About the KEF Q950
Exceptional sound from KEF's Q Series flagship
Exceptional sound from KEF's Q Series flagship
KEF is famous in the audiophile community for their super high-end loudspeakers. But the British hi-fi company also makes a line of high-value, high-performance speakers that incorporate many of the technologies found in KEF's more expensive models. The Q950 — KEF's Q Series flagship speaker — combines a striking grille-less design with exceptional musical performance to fill even large rooms with excellent sound.
An expanded view of the Uni-Q driver assembly shows the careful design and construction that go into making each Q950.
A room-filling "sweet spot," thanks to Uni-Q® technology
KEF's patented Uni-Q technology places the Q950's 1-1/2" aluminum dome tweeter into the acoustic center of the cabinet's topmost 8" woofer. This concentric design allows sound to originate from a single point source, making the speaker's "sweet spot" (the ideal listening position) much larger.
I've had the pleasure of hearing Uni-Q technology in person many times. Even when sitting off to the side or in the back of our listening room, I've enjoyed detailed, three-dimensional sound. You can expect the same in your home with a pair of the '950s.
Ideal for music, movies, and more
The speaker's 8" Uni-Q driver is joined by a separate 8" woofer dedicated to reproducing low frequencies. These two woofers team up with a pair of 8" passive radiators to deliver accurate, punchy bass with your favorite albums, movies, sports broadcasts, and video game soundtracks.
Optional magnetic grille available separately.
Part of a complete KEF Q surround sound system
The KEF Q Series features an array of speakers that are voice-matched for compatibility in an immersive surround sound system:
- floor-standing speakers for front left and right channels
- bookshelf speakers for front, rear, or surround channels
- center channel speakers for clear dialogue
- Dolby Atmos® toppers and surround speakers for effects channels
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Product highlights:
- 1-1/2" vented aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide
- dual 8" aluminum woofers
- the tweeter and topmost woofer use KEF's Uni-Q technology, which places the tweeter in the center of the woofer
- this specialized positioning creates a large listening "sweet spot" in your room
- dual 8" aluminum passive radiators for enhanced bass performance
- frequency response: 44-28,000 Hz (±3 dB)
- sensitivity: 91 dB
- impedance: 8 ohms
- recommended amplifier power: 15-200 watts
- bass-reflex (passive radiator) design
- binding post speaker terminals
- optional magnetic grille available separately
- included plinth and carpet spikes provide added stability
- 14-1/16"W x 43-15/16"H x 12-15/16"D (with plinth and spikes)
- weight: 45.5 lbs.
- warranty: 5 years
- MFR # Q950WN
What's in the box:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- 2 Outrigger feet
- 4 Spikes
- 6 Screws
- 6 Washers
- 4 Rubber inserts
- Hex-key
- Owner's Manual
- Warranty Information
Reviews (13)
Customer reviews for KEF Q950
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More details on the KEF Q950
Features & specs
| General | ||
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure | Passive Radiator | |
| Finish | MDF/Wood-grain vinyl | |
| Color | Walnut | |
| Tweeter | Hard-Dome | |
| Tweeter Size (inches) | 1.5 | |
| Midrange Size (inches) | 8.0 | |
| Woofer Size (inches) | 8.0 | |
| Woofer Composition | Aluminum | |
| Woofer Surround | Rubber | |
| Built-in Powered Sub | No | |
| Dolby Atmos Drivers | Optional | |
| Connector Type | Binding post | |
| Bi-amp Inputs | No | |
| Parts Warranty | 5 Years | |
| Labor Warranty | 5 Years | |
| Specifications | ||
| Power Range | 15-200 | |
| Frequency Response | 44-28k Hz | |
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | |
| Impedance (Ohms) | 8 | |
| Subwoofer Amp Power | --- | |
| Height (inches) | 43-15/16 | |
| Width (inches) | 14-1/4 | |
| Depth (inches) | 12-3/8 | |
| Weight | 45.5 lbs | |
Product Research
Features
Uni-Q Driver Array: At the heart of the Q Series loudspeaker is the Uni-Q driver array. This signature innovation by KEF places the tweeter in the acoustic center of the midrange cone, with both drivers acting as a single point source. The result is a more detailed, accurate three-dimensional sound image, which is dispersed more evenly throughout the room than is possible with any conventional speaker. The Uni-Q driver array is made up of a 1.5" aluminum dome tweeter and a 8.0" aluminum midrange driver.
