Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: KEF Q4 Speakers by machani

Model:	Q4
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$650
Description:	Entry level floor-standing speakers
Manufacturer URL:	KEF
Model Picture:	View

Review by machani ( A ) on July 20, 2004 at 01:56:21
IP Address: 24.87.215.133

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BACKGROUND
These speakers were for my mother who loves Classical and Jazz music. The Kef Q4's are very stylish and attractive to look at with their rounded MDF cabinets. Auditioning them was very easy. One auditioning session at the showroom and Mom was convinced these were for her! If the mom loved these speakers, the wife was doubly envious and a fair amount of explaining was required in order to convince her that I had made a better decision to get the relatively boxy JMLab Chorus 714S for ourseleves instead of the Kef Q4's.
FEATURES AND SOUND
I'll keep this review short and, in doing so, will compare them with the JMLab Chorus 714S which were also bought in the same month - April 2004 (and which I have reviewed separately here: http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=speakers&n=167141&review=1). In many respects the Kef Q4 and the JMLab Chorus 714S are quite similar.
Both JMLab and Kef make their own drivers (the Kef in this case with their proprietary Uni-Q drivers) . Both these speakers are slim floor standers with roughly the same specifications. Both are capable of producing smooth highs, detailed sound, wide midrange and tight bass. Like the JMLab, the Kef Q4 also performed extremely well with any kind of music I threw at it, be it jazz, classical, rock or blues. The soundstage of the Kef is quite good with fairly precise imaging, although a tad shy of the JMLab in this respect.
In terms of differences, the JMLab is probably the more accurate and transparent of the two. The integration of the speaker drivers in the JMLab is also more seemless, despite the fact that the Kef can be bi-wired whereas the JMLab can not. And the JMLab is capable of more extended bass (although its low end is actually rated at 50Hz versus 42Hz for the Kef).
However, in my opinion the Kef Q4 is more lively right off the bat. No long breaking in period was required for these speakers to show of their mettle. The tweeter is sweeter and the midrange so fluid and lively that one is easily tempted to sacrifice tonal accuracy for these qualities. It is also extremely refined sounding. Plus its off-axis response is better than average, making them easier to place than the JMLab in order to get a good soundstage. These speakers are to be enjoyed without the painstaking analytical examination of sonic details.
On the downside, if you are looking for huge bass then these speakers are not for you unless you are willing to add a subwoofer - not a bad idea when you have those parties when you get to show off these beauties.
CONCLUSION
Although not as accurate as the JMLab Chorus 714S, the Kef Q4's sound refined and lively enough to be enjoyed without analysis. The bonus is that your wife/GF will love you for them. (All you have to do is peel off the "Made in China" label). Highly recommended!

Product Weakness: Not huge on bass.
Product Strengths: Very clear and refined sound, clean and smooth highs, excellent midrange, tight bass, superb build quality and finish. Very stylish and wife friendly looks! (Will impress your girlfriend too).

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Denon AVR-1404 receiver
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Marantz 4400 DVD player
Speakers:	Kef Q4
Cables/Interconnects:	Generic digital coax interconnect. PROFX brand 12 AWG speaker cable.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, jazz, rock and blues.
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 14 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	Classically furnished living room
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	None
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	Not huge on bass.
Product Strengths:	Very clear and refined sound, clean and smooth highs, excellent midrange, tight bass, superb build quality and finish. Very stylish and wife friendly looks! (Will impress your girlfriend too).