Short answer: the KEF Q100. It ranks #38 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $550; the Q Acoustics 5020 ranks #42 and costs $1199, 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. 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.
On the Q Acoustics 5020 side: Attractively finished compact standmount with a 5-inch Continuous Curved Cone woofer and carefully engineered cabinet details. Set against that: Erin found the tonal balance distinctly too crisp, forward and treble-heavy: the top end is roughly 3-5dB elevated while the 1-3kHz region is recessed, so vocals change level unnaturally as they move through their range.
Buy the KEF Q100. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Q Acoustics 5020 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Q Acoustics 5020. It ranks near the bottom of the 56 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q100 | Q Acoustics 5020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $550 Discontinued | $1,199.00 |
| Ranked | #38 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #42 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 103Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 40kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 5.25" Uni-Q aluminum coaxial driver, 1" aluminum dome tweeter | 5" (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each | 15.4 lbs (15.4 lbs / 7.0kg) each |
| Dimensions | 11.8"H x 7.1"W x 10.7"D (300 x 180 x 272 mm) | 11.2"H x 7.1"W x 11.5"D |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | rear-ported |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL L52 Classic vs ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
- Dynaudio X14 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- Dynaudio X14 vs Micca RB42
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Q Acoustics 5020
- JBL L52 Classic vs KEF Q100
The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Q100: $550 Discontinued
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Q Acoustics 5020: $1,199.00 Amazon
Pros: Attractively finished compact standmount with a 5-inch Continuous Curved Cone woofer and carefully engineered cabinet details. Erin found distortion well controlled at normal levels: below 1% down to about 50Hz at 86dB/1m. Its 87dB measured sensitivity is unremarkable rather than hard to drive, and it maintains acceptable output for typical 80-85dB listening. The rear port can be plugged for placement flexibility.
Cons: Erin found the tonal balance distinctly too crisp, forward and treble-heavy: the top end is roughly 3-5dB elevated while the 1-3kHz region is recessed, so vocals change level unnaturally as they move through their range. The shallow woofer crossover and steeper tweeter slope contribute to the off-axis discontinuity, while the port has a strong 1kHz resonance. Bass is limited: Erin measured F3 103Hz and F10 48Hz; at 96dB distortion reaches about 3% by 100Hz, and he bottomed the woofer when pushed hard. He preferred the less-expensive 3020i’s linearity and did not recommend the 5020 for neutral listening without EQ.
Full Q Acoustics 5020 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 7.1"W x 11.5"D |
| Drivers | 5" (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin's Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (15.4 lbs / 7.0kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs Micca RB42
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs JBL Stage A130
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs Polk T15
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs JBL Stage A120
- See all 18 comparisons