KEF Speaker Comparison (Reference 1 vs 3 vs 5 vs LS50)

Reference 1’s + REL S510’s: • REL Acoustics THE DEMO...
Video showcasing the vocal reproduction capabilities of the Reference 1’s: • New KEF REFERENCE 1 20...
Reference 3 demo: • KEF REFERENCE 3 - Spea...

[@d.nakamura9579]

I totally agree on the stand height being a bit too low on the Reference 1 stands. It puts the tweeter height at 34”, which is a few inches lower than ear level when seated. Mine sounded rolled off until I toed them in and tilted them back on the stands so that the tweeters were angled up a bit. So much better now. Nice review

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

Very very cool doing this comparison thankyou !!! I have been a Kef fan for many years. Enjoy :) And one day once you get the itch to upgrade...it might be time to try active and come to the darkside lmao

[@Novilicious]

I heard the new Reference 5 Meta recently and i honestly prefer them to the older blades. I didn’t hear them back to back, but comparing them in my memories. Love your Rel 3-D home theater setup btw…I’m sure you have killer surround speakers as well!

[@chrislam6753]

I really enjoy your videos and following along with your journey is great. I was wondering what you think of the relative synergy between Kef LS50s and Reference speakers with Hegel versus the Gold Note IS-1000. What are your thoughts on that?

[@techjourney5383]

I am a huge fan of the synergy between Gold Note and KEF. Hegel sounds great as well, but I would choose Gold Note everyday when pairing with LS50s

[@ridingdreamer]

Nice setups. My future plan is ref 3 / 5 (based on the house I move to). Have you done any acoustic treatment? Seeing the video, I don't see any and looks like the speakers are too close to the wall too. But you know better and sure have some arrangement is there.

[@techjourney5383]

Thanks. Only room treatments thus far are one artistic acoustic panel from GIK acoustics at a first reflection point, rug, and furniture. Kef reference can be placed pretty close to the wall but I could benefit if I could pull them about 12” more into the room. Overall sounds great to my ears even with the trade offs. Hope that helps.

[@Baturay4658]

What's difference between Reference 1 meta and 3 ? I've got 10 thousands budget I need an amplifier cable as well . Which speaker amps cable do you suggest? Thank You

[@bryanfurys]

hello did you try kef reference 1 meta? vs bowers and wilkinsons 805 d4, vs focal sopra 1 and focal utopia diablo colour evo? is reference 1 meta better than reference 1? i am looking to upgrade from kef r3 + nad m33 amp[.

[@mustipso]

I listened Bowers Wilkins 805 D4 today didn't liked it no subbass and top frequency too bright hard to listen long period of time. I will stick with reference 1 meta 👍

[@audioexperience]

great insight ! kef reference is extremely smooth yet detailed and is among the least fatiguing speakers available should you need anything in the future i’m an authorized kef dealer and would be happy to assist subbed !

[@balooo2863]

I have almost the exact wood cabinet in my home 😊 I’ve been challenged to find speakers that will sound good laying on their side what model speakers are those in the top sections?

[@techjourney5383]

Kef q300. Front ported. Work great for my height front channels.

[@De132an]

Hello, I just bought a new pair of Ref 1 Meta speakers with dedicated stands. I am a bit confused with the base port. I know the short port gives a more tight base presentation but lacking extension into the lower 30 hertz range. The long port giving lower extension but sounding more rounded with less detailed base. I’m curious which port is actually more accurate to music reproduction? Your thoughts and opinion would be most helpful. Thank you.

[@techjourney5383]

Congrats on the new Ref 1’s! I’m not big on measurements but instead go with what sounds best to my ears and that was always the long ports on my Ref 1/3/5’s.

[@De132an]

@@techjourney5383 . Thank you for your response. They are the best I’ve ever owned and with my tube amps are just magical.

