KEF Q5 Floor Standing Speakers

The KEF Q5 is an excellent speaker and cannot be beat for the price; an affordable building block.

Building the perfect stereo system can be a daunting and intimidating task for any novice.  So many options, and no matter what type of dough you have set aside, chances are it won’t be enough.  I don’t know what your bank account looks like or what bills that you have waiting in the mailbox, but putting together a killer system can be difficult even with the most liberal spending limit.  I for one, have a variety of interests and obligations that nibble steadily at my pay check each and every month. Therefore, when I came of age and decided it was time to trade in the college boom box for a quality home theater system, I realized quickly that my funds would fall far short of allowing me to build a top of the line set up.

In fact, audio equipment, like jewelry, women and vehicles, is an expenditure that can quickly engulf a small fortune.  So unless you happen to make reoccurring appearances on various Forbes lists, chances are that you will never be able to afford the market’s top equipment.  The good news is, however, that with a little patience and perseverance you can find components that will fit your needs and maximize your CD/DVD collection’s potential. With a huge market of add-ons, your system is guaranteed to keep your interest and ears peaked for years to come.

My transformation from casual music enthusiast to audiophile came during my extensive shopping trip for speakers.  I quickly shook off the notion of running to Best Buy to buy the biggest, meanest looking speakers my current funds would allow.  I learned that it was better to keep an open mind about price, and look for quality first.  After all, if I picked out the right speakers, they could be a long term investment that could oversee the transition of my music collection from modern rock to classic to golden oldies.

With a much looser definition of what I could afford, I hit the stores looking for a speaker that could perform well for what I listen to.  Primarily, I was looking a solid musical speaker that could offer some strong home theater potential.  I wanted something that would allow me to enjoy the nuance and instrumental diversity of jazz and classical, but would crank up and blast hard rock like I was sitting in a concert venue.  I wanted crystal clear highs, with serious depth and power.

During the months I shopped, I spent a ton of time listening to speakers in all kinds of price ranges.  I allowed my perceptions of what I needed to constantly evolve with new information and incorporated the advice of pros and novices along the way. Eventually, I found a speaker that, although retailing at double what I originally intended to spend, was a perfect choice: the KEF Q5.

The Q5 absolutely blew me away when I first auditioned it at Woodbridge Stereo.  The first time around, I thought that they were slightly out of my price range, even at a marked down $800/pr, but I soon came to the conclusion that I couldn’t beat the value.

The design of the Uni-Q driver, which puts the tweeter inside the driver, helps to expand the “sweet spot” making these speakers less dependent upon placement and listening position than others.  They set up a beautiful soundstage and allow the listener to place instruments and vocals exactly where they were meant to be.  Close your eyes and you can picture the full band jamming in front of you.

These speakers are also very responsive to upgrades and I am always making small, but very noticeable improvements.  I added digital connections, making a clear improvement in sound quality.  Next, I bi-wired the speakers bringing out even more potential.  I intend to upgrade my amplification, which I know will allow me to bring out much more of the capability of the Q5s. 

All this quality is brought with a very reasonable price tag.  I bought the Q5’s from Woodbridge Stereo for $750. They retailed at $900, but they came down because I took the floor models (the floor was nicer and more comfortable than my own living room).  Although this might sound like a lot to your average Joe, audiophiles know that this is a pittance compared with the type of cash that you could be spending on speakers.  I can honestly say that these speakers have repaid the investment in full.

The Q5s are a great piece to start with in putting together an affordable, quality system that can be enjoyed for years to come.  I have read the same sentiments from many other happy purchasers and I am glad to throw in my two cents behind these speakers.