- 1.5" Aluminum Dome Tweeter: At the center of the Uni-Q driver array is a 1.5" aluminum dome tweeter that utilizes KEF's "tangerine" waveguide over the tweeter dome for ultra-wide dispersion. Further enhancements to the 1" aluminum dome tweeter is a damped loading tube and a cone-neck de-coupler. The damped tweeter loading tube reduces any harshness in the lower treble frequencies by gently terminating the sound produced from the rear. The cone-neck de-coupler reduces output in the cone breakup region to improve high frequency performance.
- 8.0" Aluminum Midrange Driver: The Uni-Q driver array's 8.0" midrange driver features an aluminum cone structure that has been engineered to reduce cone breakup and improve midrange performance. The driver's optimized suspension allows more movement, better controlled excursion, and lower distortion for accurate bass performance. As well as allowing the driver's cone its full extension, KEF's ingenious Z-flex surround guides the sound from the tweeter across the surround without any disturbance or secondary radiation.
Isolated Sealed Uni-Q Chamber: The Uni-Q driver array is isolated in a closed chamber inside the speaker cabinet to reduce distortions. The closed box midrange cabinet design reduces the load on the Uni-Q midrange cone, increasing clarity and detail while delivering cleaner, punchier bass.
Low-Frequency Woofer + Dual Auxiliary Bass Radiators (ABR): The Uni-Q driver array is paired with a 8.0" low frequency woofer and dual Auxiliary Bass Radiators (ABR). The same aluminum cone found in the Uni-Q's midrange driver is also used in the bass woofer and dual ABRs for excellent low-distortion midbass/bass performance. The woofer's vented magnet assembly on a rigid metal chassis and 50mm voice coil offers incredible power handling, while the new rubber rear suspension of the ABRs provides greater excursion and a lower tuning frequency so that the speaker can play deeper and louder. Both types of drivers feature a large roll surround that allows a longer throw with less distortion at high sound pressure levels.
Sleek Cabinet Design: The sculpted Q Series finish epitomizes KEF's approach with seamless, sleek cabinets unblemished by visible fittings and joints. Q Series speakers are coated with a fine satin finish with matching driver colors. If you wish to conceal the drivers, an optional magnetically attached speaker grille (see Accessories Tab) is available and sold separately.
Gold-Plated Binding Post Terminals: On the rear of the speaker cabinet is a pair of heavy-duty, gold-plated binding post terminals that will accept bare wire (up to 10AWG), pin-connectors, spade-lugs, and banana plugs (single only). Plastic inserts must be removed from the binding posts to use banana plugs.
Outrigger Feet w/ Spikes: The included outrigger feet and spikes provide a larger, more stable footprint with greater stability. The outrigger feet screw into the bottom of the speaker cabinet, while the spikes screw into the bottom of the outrigger feet using the supplied hardware. Once the outrigger feet and spikes are installed and the speaker is positioned, the spikes can be adjusted from the top of the outrigger feet to make sure the speaker is level with your floor.
- Dimensions w/ Outrigger Feet & Spikes: 12.875" (w) x 38.5" (h) x 12.375" (d)
- Dimensions w/ Outrigger Feet Only: 12.875" (w) x 37.1875" (h) x 12.375" (d)
Notes:
- The spikes are designed for carpeted flooring. These spikes can cause damage to hardwood, tile, laminate, and vinyl flooring (there are no rubber feet included).
- The speaker should not be used without the outrigger feet installed for stability and performance reasons.
- A pair of speakers should be positioned 6' to 10' apart. They can be "toed-in" or angled inward toward the main listening area to improve stereo imaging and soundstage.
Q Series: Q Series speakers by KEF deliver natural, accurate, high-resolution sound. First introduced in 1991, the multiple award-winning Q Series has long delighted music lovers and audiophiles with outstanding sound quality and innovative design. The Q Series, now in its 8th iteration, brings high resolution sound with more depth and more clarity. The Q Series consists of three floorstanding speakers (Q550/Q750/Q950), two bookshelf speakers (Q150/Q350), two center channel speakers (Q650C/Q250C), and Dolby Atmos speaker (Q50A) - all sold separately.
Optional Powered Subwoofer: A KEF Kube series powered subwoofer (sold separately) is the perfect addition to the Q Series loudspeakers.
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Customer Q&A
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We bought these primarily for music listening and to replace our old KEF speakers which started cracking after many years. It's all subjective - but we loved how these sound and match with our Cambridge Audio amp. We did end up buying an SVS subwoofer to add a bit more of lower range.
Elena from Santa Clara, CA