KEF Q COMPACT Bookshelf speakers
British KEF can certainly be related to one of the most popular speaker systems in the world. Its name is always on lips of music lovers from all the continents and the production earned adoring reviews in specialized publications and not only British. Relatively inexpensive Q line enjoys great success, where the smallest model is Q Compact.
Externally this system, made in China, is no different from Q1 monitors. The difference is seen only in sizes, power, sensitivity and, consequently, in maximal sound pressure (it is 3dB less in Compact). Everything else is the same: three variants of vinyl finishing, drop-shaped body tapering to the back wall when viewed from above and decorative tide on the upper wall. The same, but 30mm less in the diameter coaxial driver point radiation Uni-Q. Its midbass diaphragm is molted from polyamide with filler and recessed inside a 19mm dome of the tweeter is made of aluminum.
The bands are divided on the frequency of 2,8 kHz. The bass reflex is put directly under the speaker and, judging by the length, is tuned pretty low.
Due to its compact sizes, these speaker systems can be connected to a system with bands splitting: own amplifier for tweeters and the own one for midbass. Terminals and jumpers don't shine with gilt but are made with excellent quality and ready to accept bare wire and any standard speaker's connector.
Q-Compact will surprise anyone by its serious academic voice: by how bass is supplied, how luxuriously voices sound, how calm and clear the top is.
Although the KEF speaker systems need slightly more drive and speed, thereby the sound seems to be a bit boring and not very catchy, this does not derogate from its advantages. First of all, the sound stage which distinguishes by scale, width and holographically exact localization of foregrounded sources (focus and stability on the background are not the same) should be attributed to them. The sound picture of Q Compact evokes feelings similar to those that appear at assessing photo, made by master: the main object is well drawn, light lays nicely on it, each hair and texture are seen and all of the rest is artistically defocused but still gives the imagination about the character of background and environment.
The second strong quality of Q Compact is seen in the ability to play any musical program deeply and soulfully - literally chanting. And exactly such interpretation implies the union of two opposites: the presence of subtle details and sound comfort. Simply put, they give a lot of musical information but don't tire at long-lasting listening. For this rare quality you forgive them a slightly smoothed upper range and little "chest" coloration, and not the highest overload capacity.
