For audiophiles, choosing the right floorstanding speaker can be a daunting task. There are plenty of options available in the market, but KEF Q550 and Dali Oberon 5 are two of the most popular ones.
Both of these speakers are designed to deliver exceptional audio performance and come with a host of features that make them stand out from the rest.
But which one is better?
Let’s take a closer look at KEF Q550 vs Dali Oberon 5:
Quick Comparison
Last update on 2025-03-22 at 19:48 / Paid links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
| Feature | KEF Q550 Floorstanding Speaker | Dali Oberon 5 Floorstanding Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Array | Enhanced Uni-Q Driver Array | Wide dispersion pattern |
| Crossover | Reimagined crossovers | N/A |
| Cabinet | Redesigned cabinet | N/A |
| Finish | Sleek new finishes | Rounded edges and rustic fabric |
| Low-Frequency Drivers | New internal upgrades, including New Surrounds and rear Suspension | Wood fibre cone with low-loss surround and spider suspension |
| Bass Drivers | One 5.25” bass driver and two 5.25” auxiliary bass radiators | N/A |
| Grilles | Magnetic cloth grilles sold separately | Rounded edges and rustic fabric front grilles |
| Patented Technology | N/A | Patented SMC disk minimizes negative effects of iron pole piece |
Design and Build Quality
The KEF Q550 has a sleek, contemporary look that is sure to catch your eye. It features a redesigned cabinet and comes in a variety of finishes, including black, white, and walnut. The Q550 measures 35.6 inches in height and 8.3 inches in width, making it a perfect fit for most rooms. The magnetic cloth grilles, however, are sold separately.
The Dali Oberon 5 also has a contemporary design with rounded edges and rustic fabric front grilles. It measures 34.2 inches in height and 7.8 inches in width. The Oberon 5 comes in four finishes – black ash, light oak, dark walnut, and white – giving you more options to match your room’s decor.
Winner: Tie – Both the KEF Q550 and Dali Oberon 5 have a modern design and come in a variety of finishes.
Drivers and Performance
The KEF Q550 features a 5.25” Uni-Q Driver Array, one 5.25” bass driver, and two 5.25” auxiliary bass radiators. The enhanced Uni-Q driver array is designed to smooth out treble frequencies, while the reimagined crossovers provide cleaner and more accurate bass. The Q550 also has new internal upgrades for its low-frequency drivers, including new surrounds and rear suspension, resulting in immaculate bass no matter the volume.
On the other hand, the Dali Oberon 5 has a 5.25-inch wood fiber cone woofer with a blend of fine grain paper pulp, reinforced with wood fibers, which creates a stiff, lightweight and well-behaving structure. The low-loss surround and spider suspension also reproduce the micro-details in the signal – unfiltered and with high accuracy. The iron pole piece of the Oberon 5 woofer magnet is crowned by a patented SMC disk, minimizing the negative effects of the iron.
Winner: Tie – Both the KEF Q550 and Dali Oberon 5 have impressive driver configurations and deliver exceptional audio performance.
Frequency Response
The KEF Q550 has a frequency response of 51Hz to 28kHz, while the Dali Oberon 5 has a frequency response of 39Hz to 26kHz. This means that the Oberon 5 has a slightly wider frequency response range than the Q550.
Winner: Dali Oberon 5 – It has a slightly wider frequency response range than the KEF Q550.
Price
The KEF Q550 is priced at around $700 per pair, while the Dali Oberon 5 is priced at around $900 per pair. The price difference between the two is mainly due to the fact that the Dali Oberon 5 has a wider frequency response range and better build quality.
Winner: KEF Q550 – It is more affordable than the Dali Oberon 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Uni-Q Driver Array?
The Uni-Q Driver Array is a patented technology used in KEF speakers that places the tweeter at the acoustic center of the midrange cone. This creates a more precise soundstage and improves dispersion, resulting in better imaging and a wider sweet spot.
How does the Dali Oberon 5 achieve a wide dispersion pattern?
According to the information provided, the driver materials, crossover design, and geometry of the Oberon series have been selected to achieve a wide dispersion pattern. However, specific details on how this is achieved are not provided.
Do the KEF Q550 and Dali Oberon 5 come with grilles?
The KEF Q550 has magnetic cloth grilles that are sold separately. The Dali Oberon 5 comes with rounded edges and rustic fabric front grilles.
How many bass drivers do the KEF Q550 and Dali Oberon 5 have?
The KEF Q550 has one 5.25” bass driver and two 5.25” auxiliary bass radiators. The number of bass drivers for the Dali Oberon 5 is not specified.
What is the SMC disk in the Dali Oberon 5?
The iron pole piece of the Oberon woofer magnet is crowned by a patented SMC disk that minimizes the negative effects of the iron. However, the specific details of what the SMC disk is and how it works are not given.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, both the KEF Q550 and the Dali Oberon 5 are exceptional floorstanding speakers that offer a wide range of features and excellent sound quality. The KEF Q550 features a sleek, modern design and enhanced drivers and crossovers, while the Dali Oberon 5 features a rustic design and a wood fiber cone woofer with high accuracy. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference in terms of design and sound quality.