Short answer: the KEF Q11 Meta. Both are rated 4.0/5 for sound quality (#124 and #125 of 228 floorstanding speakers), and the KEF Q11 Meta costs $1,999.98 against $2,998 for the KLH Model Five, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
The KEF Q11 Meta is the more accurate choice. A three-way tower with a coaxial driver that sounds smooth and balanced in a typical room, even when angled well off the listener. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.72 against 4.76 for the KLH Model Five. 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 KLH Model Five is the deeper-bass pick. A retro styled sealed tower with a wide, spacious soundstage, low distortion and useful treble adjustments for your room. Its bass reaches about 52Hz before falling 3dB, against 60Hz for the KEF Q11 Meta. 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 $998.02 less than the KLH Model Five.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the KEF Q11 Meta scores 8.0 against 6.7 for the KLH Model Five on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Efficiency: the KEF Q11 Meta is rated at 88.6 dB sensitivity against 85 dB for the KLH Model Five, so it plays as loud with roughly half the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (29 Hz vs 32.2 Hz, 10 dB down).
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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 Q11 Meta | KLH Model Five | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999.98 per pair | $2,998.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #124 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #125 of 228 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 |
Where the Ratings Come From
- KEF Q11 Meta: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- KLH Model Five: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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