answer: the KEF Q Concerto Meta. It ranks #11 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $1,399.99; the Yamaha NS-800A ranks #80, rated 4.0/5, and costs $4,999.90, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The KEF Q Concerto Meta is the more accurate, deeper-bass 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 4.66 for the Yamaha NS-800A. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 3dB, against 68Hz for the Yamaha NS-800A. The catch: Radiation pattern measures about ±50°, narrower than the reviewer’s preferred ±60° for a stronger sense of envelopment.
Why pick the Yamaha NS-800A: A beautifully built bookshelf speaker with wide, consistent dispersion, low distortion, and bass that works well close to a wall. Watch for: A wide, roughly 2kHz-10kHz scoop in the upper-midrange/lower-treble gives it a laidback, soft, low-attack character: notably worse than the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference in an A/B comparison.
Buy the KEF Q Concerto Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Yamaha NS-800A and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A neutral three way bookshelf speaker that sounds consistent from seat to seat, with smooth treble that many rivals at its price lack.
A beautifully built bookshelf speaker with wide, consistent dispersion, low distortion, and bass that works well close to a wall.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q Concerto Meta | Yamaha NS-800A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,399.99 per pair | $4,999.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #80 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 8.3”W x 12.4”D (414 x 210.8 x 315 mm) | 16.5”H x 9.1”W x 14.1”D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| 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 | 1.25” dome tweeter, 6.5” mid-woofer |
| Sensitivity | 84.2dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each | 28.7 lbs (13.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | Bass reflex |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.01 | 4.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.71 | 6.43 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 40W nominal, 120W max |
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