New Q Series from KEF

[ssf]

I have been following the KEF site patiently for the last few days and today they have finally revealed their new Q Series.

Those interested may check out the following link

KEF

Regards,

Sunil

 

[vinod_david]

Those KEF Q's look amazing, a fresh approach in speaker design from their usual curved design - somewhat looks like the RX series, those drivers!

 

[metalmickey]

auditioned the older iQ series last week....they looked toooooo good but sounded $%^&...atlst not my pref!....

 

[ssf]

Those KEF Q's look amazing, a fresh approach in speaker design from their usual curved design - somewhat looks like the RX series, those drivers!

They do look great now don't they.Hoping that they won't price it too much above the existing IQ series. Been an admirer of KEF ever since I heard the IQ5's driven by a Denon AVR a long time back at a friend's place.

Not many takers for KEF in here though.

Regards,

Sunil

 

[vinod_david]

Yeah, kind of boxy design, makes them stand apart. I too have a soft spot for the KEF's, especially the IQ series, having heard the 5 and 7 series a couple of years back; my thoughts were they lack a bit of excitment in sound. Hope the new Q's are a step-up from the classical IQ's.

 

[ssf]

my thoughts were they lack a bit of excitment in sound. Hope the new Q's are a step-up from the classical IQ's.

From what I have been reading, they are supposed to have 30% or so better bass response (time and audition will tell) and the very impressive pricing is as under.

Floor-Standing Speakers:

Q500: 2.5-way Floor-standing, 5.25 Uni-Q driver array with 1 HF unit, 5.25 LF driver, 2 x 5.25 ABR. Quality speaker for music or home theater applications; For smaller rooms and budgets. Retail: $499.99/ea.

Q700: 2.5-way Floor-standing, 6.5 Uni-Q driver array with 1 HF unit, 6.5 LF driver, 2 x 6.5 ABR. Exceptional music and front home theater speaker; For larger rooms and budgets. Retail: $699.99/ea.

Q900: 2.5-way Floor-standing, 8 Uni-Q driver array with 1.5 HF unit, 8 LF driver, 2 x 8 ABR. Outstanding music and front home theater speaker; For the largest rooms or for those customers requiring exceptional bass response. Retail: $799.99/ea.

Bookshelf Speakers:

Q100: 2-way Bookshelf, 5.25 Uni-Q driver array including 1 HF unit. Z flex surround for good bass with smooth MF/HF performance. Equally great at home as quality mini monitor for stereo music or as rear effects speakers in a home theater system. Retail: $499.99/pr.

Q300: 2-way Bookshelf, 6.5 Uni-Q driver array including 1 HF unit. Z flex surround for good bass with smooth MF/HF performance. Excellent music speaker, front speaker in smaller home theater systems or rear speaker in larger ones. Retail: $599.99/pr.

Home Theater Speakers:

Q200c: 3-way Center Speaker, 5.25 Uni-Q driver array with 1 HF unit, 5.25 LF driver, 5.25 ABR. Timbre matched to the Q Series 5.25 models. Entry-level center speaker for smaller home theater systems. Retail: $399.99/ea.

Q600c: 3-way Center Speaker, 6.5 Uni-Q driver array with 1 HF unit, 6.5 LF unit, 6.5 ABR. Timbre matched to the Q Series 6.5 and 8 models. Top of the range center speaker for larger home theater systems. Retail: $599.99/ea.

Q800ds: 2-way Dipole Speaker, 2 x 5.25 Uni-Q driver arrays with 1 HF units. Timbre matched to the other Q Series models. Rear effects speaker for Q Series home theater system configurations. Retail: $699.99/pr.

Q400b: Powered Subwoofer, 10 long throw LF unit, 200 Watt Class-D amplifier. Discreet closed box design; Can be used in multiples for larger systems. Retail: $649.99/ea.

KEF Unveils All New Redesigned Q Series - HomeToys Home Technology News

 

[vinod_david]

Fingers crossed, until a review or audition.

 

[ssf]

A short video on the new Q series.

TV, Blu-ray, home cinema and hi-fi video guides whathifi.com

 

[sohels]

I have owned the iQ5 in the past and recently auditioned the iQ30/iQ50 - but found them far too bright for my taste. That said, I am still a fan of the coincident tweeter/mid arrangement - the imaging tends to be very good. Lets hope the new range offers better balance across the range!

