Side by side
Ascend Acoustics vs KEF Q1 Meta
Ascend Acoustics
12 positive (92%) · 1 mixed (8%) · 0 negative (0%)
Trust + time weighted: +91%
Top excerpts
My likely next speakers will be Phil’s or Ascends. I’ve heard the latter in person and also blown away.
Many other options in that price range depending on if you want Klipsch, KEF, Ascend Acoustics just to name a few.
If you got a healthy budget, look at other brands as well, brands like Revel, RBH, Ascend Acoustics, Paradigm, etc...
Direct-sales delivering reference performance through premium SEAS drivers and RAAL ribbon tweeters. They actually publish their Klippel NFS measurements - that's confidence in engineering.
Speaker wise, RBH, Revel, Ascend Acoustics, Kef, are all great options to look at.
KEF Q1 Meta
10 positive (91%) · 1 mixed (9%) · 0 negative (0%)
Trust + time weighted: +91%
Top excerpts
If you want a better 2.1 setup still in your $1000 budget, take a look at the KEF Q150 for $350/pair or Q1 Meta for $400/pair.
Kef Q1 Meta side surrounds - $400
At $399 the Q1 metas are solid for both L/R and one for center. They are much more neutral than the Q150 and they also come with grilles.
Some Bookshelf Speakers to consider: Klipsch RP-500M, ELAC DB5.2, KEF Q1 Meta.
I think for an apartment setup Q1s should be plenty for LR and allows you for an upgrade path to 5.1 in the future where you could get the Q3s or concerto as LR and move the Q1s to the back