KEF Q Concerto Meta (vs. KEF R3 Meta, Wharfedale Linton & more)

[@LULAM50]

Another great review from John Diarko. Cheers from Canadia !

[@sobeautifulsrilanka]

Love these direct comparisons! Keem them coming, please.

[@JohnDoe-df2zz]

I generally agree with your opinions on audio equipment, but I always chuckle at your choice of test tracks. I frequently queue up songs you use to test equipment and generally hate them. It's amazing that folks with such different musical tastes can still be brought together through audio equipment. Keep up the great work.

[@scootie68]

I really appreciate how much you talk about and listen to Talk Talk in your videos.

[@taidee]

Well JD, we thank you for all that work and weeks of doing this review, that's why we're here, for top quality production.

[@justadad2304]

I also like John''s coffee tips

[@lmtrades]

regular viewers of this channel are still waiting for that aluminum vs. aluminium side by side review

[@EvanA.]

Not surprised to hear the R3 Meta and Q Qoncerto Meta are similar. The consumer really wins here. Thanks KEF (and Mr. Darko).

[@MechAdv]

Buy the R3 if you want to put them close to a wall, a Concerto if you want to bring them out into the room.

[@nonametofame]

I'd also thank those who purchased the Reference and R metas as early adopters. It allows for this trickle down tech to be in consumer friendly prices!

[@amante762]

For the love of God, I don't know why nobody will directly compare these with the LS50 Meta that everyone has reviewed at this point, which is closer in price ($999 currently). Yes, it's design is obviously similar to the R3, but purchase decision has a much stronger correlation to price! Great review as always!

[@chrisvand2678]

It's apples and oranges.. LS50 is a 2-way speaker, while the Q's is a 3-way design.. The real contest here is the R3meta, and how the Q's holds up against them in SQ..

[@andersahlberg3526]

Audiophiliac compared them. It’s what you would expect. LS 50 Meta was more refined in the highs and the Concerto had superior bass extension.

[@820stovall]

They are very different speakers, imo. The LS 50s are tighter and more refined, but you really need to pair them with a sub. The Concertos are fuller and have more bass extension, which I prefer. And they don't need a sub.

[@AdamFitzgerald]

I've been looking forward to this review since the Q Concerto Meta was announced and it did not disappoint. Thank you John.

[@KITFLETCH1]

One of your best. Love that you took trouble use both of your rooms and that you told us the media listening choices in Berlin and Portugal. Different speaker stands and placement of the speakers presumably make little difference.

[@brunonjezic6208]

Love the shirt and umbrella! Good stuff. Really helpful review. I don’t feel ready to replace my Sennheiser cx plus

[@philb4031]

Let's get the Kef Reference 1 in the conversation.....

[@RickRolling-tc7vb]

Thanks John, appreciate your insights and the work you put in to make this interesting. Enjoying the podcasts too, lots of variety there.

[@MrTimah101]

Heard these at a hifi show recently and every single person in the room was super impressed within 10s of hearing these. Once we were told the price we were all floored and unanimously said they were likely the best value speakers at the moment

[@AngeloAthens]

Hello!!! I've been waiting for this review since i saw them at your site and now the next step is to take my amp and go to a store to actually listen to them. And if they sound as good as you say ,then i will definitely buy them! Thnx Darko for the great review!!

[@thenonadventure]

"I think the Concerto is where anyone chasing ultimate bang for buck should put their cash" SOLD!

[@Y0UR1D]

Thanks John, great content, as always.

[@dirk-jansmit9772]

Yep Aphex Twin, bought the CD back in 1992, the original. Did not know what it was :-) 5 years ago went to AT printworks in London with my eldest daughter....

[@Kukkema]

Great review and beautiful video, as always. Thought you would be using the Hegel amp. Always heard that they’re very good synergistically with KEF.

[@cesarjlisboa7586]

Good review. Thank You ,and congratulations. 🎉Very good job.

[@justbrowsing5279]

Looking forward to a Super Linton review.

[@pablogp3266]

I was expecting a side-by-side comparison with speakers you don't have. Maybe next time 😉 Great video as always.

[@jean-philippemacioti-ducha3994]

Great work JD! Thank you for the dedication, honesty and clarity. Like a good speaker haha. And your music choices really speak to me. They’re top notch! As to the R3 vs Concerto, I will take the blame for being superficial but I just can’t get over that blue gloss finish, even if I had the money to buy the Reference. Best. JP.

