Short answer: the KEF Q11 Meta. Both are rated 4.0/5 for sound quality (#44 and #45 of 73 floorstanding speakers), and the KEF Q11 Meta costs $2,499.98 against $2,998 for the KLH Model Five, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the KEF Q11 Meta: 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. 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.
What the KLH Model Five does well: Exceptionally wide and even horizontal radiation of roughly +/-70-80 degrees gives a spacious soundstage without sacrificing image focus when toed out about 10 degrees. Watch for: On-axis response is visibly irregular because the wide vintage baffle creates diffraction, and the upper/lower midbass mismatch around 200Hz can sound lean away from the intended wall placement.
Buy the KEF Q11 Meta. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $498.02 less than the KLH Model Five.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q11 Meta | KLH Model Five | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,499.98 per pair | $2,998.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #44 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #45 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + dual 165mm drivers | 10” paper-cone woofer, 4” paper-cone midrange, 1” aluminum-dome tweeter |
| Weight | 106.9 lbs (48.5 kg) | 44.1 lbs (20 kg) each without stand; 52 lbs (23.6 kg) with stand |
| Sensitivity | 88.6dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | About 85dB @ 2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.5dB free-field manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum at 140Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 43.8”H x 12.5”W x 15”D (1112.8 x 317.5 x 381.0 mm) | 26”H x 13.8”W x 11.5”D (660 x 350 x 292 mm) without stand |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed acoustic suspension |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.72 | 4.76 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.03 | 6.71 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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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The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Q11 Meta: $2,499.98 per pair Amazon eBay
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 R3 Meta and a few dB less than the 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 |
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KLH Model Five: $2,998.00 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Exceptionally wide and even horizontal radiation of roughly +/-70-80 degrees gives a spacious soundstage without sacrificing image focus when toed out about 10 degrees. Three rear-panel mid/high attenuation settings are genuinely useful for room and placement matching; Erin preferred Low in his room, with the grille fitted and slight toe-out. The sealed 10-inch acoustic-suspension woofer reaches an Erin-measured F3 near 52Hz and integrates gradually with a subwoofer. At 96dB/1m, harmonic distortion stays mostly below 1%, and multitone distortion is also well controlled. Compression is good at ordinary and high listening levels until the most extreme sweep, supporting convincing dynamics. The included slanted stands aim the unusually low tweeter toward seated ear height. Near-wall placement naturally fills the mild 200Hz baffle-step depression, as the manual intends. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: On-axis response is visibly irregular because the wide vintage baffle creates diffraction, and the upper/lower midbass mismatch around 200Hz can sound lean away from the intended wall placement. Erin heard a mild 800-900Hz resonance that coincides with a clear impedance blip, plus occasional hardness around the 2-4kHz crossover region at elevated level. Vertical directivity is narrow; the included five-degree slant bases are important because the tweeter otherwise aims below seated ears. The top end rolls off relative to the midrange, producing a warm balance that may not suit listeners seeking maximum air. At the highest test level the tweeter develops substantial compression. Large size, 52lb weight with stand and roughly $2998/pair price are significant commitments, and subwoofers remain necessary for the lowest octave.
Full KLH Model Five review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 26”H x 13.8”W x 11.5”D (660 x 350 x 292 mm) without stand |
| Drivers | 10” paper-cone woofer, 4” paper-cone midrange, 1” aluminum-dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum at 140Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | About 85dB @ 2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.5dB free-field manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.76 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 |
| Weight | 44.1 lbs (20 kg) each without stand; 52 lbs (23.6 kg) with stand |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed acoustic suspension |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons