KEF R3 vs R3 Meta vs Reference 1 Meta. Why such a big price gap?
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2023
- Purchase R3 Meta:
tinyurl.com/ymap4wbx (Audio Advice)
howl.me/ckfhwunFcAg (Crutchfield)
amzn.to/3KqJuq2 (Amazon)
Purchase R3 (non-Meta):
howl.me/ckiCaAHf2Lc (Best Buy)
(Note: Reference 1 Meta can only be purchased via dealer)
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Purchase R3 Meta:
For every 3dB loss in sensitivity, you'll need twice the amp power for the same sound pressure level.
Honestly, the biggest reason for the price difference is that the Reference Line is all made in England (drivers inc) so you are paying for that mostly... anything under Reference is made in China
Man, on paper that Reference 1 Meta looks phenomenal. Like wow. I'm really digging these comparison videos. Good stuff
By far the most interesting comparison is the one KEF avoids. It's the comparison of the R3 Meta and Reference 1 non-Meta.
Great comparison. Without factoring affordability, it boils down to 1. If one likes the sound i.e. enjoyability. 2. If your room 'likes' the sound and 3. Am i still smiling after listening for 3 hours continuously. As a former sound engineer, i have always maintained that everyone should audition speakers 1st, in an audio inert room and, 2nd, in their listening environment. I was fortunate to audition the Reference 5s at home with a few different stereo amps, a little while ago. Whilst not being able to afford these at the time, relative to price and compared to speakers costing far more, these would have been my retirement speakers. Recently i 'accidentally' auditioned the KEF LS60 + KC62 and the recent Bluesound node x. Using the Xover management/DSP i was able to get these sounding 'perfect', in my room, with room to change for poorer recordings. I have studio speakers which sound poorer. What more could one want?
The real question is, if you have subwoofers, would you prefer the R11 Metas or the Reference 1 metas? Price range is similar...
What amp and dac did you use?
KEF really needs to release all back versions of their R3 Meta and LS50 Meta speakers. I mean blue and copper? I don't think so!
Kef R11 beats these two in comparison test 😜 and bass extension. And now cost about 3k new. With dirac live these are end game speakers (running with two subs with dirac live bass control)
i'll echo the sentiment that considering the market right now, by far the best and most useful comparison would be Reference 1 NONMeta vs R3 Meta, as you can get great deals on the former
Neo magnets have a few benefits over ferrite (they have some negatives too). One is that since they are much smaller you can focus the flux into certain areas more easily and avoid magnetic field going outwards (this leads to automatic shielding for around electronics). Another is that they generally don't need shorting rings to have some form of inductance control. You actually saw this in your testing a long time ago with your Honda civic driver. You were surprised that a cheap car driver had inductance control. Well, it didn't have it in the traditional sense, the neo structure just had the inherent benefit. Of course, additional measures can be taken to lower inductance and inductance swing as well that you would see on higher end drivers. Another thing that neo drivers help with is airflow and reflections off the basket. With a smaller neo magnet and a transparent spider you get much fewer reflections off the magnet/basket structures which can effect impedance measurements (audibility of that is still out for debate I believe). Another commonly overlooked factor is manufacturing ease. Neo magnets are much less brittle than ferrite, so smaller parts are easier to produce. This can lead to better quality designs.
The by far best review & comparison available.
My close friend last year purchased the R1 ( non Meta ) last year. Floor sample and trading in his LS-50, he got them for $4500.00 - no joke. And what a fabulous sound - I was literally blown away.
I learn something new with every video. The dynamic range graphs at the end make sense now. Thanks!
Cool comparison thank you for the review!
Good engineering analysis as always, well done!
Ty. A very good comparison =) I would love to hear these kef speakers or just one of their coaxial driver some day. And if you don’t play too loud I think u can go cheap,but if you have large room and/or play loud go for expensive way.
Outstanding video, friend. These references look phenomenal. Thanks!
One reason why Ref 1 costs more is because its fully manufacfured at KEF's factory in Kent England. AFAIK Ref cabinets are made for KEF by a supplier in England.