[@jandalichow6659]

You should do a video on how you keep all your gear clean and dust free…

[@DarkoAudio]

Look again at my Technics turntable!

[@jandalichow6659]

Yeah I’m jealous. How do you do it??

[@feelgeorge]

Thank you for this review.. I really enjoyed this one.

[@aaronedgerton1843]

Thank you 🙏 Please do a comparison with the new Whatfedale Super Linton

[@820stovall]

The Super Lintons cost $1,000 more than the Concertos.

[@logendraraom.sugumaran7474]

Was really looking forward to this😃

[@Raafie]

Thanks for your review!

[@luispaxtor2680]

I tried these and while I loved the depth and height of the soundstage I returned them. On rock music electric guitars sounded opaque, this was really surprising. I also have Lintons and JBL HDI 1600s. Amp is a Rotel 1592 MKII.

[@funkychicken2119]

The R3 really takes the brunt on value proposition now that the Qs are out. Even the LS50 Meta are now 1/3 off since this model came out. I’m wondering if the LS50 is now the value king at $999?

[@joshuastephens3926]

Getting my tickets to Canadia soon

[@gregbosley6678]

Come visit me!!!

[@JoseGarcia-oo4mc]

Excellent work 👍

[@blairholmesproductionsinc.9432]

Yer fantastic, John! Nuff said!

[@Mikeymikemike]

I have compared the concerto and r3 meta side by side I think the r3 is grippier and more detailed in the bass with more texture. The mids in vocal tracks are larger and more lifelike creating a bigger full bodied soundstage. I think you’ve got it the other way around in terms of value. The concerto makes the r3 meta seem like a very good value upgrade. If someone can swing an extra $800 more you get a better bass driver, larger midrange driver, seamless cabinet construction, real wood veneer or gloss paint finish instead of vinyl wrap and biwirable posts. Fit and finish on the r3 meta can’t be faulted. Overall, you get subjectively better sound and the unquantifiable peace of mind of knowing you can’t really step up any further in the kef bookshelf world without spending silly money on the reference line. So the value quotient for r3 seems more appealing now. With the concerto, some will be wondering if they should upgrade; whereas the r3 metas hold the fort a little longer.

[@tothemax324]

You should hear Kef reference before it’s labeled ‘silly’ money, different price bracket and performance no question.

[@chrisharris1522]

until they launch the R concerto meta

[@hclandscapes]

I did a side by side and thought it was very close, the R3 sounded brighter and have nicer cabinet build quality. But overall very close indeed

[@Mikeymikemike]

@@tothemax324absolutely, I have heard them and they are great but since I am a soundstage and detail junkie for that money I’d rather get the sonus faber Electa Amator

[@m.hendriks-vy6ry]

I have the R3 meta speakers and I experience a great problem finding a streamer/amplifier to them. Tried Roksan, NAD M10 V3. Now I think about the LYNGDORF TDAI-1120. It is harder then I thought it would be.

[@Voidoid77]

Seems like KEF have shot themselves in the foot by introducing the Q Concerto Meta not that long, in relative terms, to the R3 Meta... esp. in the v. busy 'bang for your buck' customer range of loudspeakers... just my tuppence worth. Top notch review, John - kudos. All the best from a Scotsman/long-term resident in Japan.

[@820stovall]

I suspect we will see a new R3 Meta soon that will take things to a whole new level.

[@vernonrobert7879]

Great review, very interesting.

[@thehealthynomads]

I know we are a small country and often fly under the radar, but Canadia? Wow!!! Anyway, I'm heading back into my igloo to watch a hockey game with a big bowl of poutine.

[@DarkoAudio]

eh 😉

[@larsman9169]

I've written comments to him a number of times explaining that there is no country on planet Earth called 'Canadia'.

[@richardsinger01]

​@@larsman9169anyone would think you should have got the joke by now...

[@SamJessop]

Great video. Cannot wait to try out a pair, although I need to work out what the 5.1 pairings will be as these will cover home cinema duties too.

[@noosamike]

It makes sense, if you’re Canadian you come from Canadia, if you’re Australian you come from Australia, see, simples 🤓

[@PAULGRILL]

What about the elephant in the room? How do they compare to the equally priced LS50 Meta. Since there is the LS50 I don‘t get why KEF positioned the Concerto on the almost exact price level of the 50s.

[@820stovall]

They are very different speakers, imo. The LS 50s are tighter and more refined, but you really need to pair them with a sub. The Concertos are fuller and have more bass extension, which I prefer. And they don't need a sub. I think they appeal to two different types of audiophiles. Concertos or more comparable to the R3s.

