The KEF R3 Meta Speaker Review 2023. High End Sound FOR LESS?

[@HiFiHuff]

Thanks all! Just to make a correction these are rated down to 38hz in the bass (not 58hz)! The R3 Metas are fine bookshelf speakers. I also added more to my written review of the Metas here: www.stevehuffphoto.com/2023/05/05/kef-r3-meta-speaker-review-juicy-beats/

[@emanuelcangea3944]

Thanks for your review. Is there a reason I cannot access the written one? 403 Permission Denied You do not have permission for this request /2023/05/05/kef-r3-meta-speaker-review-juicy-beats/

[@michaeloconnor9465]

At +-6db. Not the tighter +-3db. All the R series, as well as the B&W 700 series, don't have deep bass. For the cost of the speakers and the size of the cabinet, the bass should be deeper. I am sure that for the price their are better speakers out their. Being a child of the 60s when it comes to bass response, I am used to when frequency was given in +-3db. I feel that speakers manufacturers use the looser +-6db to make out the speakers have deeper bass, slight of hand.

[@george_ury]

Колонки вы пишете отличные, но в комментариях к статье советуете присмотреться к другим (Dyn, But)

[@TruthTube1111]

@@michaeloconnor9465 For the cost of the speaker this is probably the best in its class, an absolute stunner.

[@kevinpayne3482]

Just watched darko’s review of these speakers and he loved them and will be buying a pair. I have a pair of the kef R700 towers from 2016 and am still enjoying them with my rx-v3900 Yamaha receiver

[@bobtaylor7197]

I like your presentation. I went with LS 50 wireless 2 and two KC 62 subs. Very happy. I have never listened to LS50 without the meta enhancement. Would appreciate getting someone to compare meta vs not meta with your level of descernment

[@musiclassica]

The 1st gen LS50 were nothing special except for the beautiful design. The Meta edition, however, sounds MUCH better. Not the technical explanation you’re asking for but in short the difference is obvious. I compared the originals to a Yamaha NS set at the time and there was hardly any difference. Meta was/is obviously the way to go.

[@jjinglenuts]

Piano or any other finishes i use car wax just a drop of wax spray distilled water on a small pcs of paper napkin ..very gentle coat on the surfaces, if its get dry spary distilled water on the surface so it can glide better , use microfiber towel ,now you have shiny finish spot and dust free surface enjoy...

[@thelearnedgoat]

Just picked this up this week on sale from Kef for $1400, no tax! Replaced my 12-year-old Totem Mites. So far I agree with your review. I have them hooked up to a Peachtree Audio Nova 125, and wonder how they would sound with a Class A/B integrated amp. In the market to replace my Peachtree Audio with something that has an HDMI ARC input and improves low-level listening, because you're right, they do sound flat below say around 90db.

[@Saburai868]

Your post is 4 weeks ago when I read it, but curious, did Kef sale the Meta version for 1400, or did you get the current sale which is non-meta version?

[@thelearnedgoat]

@@Saburai868 r3 Meta.

[@thelearnedgoat]

Holy crap. I bought the R3. Not the Meta! Well, that’s a kick in the pants, but I still really like the ones I bought at $1400 and way better upgrade over my old Totem Mites. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@toddstyles7194]

I like the R3 Meta over both s400mk2 and the special 40. Hands down.

[@XB-P27]

Can you give any more detail?

[@paulsnow4181]

How does the R3 metas compare to the Dynaudio evoke 20? Or does the R3 metas compare better with the Special 40's?

[@peterprimes497]

You loved the jbl L82 classics a few years ago. Which would you pick in 2024?. L82 on sale for 2,200 right now. Same price as R3's. Always love your videos👍

[@theomindschrddr7983]

Kef is developed with Hegel. Hegel have a high demping factor, which works well with Kef.

[@andrewbrazier9664]

I never knew that. I first heard a Hegal amp (H120) with Argon 1s earlier this year

[@yippie6862]

I was hoping you would have talked about the similar priced Bille amp ($1939) with the R3's ($2,199) and how that combo compared to the more expensive Gato.