[@richarddegannes2928]

Hi, I live in the Caribbean and have no way to audition either KEF Reference 1 or 3 meta speakers. My listening space measures 19.5ft long x 11.5ft wide x 10-14ft high. I listen to mostly Prog Rock, Jazz and some reggae music. Please advise which of these 2 model speakers would be the best fit for my space? My current amplifier is a Parasound A21+ and can this amplifier do justice with either model speaker? Thanks in advance.

[@techjourney5383]

Hi Richard, I think you would be happy with either one with a room that size. I would personally go with the one that I got the best deal on but please keep in mind that I personally would not be 100% satisfied with these speakers without high quality subs that play down to 20hz like the REL S510’s. I think I could be happy in the short term without subs, but would definitely plan on adding them long term. With regard to the Parasound amp, I think it will do great in the short term but I would also plan on getting something else that would be a little better match long term. I tried the JC5 and while it sounded great, I found it to be a little too warm of a pairing for my liking but still very good. Hope that helps!

[@juanHERNANDEZ-ni3hv]

Hello, can the reference 1 be used in a 12*13*9 room? Or it will be to small of a room for them, thanks

[@techjourney5383]

Assuming all of your measurements are in feet? Yes, should work very well if you can sit at least around 9 feet from and between the speakers and keep the rear of the speakers at least 2 - 3 feet from the wall.

[@will2181]

It might be possible that a different amp, paired with your Reference 1, could overcome the bass null problem you encountered?

[@techjourney5383]

Perhaps with EQ or room correction software but I’m happy with the trade offs for now😊

[@scottzahn3298]

I’m leaning towards Goldnote IS1000 to pair with my kefLS50 metas and KC62 sub. Thoughts?

[@techjourney5383]

Fantastic setup! I have since moved on from the $5k - $6k (retail) IS-1000 based system to a $17k (retail) Naim + Luxman setup but if I had to, I could have been more than happy to stay with Gold Note + KEF as it is a great matchup. Please let me and others know how it goes if you decide to go down that path.

[@aficionadohiend]

Hello. Do you need a big amplifier to drive KEF Reference 5?

[@techjourney5383]

The Ref 5 are the most efficient of all of my KEF speakers at 90db but they all benefit from high current amps. I am really satisfied with how my Arcam AVR30’s match with the Ref 5’s.

[@sandbali1968]

Is that the arcam PA240 power amp runing the kef ref 3? If so what are your thoughts on it? I was thinking of getting one to run the Kef R5 fronts from my arcam avr850

[@techjourney5383]

Hi, yes I used the PA240 to drive the Ref 3’s for a while and it was a great match. I have since moved on to Luxman. With all that said, I believe your AVR850 offers 120w of glass G power into channels so not sure how much benefit you will get by adding a PA240. I’d say give it a shot if you buy from somewhere that offers returns.

[@sandbali1968]

@@techjourney5383 Hi. Thanks for that. That's probably true, I'd not end up with a major improvement for the money.

[@whisperingdreams3170]

Do the reference 3 sound better then the r7 meta? Can’t decide to buy the r7 meta new or purchase reference 3 used.

[@techjourney5383]

Sorry, I haven’t heard the new metas but I wouldn’t hesitate to get the older reference series. I’ve had many KEF speakers over the years including the two prior generation r series and while I’m sure the new r series is great, it’s hard for me to believe that they are better than reference. Please keep in mind though that equipment matching is very important and all KEF speakers require pairing with high quality subs to make magic happen in my opinion.

[@tao6295]

Hi, can you advise why you chose a pair of REL s510s over a single KEF kf92? I think in another video you mentioned a single kf92 sounded better than a pair of REL. I’m relatively new to this hobby and in the market for a subwoofer. Any information is greatly appreciated.

[@techjourney5383]

I believe I was comparing lower level and old series of REL to the KF92 when I made that comment. S510s are much better than KF92 for music in my opinion.

[@radomirlilic2472]

I am just wondering since you have R700 or had previously which amp has a good synergy with them? Also since you have the reference series how the R700 compare to them. I do have R700 and looking to find an amp that has synergy with them. Currently I have Synthesis Roma 37DC+ and it plays nice but sometimes I wish for more. I find that my bookshelf PSB's have better synergy with Synthesis amp then Kef R700... I may buy the Reference 1 later in the year but I like first to sort out amp for R700.

