KEF R3 Meta Pros
Very neutral and flat. This is good for live rooms, classical music or if you're flat speaker sound guy/gal. Good bass. Ethereal imaging and presentation with various high frequencies. This produces a sound that seems like it comes from nowhere or that is effortless (Ex: Check out starting at 40 seconds in on Jeff Buckley's "Mojo Pin"...we noticed it with cymbals on multiple tracks as well). We also got a wide, broad sound out of the R3s that filled up the room without hearing dead spots or perceiving a drop in high frequencies or dB levels. With speakers that have a narrow horizontal or vertical dispersion pattern (ex: Magnepans, electrostats, etc.), you need to be in the center "sweet spot" to get the best audio. If you have multiple seating areas in your room OR like to lie on the floor (I like to lie on the floor) when listening, these are a better option than some competitors.
KEF R3 Meta Cons
Not as detailed as we'd like. NOTE: Sound is subjective so this could be good or bad depending on your ear. They provide a very smooth, flat "produced" sound. Ex: Steve Miller Band..."Greatest Hits 1974-1978", Mr. Bungle - "California" album and afterward). Imaging was 2D unlike some other speakers we'd heard in the same price range that painted more of a 3D image. (Ex: Saxophone that starts at 20ish seconds in Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" or Frank Sinatra's voice at 10 seconds in on "Fly Me To The Moon" w/Count Basie.) Some other speakers WOWed us more than these with multiple demo tracks.
UPDATE: As time passed, we had a chance to try some different electronics with these. When we upgraded the amplifier and streamer, we noticed a BIG difference in imaging and clarity. Our winning combination was the Marantz Model 30 integrated amplifier along with the Marantz CD50N CD player/network streamer. Check this out >>> R3 Meta sounds great
New to stereo or home speakers...you'll probably be STOKED with these. However, we wanted to present the good along with our perceived bad as you may like the attributes we don't.
#KEF #audio #audiophile #airetheaterdesigns #hifi
This video is not sponsored. If you find this or our video review above helpful, please consider purchasing them through the links below if you aren't in the Southern California area. We make a small commission via this medium and this helps support our video channel.
✅ KEF R3 Meta bookshelf pair in BLACK: https://www.pjatr.com/t/1-8640-301982-8640?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.audioadvice.com%2Fkef-r3-meta-bookshelf-speakers-pair
✅ KEF R3 Meta bookshelf pair in INDIGO: https://www.pjatr.com/t/1-8640-301982-8640?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.audioadvice.com%2Fkef-r3-meta-bookshelf-speakers-pair
✅ KEF R3 Meta bookshelf pair in WHITE: https://www.pntrac.com/t/1-8640-301982-8640?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.audioadvice.com%2Fkef-r3-meta-bookshelf-speakers-pair
✅ KEF R3 Meta bookshelf pair in WALNUT: https://www.gopjn.com/t/1-8640-301982-8640?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.audioadvice.com%2Fkef-r3-meta-bookshelf-speakers-pair
✅ KEF Q950 tower speakers in BLACK: https://amzn.to/40eBVbv
✅ KEF Q950 tower speakers in WHITE: https://amzn.to/3FVwp5y
✅ KEF KC62 subwoofer in BLACK: https://amzn.to/3nkesqW
✅ KEF KC62 subwoofer in WHITE: https://amzn.to/3KdpBTB
✅ KEF Q650 center channel in BLACK: https://amzn.to/3ZeRWgA
✅ KEF Q650 center channel in WHITE: https://amzn.to/3ZkiD3o
✅ KEF Q650 center channel in WALNUT: https://amzn.to/40gISce
