Reddit reviews KEF Q300B Bookshelf Loudspeakers - Black Ash (Pair)
We found 18 Reddit comments about KEF Q300B Bookshelf Loudspeakers - Black Ash (Pair). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
With its 6.5 inch point-source Uni-Q driver array, the Q300 delivers an accurately dispersed soundstage throughout the room than is possible with any conventional speaker.The Q300's Uni-Q driver array also features a rigid new aluminum cone technology and a large, 2 inch voice coil to ensure impressive and distortion-free low frequency handling.The KEF Q300 stands a full 14 inches tall and just under a foot deep, making it perfect for any bookshelf or desktop in your home. The versatile Q300 can be paired up with any floorstanding speakers, center channels, or subwoofers from the KEF Q Series as a home theater system.Used solo or in tandem with other Q Series speakers as a full-on home theater system, the Q300 will envelope any room in the same beautifully integrated three-dimensional sound image.
Some very nice options in that price range:
Assuming you just mean an overall budget of $800, here's a couple of options I'd suggest.
SPEAKERS
AMP
Amps can be found for cheaper at Accessories4Less if you're alright with refurb units.
Your need for acoustic panelling will largely depend on the furnishings of the room. If the room is mainly hard surfaces, with no carpet and with solid furniture, you might look into dampening. For your budget, however, you're really only looking at adding a thick rug rather than full-on room treatment options.
Basic advice: to play music from your computer you need a DAC, an amplifier (including a pre-amplifier) and speakers.
Computers have DAC's built in to their headphone outputs, but they tend to be of poor quality resulting in poor sound quality. Integrated amplifiers include a preamplifier built in, and tend to represent the best bang for buck.
For your budget, I recommend spending a decent amount on speakers, and only as much as you have to on the other components. Get a DAC like the HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC ($42), the Schiit Modi ($99), or the ODAC ($145). Amplifiers vary quite a lot with price and availability depending on where you are, but you might look out for the Marantz PM6005, the Rotel RA-10, the Onkyo A-9010, the Yamaha A-S300, or the NAD 326BEE or D3020. Note that some of these have built in DACs, so you might like to spend the extra and get a PM6005 (for example) and then you won't have to worry about getting a DAC.
That leaves about $400-700 for speakers, depending on how much you spend on your amp and how much you decide to budget. You can either go floor-standing speakers, or buy stand-mounted (aka "bookshelf") speakers. This is up to your personal preference. At your price point you tend (as a very general rule only) to get better mids and highs from stand-mounters, but better bass from floor-standers. Floor-standers include the KEF Q500 ($550), the Monitor Audio Bronze Series 5 ($314) and 6 ($424), the Wharfedale Diamond 230 ($699), or the Q Acoustics 3050 ($799). Stand-mounters include the KEF Q100 ($424) or Q300 ($649), the Monitor Audio Bronze 2 ($378), the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 ($249), or the [Q Acoustics Concept 20] (https://www.amazon.com/Acoustics-Concept-Bookshelf-Speakers-Anniversary/dp/B01I46G1VI/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1484025379&sr=1-5&keywords=q+acoustics) ($430). There are many, many more speakers, and they make by far the greatest difference to the sound you will hear, so I strongly recommend you go to a bricks and mortar store and listen for yourself before deciding on a set. Remember that if you buy stand-mounters you will also need to buy stands to put them on.
You will also need cables to connect your computer to your DAC, your DAC to your amp, and your amp to your speakers. MonoPrice cables are good value. Avoid buying overpriced cables from HiFi retailers as these tend to be incredibly high margin items. Getting decent banana plugs on the speaker cables (if you can in your country) will make plugging and unplugging the speakers a whole lot easier.
Good luck and please let me know how you get on!
