KEF XQ-20 Piano Black (Pr) 2-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers

Comments about KEF XQ-20 Piano Black (Pr) 2-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers:

Ok here we go. I tried to do as much research as could on the XQ-20s GB (piano black).

Not finding one “user review” anywhere US or UK. That’s usually for me this best way to get the truth about something.

This story is a little relevant because it did truly complete the audio part of my budget home theater/media room.
I purchased the KEF 3005 SE series 5.1 Home theater speaker system and a Denon AV-988 7.1 a few weeks ago. The sound was great but did feel I was not getting enough mid rang and base. After looking at the pro reviews very few to be found, I decided to go with the XQ-20 over the iQs series book shelf speakers. And I am glad I did, even though they seem to me a little pricy at the moment, but we are talking about Kef’s and worth every penny (lucky enough to get open box deal from Onecall great place to on line shop by the way).
Opening the box is a jaw dropping experience in itself. They are truly fine craftsman’s ship at its best. The finish is flawless black lacquer, a solid built cabinet and heavy.
I replaced the 3005s front L&R satellites to the back position giving me a 7.1 Dolby PL II Cinema configuration. All I can say is wow what a huge deference this made using XQ as the mains. I would have never thought a book shelf speaker could through out so much crisp clean sound at even high volume with little to no distortion. Note: I read somewhere (expert review)KEF recommends you cranking them up to break them in. It appears to me this is true. The more I use them the better they sound.
The XQ-20s are much more than what I expected and I am pretty hard to please (just ask my ex-wife). I don’t think you will be ever sorry you decided to spend the extra money, I am extremely happy with them. I give them a perfect 10.

With KEF’s sophisticated elliptical dome tweeter mounted in the acoustic centre of the bass/midrange cone, the latest Uni-Q® array with ‘tangerine’ waveguide disperses an uncannily accurate sound image throughout the room with startling clarity, so you have far greater freedom of positioning. Bass extension is as generous as it is well defined, thanks to an ultra-low-distortion bass/midrange driver in a massively braced reflex-ported enclosure. Full bandwidth two-way stand mount/bookshelf speaker
KEF's latest 165mm (6.5in) Uni-Q midrange/HF 'point source' array with new 'tangerine' waveguide
Natural-sounding high performance elliptical dome 19mm (0.75in) tweeter
Low distortion 165mm (6.5in) driver
Magnetically shielded, with a choice of three superb high gloss finishes and optional stand
Model XQ20
Design Two-way bass reflex
Drive Units 165mm (6.5in.) Uni-Q with 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome HF
Crossover Frequencies 2.4kHz
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m) 88dB
Frequency Response (+/-3dB) 52Hz - 55kHz
Maximum Output 109dB
Amplifier Requirements 15 - 120W
Magnetic Shielding Yes
Impedance 8 Ohms (min 3.2)
Weight 9.2kg (20.2lbs)
Dimensions (H x W x D) 385 x 231 x 302 mm (15.15 x 9.09 x 11.88 in.)
Finishes Birdseye Maple, Khaya Mahogany or Piano Black

Aluminium dome tweeter with ‘tangerine’ waveguide
The unique 'tangerine' waveguide delivers a smoother, clearer high frequency response with an even wider disperson as well as providing an excellent protection from straying fingers.
Uni-Q
KEF’s patented Uni-Q® driver configuration is what makes the XQ range sound noticeably better than conventional speakers in normal rooms.

The new Uni-Q® array in the XQ has been further refined, with a sophisticated new 19mm (0.75in) elliptical dome tweeter, improved acoustic geometry and ‘tangerine’ waveguide for even more realistic vocals and even smoother, louder and clearer high frequency response.
LF Drivers
At the lower frequencies, the new LF drivers are impressive. Redesigned magnetics and low mass coils of edge-wound copper coated aluminum wire allow the cone greater length of travel for gloriously extended bass. Faraday loops are also incorporated to improve dynamics and reduce harmonic distortion further still.

Comments about KEF XQ-20 Piano Black (Pr) 2-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers:

Worth every penny

Ok here we go. I tried to do as much research as could on the XQ-20s GB (piano black).

Not finding one “user review” anywhere US or UK. That’s usually for me this best way to get the truth about something.

This story is a little relevant because it did truly complete the audio part of my budget home theater/media room.
I purchased the KEF 3005 SE series 5.1 Home theater speaker system and a Denon AV-988 7.1 a few weeks ago. The sound was great but did feel I was not getting enough mid rang and base. After looking at the pro reviews very few to be found, I decided to go with the XQ-20 over the iQs series book shelf speakers. And I am glad I did, even though they seem to me a little pricy at the moment, but we are talking about Kef’s and worth every penny (lucky enough to get open box deal from Onecall great place to on line shop by the way).
Opening the box is a jaw dropping experience in itself. They are truly fine craftsman’s ship at its best. The finish is flawless black lacquer, a solid built cabinet and heavy.
I replaced the 3005s front L&R satellites to the back position giving me a 7.1 Dolby PL II Cinema configuration. All I can say is wow what a huge deference this made using XQ as the mains. I would have never thought a book shelf speaker could through out so much crisp clean sound at even extremely high volume without distortion. Note: It even gets better as you break them in, KEF recommends you cranking them up to break them in.
The XQ-20s are much more than what I expected and I am pretty hard to please (just ask my ex-wife). You wont be sorry, I am extremely happy with them. I give them a perfect 10.