Performance that's completely out of the box
The KEF Q Series floorstanders have a sound so big, so clear, and so outstanding, you won't believe it's resonating from a single point in the room. Configured with the newest generation of the Uni-Q array, the Q Series floorstander comes complete with the mid/high Uni-Q array plus a long-throw bass driver and two matching auxiliary bass radiators (ABRs) for one seriously intense soundstage. Add this bad boy to your current KEF setup or make it your maiden KEF voyage. It doesn't matter, once you get hooked on KEF, you'll be one spoiled little audiophile.
Uni-Q: every seat in the room is the sweet spot
KEF's latest version of the Uni-Q array uses state-of-the-art technology (and makes it affordable). The vented tweeter design makes clarity a priority and insures a smooth transition to midrange frequencies thanks to KEF's Stiffened Dome technology. Adding the new Tangerine Waveguide to the tweeter protects the dome and improves the efficiency and sound dispersion at the highest frequencies. Matched directivity (mounting the tweeter in the center of the bass driver) improves the uniformity of the tonal balance across the listening area — improving off-axis stereo imaging. For lows and mids, the new aluminum driver cones and large aluminum voice coils deliver fast, clean response at high power levels. The Z-flex surround gets rid of the conventional half-roll and adds one that allows simple deformations at low frequencies, but resists complex deformations in the midrange. The result is clear, unsmeared sound. But, beyond all this techno-speak, the Uni-Q array does one thing and does it well — disperse sound evenly throughout the room. It's like playing duck-duck-goose where everybody's a winner.
Crossover — simply good acoustic performance
If you've ever peeked inside a speaker cabinet, you may be tempted to decry the simplicity of the design. Interestingly enough, the simpler the crossover design, the better the acoustic performance. And we're saying simple, not cheap. The whole point of a crossover network is to filter the input signal to the separate bass, midrange, and treble drivers and to provide overall equalization and good tonal accuracy. For the Q Series, KEF put together lower, second order (i.e. a construction that uses the least amount of components) crossovers with simple electrical filter topologies for free-flowing, unconstrained, and dynamic swings and a big, open stereo image with believable overall geometry. How do they get away with using lower order crossovers? They know that carefully designed drive units and enclosures ensure only minimal filtering is necessary: genuinely good high-performance drivers = the realization of the full potential of low order acoustic crossovers. More simply put, KEF is all quality, and you don't have to be an engineer to hear the difference (thankfully).
Sound engineering — inside and out
What may seem a Herculean task to the non-engineer was undoubtedly down-right fun for the developers at KEF. Beyond the high-performance components, KEF has taken care of every single detail, right down to the top-side adjustable floorstander spikes. The cabinets are ultra rigid with 30% more internal volume for the best bass and midrange response. The gold-plated bi-wire terminals provide the clearest signal transmission possible. And the sexy, exotic, and very guilt-free wood veneers that consist of recycled wood fiber instead of unsavorily harvested hardwoods. (Hey, just because KEF provides luxurious sound doesn't mean they have to take more than their share.) KEF knows it's in the details. It's not just an experience. It's a KEF experience. Kind of gives you that warm fuzzy feeling, doesn't it?
KEF Q900 (October 06, 2012)
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Reviewed By: Abd Razak@Jennie Dudziak - Coralville, IA
The Q900 are a great speaker. They have incredible attention to detail and no matter what volume I play them at, they perform with exceptional quality. If you want blow the roof off ........ bring in a sub woofer. I'm big fan of the KEF systems although maybe.
Greatly surpassed my expectations (February 07, 2012)
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Reviewed By: Benjamin M. - Alamogordo, NM
As a long time KEF product owner, I am well versed in their various product lines. I was hesitant to purchase the Q900s because I already owned a pair of the IQ 90s and was very pleased with them. Looking at the specifications though, the Q900 offers three 8 woofers and a 1.5 tweeter while the IQ90 has two 6.5 woofers and a .75 tweeter. Boy, what a difference! I am amazed every time I turn on some music or pop in a Blu Ray. If you are in the market for some new floorstanding speakers and these are in your price range, I HIGHLY recommend these speakers!
