Short answer: the KEF Q11 Meta. It ranks #103 of 188 floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $2,499.98 and is still sold new; the JBL Studio 590 ranks #178 (rated 2.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Studio 590’s replacement, the JBL Studio 698, is rated 4.3/5.
The KEF Q11 Meta is the more accurate option. Three-way tower design with a coaxial layout: a 3/4” aluminum dome tweeter (with KEF’s Metamaterial Absorption Technology behind it) mounted at the center of a 4” mid-range, plus three 6.5” bass drivers. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.72 against 4.49 for the JBL Studio 590. Watch for: Genuinely dark-sounding on raw on-axis measurement, and needs a typical room with sidewall reflections (within about 6 feet/2 meters) to sound properly neutral: in a large room with little sidewall interaction, it may sound too dull for some listeners.
The JBL Studio 590 is the deeper-bass choice. Pretty deep bass. Its bass reaches about 48Hz before falling 3dB, against 60Hz for the KEF Q11 Meta. Watch for: 3dB peak at 1.7kHz, about a 4dB peak from 8k to 13k, going to be bright up top.
Buy the KEF Q11 Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Studio 590 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q11 Meta | JBL Studio 590 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,499.98 per pair | $2,000 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #103 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #178 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 48Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + dual 165mm drivers | 2x 8” (200mm) PolyPlas cone woofers, 1x 1” (25mm) Teonex dome tweeter on Bi-Radial horn (2.5-way) |
| Weight | 106.9 lbs (48.5 kg) | 107.8 lbs (48.9 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 88.6dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 90.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal (5 ohms measured minimum, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 43.8”H x 12.5”W x 15”D (1112.8 x 317.5 x 381.0 mm) | 49.7”H x 12.7”W x 16.3”D (1263.0 x 322.0 x 413.0 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.72 | 4.49 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.03 | 6.22 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Q11 Meta: $2,499.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the KEF Q1 Meta (smallest bookshelf, rated 3.6/5), the KEF Q4 Meta (bookshelf, estimated 3.4/5), the KEF Q3 Meta (bookshelf, rated 3.4/5), the KEF Q Concerto Meta (largest bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the KEF Q7 Meta (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.5/5) and the KEF Q6 Meta (center, rated 3.9/5).
Pros: Three-way tower design with a coaxial layout: a 3/4” aluminum dome tweeter (with KEF’s Metamaterial Absorption Technology behind it) mounted at the center of a 4” mid-range, plus three 6.5” bass drivers. Extremely linear estimated in-room response when placed correctly, thanks to a deliberately declining on-axis response paired with well-controlled directivity: a technically sound design philosophy, even though it reads as “dark” in raw anechoic on-axis measurements. In-room bass extension to about 40-50Hz when placed near a wall, thanks to extended bass-shelf tuning. Sounds excellent whether pointed directly at the listener or toed out a full 30° parallel to the back wall: unusually flexible placement. More vertical listening leeway than standard non-coaxial two-way designs, thanks to the coincident tweeter/midrange. Distortion looks good at both 86dB and 96dB, and multitone distortion holds up well too. Comes with a plinth/outrigger kit for stability given its floorstanding height (about 43-44”). Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.6dB.
Cons: Genuinely dark-sounding on raw on-axis measurement, and needs a typical room with sidewall reflections (within about 6 feet/2 meters) to sound properly neutral: in a large room with little sidewall interaction, it may sound too dull for some listeners. Must be placed close to a rear wall (about 1 foot) to get proper bass: pulling it out to the “standard” 3-foot audiophile recommendation causes bass output to drop off noticeably. Horizontal radiation of about ±50° is narrower than the reviewer’s preferred ±60°, giving a slightly less enveloping soundstage than some rivals. Notably darker than sibling KEF models in the same product family: measures 2-5dB less top-end energy than the KEF R3 Meta and a few dB less than the KEF Q Concerto Meta. Minor lingering resonances appear in burst decay measurements between 500Hz-1kHz. The tweeter shows some strain at very high output volumes, a limitation the reviewer notes is common even among more budget-friendly speakers generally.
Full KEF Q11 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 43.8”H x 12.5”W x 15”D (1112.8 x 317.5 x 381.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + dual 165mm drivers |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 88.6dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.72 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.03 |
| Weight | 106.9 lbs (48.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Studio 590: $2,000 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Studio 698, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5.
Same family: the JBL Studio 530 (bookshelf, rated 3.3/5) and the JBL Studio 520C (center, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: Pretty deep bass. CEA2034 spinorama is flat on-axis at a high level, with high sensitivity around 89-90dB. Predicted in-room response is good aside from a dip between 800Hz-1.5kHz. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is good outside of the 8.5kHz resonance. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 90.3dB.
Cons: 3dB peak at 1.7kHz, about a 4dB peak from 8k to 13k, going to be bright up top. Just okay vertical off axis. Really bad resonance at 8.5kHz, which shows up as a sharp distortion spike at both 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) reveals many fine resonances across the midrange and treble. At 96dB SPL/1m the midrange and treble get notably messier, with broad distortion elevation from 2-8kHz. Discontinued.
Full JBL Studio 590 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 49.7”H x 12.7”W x 16.3”D (1263.0 x 322.0 x 413.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 8” (200mm) PolyPlas cone woofers, 1x 1” (25mm) Teonex dome tweeter on Bi-Radial horn (2.5-way) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (5 ohms measured minimum, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 90.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.49 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.22 |
| Weight | 107.8 lbs (48.9 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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