[@bertfripont1545]

Very nice review and comparissons, and you are right ! The Kef´s in general sound simular: Nice bass extention, mids that take a step back, somewhat thin as you noticed and a really nice treble respons on top. I have heard also (I thougt the Kef Q750) and they have tesame V-Shaped frequency respons. I do like the Kef´s. I am curious after the Blade speakers from Kef.

[@hubert-williams3379]

These are next on list along with the Burchardts'.. gonna pair them with the Rotel 1592 MK II and the preamp 1572

[@hennied]

Play the soundtrack of American Beauty on them. In my (large) room the pre-meta version has plenty of bass without a sub (paired to a Blue sound Node streamer, Burson Conductor 3R dac/class A preamp and XTZ A2-300 class D poweramp). And indeed, they are very holographic.

[@billybobby7607]

A sub is required in a AV system for these speakers though

[@DamienDavidO]

Great review , not sure if I overlooked if you tried the metas with heaven 11 Billie mkii, interested in this mating .

[@paulsnow4181]

The guys at Alpha Audio also reviewed the R3 Meta's and noticed the timing is off from the uni q and the woofer. Did you notice any of that?

[@C-man553]

Timing?

[@thebabylalat]

Hi... Love your review. Have been your fans from photography equipment. Will have planned to review Kef R11 meta or R7 meta?

[@andrepoon]

Was just about to buy the Buchardt S400 mk2… Then this… Any comments re vs the Buchardt??

[@howardskeivys4184]

I’ve recently invested in a pair of R3 Metas. I must have read and watched almost every review of them. Honestly, sometimes I had to check myself. Make sure I hadn’t clicked onto a review of a totally different speaker. So many reviewers with opposing opinions of how the R3 Meta sounds, but all brimming with positivity.

[@Marri12345]

Could you expand upon this.. How has your experience been?

[@NosEL34]

So what do you think of the Meta?

[@gizzmo1823]

I would always be more interested to hear about the measured room response of the listening room, rather than of amplifiers or streamers used.

[@franciscoortiz6980]

Yes the Kef r3 meta has now become my favorite mini monitors in 2000 usd pair. Detailed transparent and touch bright. Tight bass.

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

I was really surprised when you said the narrow dispersion R3 Metas has a bigger soundstage than the wider dispersion Diablos...

[@C-man553]

Perception of soundstage width involves more than dispersion characteristics. Consider the illusion headphones create.

[@0212schadel]

Thank you for the review. How would you compare R3 Metas to the Q Acoustics Concept 300? C300 B-stock are at the same price in my local shop now.

[@garyschmeiser7556]

Bottom line... For a set up without subs in a medium sized room would you buy the kef r3 meta or the buchardt s400 mark2? Thanks

[@TwentyTwenty90]

@@garyschmeiser7556 I'm in this exact dilemma right now. What did you go for?

[@garyschmeiser7556]

I went with the Kefs. No regrets at all - I found that they can overpower a room if they were about 2 feet to the sidewalls. I ended up using the foam bungs that were supplied and punched out the Center cylinder on each one. This tamed the bass and Wow! What a sound - great depth, width, and layering of sounds. These are exceptional speakers and have vastly improved treble compared to my old Revel M20s which could be a bit piercing with some female voices. They were great for bass in my 12 x 26 room but I ended up feeding an SVS sub both left and right low frequency channels and now have a complete balanced sound. The Buchardts are far more expensive in Canada and imo have an inferior sound to the Kefs in the areas mentioned above.

[@garyschmeiser7556]

@@TwentyTwenty90 I went with the Kefs. No regrets at all - I found that they can overpower a room if they were about 2 feet to the sidewalls. I ended up using the foam bungs that were supplied and punched out the Center cylinder on each one. This tamed the bass and Wow! What a sound - great depth, width, and layering of sounds. These are exceptional speakers and have vastly improved treble compared to my old Revel M20s which could be a bit piercing with some female voices. They were great for bass in my 12 x 26 room but I ended up feeding an SVS sub both left and right low frequency channels and now have a complete balanced sound. The Buchardts are far more expensive in Canada and imo have an inferior sound to the Kefs in the areas mentioned above.