Q-uite A Speaker!! (January 29, 2012)
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Reviewed By: Allan M. - Brooklyn, NY
I had Q80s 25 years ago. Im now never gonna leave them. Whether for music or movies, this is one fine speaker. Nice and warm. Not harsh at all. Mids and highs are wonderful. It places you in the studio or at the concert.. A lot of depth is present as well as a nice soundstage. You will not be dissappointed. It needs power though. My Denon AVR 1911 is managing to hold up but I will eventually change it out. Meanwhile, I am having a ball listening to things all over again & hearing new things present too....Enjoy...Randy was a great help too
Loud and Proud? (November 18, 2011)
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Reviewed By: Jeremy T. - Auckland, Auckland
I auditioned these today with high hopes. On the positive side they are fairly smooth, have a big soundstage, strong bass and go loud. Unfortunately they sound rather mechanical, lack subtlety and get rather harsh at moderate volume levels. Also I dont think the bass goes very low. They would sound better with a big soft sounding amp, but they generally lack the rifinement I would expect from KEF loudspeakers. Hmmm
Small speaker Big sound (February 23, 2011)
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Reviewed By: Gerald C. - Ardmore, OK.
I was skeptical at first about these speakers. I wanted the 900s but my wallet said get the 500s.
These will be used for music more than anything else and I was concerned about their size. Sometimes I like to crank it up! I didnt think these where big enough to get the kind of sound Im looking for.
These little guys arrived in a box big enough to contain a refrigerator I thought. Vanns went the extra mile to make sure they arrived unharmed.
My first thought after unpacking them was These are going back, they are just too small. Very nice looking though. I hooked them up, went through the calibration routine and cranked em up.
I must admit, I was shocked at the big sound coming out of these little guys. I am impressed with these KEF speakers and cant wait to get my hands on the 900s. But Im more than happy with these.
My receiver is a Sony STR DN1000,
Polk CSiA6 Center ch.
Sony 12 sub
Amazing speakers! Great Value! (February 04, 2011)
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Reviewed By: Scott - Olympia, WA
There have been so many crappy expensive mass produced speakers out these days that it is refreshing to see KEF stepping back up to the plate, by completely rethinking what went wrong the latest iQ series sound quality, and fix it. Sure the iQs were pretty, but at a cost of sound quality. The rounded cabs limited freq response and bass output. KEF knew this but thought buyers would buy it because it was cool looking. Theyve now gone back to basic boxes and really spent the R&D on the drivers and esp the new Uni-Q tweeter. Putting money back where it should be sound quality. This also brings it back to the rich signature sound that made KEF great. Kudos KEF. personally love the sound, deep rich midrange, good treble that is never shrill nor bright, tightly controlled, though not too deep, bass. Soundstage is impressive. Very impressive. Very easy on placement. Against a wall or toed-in. Thank god they got rid of the reflex ports. I hate those chuffing noises they make. Also, this makes them so much easier for placement. 8 Ohms nominal sensitivity at 87 db. Very easy to power and sounds very good with my Tripath 5watt, Meridian 65watt and Mark Levinson ML-9 200watt. Ive finally found a replacement for my 20 year old KEF Q-80s, finally. Thank you KEF getting back to your roots at an affordable price.
Comparison Specifications
- Power Handling: 15 - 200 Watts
- Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
- KEF UNI-Q driver: One 8.0" aluminum Uni-Q / one 1.5" vented aluminum dome HF
- Woofers: One 8.0" aluminum LF / two 8.0" aluminum ABR
- Sensitivity: 91dB
- Max. output: 114dB
- Crossover Frequency: 1.8kHz
- Frequency Response: 32Hz - 40kHz
- Design: Two and a half-way bass reflex
Dimensional Specifications
- 41.7" H x 9.6" W x 12.7" D
- 48.7 lbs.
KEF Q900 Warranty Details
5-year limited manufacturer's parts and labor warranty
