Short answer: the KEF Q350 ranks #70 of 84 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $699; the HSU Research CCB-8 ranks #81 at $699. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
What the KEF Q350 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat on-axis response with excellent directivity, aided by the coaxial Uni-Q driver. Watch for: Two resonances at 700Hz and 1.2kHz show up on-axis, alongside an upper-bass boost.
What the HSU Research CCB-8 offers: Legitimately good midrange and mid-bass punch below about 1kHz, with in-room bass extension to about 60-70Hz that’s impressive for an 8” coaxial driver running this high a sensitivity (~90dB measured). Watch for: Badly unbalanced top end that the reviewer called ‘just a terrible speaker’ outright - a roughly 7dB peak-dip swing in the upper mid/treble causes real listening fatigue regardless of listening angle (tried on-axis, 15 degrees off, and 30 degrees off, all bad).
Buy the KEF Q350. It ranks higher for sound quality than the HSU Research CCB-8 at the same price, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 84 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q350 | HSU Research CCB-8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.00 Discontinued | $699 |
| Ranked | #70 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #81 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 65Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 90.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer | 8" coaxial driver, constant-directivity horn tweeter |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 29.5 lbs / 13.4 kg | 22 lbs (22 lbs / 10 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.3"W x 12"D (358.0 x 210.0 x 306.0 mm) | 15"H x 10.5"W x 12"D (381 x 267 x 305mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | Vented |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (+-2dB at 15 degrees off-axis, Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 10-400W RMS per channel |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Studio 630 vs Chesky LC1
- Revel Performa M22 vs Yamaha NS-10
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs Chesky LC1
- KEF Q350 vs Fosi Audio SP601
- Aperion Audio Verus V8B vs HSU Research CCB-8
The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Q350: $699.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat on-axis response with excellent directivity, aided by the coaxial Uni-Q driver. Vertical directivity is better than most non-coaxial two-way speakers, another benefit of the concentric design.
Cons: Two resonances at 700Hz and 1.2kHz show up on-axis, alongside an upper-bass boost. Predicted in-room response looks a bit boomy as a result. Distortion climbs substantially in the 100Hz-1kHz range at 96dB SPL/1m, with a distinct resonance-driven peak around 900Hz-1kHz at both test levels. Discontinued.
Full KEF Q350 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.3"W x 12"D (358.0 x 210.0 x 306.0 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 29.5 lbs / 13.4 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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HSU Research CCB-8: $699 HSU Research
Pros: Legitimately good midrange and mid-bass punch below about 1kHz, with in-room bass extension to about 60-70Hz that’s impressive for an 8” coaxial driver running this high a sensitivity (~90dB measured). Wide horizontal dispersion (~55 degrees) that holds up reasonably well off-axis.
Cons: Badly unbalanced top end that the reviewer called ‘just a terrible speaker’ outright - a roughly 7dB peak-dip swing in the upper mid/treble causes real listening fatigue regardless of listening angle (tried on-axis, 15 degrees off, and 30 degrees off, all bad). Resonances around 600Hz and 1.2kHz plus erratic high-frequency behavior hurt imaging noticeably. Would need 9 bands of EQ to get close to flat, and even then two dips near 2kHz and 8kHz are baked into the crossover and can’t be fixed with EQ at all - the reviewer’s verdict was simply to skip it.
Full HSU Research CCB-8 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15"H x 10.5"W x 12"D (381 x 267 x 305mm) |
| Drivers | 8" coaxial driver, constant-directivity horn tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (+-2dB at 15 degrees off-axis, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Recommended Power | 10-400W RMS per channel |
| Sensitivity | 90.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 22 lbs (22 lbs / 10 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Vented |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons