KEF Q1 Meta Bookshelf Speaker (White, Pair)

I spent about 15 hours researching and listening to speaker options. After time with the Dali Oberon 3s, Polk ES20s, ELAC Debut bd52s, and even the bowers and wilkins 606 s3s. I felt like the KEF Q1s hit the perfect blend of sound signature, clarity through the mids and highs while being serviceable without a sub woofer, all while looking superb in the walnut cabinet. I paired my Q1s with the Wiim Amp Ultra which is a breeze to power and more than enough for my 11x12 room (i know its pretty small) but even without a subwoofer it creates an okay sense of pressure on its own, but paired with a subwoofer creates an amazing immersive listening experience for movies or music. Even in a larger space (20x20 )with a subwoofer these little speakers can comfortably elevate the experience as a 2.1 channel or music listening space. And the cherry on top. They look so good while doing it. A small footprint in the room, easy to move and place where you want and it comes with port plugs if you haw to place them closer to walls like myself. A great value, a great sound, and a great buy.

The audio is clean and lively. It filled the whole living room with minimal effort and instantly added character to whatever we watched. If you're looking for stereo, this is perfect. However, we just bought a center channel to complete the immersive experience.

Outstanding in every possible way as one would expect of KEF. They are my second pair of KEF bookshelfs, the others bought a decade ago and also of UniQ design. Also own a pair of vastly more expensive B&W Nautilus bookshelf speakers and these KEFs are very close. The sound is natural and musical. Soundstage is vividly projected with perfect stability and resolution. The only downside to the KEFs is that they are so very good that you’ll want to upgrade all your components. You’ll hear any improvements you make in the signal chain.

These speakers are essentially the KEF Q150s (which I also own) with a little plastic piece behind the driver to absorb reflections from the back of the cabinet. I would say there is a slightly wider dispersion, and they are a little brighter but otherwise they are identical speakers. Same sensitivity. Same housing. Same driver. Same crossover. That being said, the Q150s are excellent speakers, so I wouldn't dare buy these at MSRP. The Q150s retail for $299 and the Q1 METAs go for $599 (2025, pre-tariff). I was able to get these on sale for $399 and will keep them, but there's no significant difference. You would probably get a better value from buying the KEF Q350's which MSRP for $499 if space is not an issue.

They're so clear. I swear, I can hear sounds I couldn't before, in the same songs I've listened to hundreds of times before. They do struggle with lower frequencies though, so you may want a subwoofer. Recommend the RSL 10S MKII (I think, these are a best in the market right now for value, better than SVS)

These speakers are amazing. I was using Magnepan LSR's with a subwoofer before I purchased these. The Q1's blow the LSR's away. I still use a subwoofer with the Q1's which makes the sound performance excellent. Although simplistic in looks they are attractive and taking the grills off makes them look stunning. My favorite genre is jazz but I listen to all types of music and the Q1's don't dissapoint. You can spend a LOT more on speakers and not get the performance that the Q1's give. I highly recommend.

The Q1 Meta are proof that audiophiles are spoiled now. This is the kind of performance that made me ditch my $2200 Focal aria 906. These are just better. They are pinpoint imaging, very detailed and transparent. A triumph for price vs performance.

I am not super happy with these speakers. The quality all seems good however, the sound I do not feel was worth the price. I hooked it up to multiple receivers set ups and played it side-by-side with some much cheaper Sony speakers. The Sony speakers definitely sounded better. For the price I guess I was hoping for a lot more.