Short answer: the Boston Acoustics A25. It ranks #32 of 74 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $299.98; the KEF Q100 ranks #56 and costs $550, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the KEF Q100 offers: 5.25” Uni-Q coaxial driver keeps the tweeter and woofer point-source aligned for consistent imaging. 86dB sensitivity is reasonably easy to drive. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows broad, audible deviations from flat rather than narrow peaks: a lift from 700Hz-1.5kHz and again from 5kHz up, plus a cancellation notch around 1.4kHz from port/cabinet interaction. Bass sensitivity drops to about 80dB and impedance falls below 4 ohms in the bass, demanding a capable amplifier. The reviewer heard boomy, buzzing bass that improved somewhat with the port plugged, and could not recommend it, calling the famous reputation more about looks than sound.
What the Boston Acoustics A25 offers: CEA2034 spinorama is decent once you ignore a peak around 900Hz and a dip around 3kHz - directivity is good enough that the response can be EQed and won’t be too room-dependent. Cabinet fit and finish is well above its price class, and dynamics were strong with no distortion audible even at high volume on well-recorded material. Discontinued, but the reviewer suggests hunting for clearance pricing on remaining stock. Watch for: A crazy port resonance and a tweeter with a steeper rolloff than the woofer both show up in the near-field driver measurements, creating the 900Hz peak and the crossover-region dip. The rear port itself measured audibly distorted up close, though it wasn’t noticeable from normal listening distance in the reviewer’s room.
Buy the Boston Acoustics A25. It ranks higher for sound quality than the KEF Q100 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the KEF Q100. It ranks near the bottom of the 74 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q100 | Boston Acoustics A25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $550 Discontinued | $299.98 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #56 of 74 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #32 of 74 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 40kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 5.25" Uni-Q aluminum coaxial driver, 1" aluminum dome tweeter | 1" Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25" ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each | 10.1 lbs / 4.58 kg each |
| Dimensions | 11.8"H x 7.1"W x 10.7"D (300 x 180 x 272 mm) | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Power Handling | - | 10-150W recommended |
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The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Q100: $550 Discontinued eBay
Pros: 5.25” Uni-Q coaxial driver keeps the tweeter and woofer point-source aligned for consistent imaging. 86dB sensitivity is reasonably easy to drive.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows broad, audible deviations from flat rather than narrow peaks: a lift from 700Hz-1.5kHz and again from 5kHz up, plus a cancellation notch around 1.4kHz from port/cabinet interaction. Bass sensitivity drops to about 80dB and impedance falls below 4 ohms in the bass, demanding a capable amplifier. The reviewer heard boomy, buzzing bass that improved somewhat with the port plugged, and could not recommend it, calling the famous reputation more about looks than sound. Discontinued.
Full KEF Q100 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.8"H x 7.1"W x 10.7"D (300 x 180 x 272 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5.25" Uni-Q aluminum coaxial driver, 1" aluminum dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 40kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Boston Acoustics A25: $299.98 Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama is decent once you ignore a peak around 900Hz and a dip around 3kHz - directivity is good enough that the response can be EQed and won’t be too room-dependent. Cabinet fit and finish is well above its price class, and dynamics were strong with no distortion audible even at high volume on well-recorded material. Discontinued, but the reviewer suggests hunting for clearance pricing on remaining stock.
Cons: A crazy port resonance and a tweeter with a steeper rolloff than the woofer both show up in the near-field driver measurements, creating the 900Hz peak and the crossover-region dip. The rear port itself measured audibly distorted up close, though it wasn’t noticeable from normal listening distance in the reviewer’s room. Discontinued.
Full Boston Acoustics A25 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1" Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25" ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.58 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
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