I recommend these:
https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-R-15PM-Powered-Monitor-Black/dp/B01A7J534G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479322474&sr=8-1&keywords=r15+pm+klipsch
https://www.amazon.com/U-Turn-Audio-Orbit-Turntable-Black/dp/B00YQ6B396/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479322533&sr=8-1&keywords=u+turn+orbit
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/google-chromecast-audio-black/4532100.p?skuId=4532100&ref=212&loc=1&ksid=b9026f1f-e325-4276-8133-249263fd9844&ksprof_id=16&ksaffcode=pg72903&ksdevice=c&lsft=ref:212,loc:2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCS2ZLO/ref=sxr_pa_click_within_right_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2329824862&pf_rd_r=H70DTYPT16GTYCXQ2CFC&pd_rd_wg=hShMQ&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhs-carousels&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_w=eQHOV&pf_rd_i=speaker+stands+30&pd_rd_r=GNYQHZ851XV5J0WVQ3D0&psc=1
The Klipsch are a speaker system with a receiver built in.
This is a complete home music system and you wont need to buy anything else.
Or if you want to have separate components I recommend this:
https://www.amazon.com/Fluance-Elliptical-Counterweight-Anti-Skating-RT81/dp/B01F2EXIFM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479323335&sr=8-1&keywords=fluance+rt81
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-R-S202BL-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B01EMQI2CU/ref=sr_1_3?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1479323363&sr=8-3&keywords=yamaha+stereo+system
https://www.amazon.com/KEF-Q300B-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Black/dp/B00CE3LG9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479323386&sr=8-1&keywords=kef+q300
and speaker stands.
These are budget recommendations that will get you good sound and good quality. If you want to go crazy on high end stuff you will want to do more research on the audiophile sub.
I have the bigger brothers the CMT-340SE and yep, they aren't lookers. I was typing a non-shitpost though so here:
Who knows what she thinks looks nice. show her the Klipsch RP-150M, HTD Level 3, Airmotiv B1, Polk S20, Kef Q300, and Q Acoustics 3020. She'll probably like one of them. Or maybe she'd prefer the look of tower speakers. A pair of Polk S55 towers are $200 each used straight from Amazon.
are you thinking to expand to a 5.1 system in the future?
this would be my pick for a set of bookshelves around $400:
https://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Uni-fi-Bookshelf-Speaker-Black/dp/B01CRYWVG2/ref=sr_1_7?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1505270293&sr=1-7&keywords=elac
these are another good option:
https://www.amazon.com/KEF-Q300B-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Black/dp/B00CE3LG9U/ref=sr_1_3?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1505270413&sr=1-3&refinements=p_36%3A30000-40100%2Cp_72%3A1248879011
If going new something like this will work nicely.
Phono stage: Schitt Mani
Amplifier: Yamaha A-S301BL
Speakers: KEF 300B which are currently on sale https://www.amazon.com/KEF-Q300B-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Black/dp/B00CE3LG9U/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1478521897&sr=1-6&keywords=dali+zensor+3
I would honestly take advantage of the Q100/300's still being on sale. These are both fantastic speakers that have a good low end. They also have amazing imaging and a super wide soundstage. The front port design and the Uni-Q driver make placement very forgiving.
The smaller Q100 is said to have better voicing but the larger Q300 goes a bit deeper. For a 2.0 setup like you're wanting I would consider the larger Q300 but the Q100 isn't bad either unless you're a big rap fan.
The debut carbon is indeed a very nice buy. You could consider a subsequent upgrade to the acrylic platter. Dali's Zensor 3 and Kef's R300 are also rather excellent speakers that you could consider.
Don’t compare prices across brands, speakers don’t work like that, some $300 ones sound better than $600 ones from other companies.
These speakers will do some things better than the others, but they are all on relatively equal footing.
Then, get 18 guage or lower speaker wire (and banana plugs if you like), then get an appropriate length subwoofer cable.
I have and love the kef q300, and the black color is right in your price range at $400. They retail for like $500-650, but actually drop to $300 on occasion, which is what I snagged them for. You might have to stretch the budget if you also need an amp, but it will totally be worth it if you take audio seriously. I use a yamaha receiver with mine.
