A Look Inside The KEF Q3 Meta - What changes have been made?

[@generationbehindhifi]

If you would like to support the channel, then please consider purchasing your speakers from the below affiliate link. By doing this it helps me create more look inside videos that you all enjoy to watch. Your support is much appreciated! Thank you! KEF Q3 Meta: amzn.to/3Akjfj9 KEF Q3 Meta From the KEF Store: amzn.to/4hv8A5F KEF Q350: amzn.to/46vcIfO SACD Sound Demo of the KEF Q350 vs the Q3 Meta: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIXUiompeLSgoKc

[@BobbyBass-x6i]

Thanks for another breakdown video. Adds a lot to the usual sound impressions I seen on other channels. Keep up the good work and rock on!

[@sbr6]

Happy New Year! Thank you for this review! Wow, what an eye opener, interesting to see what manufacturers do or dont do behind the scenes. So called upgrading to increase the price. Dont get me wrong, I love my Kef Q150's, but i will think long and hard when i go to "upgrade"- not blindly jumping on the hyped bandwagon.

[@emmet7208]

The difference in T/S parameters tells me the woofer is the same driver, as the difference is well within expected tolerance between drivers of the same batch. Also Kef does appear to have good batch quality. My guess is that Kef tried to push the tweeter cross-over a bit too low in the Meta, which could be the reason why you prefer the 350. If you add damping material to the rear of the enclosure you will reduce one of the impedance peaks, the other is likely due to not rounding over the woofer hole internally. Great video! Keep them coming!

[@generationbehindhifi]

Thanks for the comment! You might like my KEF Q350 upgrade video that is coming out next month. I added additional damping material to the cabinet, upgraded the crossover parts, and chamfered the inside hole with a dermal tool in the hopes of squeezing a little more performance out of them. The weird part about the Q3 woofer is it does have a tad bit more mid bass punch than my Q350 that I could hear. I can definitely hear more body and weight behind each bass note. I'm a bit puzzled how they did this because the cabinet and bass reflex port are exactly the same between speakers. The only differences (which are small) is in the T/S parameters.

[@emmet7208]

@@generationbehindhifi If it isn't cross-over Q, then maybe there is more attenuation on the tweeter in the Meta! you would have to check the cross-overs resistor values to tell.

[@paulgyro]

​@@generationbehindhifiI think the woofers having a 2nd order crossover now allows it to reduce its bandwidth of reproduction and increase the quality of what it does produce.

[@choronzo202]

@@emmet7208Exactly my thoughts as well..

[@aldub1263]

Looking forward to this upgrade video. I am interested in upgrading my kef q (250) speakers, not expecting amazing results but should be a fun simple project

[@boneseyyl1060]

That's interesting. Makes the Q350 a screaming good buy right now as KEF is practically giving them away to make room for the Meta. Seems to me the substantial price difference isn't really warranted in this case. It also goes along with what I am hearing about the Concerto vs the R3 Meta. A lot of people are preferring the Concerto over the Meta because it sounds a bit more lively and has a different bass response. Again it seems to make the Concerto the better buy, since sound is quite similar and the price difference is substantial there as well.

[@Prometheus1979]

I always look forward to your tear down videos. Absolutely love them. Keep up the good work.

[@generationbehindhifi]

Awesome! Thank you! I really appreciate that!

[@yvesboutin5604]

I really enjoy this teardown/comparison video ! Since the Q350 was pretty well received, it was obvious for the company to just use the same cabinet with a slightly updated crossover and driver. It was wise and safe for the company to not invest more money in R&D, but I am still a little puzzle about the use of polyfill or lack thereof. The 'old wisdom' about cabinet design was to put damping material on one side of the cabinet when the other one facing it was parallel to avoid echoes and resonnances. I certainly would like to see what it does to the frequency response when one is modified compared to one that isn't. Thanks for the video!

[@doctorwho0072]

Excellent video! Rare to see a reviewer being honest and unbiased. You deserve more subscribers! Any plans to compare the Q1 meta vs q150 , q650c vs q6 meta or q950 vs q11meta?

[@generationbehindhifi]

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. Sadly my honesty is probably one of the reasons why I don't have more subscribers. I'm fine with that because I do this just for fun anyways. I have no plans to do the other models in the lineup, but I would assume the outcome would be similar.

[@jamesmorse6486]

Great look inside. I love to see the hidden parts of products like this. Always good to know what we are paying for. I was surprised to learn that the damping material was rolled up at the bottom and top of the front baffle. Any idea what benefit this has over lining the top, bottom, back, and sidewalls with the same material? This is what I normally see in other speakers.