 

[ssf]

Profx has updated their website with the new Q Series and the prices are on expected lines.

Profx - Advanced Audio Solutions

For ownership reviews one could visit:

"All new" KEF Q series owners Thread - AVForums.com

Regards,

Sunil

 

[captrajesh]

DO they also have the reference series. Heard a lot about their new three way bookshelf speakers. It is listed in the website though.

 

[ssf]

Hello Captain,

DO they also have the reference series. Heard a lot about their new three way bookshelf speakers.

I was supposed to give the ProFx outlet in B'lore a visit sometime next week but my travel plans to B'lore has been dropped. Maybe someone from B'lore can throw some light on this.

The reference series is not in my wishlist as it is priced beyond my means. The new Q Series is in definitely on my list.

WhatHiFi, I read, has come out with a 3 page review of the Q300 and has given it a 5 star rating. I have been trying in vain to get my hands on the Dec issue in which the Q300 is featured.


Regards,

Sunil

 

[abhi]

Just auditoned the Q500 today at ProFx, just like the iQ5, they lack excitement, bass is less than the C7. Priced at 48K

 

[madman29]

I have auditioned Q100 at Kolkata Pro-Fx. They are good. Very nice mid and high. In my view bass was enough to. I was listning "brothers in arms". Price is very decent - around 25K as far as I remember. And they sound bigger than their size. (as my first expression was: turn off the sub pls.)
The drum and string sounds fab on those. They look real great too. In my view they are coolhyeah:

 

[captrajesh]

Hello Captain,



I was supposed to give the ProFx outlet in B'lore a visit sometime next week but my travel plans to B'lore has been dropped. Maybe someone from B'lore can throw some light on this.

The reference series is not in my wishlist as it is priced beyond my means. The new Q Series is in definitely on my list.

WhatHiFi, I read, has come out with a 3 page review of the Q300 and has given it a 5 star rating. I have been trying in vain to get my hands on the Dec issue in which the Q300 is featured.

Regards,

Sunil

All the best Sunil.

 

[Vinod.R]

Hi I saw the new Q series on display at Bangalore Pro Fx. Cant wait to compare it to what I have. I am waiting for the new year to check them out. I have the older Q7s (race track driver series) for fronts and Q5s for rears. (All floors). It took some time and after a long run in they sing like canaries and have a very good bass response too. Mind you, I listen to a lot of rock and metal (Marylin Monson is my staple diet)!

 

[ssf]

Please do post your thoughts after the audition. I have a feeling that you just might be pleasently surprised (Q300, Q700 and if you are lucky enough, the Q900 as I don't think this has hit our shores yet !!!)

Regards,

Sunil

 

[Vinod.R]

Hi Sunil,

I will certainly post once I have heard the new series. Mind you, I did not like the iQ series (Purely personal choice, and they were well run in) because they did sound too excited and hence bought the older Q series.

Regards

Vinod

AVR Denon 3803, Q7, Q5, Q9C, Pioneer 686-S, Panasonic Tx29P150X Giga Tau series

 

[ssf]

Mind you, I did not like the iQ series (Purely personal choice, and they were well run in) because they did sound too excited and hence bought the older Q series.

All opinions both positive and negative are most welcome

Regards,

Sunil

 

[razor4077]

Auditioned the Q100 and the Q300 at ProFX Mumbai today. They were being run off a Denon 1911. I had demo-ed the the Polk Audio TSI 300 just prior to the Kefs.
The Q100 was an immediate improvement over the Polks. Bass response and clarity much better, but I felt they lacked punch somewhat. Amp was running on flat. Overall, liked them quite a lot. Not too bright (unlike the Polks) with decent mid and lows.
Played some songs from the Parineeta soundtrack and the customary Hell Freezes Over songs. Nice.

Switched to the Q300s after that. I was very impressed. Very clear, very well defined vocals and instruments, nice punchy bass and not too bright (which is what I like). Mates nicely with the 1911 I felt. Lovely speakers, and I am seriously tempted to go for them

Prices:
Q100: MRP 25k, after discount - 22.5k
Q300: MRP 31,900, after discount - 28.7k

I am planning on setting up my HT real soon, starting with an AVR and front speakers. Thus far, was gunning for the Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 or the Wharfedale 10.1 (not auditioned them yet)... but now I definitely have two more serious contenders.