[@705johnnyboy]

i have the kef 104/2 restored they just do the job ,never will part from these..also i use concertos in my vinyl system love there sound to...

[@JJ-no2ob]

Agreed John - I’ve had my Kef 104/2 for 30 + years with many changes to source front end & other similar spec-ed speakers. They are the one constant in my rig and still going strong. Love ‘em KEF = WCS (world class speakers)

[@n.lyndley.9889]

their

[@mndlessdrwer]

The R series from KEF are a bit bright for my ears. Unfortunately, I would have to go up to the LS60 or the Reference 1 to get back to their old-school warmer sound signature in their current lineup.

[@fadofado1727]

Would these work well in a near field listening setup?

[@DingeyBasementRecordings]

how are these compared to the Monitor Audio gold 100's?

[@streamnoremorse]

How they compared to old R3?

[@mmdusa]

I want a pair of these so bad. But...I have absolutely NO room for them. I would need to move to a new place to have a spot for them. Ugh, frustrated. Question, gun to your head...You have your Pass amps hooked up to these and the Buchardt's. Which do you prefer? Thanks for a great review.

[@dragonstone6594]

Great review. Can you review the Rotel MICHI amps and dacs?

[@bruceandt]

Please do a review of the Musician Night 1. These speakers are something I would appreciate your comments on. Thanks

[@Karim-ik5ij]

Still waiting on my kef r3 metas in blue, they're expecting to ship this summer 😮‍💨😮‍💨

[@philrob4468]

So how are they ?

[@TruthHasSpoken]

Can anyone speak to these speakers compared to the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2Ex V2 ? I'm trying to decide between the two. I really liked the KEF's having listened to them in store but I have not heard the Ascend model. Thank you. !

[@dougg1075]

The Gato looks like something a future archeologist finds and says “ what… is this?” Look’s really well built

[@redleather100]

I had the 250 s , it made my ears bleed .

[@theomindschrddr7983]

​@@redleather100 Wich speakers you used them with? Hopefully not bright ones

[@redleather100]

@@theomindschrddr7983 I think I used it with some piega 40.2

[@theomindschrddr7983]

@@redleather100 The 250s have indeed a bright sound. The Gato amp 150 is more softner.

[@bobb.9917]

Check out Jay's Iyagi KZbin review of the Gato Monoblocs from this week.

[@bruceandt]

It would seem as though these speakers are exactly as you described in a kind way. KEF in this R3 meta lacks in ways. Nice review. I concur.

[@stephenmcknight7474]

Ok we are still waiting to hear your views on the focal and now you're doing KEF.

[@reptidan]

I actually read his written review yesterday because I couldn’t wait any longer

[@youyou-dv8fr]

Do you realize we all got bills to pay right? Enjoy the music and happy listening!

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Which speaker sounds great at low volumes?

[@simonfowler81]

@@DigitalPhilosophers Triangle Comete Ez both classic and 40th anniversary and R3 Meta too

[@aceofspades6667]

Yeah when the reference is B&W and Focal Diablo’s I know that reviewers tastes are far different than mine and the treble forwardness is far off my preference.

[@treeduck3705]

How would these sound with the Yamaha RN2000A?

[@attrktmarketing4582]

Thanks. Nice review. They look beautiful too.

[@reserva120]

Please teach other Reviewers to integrate “ the repeated “ price “ the way you do - it’s a nice touch - others lack

[@larslarsman]

Where were the speaker played???

[@dougg1075]

The blue suede shoe color looked awesome.

[@danmarjenka6361]

Nice homestead, by the way. Very nice setting.

[@ttes794]

How do they compare to the more affordable Kef R300? Thanks

[@brooklynknightss]

You really have to listen to speakers for yourself! Speakers are very very subjective! You can buy speakers under 1000 or 500 and may like them better!!!!

[@JasonWh]

Man those Focal's are so forward verging on bright to my ears, anyway.

