In-depth Review of KEF Q950 Floor-standing Speaker

A good pair of floor-standing speakers can instantly change the way how you experience music at home. Not only do they look good, but they also sound spectacular and give you the best audio quality possible.

As an audiophile myself, I know how difficult it is to choose a suitable pair of floor-standing speakers nowadays. There are tons of options, yet most of them provide low sound quality. But worry not, as I have done the research for you and brought you the pair you have been searching for. Here, I present to you KEF Q950, one of the most premium floor-standing speakers out in the market right now.

In this article, I’ll discuss everything there is about this particular pair of floor-standing speakers. Hopefully, in the end, you’ll get why this can be the best floor-standing speaker for you. So without further ado, let’s begin.

Contents

KEF Q950 Specification

Before I get into any more detail, let’s have a quick look at the technical specification of this speaker. It’ll help you have a rough idea about the quality and better understand the review as we advance.

 KEF Q950 Floorstanding Speaker

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  • Design: 2.5-way bass reflex
  • Sensitivity: 91dB (2.83V/1m)
  • Frequency Range: 38Hz (-6dB)
  • Frequency Response: 44Hz-28 kHz (±3dB)
  • Maximum Output: 113dB
  • Amplifier Requirements: 15-200W
  • Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms (min.3.2 Ohms)
  • Crossover Frequencies: 2.2 kHz
  • Weight: 45.4 lbs.

The Benefits & Drawbacks of the product

Like any other electronic product, this floor-standing speaker too is bound to have some drawbacks. However, I believe the benefits here far outweigh the disadvantages. Knowing the pros and cons will help you later to make an informed decision.

Benefits of KEF Q950

  • KEF’s Uni-Q driver technology puts the tweeter at the acoustic center of the radiating cone. As a result, this pair of speakers deliver a less distorted, consistent, and timed sound experience.
  • KEF Q950 floor-standing speaker features a pair of 8” auxiliary bass radiators. You’ll love how these radiators handle the bass and deliver a natural bass experience if you are a bass lover.
  • This speaker will give you a 3D sound experience from different directions. Sounds from three different dimensions mean that the audio will be more precise and immersive despite the listener’s position.
  • You’ll fall in love with the look of these speakers. The compact and boxy cabinet provides the driver with enough room to perform at their peak.
  • Another excellent quality of this speaker is the wide compatibility. You can hook it up with any single channel speakers or surround system and enjoy a multi-layered music experience.

Drawbacks of KEF Q950

  • This is not the best option for smaller media rooms. A small room will not be able to take advantage of what this speaker is offering.
  • The price is a bit higher compared to other options available on the market.

As for the drawbacks, it’s pretty obvious that a speaker of this goodwill cost you some extra bucks. But the performance in return will be satisfactory.

Now that you know the primary benefits and drawbacks, let’s get into the product details.

Related: affordable floor standing speakers reviews

KEF Q950 Floor-standing Speaker Details

In this part, I’ll answer some questions regarding this pair of speakers. These answers will help you better understand the speaker’s quality.

What are the speakers like physically?

The first thing you’ll notice about this floor-standing size is the massive size of each of these. The size is justified, though, and I’ll come to that part later. But, for now, know that it’ll be a better fit for a media room that has ample space. That way, you’ll be able to take advantage of the hardware this speaker is equipped with.

The next thing you’ll notice is the beautiful design of this speaker. Not only do they provide excellent sound quality, but they will also increase the aesthetic beauty of your media room too. This speaker comes in satin white and satin black color, and both of these colors look dope. For some people, the look is equally important as the sound quality. If you are one of them, you can’t go wrong with KEF Q950.

How are these speakers used? 

Unlike other hi-fi speakers, connecting this floor-standing speaker to your amplifier or centerpiece is pretty straightforward. With KEF Q950, you get the old-school wired terminal. In addition, the terminal has premium binding posts. So all you have to do is connect each side correctly.