[@aquinamedia4508]

On the KEF 1960s note, what happend to the floor speakers with 10" bass drivers that used to be prominent up till 90s?

[@sunvalleydrivemusic]

Just bought the Concetos as a secondary system and I love them already. I’m shocked at their performance for the price.

[@herrtrigger7220]

It would be great to keep a pair of end-game type mono amps on hand for reference. Then we wouldn't be subject to the flavor-of-the week smallish integrated amps that play a considerable role in how these speakers will sound. The KEF R7meta and JBL 4349 both reward the listener when using higher quality amplification. Many other speakers simply do not. Such consistency with amplification would certainly be worthwhile, especially for a solid reviewer up on Darko's level. Often we seem to get too much attention diverted to somewhat compromised gear rather the speakers under review themselves.

[@gregbosley6678]

Hey John, love the channel and the reviews so thanks for being who and how you are... Just a question... where exactly is Canadia? Or is it Kanadia? Is it close to Portugalia or perhaps Germania? Lol. Are you mixing it up with Britannia? Am I missing a joke here? I let this slide when you said it in a previous review but I do feel it necessary to point this out. You pronounce Canada just fine several times when you speak of "Boards Of Canada" so, I'm not really sure what is going on here but, as a fiercely proud Canadian, I felt in necessary to speak up. Keep up the great work. Signed, a bemused Canadian. :)

[@Dexter-14R]

Simply a play on how Americans and Canadians pronounce aluminium!

[@gregbosley6678]

@@Dexter-14R Actually, we pronounce it the same way. It's the Brits who pronounce it different... and don't even get me started on skeletal... or Zed vs. Zee!!! Lol... Anyway, back to the audio reviews...

[@richardsinger01]

​@@gregbosley6678AFAIK the entire world apart from N. America says aluminium. Reminds name of "the pints a pound the world around" - ie for "the world around " substitute "the USA".

[@Karto86]

Interesting stuff about KEFs new measurement center :)

[@paulbrodeur5485]

Can't wait you put your hands on Super Linton

[@adsph]

Well done John. Thank you.

[@jikenj]

I'm getting a Elac UB5 flashback thanks😮

[@Pulpdiction1999]

Be interesting to see a comparison including the Super Linton which have just been released.

[@ClassMPlanet-Yo]

Agree… I’m in the market for new loudspeakers and I’m seriously considering the KEF R3 Metas (though now after John Darko’s excellent review I’m more interested in the KEF Concerto as a better value)… but I’d really like to see a review of Super Lintons before I start auditioning these speakers.

[@820stovall]

The Super Lintons are more than $1,000 more expensive than the KEFs.

[@toomuchroom.studio]

You mention the Stereo 70s, but prefer the A1 pairing. Did the 70s sound like it had enough power to drive the Concerto?

[@feelgeorge]

The cost of the Q Concerto Meta + matching stand and abit more = Q7 Hmmm should I be looking at the Q7 instead?

[@tremot7143]

Good move of KEF to revise the Q-line with all that trickle down technology. I just don't understand the Concerto bit, owning a pair of the orginal ones. They are massive and so is their sound, easily digging down to 25Hz in room and extremely easy to drive as well. They also came as KEFKIT 3. It would be amazing if KEF would reintroduce this concept providing parts and schematics, sans cabinet to build your own truly full range home speaker.

[@sixergixer]

Shadowflare sounds like a Decepticon. 🤖

[@D1N02]

I would play them of against the Q acoustics 5040. They are a bit more expensive but don't need stands.

[@paulkerr9128]

Interesting comparison between the Concerto and the R3. I'm guessing the price difference is largely down to better materials, build quality and better components in the R3? Sounds like the Concerto may be a bargain though and will hit R3 sales.

[@820stovall]

Slightly larger woofer. Much better finish and build quality. But the sound difference isn't huge. That's why I went with the Concerto and couldn't be happier. The Concerto is an amazing speaker and an even more amazing value.

[@RiseFall123]

⁠@@820stovallWhat is your complete setup?

[@benoitdelcorps1019]

Just by curiosity, what are these ortofon concordes heads on the turntable? DJ cartridges? With what kind of needles? Any opinion on these compared to ortofon red or blue?

[@MichaelLaing71]

This is a question more than anything (and maybe a stupid question, so I apologise if it is). In the video, for the Berlin apartment room, it looks like you have the Q Concerto Meta on a set of Audio Acoustic Gaia feet, which will change the sound a bit. Now I am guessing with your testing you did testing both with the feet on and off and did it make a big difference to the sound?

