Short answer: the KEF Q3 Meta for better sound quality, the Revel Performa M22 for the lower price. The KEF Q3 Meta ranks #59 of 84 bookshelf speakers at $899.99. The Revel Performa M22 ranks #63 at $600, $299.99 cheaper.
What the KEF Q3 Meta offers: 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… Watch for: 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.
What the Revel Performa M22 offers: Very flat frequency response from 200hz to 10khz. Watch for: 3dB bass boost around 100hz.
Buy the KEF Q3 Meta if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Revel Performa M22 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Revel Performa M22. It ranks near the bottom of the 84 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q3 Meta | Revel Performa M22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.99 | About $600 used |
| Ranked | #59 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #63 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB |
| Drivers | 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs / 7.2 kg | 41.7 lbs / 18.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.3"W x 12"D (357.0 x 210.0 x 305.0 mm) | 14.5"H x 8.6"W x 11.9"D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) |
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- KEF Q3 Meta vs Revel Concerta2 F35
The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Q3 Meta: $899.99 Amazon Crutchfield
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.
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) |
| 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) |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs / 7.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Revel Performa M22: About $600 used
Pros: Very flat frequency response from 200hz to 10khz. Distortion is well controlled through most of the range, with only a modest crossover-region bump around 2-4kHz.
Cons: 3dB bass boost around 100hz. On-axis response also droops below 150Hz and peaks above 4kHz, which the reviewer thought may sound a bit bright/light. Distortion rises substantially below 100Hz when driven hard.
Full Revel Performa M22 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 14.5"H x 8.6"W x 11.9"D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB |
| Weight | 41.7 lbs / 18.9 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons