Short answer: the Wharfedale Aura 2. It ranks #13 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $2,799. The KEF Q3 Meta ranks #156, rated 3.4/5, at $764.97, $2,034.03 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the KEF Q3 Meta: Coaxial bookshelf speakers with very wide dispersion, punchy kick drums and bass tuning that works close to a wall. The tradeoff: 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 Wharfedale Aura 2 is the more accurate pick. A mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.03 against 4.66 for the KEF Q3 Meta. The tradeoff: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted.
Buy the Wharfedale Aura 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $2,034.03 with the KEF Q3 Meta does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Coaxial bookshelf speakers with very wide dispersion, punchy kick drums and bass tuning that works close to a wall.
A mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q3 Meta | Wharfedale Aura 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $764.97 per pair | $2799 per pair |
| Ranked | #156 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #13 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | 6.5” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.3”W x 12”D (357.0 x 210.0 x 305.0 mm) | 22.1”H x 11.3”W x 15.3”D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.66 | 6.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.50 | 7.65 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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