Short answer: the KEF Q3 Meta, narrowly, because the Revel Concerta2 F35 needs a subwoofer for real bass. The Revel’s F3 of 61Hz and F10 of 39Hz mean a subwoofer is needed for real bass extension, though its two-and-a-half-way, four-driver layout with a waveguide-loaded 1” aluminum dome and 5.25” mid-range is sound. The KEF’s coaxial design strains in the 1-2kHz region above about 90dB at 10 feet.
On the KEF Q3 Meta side: Coaxial two-way design (1” vented aluminum dome tweeter with Meta absorber embedded in a 6.5” aluminum cone mid/bass driver) delivering. The tradeoff: Not well suited to high-output use: compression and strain in the 1-2kHz region emerge above about 90dB at 10 feet.
The case for the Revel Concerta2 F35: Two-and-a-half-way, four-driver design: a 1” aluminum dome tweeter on a waveguide, a 5.25” mid-range. Set against that: F3 of 61Hz and F10 of 39Hz mean a subwoofer is needed for real bass extension.
Buy the KEF Q3 Meta ($899.99) for a bookshelf speaker; the Revel Concerta2 F35 ($900) suits a floorstanding speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q3 Meta | Revel Concerta2 F35 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.99 per pair | $900 per pair |
| Ranked | #89 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #23 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal (3.8 ohms minimum, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 89.4dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner; 90dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | 3x 5.25" deep anodized aluminum cone woofers, 1" Aluminum Tweeter |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) | 41 lbs (18.6 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.3"W x 12"D (357.0 x 210.0 x 305.0 mm) | 40.3"H x 8.4"W x 12.2"D (1023.6 x 213.4 x 309.9 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.75 | 4.44 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.59 | 6.38 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Revel Concerta2 F35 compares with other leading options:
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs Revel Concerta2 F35
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Revel Concerta2 F35
- MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition vs Revel Concerta2 F35
- MoFi SourcePoint 888 vs Revel Concerta2 F35
- JBL HDI-3800 vs Revel Concerta2 F35
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Q3 Meta: $899.99 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Coaxial two-way design (1” vented aluminum dome tweeter with Meta absorber embedded in a 6.5” aluminum cone mid/bass driver) delivering unusually wide dispersion both horizontally and vertically (about ±60° each) - wider than typical KEF models, which usually run closer to ±50° horizontal and ±15-20° vertical for non-coaxial designs. A deliberate ~2dB bump around 120Hz gives a satisfying sense of kick-drum impact, a voicing choice the reviewer personally favors even though it’s not strictly accurate. Extended bass-shelf tuning allows placement close to a rear wall (about 1 foot) without sounding boomy. Good directivity overall means it takes well to EQ correction if desired. Cabinet resonances around 350-370Hz and 600Hz look concerning in impedance measurements, but blind ABX testing (24 trials) after adding damping material couldn’t reliably distinguish the treated cabinet from the untreated one - these particular resonances appear to fall below the threshold of audibility. Sturdier build than previous KEF Q-series models. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.5dB.
Cons: 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. A slight loss of attack and clarity around 1-2kHz was noticeable both subjectively and in measurements. F3 of 52Hz with a fairly quick rolloff below 50Hz means a subwoofer is still recommended for real bass extension, even for moderate-volume home theater use. Sealed configuration (using the included port bungs) pushes the bass rolloff up into the 100Hz+ region - the reviewer recommends leaving it in ported mode instead. Sounds best pointed directly at the listener; toeing it out 30° rolls off the top end without a meaningful soundstage benefit. Compression testing shows real breakdown at 102dB/1m, with the woofer losing excursion control - confirms the practical output ceiling. An unexplained -5dB dip appears in on-axis measurements that the reviewer couldn’t attribute to a specific cause.
Full KEF Q3 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.3"W x 12"D (357.0 x 210.0 x 305.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.75 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.59 |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Revel Concerta2 F35: $900 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Two-and-a-half-way, four-driver design: a 1” aluminum dome tweeter on a waveguide, a 5.25” mid-range, and dual 5.25” mid-bass drivers in a rear-ported cabinet. Measured sensitivity of 89.4dB closely matches the 90dB spec, and distortion looks good at both 86dB and 96dB, holding up well even with a high-pass filter applied. At its sale price (around $900/pair, down from full retail), the reviewer calls it a “no-brainer,” undercutting comparable budget floorstanders like the ELAC DF63. Frequency response and directivity mismatches are largely EQ-able, since most of what shows up in measurements traces to physical tweeter/mid-range separation rather than a fundamental flaw. Compression is fairly well controlled for the price - about 1dB of loss around 100Hz under long-term compression, described as “par for the course” at this cost. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89.4dB.
Cons: F3 of 61Hz and F10 of 39Hz mean a subwoofer is needed for real bass extension. A dip in the lower midrange/2-3kHz region reduces attack and detail, and a peak around 5kHz adds some edge and sibilance in the lower treble. A peak in off-axis energy around 3kHz reflects off sidewalls at roughly 60-70° off-axis and arrives louder than the direct sound - this specific issue can’t be fixed with EQ (boosting the direct sound would boost the stronger reflection too) and would need acoustic absorption to properly address, though the reviewer considers it a minor, optional fix at this price. A couple of minor resonances appear in the impedance plot, including one around 300Hz that may partly explain a subtle sense of vocal warmth noticed in listening, though it’s more likely room-related. Minimum impedance around 3.8 ohms. Short-term compression testing shows some increased distortion in the tweeter and higher-frequency compression at loud output.
Full Revel Concerta2 F35 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.3"H x 8.4"W x 12.2"D (1023.6 x 213.4 x 309.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 3x 5.25" deep anodized aluminum cone woofers, 1" Aluminum Tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.8 ohms minimum, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 89.4dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner; 90dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.44 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 |
| Weight | 41 lbs (18.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Revel Concerta2 F35 vs Revel F206
- Revel Concerta2 F35 vs Perlisten S7t
- Revel Concerta2 F35 vs JBL Studio 698
- Revel Concerta2 F35 vs KEF R11 Meta
- Revel Concerta2 F35 vs Arendal 1961 Tower
- Revel Concerta2 F35 vs JBL HDI-3600
- Revel Concerta2 F35 vs Emotiva Airmotiv T2+
- Revel Concerta2 F35 vs Revel F228Be
- See all 55 comparisons