[@l-man9258]

Relief. He can say the “Canada” in Boards of Canada, and not just Canadia, which is a fictitious place, by the way!!

[@supikoiraroy]

Kef shot itself in the foot with this product.

[@820stovall]

Not when they release a new R3 Meta that takes things to a whole new level.

[@rw80]

The alternative is that another vendor fills the spot at this price point.

[@emotown1]

Probably haven’t shot themselves anywhere. They’ll make more profit selling these Concertos like hot cakes than the slight hit to their R3 sales. And increasing their KEF brand awareness amongst hifi lovers in the process. It’s a win win. Plus a win for hifi lovers now the bar has been raised at that price point.

[@philb4031]

Hello, great content as always - I guess the next question is what's the difference between the Reference1 and the R3 or are they "similar"? and then the R1 and the Concerto Meta or are they "similar" because if they are that would make them the bargain of the century? No?

[@maxx0531]

John what kind of sound absorbant green rug do have you got there?

[@authenticNL2]

GIK Acoustics 2D Diffusor

[@JeffHeon]

I had to watch Harry Potter by Balenciaga again after this video 🎶😂

[@marvinbavarian3236]

❤ your stuff

[@BitcoinNoddy]

i also had an issue with the sticker coming off the speaker stand, holding my R3 meta :(

[@johndoe-nh9sh]

BoC sound great on my KEF LSX II LTs + Kube 8 MIE (was listening to The Campfire Headphase before watching this vid). I prefer BoC to AFX and in AFX land prefer SAW II to SAW 85-92.

[@lawtherj1]

Take me to the River is an Al Green original. TH are the best but they covered it as well

[@DarkoAudio]

Yep, this was indicated in the video -- but you must've missed it.

[@rebelde8319]

I wantem to buy a POLK R200. It will be better to go for KEF Concerto?

[@authenticNL2]

Sound signature wise, both are neutral but if you need to stand up and walk around the room while listening to music, the Concerto Meta will be good for that compared to the R200's small sweet spot.

[@RanTausi]

Get the monitor audio silver 100. You will be happy

[@robertwoodward9231]

Polks on sale $459.00.

[@onepieceatatime]

Could someone please tell me the name of the album sitting in the background? The one with the picture of the yellow house. Thank you!

[@DarkoAudio]

It's not an album but a photo book of Todd Hido's work.

[@onepieceatatime]

@DarkoAudio Eye catching, great photo. Had to ask. Thank you!

[@nickw2349]

So I have q350’s that I’m super happy with the sound of in my space, are these worth the upgrade? I like the idea of adding a small amount of more bass but these are also $600aud more than the 350’s still are.

[@rickc661]

I have the Q 350 - also a 'small' sub - 8 inch. Def. tech and It uses the Outlaw sub setting I think around 70 hz to try to keep voices out of the sub. sounds way better at some things, others not so much. this does give Ya more control , adjustability. , bass boost, bass cut....

[@Reluctantaudiophile]

Canadia? LOL!

[@linKratos-e2n]

Today I saw someone using KEF's muon with Burmester's 088 preamplifier and LUXMAN's M-10X and LUXMAN's D-03X CD player. Although it feels wrong and I can't tell. Can anyone tell me the correct way to match it? Thanks

[@eranoved6757]

For hometheater, do you think it's better to get the Concerto instead of the R3, it the difference even noticeable?

[@TexSupport]

That's the assumption I'm making from his comparison.

[@meridiusuk8567]

I upgraded from the Q series to the R Meta series and never looked back. Have the R5,R3 and a R2C metas loves them

[@sunilpatkar9294]

Sir which modern KEF BS speakers would match or sound better than KEF Cresta 1 UK

[@zombielandiii2711]

The next question is if its "better" or same as the regular Kef R3.

[@Vladetz]

Thank you for awesome video! Do KEF SQ1 stands allow bolted connection to Q Concerto?

[@DarkoAudio]

Yes, speaker and stand are bolted together

[@tawbox5067]

Yes

[@wastelan1]

Did you try the Wharfedale Linton with the Musical Fidelity A1?

[@DarkoAudio]

Nope.

