KEF Q950 vs Klipsch RB-81: which should you buy?

The Klipsch RB-81 is my pick in this pairing. It leads on sound quality, bass response, design and value for money, and I would only steer a buyer elsewhere if midrange and treble detail matter more than sheer impact.

Buy the KEF Q950 if your listening is built around voices, strings and acoustic detail. It takes midrange clarity by a clear margin and edges treble detail narrowly, detailed without turning harsh or piercing. It is a 1062 mm floorstander specified from 44 Hz to 28 kHz, and I found it forgiving of odd corners, variable ceiling heights and off-axis seats. Plan for two things. It wants real power, so budget for a capable amplifier inside its 15 to 200 W window, and if you want serious low end weight you will probably add a subwoofer. The finish is the least convincing part of the package, and I would open the cartons and inspect the cabinets the day they arrive, because shipping damage is a reported risk with a box this size.

Go the other way if you want maximum impact per watt. At 97 dB sensitivity the Klipsch RB-81 plays loud and stays clean without much driving it, and its bass is deep, full and punchy in a way I rarely hear from a 483 mm cabinet. It also leads on design and on value for money, and it takes overall sound quality by a clear margin. Two caveats before you order. In a small room the top end can read as sharp or granular, so give it stands, space and some distance from the listening seat. And read the listing carefully, because these are sold as single speakers rather than as a pair, and it is easy to pay for a stereo setup and receive half of one.