Short answer: the KEF Q150 ranks #17 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $350; the Wharfedale Diamond 220 ranks #19 at $350. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
What the KEF Q150 offers: 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. 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.
The case for the Wharfedale Diamond 220: Amir found the on-axis response smooth once the grille is removed, calling grille removal “a huge improvement” since the stock grille caused unusually strong comb filtering around 5kHz. The tradeoff: Response rolls off below 200Hz, so a subwoofer is recommended for full-range use.
Buy the KEF Q150. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Wharfedale Diamond 220 at the same price, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q150 | Wharfedale Diamond 220 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $350 |
| Ranked | #17 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #19 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Dimensions | 11.9"H x 7.1"W x 10.9"D (303 x 180 x 278 mm) | 12.4"H x 6.9"W x 8.9"D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, about 4.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | ~85dB (300Hz-3kHz on-axis, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 130mm (5.25") aluminium Uni-Q woofer, 25mm (1") vented aluminium dome tweeter | 5" (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg each | 11.7 lbs / 5.3 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure |
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- Neumi Silk 4 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
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- KEF Q150 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Q150: $350 Discontinued Amazon
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.
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) |
| Dimensions | 11.9"H x 7.1"W x 10.9"D (303 x 180 x 278 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Kef’s Cheapest Bookshelf. Is the Q150 worth your money?
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website KEF Q150
- GR-Research: KEF Q150… can it get any BETTER?
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 5 AWESOME SPEAKERS Under $1000 You Won’t Regret
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Budget Stereo Systems You Will Love
- Reddit Search for KEF Q150 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Wharfedale Diamond 220: $350 Amazon
Pros: Amir found the on-axis response smooth once the grille is removed, calling grille removal “a huge improvement” since the stock grille caused unusually strong comb filtering around 5kHz. Good horizontal dispersion from the waveguide-loaded tweeter and controlled distortion. After some EQ (a room mode filter and treble shelf), the reviewer called it “a truly hifi speaker” where “every audiophile track…sounded very good,” and said he was “happy to recommend” it for the budget class.
Cons: Response rolls off below 200Hz, so a subwoofer is recommended for full-range use. Some port rattling was noted at high volumes, traced to vibration rather than the woofer itself. Best performance requires removing the grille and applying the reviewer’s EQ filters.
Full Wharfedale Diamond 220 review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 12.4"H x 6.9"W x 8.9"D (315 x 174 x 227 mm) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 5" (130mm) woven Kevlar woofer, 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs / 5.3 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom-firing into secondary enclosure |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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