Starting from banana plugs to bare wires, you can use any of these available at home. Lack of bi-wiring has got me concerned for a moment as bi-wiring tends to minimize the impedance difference. However, KEF claims bi-wiring won’t be required with the design that KEF Q950 has.

Features and ratings 

Now we have reached the main concentration of the article. In this part, I’ll discuss every key aspect of the KEF Q950 rate them individually. The ratings will highlight the strengths as well as weaknesses of this floor-standing speaker.

Sound quality 

If I have to pick one thing that sets this speaker apart, it’s the sound quality. After a bit of a break-in period, the sound this speaker was producing was awe-inspiring. Earlier on, I mentioned the massive sound of this speaker. The reason behind that is the vast array of different-sized drivers for different frequencies. With these five drivers combined, you get a consistent and balanced audio experience.

There are dedicated bass drivers equipped with this speaker. So you get the perfect bass response even out of the lowest of frequencies. Additionally, there is an inductor to minimize sound distortion. This inductor also plays a crucial role in delivering a cleaner bass response.

Overall, you get a detailed and sharp audio experience executed perfectly with different drivers for different frequencies.

Rating: 5/5

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, these speakers are pretty standard. You don’t get any wireless or network base connectivity options. Instead, the input is made through a central speaker by the terminal at the bottom of the backside.

You have to connect the binding points of each speaker with your surround system or the central speaker to fire it up. KEF just updated the terminal to a gold-plated one in their Q lineup. It provides a better connection with the centre piece, resulting in superior sound quality.

Rating: 4.5/5

Design and build 

Just by looking at it, it’s pretty clear that KEF took the design pretty seriously. This pair of speakers look gorgeous with the exposed drivers. I know some of you may complain about the lack of grille, but the exposed drivers go better with the overall sound system.

I know the sound quality is the most important thing for a speaker, but it’s more like a piece of furniture in your media room at the end of the day. In that regard, the KED Q950 is an absolute head turner with a boxy build that’s no less than a piece of art.

Rating: 5/5

Performance 

Floor-standing speakers are most popular among those people who want a powerful audio performance. Even at the highest volume, I didn’t notice any distortion. Running this pair of speakers at their full potential needs ample power, which is reflected in the performance it delivers.

This speaker is made for bigger rooms, and if you provide that breathing space, this speaker can easily compete with any other floor-standing speaker on the market.

Rating: 4/5

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KEF Q950 Alternatives 

In this part of the review, I’ll introduce you to other floor-standing speakers with similar specifications and performance like the Q950. In case you want to look at different options, you should check this out. Besides, this alternative’s discussion will also help you compare the Q950 with its competitors.

SVS Ultra Tower Speaker

This floor-standing speaker has one key similarity with the KEF Q950. That similarity is that both shine among hundreds of options in terms of performance and audio quality. Look-wise, it’s nowhere near the Q950, but you can easily let that slide once you listen to this speaker.

The price is pretty similar, too, with a versatile wiring option. If you want a pair of tower speakers with a balanced low and high, you should check this speaker from SVS.

Klipsch R-28PF Surround Floor-standing Speaker

Earlier I mentioned that the Q950 lacks any wireless connection. But if that’s something are desperately looking for, then you should have a look at this pair of the floor-standing speaker from Klipsch.

The Klipsch R-28PF offers Bluetooth connectivity with many other inputs like a 3.5mm jack and USB connection. Additionally, the audio quality is decent enough, and the price is way lower than the KEF one.

If you are on a tighter budget and looking for a wireless connectivity option with USB C, this speaker can be a great alternative to the Q950.

Final Verdict

After a brief discussion of the KEF Q950, it’s pretty easy to understand why it’s one of the top products in the floor-standing speaker category. In every aspect of this speaker, whether the build or the hardware, KEF has managed to put together the best stuff in the market.

If you are looking for one of the best floor-standing speakers for your media setup or music experience, then look no further and purchase this pair of floor-standing speakers. You’ll enjoy the acoustic goodness this outstanding speaker can offer.

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