[@techjourney5383]

Hi, I found the following amps to be great with the R700’s in order of preference: 1. Gold Note IS-1000 2. Naim Uniti Nova 3. Naim Uniti Star 4. Arcam AVR30 (requires tone controls) 5. Cambridge EVO-150 (requires tone control and very sensitive to power source&cord) Please keep in mind that I used these all with the REL subs which are a very important factor for enjoyment of all of my KEF speakers. R700’s are a great value especially at used prices compared to reference series. I’d estimate about 80% of the performance, but that extra 20% increased performance of the Reference series is worth it to me. Hope that helps!

[@radomirlilic2472]

@@techjourney5383 Thank you! I have already looked into Uniti Nova and it made it into my top 5 list... the other ones are Luxman, Yamaha, Accuphase and Bryston. Also good luck with your sale (R700)! Just looked into your add.

[@techjourney5383]

I’ve always wanted to try Luxman, Accuphase and Bryston but haven’t gotten around to it yet. please let me know if you find something that you fall in love with😊 I find that the R700’s and Reference series tend to perform well with the same upstream equipment. Best of luck on your hunt!

[@arvinmendoza7360]

Hello, based on your actual experienced having the hegel h190 & Denon pma a110 what can you say about their sound differences to each other using your original kef ls50?

[@techjourney5383]

The Denon PMA-110 is probably the best integrated solution that I have found to pair with the original KEF LS50. With that said, I can only recommend that setup when it includes subs that have the ability to connect directly to the speaker terminals such as with RELs since the Denon does not offer any other way to connect subs.

[@mustipso]

​@@techjourney5383I bought reference 1 meta. Which would be suitable hegel h390 or Denon Pma110 lastly Nad M33 ?

[@t.j.bennett6454]

Is there an upgrade in sound quality at all going from reference you to reference 3? Or is it just more bass?

[@techjourney5383]

I assume you meant to type reference one to reference 3? No change in sound quality, just more bass when you move up to the larger size. I might actually give a slight edge to the reference one in terms of cohesiveness across the bass, mid range and treble but that could just be because of fewer bass issues in my room. Again, very slight differences in that regard so I wouldn’t (and didn’t) get too hung up on that point.

[@t.j.bennett6454]

@@techjourney5383 do you think maybe the bigger speakers require a more robust amplifier and that’s why the smaller speakers are sounding more coherent? Also your room has no room treatment. A bigger imaging speaker in too small of a room with no treatment will sound much worse. So aside from imaging, there’s no change in detail level?

[@loudandclearmedia]

Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but I run the Reference 1 nearfield in a production environment. They're being fed by a Benchmark AHB2 behind a RME dac, and I'm happy as a clam.

[@techjourney5383]

Thanks for sharing! I used mine nearfield on my desk for a while as well. Some really great listening sessions but required me to elevate them using the Isoacoustics aperta 200’s and they needed to be spread at the very edge of my 8’ desk to get a good stereo image.

[@loudandclearmedia]

@@techjourney5383 I hear ya. That's exactly how mine are...isolated and spread on the corners of an 8' desk.

[@slimsaturn]

What sort of dimensions would you recommend for the Reference 5 Meta?

[@techjourney5383]

I would recommend somewhere in the neighborhood of 15’ x 20’ with them pulled away from all walls by about 2’. With that said, I have both my Ref 3’s and Ref 5’s closer to the walls than that and am very satisfied with the performance.

[@techjourney5383]

Sorry I should have said “at least” the Room dimensions above. All in feet. Thx

[@mustipso]

I bought reference 1 meta. Which would be suitable with hegel h390 or Denon Pma110 lastly nad m33 ?

[@techjourney5383]

Congrats on the amazing speakers! Out of those three, I’d go with the Hegel h390. Known to be a great match. Check out Darko’s video on the pairing. With that said, I’d rather get gold note is-1000 with ref 1. Fantastic pairing!

[@mustipso]

@@techjourney5383 thank you for replying 👍 I will get hegel h390. Would you recommend Kef original stand like 1 meter height or higher custom stands? Lastly As a cable would you recommend chord epic XL with Banana plugs biwire or no not or audioquest rocket 88 ? I can't wait to listen these combination 😁

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

Would love to hear your take and comparison of Kef's new LS60. They look quite impressive.

[@techjourney5383]

Hey Raphael, I was excited about the announcement but lost interest when I learned that they used the same size driver as the LSX vs the LS50. I also did some extensive testing of the wireless LS50’s vs passive (both old and new versions) and while the wireless offer great value, I found that I preferred building systems around the passive versions instead of being stuck with the amplification and DAC’s built into the wireless versions. I admittedly have never heard the LS60’s so just going off of past experience. I would be interested in upgrading to Reference Metas at some point but very happy with what I have for now😊

[@fedrichorlandineumann3062]

Absolutly amazing, i love kef product too,i have ls 50 and R3 and i'm weiting the meta version .for me the Reference is to much expensive....saluti dall' italia

[@jeromewhitmill733]

What are driving the Ref 5 with.

[@techjourney5383]

Arcam AVR30. Great match with KEF!

[@Happytruth]

Are integrated amps or valve amps best with the reference 1 meta?

[@techjourney5383]

In my opinion, Gold Note IS-1000 Deluxe is the best integrated match for KEF Reference. I’ve heard of people trying tubes with good success but I have zero interest in trying that.

[@Happytruth]

@@techjourney5383 thanks for reply I will research that Gold Note amp and see if I can find any tube amps people have tried.

[@Happytruth]

@@techjourney5383 I have looked at the amplifier Gold Note IS-1000Deluxe the price doesn’t put me off am i right in thinking that because the onboard DAC is such good quality you have no reason for a separate DAC hence giving this amplifier good value at its price? Also if I was to combine this with the KEF reference one meta what speaker cables would be right in a system with this price tag then I can do my research thank you?

[@yayhoo8848]

Nice house!

[@1JRW1]

I have the LS50 Meta with the KC62 sub moved by a Hegel H190 and honestly I'm disappointed. Upper bass / lower mids are a bit weak (struggle to follow the bass line clearly) mids are just ok, but I would like them to be just a bit smoother. Treble is never sibilant, which I really like, but the top end is rolled off, so I'm not able to hear the highest pitch cymbals clearly. Also the overall sound is not surprisingly detailed. Just as a reference, I have the Meze 99 Classic headphones and they sound more airy (also not sibilant at all) and detailed when I plugged them straight to my phone. Anyone has similar experience with LS50 Meta?

[@V1ralB1ack]

what's your crossover point to the sub? how big is your room? are you using the low pass filter?

[@1JRW1]

@@V1ralB1ack my room is 7 x 4 meters. I started with a 45 hz crossover point and kept moving it up every week until I reached the maximum of 140 hz. It is far from ideal for a sub setup, but it is the only way I can have some mid bass. Fortunately the sub sounds so accurate and detailed that it blends without issues. I also have now a Minidsp with Dirac. It is helping a lot, but cannot ask the LS50 to reproduce mid bass since they just don't deliver ot in an accurate way or with body. The only result that I get if I try to increase a bit the mid bass of the LS50 with the Dirac is that the mids start to loose definition and become unnatural. That's also why I cut the sub so high. Even if with Dirac I notice a big improvement, I still cannot get to the level of detail and body that I have with my Meze 99 Classics, which is a complete disappointment.

[@V1ralB1ack]

@@1JRW1 Thank you for the detailed reply. This is very interesting. Your room size is wonderful and I think you're right. Without either a bigger subwoofer or a bigger speaker I think you optimized your setup to the maximum. I was thinking of doing the same as you but I have a smaller room and the bass builds up fast.