[@generationbehindhifi]

Thank you! Yeah, I totally agree. I always prefer to see the nuts and bolts that make up a speaker than some subjective review from a person that I don't know so I decided to create this channel for other people who are like me. Hopefully it helps people make informed decisions about the products that they are interested in. I can only speculate on KEF's choice of damping material, but I think it was highly influenced by cost instead of performance. I have a KEF Q350 upgrade video series that will be coming soon. The Q350 has the same damping material inside as the Q3. When I lined the inside walls with quality damping material on my Q350 it significantly reduced the cabinet resonances that were showing up on my impedance sweep and also removed the "boxy" sound. I will go over all of this in my upgrade video series that will be out next month.

[@jamesmorse6486]

@@generationbehindhifi Can't wait to see your results. I did one of Danny's upgrades to a pair of B&W 606 S2 speakers a few months back. I was surprised at how much the damping material influenced the sound. It can be a real balancing act. I lined the side walls and roof with NoRez 2 and added the original polyfill back into the cabinet and essentially ruined the sound. I took out the polyfill and it sounded like a brand-new speaker. Looking forward to your build video. :)

[@johnross1991]

Interesting comparison. Nice job with the info.

[@peanutbutterjellyjam2179]

As always, great review.

[@juststuff5216]

Chip board brace ... great! 🙄😒

[@JR-ho5qm]

Good comparison. Now let’s see what your Hot Roded crossovers do! 👍🏻🔈

[@aciel-tv]

Interesting, i guess i dun have to upgrade my existing q350 haha. Nice 👍

[@generationbehindhifi]

Yeah, it would be more of lateral move than an upgrade.

[@muresantiberiu8018]

Maybe if you switch the speakers position between them or try to test them in the same spot so they can have the same distances between them you would hear differently. You increase the midbass response on the 2 closest and you get different imaging and sounstage because of positioning changing slightly the frequency response.This inner and outer speaker position test it's not the best ,they need to be exactly in the same spot to be more objective.

[@larsmartinhambro7848]

What is good about KEF meta? Can you do some load test? Onkyo TX-NR717 or some simular? or need it NAD\Hegel H400?

[@ryanchappell5962]

What about the artifacts from the front of the driver? That tweeter has a large assembly in front of it. Very cool though. I’m sure Kef knows that they are doing. I love to see inside these speakers and measuring the drivers is a really nice touch.

[@generationbehindhifi]

Those are all very good questions. The large plastic piece in front of the tweeter is there to improve dispersion of the sound waves. KEF refers to the plastic piece in front of the tweeter as the "tangerine waveguide". I didn't go into too much detail on it because I already went over it in my KEF Q350 Look Inside video. If you want to read more about the Tangerine waveguide check out this link: us.kef.com/blogs/news/the-sweet-sound-of-kef-s-tangerine-waveguide?srsltid=AfmBOoo7MCipyRw3fKnCAnMxcmqCi2tNfaNG9pvwZ_rFiT8iD5nh4U0U

[@fhaquuu]

I love your speaker stands! What are they? The Q350 are my favorite all time. I sold my LS50 metas long ago and stuck with them. Only gripe I have is they have had QA issues. I’ve had tweeters fail, and the glue on the surrounds separate and KEF replaced drivers every time. I just wish they were made to last. Maybe the W3 rectifies some of that. Thanks

[@generationbehindhifi]

Thank you for the kind words! The speaker stands are made by B&W and are designed for the 805 Diamond speaker. I sold the speakers and kept the stands because I love them so much. Sorry to here about the Q350s. Wow! That's quite the list of issues. I have owned my Q350s for over a year and haven't had any problems with them so far.

[@larsmartinhambro7848]

How good is Kef sp1587.2 compered with meta?

[@RdandTrk1]

It's a good morning when there's a new GenerationBehindHIFI video. ☕

[@generationbehindhifi]

haha! Thanks man!

[@PhillioDoede]

Great video. I figured they'd be close but didn't expect them to be basically the same thing. Sort of disappointing but on the other hand it means the new Q line should eventually be able to hit the same sale prices as the out going models. Also I have to wonder if some of the TS differences in the woofer are from the Q350 being broken in compared to the basically brand new Q3?

[@generationbehindhifi]

Thank you. FYI: I put at least 50 hours on the speakers before measuring their T/S parameters.

[@BoRerunn]

Did you ever do a video on the Heco towers

[@generationbehindhifi]

I haven't yet. I'm waiting for Dayton Audio to release their new "40K" measurement system. They said it would be released in Q4 of this year but so far nothing. :(

[@RennieAsh]

Slight tweeter adjustment and new crossover it seems

[@kramsniggah4333]

Emperor's new clothes. Change the crossover slightly and upsell. KEF now take care of their own shill.

[@tonks01]

Hi! With this purchase are you still planning the original Q350 series of videos where you'll upgrade those speakers? I watched the video when you outlined your upgrades and I was looking forward to that video - hopefully, this new purchase doesn't change those plans!