[@angelOcrisu]

😂 I choose OK Computer every time and Wish you were here but which is which?! I bought this summer the Elac UBR62 for 500eu new which has a similar 3 way displacement as Concerto. I think it's a contender. It's a german brand. Why don't you give it some attention?! You british are so proud of your products made in China😅

[@Maarten-i8e]

I have the Kef R3 meta. I sold my old Audio analogue amplifier. I wanted a streaming amplifier but I cannot find one which is a really good combination with the Kef’s. Roksan, Nad M10 V3, no good.

[@mafcarvalho]

Maybe a Marantz?

[@mrmomo305]

Check out the Hegel line

[@dixieflatline1189]

This is where an old school hifi dealer works magic. Give them a budget and buy speaker / amps as a system. Not as separates off the internet (yes I'm guilty of this too for dacs..)

[@Maarten-i8e]

Thank you all. I am waiting for a Lyngdorf 1120. If that is also not satisfactory I will try the Marantz 40n. It is a process;-) I had to replace my old amplifier, so i did not want to sell the Kef’s.

[@Maarten-i8e]

@@dixieflatline1189 i understand but i did not want a new complete system.

[@sebarosca]

Is the Cabasse Rialto review cooking?

[@BPaarmann]

I know you're not gonna do it, John, but we really need that comparison between your Rega Planar 6 and the Technics 1210 GR.

[@flaviusfro]

What stands are supporting those Golden Ear speakers?

[@DarkoAudio]

Buchardt stands.

[@hifi-photo-Brian]

Where did you get the cool speakers stands the Zu DWX are on? What brand are they or are they custom? Thanks!

[@DarkoAudio]

They're a custom job. 🙂

[@54tristin]

I wonder how they compare to the recently released ELAC 3

[@andrewpaterson57]

do you think the musical fidelity a1 could drive the kef r3 meta

[@hansoosterwal4073]

Doesn't it always come down to personal preferences?

[@seventeendegree]

please review the new radiant acoustics :)

[@Lou-f]

The longer live concert version of crime in the city shown on channel 4 in the ‘90 (have on vhs) is a real smack in the face. I’d love to find a proper recording on vinyl or cd.

[@spingarn]

A link to the iphone "TV Remote" app? There are way too many with that name....

[@820stovall]

I downloaded one called iTunes Remote that I thought might be the one he was talking about and couldn't get it to work. Wouldn't find any of my devices.

[@michaelmcglynn968]

I’m really interested in how the Concerto meta compares to its tower brethren, the Q7 and Q11

[@dobieprime]

ive heard the Q7 in store with music I chose....they are NOT BAD at all.

[@matthewtieman8842]

Are going to get a comparison between the Moondrop DiscDream 2 Ultra and the Pro-ject CD Box RS2 T? $250 vs $3000? That would be a hoot.

[@DarkoAudio]

Sadly not as they are in different countries.

[@matthewtieman8842]

@@DarkoAudio Good editing: I thought they were in the same room.

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

Would the Super Linton be better at a similar price?

[@CreRay]

Great review! Would have been extremely interesting to put these against the Buchardt P300 aswell, completely similar in price and size.

[@johngreek]

Waiting Q1 Meta review for small rooms

[@wilsonlee5590]

i will choose R3 Meta bookshelf, because sensitivity is better than Q, if Q series is better to choose Floor stand model, Q series Bookshelf sensitivity is too low

[@micheld7220]

I had the kef q500 floorstanding speakers i replaced them with a kef r500 this speakers do have a difference the r500 sound more deeper in base the q500 really need a subwoofer also the r500 is much more clear and refined then the q500 soundstage is more or less the same r500 sounds a bit bigger though only thing what the q500 is doing better they sound a little more open then the r500 but that can be also because of the less bass they producing anyway my thoughts

[@Michael-xz1nk]

Wow…love the R3 but the Q makes for a difficult decision. However, the Q cabinet looks a little cheap, comparatively speaking. Also the Q in white in much better than the drab brown / black Q. Kef needs to up their game on how they display the brand logo on both. Both look cheap to me.

[@Lovelacewatkins139]

Shouldn't that be boards of canadia

[@DarkoAudio]

You make a good point 🎈

[@Lovelacewatkins139]

@DarkoAudio 😊

[@syanhc]

I might by the LSX 2❤

[@andrewventer9166]

Thanks for the review!

[@user-ys4og2vv8k]

If the Concerto is so comparable to the R3 Meta, then it must also be better than the LS 50 Meta?

[@820stovall]

It's a matter of taste. They definitely have more bass extension and a fuller sound than the LS 50s, but probably not as refined or detailed. You need a sub with the LS 50s, and you really don't need one with the Concertos.