[@sammy10001]

Thoughts on kef R3 vs ls50 meta?

[@techjourney5383]

Please see my old video on R7 vs LS50. Same thoughts but I will say the R3 is likely a bit easier to worth with in terms of equipment matching, but I would personally still prefer the LS50’s.

[@温老師]

If you spend your own money to buy all these KEF speakers, I hope you also own their stocks as well, hahaha.

[@techjourney5383]

Nope, no KEF stock. I just enjoy their speakers😊

[@JC.LC.]

Nice. I've been considering the Ref 5's.

[@shannonwilliams6623]

I suggest going to look at New Record Day channel and check out his LOT video on how to set up speakers, your set ups are killing your performance, and lack of no treatment in your room is going to cause all kinds of reflection issues

[@techjourney5383]

Thanks for the suggestion but I’m actually quite happy with my systems. I may play with room treatment in the future but not feeling any pressure to do so.

[@briancampbell7712]

Great video- how do you hook up two subs...

[@techjourney5383]

Thanks Brian. REL supplies and recommends special cables that connect directly to the left and right speaker terminals. Another option is to use the left and right RCA outputs if your amp/preamp/integrated offers that.

[@tcc5750]

Just to confirm, this video is not regarding the new Meta version right?

[@techjourney5383]

Correct, prior version of the Reference series.

[@danwilliams3497]

I own the Kef reference 3 and I used to sell Kef. I’ve found that all the kef units like a lot of power

[@techjourney5383]

I’ve recently come to that realization as well after trying different integrated amps vs separates. For example, I love how the Gold Note IS-1000 sounds with KEF but when I used the preamp out/RCA’s into a separate more powerful amp, it elevated the listening experience further.

[@teknolojigundemi]

All great gears but no acoustic treatment? Why?

[@techjourney5383]

I do have a little. Artistic acoustic panel from GIK Acoustics at a first reflection point that was causing some issues before I added the panel. Other than that, the rug and furniture has resulted in a room that sounds great to my ears. I may add more in the future though.

[@Laissez_Faire]

Man!!! And I thought the R11 were impressive 😆. Those R5 look serious

[@whitecrowuk575]

Oh man what a collection! Jealous! What they say about meta version of ref being much much better then it must be mind blowing speakers. Ref 3 seems to be best for movies and music alike.

[@juliancrun]

From what you say in the video, I didn't buy the REL subwoofer. I bought a Klipsch so I could equalize it with the app.

[@techjourney5383]

Hi, I’m not sure what you mean but hope you found the video helpful and that you found a product that you are happy with.

[@alexandermuranov1354]

Nice dog 😂

[@xannyboyz8617]

ให้กูดูอะไร

[@dragonstone6594]

Dude, I can't believe you have $50K worth of audio equipement and literally no accoustic treatment! You're insane! You probably don't even know how much performance you're losing on these speakers and subs. At least put some QRD Diffusers on your entertainment side of the wall and absorbers on the side walls for primary, secondary and tertiary reflections. For Gods sake!

[@techjourney5383]

Thanks for your seemingly deep concern for my personal finances and music enjoyment 😊

[@kenmcglown6642]

Play something!!!

[@kozmiczian]

your room looks rather hard and unlistenable.

[@techjourney5383]

Thanks for your concern. It could definitely be better but far from unlistenable. I actually quite enjoy listening to music in that room.

[@CCC-AUSTX]

OMG please get on with it....we all dont have an hour whatever, to hear you YAP YAP YAP....Also confusing going back and forth on speakers, maybe just deal with 1-2 speakers a time. Your voice makes me want to take a nap! CCC Austin, TX

[@techjourney5383]

Hi CCC, thanks so much for coming to my channel and providing your thoughts on how I can improve in such a kind and caring fashion. I went to your channel to try to find an example where you took the time to share your experiences with audio equipment but couldn’t find any videos posted. Do you perhaps post content under a different channel name that we can take a look at and then provide our opinions/feedback?