Short answer: the Revel Performa M22. It ranks #68 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $600; the KEF Q350 ranks #76 and costs $699, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Revel Performa M22 offers: Very flat frequency response from 200hz to 10khz. Watch for: 3dB bass boost around 100hz.
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.
Buy the Revel Performa M22. It ranks higher for sound quality than the KEF Q350 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the KEF Q350. It ranks near the bottom of the 100 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel Performa M22 | KEF Q350 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About $600 used | $699.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #68 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #76 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Weight | 41.7 lbs / 18.9 kg | 29.5 lbs / 13.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 14.5"H x 8.6"W x 11.9"D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) | 14.1"H x 8.3"W x 12"D (358.0 x 210.0 x 306.0 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- Polk R200 vs Polk Reserve R100
- SVS Prime Bookshelf vs Revel Performa M22
- Polk Reserve R100 vs KEF Q350
The Two Speakers In Full
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 |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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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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