The KEF R3 META Review! A Complete BOMBSHELL!
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- Опубліковано 15 лип 2024
- Every once in awhile a speaker comes along that disrupts the audio market. Meet the R3 Meta.
Review Sample Provided by: KEF USA
This review is free of sponsorships, affiliate links, and financial compensation.
Patreon: / zerofidelityhifi
KEF R3 META: us.kef.com/products/r3-meta
BDI Elements Stand: www.bdiusa.com/products/eleme...
us.kef.com/products/r3-meta
Speaker Price as of August 10th, 2023: $2,199 / Pair. USD
Snapshot Recommendation: For this price class, the R3 Meta is as good as it gets for audiophiles who want a refined, detailed listening experience from a speaker that manages to still sound full and easy on the ears.
Recommended Pairing Amplifiers:
Audio Lab 6000a: www.audiolab.co.uk/6000a/
Willsenton 300b: www.china-hifi-audio.com/will...
Hegel H120: www.hegel.com/en/products/int...
TIMELINE
0:00 Design, Tech, and Improvements!
2:49 Versus the original R3
4:22 The Sound - Overview
6:10 Treble, Mids, Bass, Soundstage, Dynamics
8:45 Music Compatibility
9:50 Versus the LS50 Meta
11:30 Versus the Buchardt S400 MK2
13:32 Placement/Setup Advice!
14:53 Equipment Recommendations!
17:40 Caveats
19:45 Summary Conclusion - Наука та технологія
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/48PxwspDvrE/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for watching, and thanks for your patience!
Seems like a great overall package for the price. Would you say these have that showroom sound that B&W typically has where the tweeter says hey look at me or do you think these are slightly more balanced?
@@aceofspades6667 - Far more balanced than the B&W Showroom sound.
@@aceofspades6667 Don't forget that you will want stands for these speakers, and the KEF stands are $450 per pair.
Great review. Thank you! What do you think of the Reference 1 Meta at 3X the price? 🤔
@@ke5943 Those are hand built to order, so I doubt he will get one to review.
Oops I'm in trouble!! I have to go and search for this speaker now!! The review is so good, you basically describe the sound that I like. Thanks Sean, another great review. Detailed and yet concise enough!
Thanks for this review, timing was perfect as I had my eye on these. You confirmed some of my concerns and I always trust your opinion, ends up being close to what I hear. All the best!
Great to see you back. Really missed them. Review is on spot as always. You have a way of describing the sound of a piece that gives others a real understanding of it. Thanks.
Another great review Sean! They are certainly fantastic looking speakers- love the blue also. Thanks! 😊
Nice review and happy to see you back. I recently got a R3 Meta. I have them connected to Hegel H95 with KEF KC62 Sub using a gustard R26 DAC they sound really good with this combination of equipment I am pretty happy with it.
Always to the point. No fluff. Just Meaningful information one needs to make an informed decisions when purchasing equipment.
We’ve been missing you Sean, great review and looking forward to more. I laughed out loud at the “oof” remark.
You really cover all the angles, thank you!
Great use of adjectives, a practical, thorough and detailed review. I'll be going to hear them at a shop.
Received my Kef R3 Meta’s in Walnut on the 29th September, purchased from Hi Fi Corner. (Who l highly recommend) And totally agree with Sean’s review. I had intended using some spare stands that I’d used previously for my then, home cinema setup but decided to opt for the matching Kef stands (in for a penny, in for a pound!) and am extremely pleased that l did.
The R3’s are made to a really high standard as we all know and consequently they are heavy for their size weighing 12.4kg’s each, the stands also, are strong and built to last, their finish is immaculate, they’re easy to assemble and connect to the speakers with 4 sturdy bolts. The walnut finish sitting on the slate grey stands look and sound terrific. In fact I’ve been an audiophile for nearly 50 years and this is the first pair of many speakers that my wife has actually really liked, appearance wise and sound wise. So l will add “wife friendly” to my list of likes for the speaker/stand combination.
Thank you for the outstanding review and the sound options available to these speakers sing…
Your best presentation ever. Really enjoyed it.
Really good review. I have seen a lot of reviewers but you really capture the attention. ❤. I know you have got your hands full but i hope you do it more of.
Yeah... We miss you, man... Hope you're well, but I guess life takes you and you don't have much time anymore to enlighten us with your audio advice. Your break down and presentation of all you reviewed was one of the most articulate and precise. Utterly informative and enjoyable. Hope you'll come back with more soon. Take care, Sean...
