KEF Q350

 KEF Q350 Book Shelf Speakers

Stunning sound meets elegant appearance at a worth which will have the competition sweating bullets. Design-wise, they're clean and modern, with a sleek, stripped-down vogue that' promptly each current and timeless. The sound is equally impressive, providing levels of clarity and subtlety seldom detected at this price. Nuances are mammary gland up and exposed, respiratory new life into tracks you may have maturely tired of. There' a Brobdingnagian scale too, and a fantastically even delivery across the frequency range. A mature set of speakers whose looks utterly match their composed delivery.

KEF Q350 review

If there’s one preponderating theme across the new KEF letter350s, it’s refinement.

Nearly every side of the speakers has been redesigned to attain a cleaner, a lot of refined presentation - each sonic and physical.

The first KEF Q300s, which we have a tendency to tested back in 2011, 

however newer, higher speakers came on and demoted those £450 speakers right down to four stars. a brand new generation of the Q series was due.

And so we have the new KEF Q350s. These £530 stand mounters supply beautiful sound and chic looks, at a competitive worth which will see them difficult at the highest of their class.

Build

The first issue you’ll notice is however clean and fashionable the planning is compared with the recent Q300s. Gone is that the strip of chrome across the front baffle, similarly to any holes for attaching the grilles (which currently snap-on magnetically).

they give the impression of being sleek and minimal. except for the emblem at the top, the connective tissue is totally destitute of something to distract you from the most event: the newest generation of KEF’s painting Uni-Q driver.

What seems like one driver is really a 25mm ventilated metallic element dome speaker system sitting within the throat of a 16.5cm metallic element mid/bass driver. This single point-source arrangement is intended to boost integration between the drivers and also the approaching sound is dispersed. The distinctive tangerine conductor on the speaker system helps distribute sound evenly. the newest evolution of the Uni-Q driver choices a damped loudspeaker system loading tube – derived from KEF’s high-end Reference series – to require unwanted activity from the rear of the dome.

It’s designed to improve the standard of the high frequencies. different tweaks are created to the motor system and form of the mid/bass cone to assist cut-back distortion.

The Uni-Q driver currently sits right within the middle of the cabinet. This isn’t simply to stay an even look with the remainder of KEF’s speaker range, similar to the LS50s - its position conjointly helps reduce internal standing waves and improve clarity. The port has been enraptured to the back of the speaker. KEF claims this ensures any midrange outpouring of noise is a smaller amount audible. The port has additionally been redesigned to cut back noise and distortion for deeper, cleaner bass performance.

Sound

The £530 KEFs sit between two previous Award-winners: the Dynaudio Emit M10s (£500) and Emit M20s (£600). We’re going for the larger M20s because of the main comparison here, as they’re similar in size to the KEFs, with the Q350s slightly deeper than the M20s by some centimeters.

KEF’s redesigns pay off, as the Q350s show A level of clarity and subtlety that’s unprecedented at this price.

Play Coward from the heavenly body soundtrack, and we’re shocked by the layers of detail exposed within the Hans Zimmer track. The KEFs dig deep and reveal nuances with a good deal of temperament and precision.

The close noises are full-clad with many details, and also the approach varied noises act with one another makes musical sense due to the KEFs' well-timed presentation. The pendulum ticking throughout the piece sounds pristine, with precise edges slicing off bits of time.

These speakers go astonishingly deep, too. The thumping beat preparation beneath the tune is packed with rumbling, threatening texture. The KEF Q350s keep beyond sounding too clinical - they’re simply articulate at intervals the method they deliver every single note. Voices sound clear and characterful, and also the integration between midrange and treble is seamless. It’s exhausting to pinpoint where one begins and therefore the different ends – a testament to easily but well the Uni-Q driver is tuned. serves to form rival Dynaudio Emit M20s sound barely rough around the edges.

The size of the sound is huge, too. the additional cupboard volume offers the KEFs the power to fill a space even additional simply than the Dynaudio's. you'll accurately pinpoint instruments on the Q350s’ ethereal and open soundstage.

The speakers are revealing as we have a tendency toll, exposing the distinction in atmosphere and area seamlessly throughout the shift from studio to measure recording in Right wherever It Belongs by 9 in. Nails.

They additionally sound splendid even across the frequencies. wherever we criticized the recent Q300s for having a rather skinny treble, the Q350s haven't any such problem. The treble performance is careful and sweet, sound crisp while not ever going bright enough to form your wince.

Even aggressing recordings like Marilyn Manson’s opposer adept – where abrasive sound and noisy, distorted guitars will simply exacerbate treble flaws in most speakers – sound controlled associated cohesive even whereas belongings the high frequencies soar. we have a tendency to want the KEFs to have an additional specific sense of drama and drive, though. wherever songs just like The Unthanks’ Gan To The Kye play to the KEFs' strengths of delicacy and nuanced melody, alternative songs want a touch more periodic punch to finish the effect.

Amanda Palmer’s Runs within the Family depends on an energetic, attitude-laden beat that sounds more exciting through the Dynaudio M20s. The KEFs are a touch too refined to totally let go.

The drumbeats hit with a suggestion of restraint and also the sound dissipates. The Dynaudio's build the beat hit with an impactful thwack that’s additional satisfying to hear. Even the metronomic ticking in the heavenly body has more impetus through the M20s – it builds up a more palpable sense of tension.

The KEFs, to their credit, don’t let distortion sneak in when pushed hard, nor do they lose temperament when things get mussy – they'll keep instruments separate as they are available blooming towards you in a very wall of wonderful sound. however, you've got to crank up the quantity to really expertise the complete talent of those Q350s. That even, refined sound doesn’t properly have interaction with your attention at low volumes. The Dynaudio's may sound extra immediate and fun, but they can’t manage the KEF’s high level of insight and clarity.

Compatibility

In terms of system-matching, we’d ensure you actually like your physical science. These KEFs are clear enough to point out everything your electronics are capable of, warts and all.

We’d recommend the very good Rega invigoration (£600) stereo electronic equipment as a decent beginning point. It enhances the KEF’s sound, and brings a degree of natural heat and drive.

We’d additionally pay your time ensuring these KEF speakers are started properly to induce the simplest out of them. offer them some time to run in, position them on durable stands, and toe them in towards the listening position.

And whereas the rear port demands you offer them some space, its price golf stroke them on the brink of (but not up against) a wall to feature a small amount of additional solidity to the sound.

Verdict

It boils right down to totally different flavors of sound. whereas some individuals could like the Dynaudios' energy, et al the KEFs' mature presentation, there’s little question they’re each very good five-star speakers.

KEF will hold it be high: the Q350s are a cut on top of the rest. This level of clarity and refined detail isn’t one thing we tend to typically hear at this mid-range worth – we’re very impressed.