[@avjake]

I owned the original R3s for a short time. Short because there was a hump at 125 Hz that my room made worse and I just couldn't tame. I hope KEF took care of that.

[@scottlowell493]

The report I got from another owner: Hard sounding, metallic, analytical tweeter.

[@alpaslanbek]

But rooms are the cause of standing waves, aren't they?

[@liamporter1137]

Great review.

[@chengo51]

At 87db you cannot expect to have it all at low level for sure.

[@danmarjenka6361]

A small spider runs across the top of the Gato at 12:30.

[@TriAmpMyFi]

14:43 With the subwoofers, it cost $7,697 for this review. 🔈🔉🔊

[@seanwalsh5717]

lol. Yes. $5000 for the pair of REL S/5 Subwoofers.

[@shemsureshot]

What is considered low volume listening , anything below 50db?

[@aceofspades6667]

Probably 60db and below

[@garyjones5947]

Interesting review. I have the original R3 and wonder whether to upgrade…

[@danielcabrera5547]

Not worth it..

[@audiophilefool]

Nice looking speakers, but what is up with those hideous grills?

[@K03sport]

... why do you say the grills are hideous? is it because they are see-through? would them being more opaque make them look better? would you prefer a different, non-matching color? these grills are far from hideous and they let you enjoy the speaker w/them on or off. maybe they are just 'ok' for a speaker in this price point, but at least they are magnet vs friction pin

[@Ali-x6t7r]

Please test kef reference 1 meta Thanks

[@steverino5054]

Seems like S400 might be better choice between the two, but what if you already have a sub (kef sub actually), still go S400 or R3 meta in that case??

[@danielcabrera5547]

Which sub?

[@steverino5054]

@@danielcabrera5547 KC62

[@sauce.unlocked]

Go with kefs

[@ΝικολαοςΠΑΠΑΔΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ-υ6ψ]

Καλό θα είναι αντί συνεχούς ομιλίας να τα ακουμε

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks

[@vaksilvaksil9939]

You intended also to check the floor speakers

[@TheCharlesAtoz]

A friend of just got the new TAD stand mounts-$32K. He said they're top notch.

[@YouSoundButtHurt]

They better be for 32k.

[@gustavos366]

Stereophile's just released June edition has a review of TAD and came with a top class A recommendation...

[@mpi5850]

Are they top notch? Really? They’re the price of a car.

[@russellbaston974]

@@gustavos366 How is that relevant to this review of the Kef speakers?

[@TexasCorgiGun]

Ok

[@KristianSchwartz]

End game?

[@gw61]

No

[@JezJerzy22]

Nope

[@Satyajit_Dey]

Use some Car Speed cleaner / polish to clean these. Don't dry clean them.

[@cpa889900]

I have the previous R3s and they are horrible for low volume listening.

[@ronnyangell665]

Which amp are you running? Have mine R3 paired with a class A amp and its quite nice on low volumes

[@davidmorgen4558]

I cant wait to See if D.R, of G.R. Research gets his hands on those & upgrades em.?Still would be hard to compete with The eniineers at kef in this case!

[@jonathanginofilippi]

You betcha! These are "pieces of crap" 👀 .

[@davidmorgen4558]

@@jonathanginofilippi No!

[@lancekimmons9410]

They develop to a price point. I’m certain the parts quality can be upgraded at a minimum in regards to the caps etc

[@damianhla4940]