Kef makes damn good speakers that also look better than most. The kef tangerine tweeter is like magic, and the bass is solid too for music even if you don't get a sub. I'd still take them for a spin first anyway before considering a sub.
https://www.amazon.com/KEF-Q300B-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Black/dp/B00CE3LG9U
Also check out www.accessories4less.com for any deals for receivers and speakers and whatnot. Amazon also has great deals for refurbished receivers, especially older yamaha and denon models.
Denver here also. I have three picks for each.
Speakers:
Integrated amps:
Or this one, harder to find but nicer: http://m.ebay.com/itm/TEAC-Reference-AI-501DA-90watts-ch-Integrated-Amp-192kHz-USB-DAC-AI501DA-silver-/112167013703?nav=SEARCH
https://www.amazon.com/KEF-Q300B-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Black/dp/B00CE3LG9U
kef q300's just went on sale on amazon
I'm not sure $800 is enough budget for tower speakers unless you would buy Klipsch or Andrew Jones Pioneer. Most good tower speakers which wouldn't really need a sub and would be audiophile quality are something like $550 each.
I would get bookshelves and a subwoofer, and you can upgrade them in the future if you wish. For the bookshelves, do something like this:
KEF Q300B Bookshelf Loudspeakers - Black Ash (Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CE3LG9U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xwLDzbT9SB2WF
Or, slightly cheaper:
Klipsch RP-150M Bookshelf Speaker - Cherry (Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RXHEH8Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LHLDzb4SG7WJF
Wharfedale - Diamond 220 (Walnut) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P15KDCO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9RLDzbZ86871K
DALI - ZENSOR 1 - Bookshelf Speakers in Light Walnut (Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057X8796/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VSLDzbP0MK16M
And for the sub:
SVS SB-1000 – 12”, 300 Watt DSP Controlled, Sealed Box Subwoofer (Black Ash) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AF88C0M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LDLDzbRASPMQT
This puts you over budget by $100 if you go with the KEFs and $35 if you go Klipsch (which would be significantly louder, more V shaped sound (bass and treble, less mids), but less detailed). I haven't heard the wharfedales or dalis in person so I can't comment on their sound. So, I would start with just the speakers and then decide if you want a sub or not, if you do, continue saving.
Edit: some tower options that are less than $800:
Klipsch RP-250F Floorstanding Speaker - Ebony (Each) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S2N4BDO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.LLDzbFH56BVV
Monitor Audio Bronze Series 5 2 1/2 Way Floorstanding Speaker - Each - Black Oak https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XW22VY6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cQLDzb7WQ7KE9
ELAC - Debut F5 Tower Speakers (Each) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014GSEPY8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_TQLDzbEY4CHAQ
Whether any pair of speakers "needs" a sub is a matter of personal preference. If it were up to me, I would put the bulk of the $500 into as good a pair of speakers as you can find, and forget the sub. Here are some suggestions:
https://www.amazon.com/KEF-Q300B-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Black/dp/B00CE3LG9U
https://www.amazon.com/DALI-ZENSOR-Bookshelf-Speaker-Black/dp/B0057X5KF0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1500916043&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=Dali+Zensor+1&psc=1&smid=A3PO6K6MJQ13RE
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Klipsch-Reference-RB-61-II-Bookshelf-Black-speakers-Pair-Black-/162594240096?_trksid=p2349526.m2548.l4275
Unless you're willing to push your budget up another couple hundred, I would stick with bookshelf speakers. Also, this is assuming you want to buy new. If you're willing to take a chance with something used, and you're patient, then all bets are off.
I saw the KEF Q300 in black listed on Amazon last night before the deal was active (no price displayed yet). Someone just posted the active deal and it's pretty freaking good and going fast!
To properly integrate a subwoofer you need to cross it over. I suggest using a miniDSP. Othewise you'd have to connect your source to the sub and then go to the amp, but the XO integrated in the sub isn't ideal.
SVS SB-2000, KEF Q300, miniDSP 2x4HD (with mic) for bass management and room correction.