KEF R3 Meta Review: Affordable Hi-Fi Excellence

In this video, we review the all-new KEF R3 Meta bookshelf speakers to help you decide if these deserve a place on your shortlist.

Listening Set-Up:

0:00 Intro
0:23 R-Series Overview
1:59 Need to Knows
2:37 Design
4:28 Setup
7:05 Sound Performance
12:10 Comparisons
14:42 Our Thoughts

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[pistopit]

This wa s a great review. These small snippets of music you have included gave me the sense of what sort of bass performance I can expect from these speakers. And despite this is just compressed youtube sound, I can tell that these will deliver more bass than I could ever need in my tiny 1 bedroom flat.

[keithforrest]

I have had the LS50s in my setup followed by the R3s. I had a few months crossover with both the LS50 and R3 speakers, so I had a lot of time for comparison. My first impression of the R3 speakers in my system was: Why would anyone buy the LS50s???? (short of space considerations) Especially, after hearing both speakers back to back in the same system. Seriously, as great as the LS50s are, the R3s sound better in every single way in my reference setup. For 25% or so more money, with the R3s, you get a much more massive 3 way speaker that seriously is better in every single way... And if you have the system to optimally drive the R3s, and I am not talking about a $1500 integrated amp plus a $1000 CD player... I am talking about an audio computer optimized for music (Roon) plus an amazing Roon endpoint feeding an amazing digital volume control (Mini DSP Studio) using DIRAC room correction, feeding a great DAC (I use a Gustard X26PRO), feeding one of the greatest solid state amps money can buy (DSONIC 600wpc 2 channel Class D amp - Seriously, if I could find a solid state amp that was better, I would own it), feeding the R3s sitting on nice Sound Anchor stands... All I can say is this setup is music magic. Add a great Subwoofer using the digital sound X-OVER in the Mini-DSP and adding an another Gustard X26PRO DAC to decode the lower frequencies... And you get even greater music magic. Seriously, the R3 speakers are so transparent, I can easily use them to evaluate new gear, cables, cords, you name it in the signal chain!

One day I will get in the R3 Metas to compare to my R3s. I would love to hear the differences.

[KASmonkeys]

Thank you! I've been awaiting a youtube review for ages. lol

[peters]

I would appreciate a comparison between the old R3 & the R3 Meta. I have always liked Kef speakers, but when I auditioned the R3 I was disappointed in their performance on vocals, which were clean & bright but thin. Barbara Streisand just did not sound like her.
I intend auditioning the R3 Meta, but the nearest ones are over 2hrs drive away.

[jimlad]

I bought a pair 3 weeks ago.. So just running them in, they just get better and better..
Sound fantastic once dialed in with your amp. Money well spent, I wonder what the comparison is between the 705 S3's and R3 Meta's.. Have I made the right decision??? Hmmm

[darrenanderson]

Would love to know how the R3 compares to the Reference 1 speakers

[batistacardozo]

Which receiver will best match the R3 Meta speakers. Would also like to connect the sub KC62

[aeca]

What about a direct comparison of the r3 vs r3 meta?

[krzysztofst]

The only comparison, that was needed was between R3 and R3 Meta. The price difference is significant and - if you have a good amplifier - the sound is almost the same. The LS50s are a lower model, so it is obvious that they will sound worse.

[stevexc]

Is the R3 Meta any good at low volume? I listen to my LS50 meta at low volume and I'm happy with them, however I could use more bass and would prefer not to use a sub.

[aceofspades]

Kef house sound is typically not my preference. I prefer buchardt, harbeth, and dyn audio but perhaps need to try this one out if the treble is more balanced.

[phunkyhouse]

Great review, am looking at a pair for mainly connect to TV for movies - would an amp in £1000 range be suitable ?

[thomassaner]

Most KEF reviews GLOSS OVER THE BI WIRE CONCEPT-what’s the advantages? I can look it up myself but you should add it in your review.

[Birmingham_racing]

I love my powernode but wouldn't expected it to be good enough to get the most out of these anyway

[pistopitpit]

Would I get away with mojo 2 with these instead of dedicated amp? Or is this a silly question?

[Michael-xznk]

The R3’s are a 4ohm speaker. I’m shocked the Rega does the trick at 8ohms. Is the Rega designed to handle 4ohm speakers?

[MiccaPhone]

3:46: I think you cannot place it the way shown here as it needs distance from the wall, right?

[CinemaDemocratica]

My introduction to the channel and I subscribed in the first sixty seconds -- terrific content, terrific presentation, especially terrific pride-of-craft. Pretty clear even at this early stage that nobody on this channel is about to pronounce 'toroidal' as if it had four syllables, or 'NAD' as if it only had one -- both of which are seriously beginning to annoy me. So kudos. Now onto my question:

How would the R3 Metas stack up against the Amphion Argon 1? At first blush that's not a price-appropriate comparison but I'm hearing a great many reviewers talk about how far the Argon 1's punch above their weight. Specifically I'm looking for a speaker that sounds great off-axis and at low to remarkably low volumes, and the big woofers on the KEF's make me nervous that perhaps they're going to need higher SPL's to get organized. The X-factor is that my very first audiophile purchase was a pair of KEF C-80s, and I loved them long time -- so I *should* be biased in that direction, all other things equal. (Though in fairness that was several generations of products ago.)

[tunesart]

Hai since you know the meta and no Mata please help me . I am thinking to get r3 meta and i currently have r7 non meta . Is it a upgrade or no ? My room is small so the bookshelf is good enough size wise .

[powderfinger]

would the Naim NAIT XS 3 be a good pairing for these?