[@generationbehindhifi]

Hello. I'm putting the finishing touches on my Q350 upgrade video and it should be out just in time for Christmas. I have no plans to sell my Q350s because I like them better than the Q3 Meta. 🙂

[@tonks01]

@@generationbehindhifi Excellent news! Looking forward to it.

[@JulianRasch-g6v]

would it be possible to get the q350 could get them for around 320 Euro a pair, and get the new Center Q6Meta or should i rather get the older Q650C., im asking since the new Q6 Meta is a real 3 way Design and the Q650 2,5 Way

[@davidmorgen4558]

The binding Posts look kind of cheap..Otherwise they seem really well made,Nice job kef!

[@mr.potatofries8094]

I wonder if you prefer the 350s more in the moment because they are broken in? You think the q3s would benefit from a break in period?

[@generationbehindhifi]

Every speaker I test gets broken in for at least 50 hours before I start measuring them.

[@oldman1517]

I so look forward to the re-engineering and parts replacement of the crossover. I can’t even stand to listen to my Q350’s, maybe a bad pair?

[@generationbehindhifi]

Wow! What don't you like about them? I have always thought the Q350 was a nice speaker for the money. Obviously its not perfect, but at $500 per pair (what I paid when on sale) I thought they offered tremendous value for money. At times the speakers can sound a bit "boxy" and the bass can be a bit muddy, but hoping I can resolve some of that with my upgrades. We will see. :)

[@oldman1517]

@ I guess I could have been more specific, lol. There’s a harshness/IMD in the upper mid range, probably around the crossover point. This is present at any volume and at least for me, quickly fatiguing. I’ve read similar complaints. Hoping a slight crossover value change and component quality would help. Maybe notch filter added to the offending frequencies. If it’s just inherent in the design of the drivers, well…Haven’t made the time for any exhaustive testing, my set up is currently in “studio” mode. The KEFs stay in the box. Other than this, I REALLY enjoy them. I’m pretty sure they have great potential.

[@shipsahoy1793]

what's happening with the expected crossover mods videos ??

[@generationbehindhifi]

@@shipsahoy1793 I should be done with it for a late December release date. 🙂

[@hom2fu]

@$799 parts are cheezy. i don't know how much money the spent on research and development.

[@sudd3660]

it is a nice speaker, but not worth making a q3 version with meta. maybe just make a 350 v2. now i am thinking if getting a cheap 350, and modding it. maybe some cabinet improvement, making it sealed, adding filling.

[@generationbehindhifi]

You will like my next video then. I'm doing a KEF Q350 upgrade video. Sneak peaks of my progress can be found on my instagram page.

[@YitbosSwede]

@@generationbehindhifi Just in time for all the old Q lineup sales. I think you may convert some to the DIY for some savings, if the Q350 mod is simple enough to start with.

[@paulgyro]

I can't believe KEF only has a 1st order high pass on the tweeter. It must be able to play very well low (I hope,)

[@richarddegannes2928]

Hi, What is your opinion on Kef Reference 1 meta speakers for all genres of music? Are they value for money spent? What are the parts used in the crossover? Thanks in advance.

[@generationbehindhifi]

I haven't had the pleasure of listening to the KEF Reference 1 Meta so can't comment on them. I did hear the KEF R3 Meta and loved them. I think those will be my next bedroom speakers once I sell my SVS Ultra Evolutions (which I love too).

[@scrunts666]

You would think, after all this time, that they would have worked out how to make a pair of speakers that do not need a new version to replace them.

[@larryh9525]

Nice review. For the price of the Q3s, someone could get the Q350s and a Wiim Amp and have an entire system. For folks just starting out your review should give them confidence to go with the Q350s.

[@RascalCatify]

Pretty crazy that $800/pair only gets you a vinyl wrap!

[@generationbehindhifi]

I hear ya! Speakers are getting very expensive. To be fair though, I can't think of another speaker company who offers a real wood veneer cabinet at $800 per pair.

[@RascalCatify]

@@generationbehindhifi Agreed, I did a quick search and couldn't really find any. The only one that was close was the Aperion Audio V5B. But those are $899/pair.

[@JJTMARQUES]

The box is made of pressed chipboard, or pieces of wood mixed with glue and pressed, which is a very expensive price point for the materials used. Can do better at the same price? Of course!!! Crossover cheese components, sufficient wiring and connectors, internaly used poor damping. Finally, a devil in disguise to sell to sheep.

[@funkychicken2119]

I’m curious how these compare to the R3. The design seems so similar that I would like to see where the cost increase of the R3 would go.

[@todayisgood7836]

💓😻

[@michaelcorlet2998]

Electrolytic caps.junk.

[@burton7023]

Cheap