Short answer: the KEF Q1 Meta, if you are buying new. The KEF Q150 ranks higher than the Klipsch RP-500M (#49 vs #74 of 160 bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the KEF Q1 Meta, is rated 3.6/5 at $399.99 and is still sold new.
The KEF Q150 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. Two-way coaxial (Uni-Q) design with a 1” dome tweeter and 5.25” mid-range time-aligned in a single driver assembly, available in ported or sealed configuration. Its bass reaches about 51Hz before falling 3dB, against 67.4Hz for the Klipsch RP-500M. Watch for: A high-frequency lift in the estimated in-room response makes it sound noticeably brighter in an untreated room than in a heavily acoustically-treated one: a real preference factor depending on your room’s furnishings.
What the Klipsch RP-500M does well: The original Reference Premiere 2-way bookshelf, still sold new alongside the newer Klipsch RP-500M II at a lower price. The catch: Independently measured by Erin’s Audio Corner with a very rough response: on-axis deviation of 0.961dB and on-axis smoothness of just 0.216, well behind the revised tuning Klipsch gave the newer Klipsch RP-500M II.
Buy the KEF Q1 Meta, the replacement for the discontinued KEF Q150; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch RP-500M.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q150 | Klipsch RP-500M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 per pair Discontinued | $299.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #49 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #74 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 51.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 11.9”H x 7.1”W x 10.9”D (303 x 180 x 278 mm) | 13.50H x 6.81W x 9.50D in |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, about 4.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | ~85dB (300Hz-3kHz on-axis, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 93dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) |
| Drivers | 130mm (5.25”) aluminium Uni-Q woofer, 25mm (1”) vented aluminium dome tweeter | 1” Titanium LTS tweeter (Hybrid Tractrix Horn), 5.25” Spun Copper Cerametallic woofer |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.86 | 4.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 7.00 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, ported |
| Country | - | United States (Klipsch design) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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 Q150: $350 per pair Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the KEF Q1 Meta, ranked lower, rated 3.6/5.
Older model: the KEF Q100 (ranked lower, rated 2.4/5).
Same family: the KEF Q350 (larger bookshelf, rated 3/5), the KEF Q250c (smaller center, rated 3.9/5) and the KEF Q650c (larger center, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: Two-way coaxial (Uni-Q) design with a 1” dome tweeter and 5.25” mid-range time-aligned in a single driver assembly, available in ported or sealed configuration. Exceptional soundstage depth, a hallmark of KEF’s coaxial designs that the reviewer says few other speakers match. Bass extension reaches into kick-drum territory, respectable for a compact bookshelf speaker. Resonances present in measurements are consistent across on- and off-axis readings, meaning they can be effectively corrected with EQ. Distortion profile is essentially the same whether run sealed or ported, since a subwoofer crossover point sits above where the differences would matter anyway. At its sale price (around $300, sometimes seen at $400), the reviewer considers it a clear step up from his previous budget favorite in this range, the Emotiva B1+, mainly due to the superior soundstage depth. Measured bass extension of 51Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: A high-frequency lift in the estimated in-room response makes it sound noticeably brighter in an untreated room than in a heavily acoustically-treated one: a real preference factor depending on your room’s furnishings. A mild dip in the 1-2kHz region reduces vocal fullness somewhat. Unexplained resonances appear in measurements and persist in both sealed and ported configurations, pointing to enclosure or panel vibration rather than the port. Horizontal radiation is narrower than the reviewer generally prefers from KEF’s lineup, with directivity that widens somewhat around 1.2kHz (near a resonance) and again above about 5kHz. Compression testing at high output (102dB) shows significant nonlinearity, especially at lower frequencies: noticeably worse than a comparable Arendal bookshelf speaker costing over twice as much, which held up better until 80Hz. Not intended for loud listening without a subwoofer: the woofer will over-exert itself without a high-pass filter, and the reviewer recommends crossing over at 80-120Hz. At full retail price (around $600/pair), the value proposition is far less certain than at sale pricing. Discontinued.
Full KEF Q150 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.9”H x 7.1”W x 10.9”D (303 x 180 x 278 mm) |
| Drivers | 130mm (5.25”) aluminium Uni-Q woofer, 25mm (1”) vented aluminium dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, about 4.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | ~85dB (300Hz-3kHz on-axis, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Kef’s Cheapest Bookshelf. Is the Q150 worth your money? More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website KEF Q150
- GR-Research: KEF Q150… can it get any BETTER? More from GR-Research →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 5 AWESOME SPEAKERS Under $1000 You Won’t Regret
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Budget Stereo Systems You Will Love
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch RP-500M: $299.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Klipsch RP-500M II, ranked higher, rated 4/5.
Same family: the Klipsch RP-600M (larger bookshelf, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: The original Reference Premiere 2-way bookshelf, still sold new alongside the newer Klipsch RP-500M II at a lower price. Klipsch’s signature Hybrid Tractrix Horn tweeter loading is unmistakable and the price has dropped from its original $579/pair to roughly $300/pair. Measured bass extension of 67.4Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Independently measured by Erin’s Audio Corner with a very rough response: on-axis deviation of 0.961dB and on-axis smoothness of just 0.216, well behind the revised tuning Klipsch gave the newer Klipsch RP-500M II. Directivity-index standard deviation of 4.24, a pronounced +0.26dB per octave upward tilt, and a predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.16, the worst of any speaker measured here, all point to an inconsistent, brighter-leaning presentation. Full sensitivity and impedance specs aren’t published on Klipsch’s own product page.
Full Klipsch RP-500M review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 51.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | United States (Klipsch design) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.50H x 6.81W x 9.50D in |
| Drivers | 1” Titanium LTS tweeter (Hybrid Tractrix Horn), 5.25” Spun Copper Cerametallic woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way, ported |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 93dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.00 |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons