Short answer: the KEF Q350 for better sound quality, the Triangle Borea BR03 for the lower price. The KEF Q350 ranks #76 of 100 bookshelf speakers at $699. The Triangle Borea BR03 ranks #80 at $381.77, $317.23 cheaper.
On the KEF Q350 side: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat on-axis response with excellent directivity, aided by the coaxial Uni-Q driver. Set against that: Two resonances at 700Hz and 1.2kHz show up on-axis, alongside an upper-bass boost.
The case for the Triangle Borea BR03: Bass output is genuinely decent for the price - measured extension reaches F3 57Hz/F10 42Hz, which the reviewer had no real complaints about. The tradeoff: A noticeable mid-range suckout, most pronounced in the upper mid-range/lower treble.
Buy the KEF Q350 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Triangle Borea BR03 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 100 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q350 | Triangle Borea BR03 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.00 Discontinued | $381.77 |
| Ranked | #76 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #80 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 4.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 87.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer | 6.5" natural cellulose midwoofer, 1" (25mm) EFS silk dome tweeter |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 29.5 lbs / 13.4 kg | 13.22 lbs each |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.3"W x 12"D (358.0 x 210.0 x 306.0 mm) | 14.96"H x 8.11"W x 12.36"D |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, dual front ports |
| High-Pass Filter | - | 3600Hz |
| Recommended Power | - | 100W |
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- Klipsch RP-600M vs Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs Chesky LC1
- KEF Q350 vs Fosi Audio SP601
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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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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Triangle Borea BR03: $381.77 Amazon
Pros: Bass output is genuinely decent for the price - measured extension reaches F3 57Hz/F10 42Hz, which the reviewer had no real complaints about. Dual front-firing ports and a well-stuffed, well-braced cabinet. Solid build quality overall.
Cons: A noticeable mid-range suckout, most pronounced in the upper mid-range/lower treble, that the reviewer attributes to cabinet resonances and driver breakup rather than a deliberate voicing choice - it makes vocals and instruments sound recessed and thin rather than warm. Sibilance in the 4-8kHz region shows up on every track the reviewer tried. Measured minimum impedance dips to about 4.2 ohms (with an even lower EPDR), despite the speaker and its own rear panel being labeled 8 ohms - worth knowing if you’re planning to drive these with a receiver/AVR that assumes an 8-ohm nominal load. The reviewer is upfront that this speaker has a devoted following among other reviewers, but says he specifically doesn’t hear what they hear and wants people who own it to trust their own ears rather than assume something’s wrong with their hearing if they don’t love it either.
Full Triangle Borea BR03 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.96"H x 8.11"W x 12.36"D |
| Drivers | 6.5" natural cellulose midwoofer, 1" (25mm) EFS silk dome tweeter |
| High-Pass Filter | 3600Hz |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 4.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 100W |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 13.22 lbs each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual front ports |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs B&W 805S
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Klipsch RP-600M
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Aperion Audio Verus V8B
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Emotiva Airmotiv B2+
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Yamaha NS-10