Thank you for detailed review!
Always great reviews and detailed !!
What is happening with Sean? We really miss him. I hope he is doing fine.
Zero content.
Great to see you back, bro!
Great review, Sean!
def this shiny blue is gorgeous
I was blown away by the original R3's in an AV system demo... Thanks for the review!
Great review. Thanks for sharing.
thank you for the review!
Sean, the highest praise I can give your video is that I now want a pair of KEF R3 Metas in Indigo Blue, badly.
Hey Sean, thanks for the video. This review brought to my attention their matching KEF S3 stand. Looks like an elegant stand and one I would consider having alongside the Dynaudio Stand 20s I currently have.
It's beautiful in blue. Thanks for the review.
Love my LS50 Metas, off Orchard Audio Starkrimsons. Sounds way better than I was expecting and I was expecting a lot. There arent many speakers out there that have like university level lectures on their technology. Absolutely amazing speakers ( also dual subs).
It’s a beauty! Love the blue finish.
Hey, there's nothing wrong with being a KEF fan! 😄
Great review...Very helpful!!
Always enjoy in u review
Well reviewed! 👍🏼
Great review. Extremely valuable points.
You are so damn good...........comprehensive, insightful and well-rounded. Likely one of the best on UA-cam.
Great review
Oh no, I just bought an Arendal 1691 pair of towers. I too want a class leading detail retrieval and non-bright and relaxing at the same time, hopefully I didn't go wrong with my choice. Great and VERY thorough review as always!
Appreciate the review! I've been eyeing a pair of R11 meta very closely. I think KEF is doing very well with these new designs. I have a non-meta pair of LS-50s which took a little while to get used to (toeing them outward / straight into the room helped a ton). It sounds like the meta's are even more balanced. I'll probably pair them with a Rythmik sub.
With that said, I'd totally be looking at the reference line if it was in my price range. Those speakers look amazing! Just wow!
Great review again, I really appreciate! What I really like is that you tick all important boxes, what we can expect and not, and especially matching equipment choice. Thank you, this is really valuable info.
Tks very much, great review👍
Your words about its treble were like straight out of a love letter 😍
Terrific review. Picked up a pair in walnut about 2 months ago and I'm extremely happy with them. Love the clarity, soundstage, warmth, and airiness. I'm a big fan of the KEF sound, and I'll be the first to admit I'm a less sophisticated listener than probably most of your channel's subscribers. My R3 Metas are paired with a Moon 340i integrated amp, which is in the same approximate class as the Naim Supernait 2, but a different sound signature that I prefer. 90% of my listening is vinyl, via a Rega Planar 8 with Rega Ania Pro MC cart and Tavish vintage tube phono stage. I also use a Cambridge Audio CXN DAC/Streamer, which I like pretty well.
I agree with all your observations (though you expressed them far better than I could).
I'd only suggest one thing: Try toe-ing them out about 10 degrees. Toe-in is the norm, and they sound great toed in a little. But toe-ing them out brings a somewhat different sound, a really good sound, opens up the soundstage a little more. Try it, you might like it.
Thanks for such a thorough, well-thought out and insightful video review!
Hey Sean! Those are some gorgeous speakers! Loved the comparisons. I have small room that I want to upgrade the speakers in. After watching your video I am going to look at the KEF LS50. The speakers have to be close to the wall in the room.
These speakers are Beautiful.
Great and fair review
Long time no see! Welcome back!
Love your channel
I must admit I've never been a fan of recent kef, but listening to this speaker a few weeks ago, well wow they nailed it .
Thanks for this review Sean! I have currently trying at home the R3 MEta and the Polks R600. Pairing with Audiolab 6000A and Denon PMA-1700NE. I need to make a decision in the next week or so. This review has been very helpful and detailed as always. ✌️
Buy R3 Meta instead both of them
@@streamcnoremorse3323 They are the R3 Meta, I didn't realize it can create a confusion with the R3 version. 👍
I have a 6000A paired with the R600's. What do you think of the R3 Meta's?
I do like the design language that kef puts forward time and time again. Indigo is cool. Clean appeals to me. I just haven't heard one of their speakers.
Good seeing u again!
great speaker. happy New Year :)
Great review! Like the way you described the experience of the soundstage w/ the R3 Meta.
The KEF R3 Meta have been high on my list for an "end-game" bookshelf speaker. Your review has only further cemented that choice.
Thank you so much for your review!
The Blue ones are sweet looking!