KEF R3 are not bad. But if you are looking for the best sounding compact bookshelf speakers, there is one you definitely need to try. Unfortunately, you can't audition this, as it is professional broadcast equipment, it is the JBL 708i / JBL 705i. Driven in an Active Digital Crossover setup, using Nanodigi, a pair of Wadia 122 DAC and Goldmund Job4 (Nuforce STA200 or Stellavox PW1) for HF and Icepower 500w for LF, I guarantee you jaw will drop. The bass is simply astonishing, without seeing the speakers, you would have thought they came from floor standing speakers. The highs are super extended and transparent. Very close to the State of the Art JBL M2 Reference Monitors, but at a fraction of the cost. The 708i/705i inherits the same latest technology breakthrough as the M2 and it is the recommended companion speakers to be used in professional mixing / monitoring studios where the M2 monitors are deployed, as the surround channels. If you have any DVD / Blu-ray, they are most likely mastered in a Studio with the JBL M2 Reference Monitor set up. I used to have KEF Reference series, i initially enjoyed the UNI-Q, but after having experienced quality JBL compression driver and Waveguide set-up, there is no turning back. The high efficiency of the latest JBL 2409h drivers are now using annualar diagrams, eliminating cone breakups. This is similar design to the higher end D2430K used in the M2, but using just a single diaphragm instead of the ground breaking dual diaphragm design. The high frequency also extends to 40khz. This is total unheard of in a 2-way compression driver design. Combined with the Image Control Waveguide, it will do extremely well in ultra low volume listening. You simply have to experience this yourself to get a feeling of what is possible for this setup. It will definitely beat other systems costing 5x more and possibly put systems costing 10x more to shame. It is not a well known secret of the 708i performance as very few people get to hear this speaker, let alone being driven using high end and high resolution gears. But i am sharing this with you, as we have seen case after case of enormous successes, after helping other audiophiles to replace their multiple thousands worth of equipment with this setup. You simply need to look at their faces with both disbelief and enjoyment. 😊👍

[@martinaston1715]

Wow you have a lot of spare time on your hands….

[@theLEGOguy22]

Totally pointless comparison. Like comparing a bus with a bicycle.

[@K03sport]

do you have them in the back of your van; we can meet up in a parking lot...

[@cirrus1964]

Problem with all these designs, 87db.

[@dmitriyzosimov5343]

think he tested them outdoors , no photos inside the room properly setuped )

[@MrGfunk215]

I keep wanting to like these speakers but after demo’ing them 4-5 times I found them to be somewhat of a “clinical” /tinny sound. Sorry kef fans 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@flowstatelabs]

Describing a speaker as “musical” 🤔

[@stevegunderson2392]

If you want high end sound build your own speaker. DIY gives you better sound for the $$$!

[@richardsinger01]

Thats not for the beginner. I bet you built a few terrible speakers before you knew whatvyou were doing.

[@K03sport]

hell yeah, Parts Express for the win. therapeutic while building and then you get to actually use them when you are done, vs something that just sits on a shelf....

[@redstepable]

the only near negative review of the r3 metas

[@HiFiHuff]

Maybe just not hyped?

[@peternilsson1645]

👏👍🙏

[@tzq5fx]

I love how sound snobs pick the worst music as a gauge for fidelity

[@davidfreeman325]

Why do you watch these videos then He is only trying to help people decide between different speakers the advantages and disadvantages A snob doesn’t review this price point speaker Very judgemental

[@ronklijn5454]

It has do with soundquality and not with musicquality as you already knew.

[@peterpan8435]

you're correct, throw at them anything more complex, they are distorting, and vocals basically eat-up completely mid range

[@matlman1]

I have a few songs I like that musically aren't pretty, but are incredibly dynamic and detailed in ways that make it easy to hear how a speaker sounds.

[@davidc.2279]

?? To each (👂) their own bud.

[@mikrophonie5633]

All that expensive equipment just to listen to pedestrian, uninteresting music. Why bother?

[@Audfile]

Sometimes you are in the mood for pedestrian, uninteresting music. It happens. It's ok.

[@guilboy]

Maan what a desirable object to say the least...

[@ural3805]

Bu kadar para verilmesi aptalca

[@karlskooter3493]

i dont understand why this things are uber expensive they are just simple equiptment? LOL..they are much more expensive on my uber high tech Rollable OLED TV hahahaha..WTF!

[@Kami84]

Do you have any idea how expensive speakers can get? There are speakers that are > $10,000 and even higher than that so these Kefs are no more expensive than their counterparts. Different speakers sound different and people will pay for what they like.

[@viencarlodiego8842]

FIRST XD

[@BogdanKhmelnitsky-r3m]

"Sound"! Fals & Greed!