Short answer: the Perlisten S4b on measured sound quality, the KEF Q3 Meta on price. The Perlisten S4b ranks #2 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.8/5, at $8,000. The KEF Q3 Meta ranks #156, rated 3.4/5, at $764.97, $7,235.03 cheaper.
The KEF Q3 Meta is the deeper-bass option. Coaxial bookshelf speakers with very wide dispersion, punchy kick drums and bass tuning that works close to a wall. Its bass reaches about 52Hz before falling 3dB, against 78Hz for the Perlisten S4b. The catch: Not well suited to high-output use: compression and strain in the 1-2kHz region emerge above about 90dB at 10 feet, so a high-output home theater setup isn’t the best application.
The Perlisten S4b is the more accurate option. A compact sealed bookshelf speaker with reference grade accuracy, exceptionally smooth dispersion, and very low distortion at high volume. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.35 against 4.66 for the KEF Q3 Meta. The catch: Erin measured only 84.5dB sensitivity and an impedance minimum just under 4 ohms, a difficult efficiency/load combination that deserves substantial clean amplification.
Buy the KEF Q3 Meta when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Perlisten S4b when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Coaxial bookshelf speakers with very wide dispersion, punchy kick drums and bass tuning that works close to a wall.
A compact sealed bookshelf speaker with reference grade accuracy, exceptionally smooth dispersion, and very low distortion at high volume.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q3 Meta | Perlisten S4b | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $764.97 per pair | $8,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #156 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #2 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 78Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Just under 4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 84.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | DPC array with 28mm beryllium tweeter and dual 28mm midrange domes; 7” woofer |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.3”W x 12”D (357.0 x 210.0 x 305.0 mm) | 16.5”H x 9.4”W x 7.3”D |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.66 | 5.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.50 | 8.01 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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