Sean. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Holiday Season
Great review! I just re-assembled my 2002 B&W DM303's and noticed the maze plate behind their tweeter and in front of the ferro magnetic fluid magnet. The tweeter also has a funnel shape which goes through the rear inverted dome in the rear. What's old is new again......
nice review
Excellent review. With speakers I parse reviews and take a chance. I’ve had a love - hate relationship with speakers I bought about 4 months ago. They would sound wonderful one night and be yuck the next. The last three weeks were sweet listening (finally!). So much can affect the sound, cables and tweaking are important too and a break in of 3+ months with using mostly the same equipment. And I’m not finished yet. It’s transparency now makes it easy to hear certain sounds that don’t reach the overall clarity and apply some new tweaks. Took a lotta time to trust a speaker not to bite. Although my equipment is over a year old I wonder if it changed too? Mostly I’m glad there’s no more listening fatigue.
can't wait for the luxman accuphase review!
I currently have a pair of KEF Gen. 1 R3 loudspeakers in my office and they sound great! It is a small room (11' X 13' is my guestimate) and I listen to them nearfield...probably about 3 to 3.5 feet away from the cabinet. The R3s also sounded excellent in a much bigger room in my basement until I moved them upstairs due to buying a pair 3-times-more-expensive speaker.
I have also owned the Gen. 1 LS50 and Gen LS50 Wireless speakers; with good equipment and a proper sized room they are all fantastic speakers. I also still have a pair of KEF X300-As in my living room sounding very good indeed. I think all KEF models that I own/have owned offer excellent bang for the buck.
This is beautiful!!!!!
Alright Sean banged out another!
Great Video! Please do a video on Mousefart Speakers & Amps.
Great video Sean! I will be saving up but until then my Elac UB5 their 2nd cousins will do fine.
ZF, Thank You for the Sound Artist LS3/5A video[s]. I have mine now with Blue Jean Canear Cables [4ft]. They are so beautiful. Best, D. From Stl.
Kef have always made great speakers. But my favourite has to be the Concerto. The B 139 woofer was pure brilliant.
Well I bought a pair. This man is not lying! The Kef R3 Meta blew my mind. Wowzers. Like, really, Wowzers. Vocals are nuts, Dominique Fils Aime "Nameless" was absolutely mind blowing as was Karin Krog "Open Space". Just incredible detail. The workmanship and detail on these speakers is second to none. Start saving!
That DFA record is astonishingly cool on both LS50 and LRS.
With RELs.
Birds...just WOW!
🎵🎶😎🎶🎵
Amazing review Sean,you are definitely back in the game👌 Now on the contrary to the R3’s,it would be nice to see some speakers reviews of the speakers that can be placed near on right on the front/rear wall. Keep up the amazing work
Arendal monitors work well close to the wall and even made to be wall mounted. I'm in an RV and searching for upgraded bookshelf speakers myself, so I can't really pull them out far..lol 😂 Good luck
KEF actually makes several in-wall speakers with the same type drivers as the Meta series. They are designed to fit inside the wall between wall studs and have speaker grills that are almost flush with the wall. I don't know if you could mount them in a custom enclosure for them in a bookshelf if desired. They are usually sold by home theatre stores.
@@mikelanier5617 LS35A speakers were designed for exactly that. They were used in the mobile BBC studio trucks/vans. I bought the pair of Sound Artist LS35A that Sean reviewed on here from him. And they are great little speakers I must say.
But if you're just looking for something cheap. The old Radio Shack ones are still fairly easy to find. Like the minimus 7's. And there's plenty of other nice small speakers too. ADS, Canton, both made great little speakers that will do what you need. Or if you're going big. The LS50 is perfect for this too.
You could even use some ones designed for home theater that are made to go against the wall. But they would most likely need a sub to work good. Of all these choices. All should work fine without lots of power.
For instance, my pair of SA LS35A sound great with just an Akitika amp, and couldn't likely take advantage of any more power. Either way. Good luck. ✌️
Kef make 2 r series speakers that can be used against the wall and designed for LCR usage (you will need a sub) R2 and R6
Currently using the Guru QM10Two which are designed to be close to the wall, but always looking for something new😁😁
Hope you had a good Christmas & New Year's Sean!
That blue finish looks so nice!!! I usually opt for wood if given the choice, but having a bolder look like this might work in the next system I set up.
