Visit to Atlas Sound Singapore, comparing KEF Blade 2 Meta and Reference 3 Meta

[@Hifihobby]

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[@jantheuer8717]

Accuphase E4000 VS E5000

[@davidphtsui]

I had a pair of matte silver Blade Two's for three years and have been very happy with them, and when KEF introduced the Meta version I thought it was nothing more than a marketing gimmick...that is until I damaged my Blade Twos (long story) and I ordered a pair of Blade Two Metas in frosted silver finish, they arrived a few days ago. I have to say the Blade Two Metas are a huge improvement over the non-Meta version, even though they're only in an early stage of running-in.

[@Hifihobby]

Great choice 👍🏼 I really like the sound from the Blade 2 Meta

[@Daniel-t3u9m]

Everybody think it is a "marketing gimmick" no matter model. I considered R7 Meta, but might do a stretch to Reference 3 instead. I read everywhere it so much better, might be worth THAT stretch.

[@salmorreale7900]

Excellent presentation / video. Thank you for posting.

[@Hifihobby]

Thanks for the encouragement 😁

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

Thankyou this is the comparison I was curious about !

[@Hifihobby]

Thanks for subscribing 👍🏼

[@toddtaylor6594]

Both Speakers are So Beautiful bet both sound amazing in person 😳😳😳😳😳

[@Hifihobby]

Yes they sounded really good with the Accuphase amplifier.

[@sts678]

Thank you for the video and the interview with some speaker construction discussion. Blade 2 certainly bigger soundstage (and louder, or overwhelmed your mic) - both speakers sounded very good - good choices of tunes, too. Appreciated your summation at the end.

[@Hifihobby]

Thank you for the encouraging feedback. I’ve just purchased a stereo mic so the sound quality should improve for future videos.

[@MotownAudio]

What would be a good amp for the blade 2

[@Hifihobby]

@user-td1lo9eo2p The shop demo with Accuphase which had a good result. The amplifier you get should have 200watts or more into 4ohms

[@H1kari_1]

I had this exact comparision in Berlin a while ago. Blade 2 Meta vs Reference 3 Meta. In the end I chose the Reference 3 because of: Price: Reference are half the price of Blades, used even less Height: I don't like speakers where the listening axis is higher and couch-sitting level Design: The blades are tricky to transport and handle, the Reference are just comfortable rectangles Sound: The Reference 3 sounded more "fun", the blade, while exceptional, also sounded a little weird. As if they were making use of the room far more. (Edit: My hunch is that the side woofers' xover frequency of 400 Hz is too high, making the speaker fire a lot of energy into the room and making the sound kind of muddy.) Super comparision btw! Both speakers are end game.

[@Hifihobby]

Glad you enjoyed them! 👍🏼

[@fedrichorlandineumann3062]

In my set up the reference 1 is perfect ,the room is not to big for blade or reference 3. Enjoi with kef❤

[@Hifihobby]

That’s a nice choice 👍🏼 Enjoy!

[@michal03966]

Blade all the way!

[@Hifihobby]

Definitely sounded better. Great choice if budget permits

[@拔-j2w]

Nice video. Wish to point out that your in-video captions state "KEF REF 5 META" not the REF 3 META.

[@Hifihobby]

Thanks for that

[@satwailam3327]

同軸單元應該要再大些少，到極限為止，至少放上旗艦級可以從容地播唔同聲音，現在嘅尺寸推動嘅空氣量有冇減去中心同軸佔嘅面積，而且尺寸影響人聲嘅厚度。

[@horaciobahl616]

He escuchado varios quiza no tantos como quisiera pero, hasta ahora no encuentro algo que supere a Kef, tengo los R 11, lamentablemente aca donde vivo no se consigue algo superior, me gusto mucho los Blade, aunque tambien el precio es un tema a tener en cuenta, a veces prefiero cambiar el amplificador, ahora tengo un Hegel H 190, me gustaria probar el Acupasse, en algun momento. muchas gracias por el video !

[@Hifihobby]

You are welcome. Thanks for supporting my channel

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

Were either speak sibilant at all?

[@Hifihobby]

I didn’t find them sibilant.

[@RBBBBBBBBB533]

Blade is clearly better. The reference seems to have some kind of resonance. Vocals & Piano key presses appear that much crisper on the blades in comparison.

[@Hifihobby]

That’s what I heard from the showroom as well. The even freq response and lack of colouration from the Blade was something special. Glad it showed in the video. Thanks for subscribing 👍🏼

[@De132an]

⁠@@HifihobbyThe Reference 1 Meta solves the resonance problem you hear in the Ref 3 Meta, but the Ref 3 Meta do throw a larger presentation than the Ref 1 Meta and are best suited for large rooms. The Blade Meta 2 solves all the problems of resonance but at over double the price. They are wonderful! I hope this helps potential buyers. Blades above all, Ref 1 Meta are technically the better between the Ref 3 Meta for smaller rooms, the Ref 3 Meta have more impact and dynamics over the Ref 1 Meta, mainly because they are bookshelf and one less base driver and do better in large rooms. This can be overcome with the Reference Sub added to the Ref1 Meta but then pricing enters the Ref 3 Meta area. So if one can and has the room save up the Blade if one can afford it. Meta 3 Ref are nice in a home theater application, the Meta 1 Ref for medium to small rooms are glorious too but add stands and it’s $1000 more.