And it’s a dark blue, so much more classy than the ls50s side to side ;)
It looks a lot nicer in person in this color
Good to see you back, Sean ! The northern Summer has taken its toll on a lot of people - have you considered moving to Winnipeg ? ;)
Great looking speakers and nice review. There's little doubt Kef has been on a roll for the best part of a decade, at least in terms of innovation and bleeding edge design.
U mean leading edge?
Bleeding edge is a bit sharper than leading edge.
@jimfarrell
Get back to Scotland safely...too many foreigners abroad;-)
Would you say the bass and midrange drivers are fast?
Thanks for review...Luxman l-507z is inside room ❤😂
Finally !
Holy cow, I thought you had retired your UA-cam channel. Clearly I was wrong. I would say, "Welcome back Sean", but apparently you never left. Anyway, great review. Cheers!
If I already didn't have the LS50, I would definitely purchase these. But I'm saving to eventually get the R7 Meta as my first floorstanding speaker.
Glad to see you are again committed to providing quality reviews. Can't you open the product and look the innards?
Sean miss you so much!
I love the Blue gloss colour / finish
Oh my god that speaker is just gorgeous
It's wonderful to hear you do an old-fashioned ZF review video. Very helpful in multiple ways. One of the only reviews that I've watched in full for years. None of the emphasis on sexy soft focus transition shots panning across expensive cables 😉. THANKS!!
Could you please do a video about speakers that sound pleasingly full at "mouse fart" volume for us multi-unit dwellers? I've seen the Q Acoustics 3030i's written up as a really good low volume speaker but I'd love to hear your take on it. This sounds like a question for one of your impromptu live streams, but catching those is really hit or miss for me. An off-the-cuff stand alone video (or a comment here) would be highly appreciated.
Thanks! Off the top of my head, here are some real good mouse-fart volume speakers: Pearl Acoustic Sibelius. Most speakers from Totem Acoustic. Harbeth speakers. LS3/5a / BBC style speakers to even include clones like the Sound Artist LS3/5a. Klipsch Heritage speakers. Triangles 40th Anniversary speaker lines.
Electrostatics. Even at ant-fart volume.
@@daniannaci3258 - Great suggestion! Yep, most flat panel speakers like Stats, Planars, and Ribbons, tend to do a good job as well.
@@ZeroFidelity Thanks! It’s all about inertia. Have a great day?
I own the R300's. They're accurate and I could listen to them for hours without fatigue, but they were not super engaging. I've been upgrading my other components, and the R300's minor faults (thin treble, soft midrange) became more noticeable. When the R3 came out I gave it a listen. Better, but not enough for me to jump. Recently I starting looking again and was all set to get a pair of Fyne F500 SP, until I discovered the KEF R3 Meta. Night and day. Massive improvement over my R300's (and the R3) and so much more refined and engaging (without inducing fatigue) over the Fyne's. Should be awesome with my Rogue RP-5 pre and Rogue Stereo 100 amp. Placing my order today.
I am considering updating from r300 to the r3 meta and i was wondering....man am I wasteing my time...how much better it could be...given your comment i might give it a try...
Sean: Thanks for the review. In March of '21 I installed LS50 METAS and a K62 in my 11x16x8 foot livingroom yielding the best sound I have ever owned; the end game for this residence. I was SO pleased that i bought the same for the livingroom of the winter house where they sound even better, yet disappoint. This room is 14x15 with 16 foot cathedral ceiling and no corners as where the rear wall corners should be are floor to ceiling three foot wide openings into another space with the same ceilings while the front corners are alcove 3x8 foot openings into alcoves leading to other rooms. I cannot place speakers in the corners because there are none, but for practical reasons they must be very close to the front wall.
I think that my disappointment comes from the LS50 being unable to fill the physical space in a satisfying way. I was considering going to the Reference 1 META. Because I need to be inches from the front wall, would this be a costly mistake?
Regards;
Brian
So the good news is that the Reference 1 Meta is a bit more comfortable with wall boundary placement than the R3 Meta. If you have some top notch equipment to connect it to, then it would be hard for me to discourage you from getting such a great speaker. Especially if you already love the KEF sound.
I can't write to tip notch, but at that location the source is a Cambridge Audio EVO 150 operating as a streamer connected via wifi to the household PC as a server storing my CD collection ripped to FLAC format with associated meta data. The sound is excellent, access is convenient using after market software recommended by CA, track info and album art is displayed, and I can leave all my CDs at the other house. I have found the EVO 150 to be a good match for the KEF sound and hope this will carry over to the Reference. Your input is VERY appreciated.
Brian
@@k1e2k6 - I don't have experience with the EVO 150, but I'll say this: You'll get good sound. Maybe even great sound. Will you be getting even close to what the Reference 1 Metas are capable of? No. Not really. But if you have a chance to try them with the option of a return, I'd say it's worth it. Given how much you like the LS50 Metas, the sheer quality of the Reference 1 Metas will make you want to do inappropriate things. :D.
Like the blue on gold, but as a metal head, I will stick with my Buchardts. I'm glad you are back, ZERO.
The original R3 was a masterpiece of great engineering and sound quality, and the new Meta is an even better speaker with improved performance without a price increase! How rare is that?
Would you say the bass and midrange drivers are fast?
It is an awesome speaker, in addition that color is awesome! Speaker manufacturers need we to offer more color to their speakers. Look at Erin’s Audio Corner’s review it is a lot more objective using analytical scientific data!
I purchased a pair a few months back. Once broken in, the speakers make magic happen.
What improved upon break-in?
@@cpg8000 At first the sound was boxy and closed in. My original Elac uni-fi speakers sounded better. The sound has really opened up, requires less power to sound full. I feel that the treble has opened up and the bass is now tighter. And there is detail, detail detail. I have heard things on Deep Purple and Kinks albums that I was not aware of in the past. After flipping speakers every 2-3 years, I think that I have now bought my long term speakers. Not saying my last...
What improved upon break-in?
Bass went lower and got tighter. General openess improved as well as low volume listening.@@xsamitt
I love this color
Hello, hello.. Is there anybody in there? We miss you Sean. I hope you come back soon. Know you're missed!
That indigo is sure impressive
Great review as always Sean. I appreciate the detail, and I agree with your conclusions.
I bought the R3 Meta's (in Indigo) about a month ago and really love them.
They replace Wharfedale EVO 4.2's and they have much better treble and bass.
Image height is a little less than the 4.2's but image detail is vastly better.
The KEF R series may be the only speaker llne that uses the same material for all
three drivers. Perhaps accounting for their cohesive sound. (love the blue, not garrish.)
I would hope so and a bit more given the price difference between the two.
The KEFs l heard were BRIGHT AS HELL. Wouldn't even THINK of purchasing the ls50s w/o a sub.
I bet these would pair very well with our Starkrimson and Starkrimson Ultra amplifiers.
Hi Sean. Glad to see you back doing outstanding work. Looking good. Hope you're well:-)
Love the TARDIS blue speakers, although piano lacquer is not for my household.
Hope to get to hear these someday. Your recommended speaker choice on placement grounds is much appreciated.
Do the R3m come with 2 part port plugs like the LS50 for near wall installations?
Did you try them??
Thanks!
🎵🎶🤫🎶🎵
Back? Not really...
Personally, I'd rather wait a bit longer for one of Sean's reviews, since he provides quality, detailed reviews.
This review is not detailed enough? Could you link me the Sean channel please? You made me curious and i don't know what channel you're talking about
I’m about to combine these speakers with Marantz 40n. This amp is slightly on a warm side and I think it might be very good match with R3 meta. Can’t wait for it to arrive.
Well done Sean. I can buy these speakers based on your review but I already own the Triangle Comete 40th anniversary which sounds like they are similar to the KEFs when it comes to directional, smooth and r refined tweeters. In fact I am looking for an upgrade to the 40th ann. just for this reason. The Triangle Magellan Duettos have the tweeters which I am looking for, but the cost is too high and the upgrade in price is not equal to three times the performance.
Do you know which speakers have a forward, dispersed and impactful high-frequencies .
Good to see you back reviewing equipments once again.
Thank you!
I must say Sean, your skin is glowing! Have you been getting Korean skincare products from Jay's Iyagi??
Hey Sean if you have the time, yes, funny I know, have a listen to the latest podcast from The Intercooler where they talk with Iain Suffield, a sound engineer at Jag Land Rover. About 20 minutes in he gets into some psycoaccustic bits (why certain engine configurations are more pleasing) but I'm wondering how that directly translates into how speakers are tuned for character and house sound. Could make for an interesting video, but probably fits better into a live chat.
Great Job Sean dam those kefs are sexy AF !! Love the center focus imaging and sparkle with Kef
'Kef has done a really good job tamming the top end With last 2 generations
From my expierecd with my Q100/Q150/Q350 - And Yeah 6000a very good pairing with all if them '
I have Q350 hooked up to new '7000a' 😃