[@Hifihobby]

@De132an Excellent sharing 👍🏼

[@Daniel-t3u9m]

@@Hifihobby It is funny I hear it as well... atm I use a $20 Linsoul IEM with iFi Go Link headphone amp hah... it is chi-fi, I would say it outperform my past $200 AKG something IEMs. So, it obviously do not sound THAT good. I listened to KEF R7 Meta last year once, and R5 Meta this year. And obviously listen YT does not give the same experience. BUT... it is an hint. AND I can hear the difference here very clearly. The blade sounds like having much higher resolution, the voices sound clearly more natural. Maybe slightly elevated comparing to real concerts or natural sounds. And yes, soundstage a little wider maybe. Also some instruments sound more normal. I bought (but returned) the ZMF Atrium some months ago... that is one of the best headphones ever made I THINK (slightly subjective but it seems like the actually tuning, price and quality might fit to top 30 or something like this) and I heard/read it is NOT as good as Hifiman Susvara, but comes quite close in terms of best sound money can buy. However, the ZMF has an "fun" tuning that is really really good (some people think it has an identical signature like Sennheiser HD650 but just a lot higher end) while Susvara sound more natural, and more like actually being at an concert. MY question is whatever it is similar? I wonder whatever the R3 has similar resonance problems and if it is less sensitive in a different environment?

[@Hifihobby]

I didn’t manage to compare the R3. The thing is the Reference speakers sound great but if you compare it with the Blades, the improvements are immediately noticable

[@t.j.bennett6454]

Blade is not made of wood it’s plastic Blade and reference use the same exact uni-q just blade has tighter tolerance and different crossover

[@Hifihobby]

You are right that Blade is made of a polymer. Thanks for highlighting.

[@YS_35]

There is so much echo in the room….. not sure how serious should one be auditioning speakers in this room

[@Hifihobby]

The room actually does not have echo issue. Could have been the iPhone mic that I used that time.

[@kazzzer4876]

This is reference 3 meta not 5

[@Hifihobby]

Thanks, I noted there was an mis speak the video. It’s Reference 3 as in the title

[@kazzzer4876]

​@@HifihobbyNo problem we are only human😜 thanks for the video, I haven't seen anyone comparing the reference series with the blade series. More stuff like this please! Maybe Reference 1 meta vs bw 805d4 ? It would be very interesting. Greetings.

[@Hifihobby]

@kazzzer4876 That would definitely be interesting. I will need to look out for a store that has them both

[@kazzzer4876]

Thank you i subscribe for more content 🤪

[@Hifihobby]

Much appreciated 😄

[@kinggodzilla7647]

The Blade 2 Meta sounds clearer and the vocals have less cupped hand effect than the Reference 3 Meta.

[@Hifihobby]

Great that you can tell the difference even from KZbin. It’s more obvious when it’s a side by side comparison.

[@vagomaniac]

@@Hifihobby Man the difference is hudge. The r3 meta are very good of course but the blades are something else.

[@jantheuer8717]

Accuphase E4000 VS E5000

[@kurtbrisch5776]

I'd rather have the Borreson x6 at this price point.

[@Hifihobby]

That’s a great choice as well 👍🏼

[@jamesmorton81]

the music played is so simple that it presents no challenge to the speakers. try some miles davis live....

[@mediascapes2011]

Great, but why use such undemanding saggy music to test a system? It's like a Porsche roadtest on the freeway at 45 miles an hour.

[@Hifihobby]

Unfortunately had to cut out some tracks due to KZbin copyright. Have learnt from this to improve on next one

[@xxbabaxx12]

this is one of the worst showroom i seen, non treated rooms, hard surface. You can tell whoever setup the room gave zero fuks.

[@Hifihobby]

Thanks for the comment. You might not have caught it from the video, but the room has diffusers, drapes and carpeted floor. Maybe it was the recording but room sounded alright to me.

[@A-gks]

KEF is simply not competitive in today's market. Go listen to some Borresen, Marten and Magico speakers and you will realize how far behind KEF really is.

[@antoniomarsicola8608]

Check the measurements of kefs, then you'll see ho far they are ahead of the brands you're interested in

[@A-gks]

@@antoniomarsicola8608 ChEcK tHe MeAsUrEmEnTs lmao

[@antoniomarsicola8608]

@@A-gks not an arrogant opinon, just facts vs bs

[@sven7054]

Ein Ohrenarzt kann dir bestimmt weiterhelfen.

[@64493552]

@@A-gks Sound reproduction are science based. Measurements are the only way to determine how well a speakers are made. We are in 2024 going to 2025, not the old bullshit snack oil of Oh mY SpeAkERS aRe ExpENSive tHey ShoULd SouND gOOd, I shOuld buY eXPenSivE cABLeS tOO without facts. Check out Erin's review of the blades and see how far they are ahead in the market