KEF Q Concerto Meta (vs. KEF R3 Meta, Wharfedale Linton & more)

This episode is brought to you by AudioQuest:

🎥 Camera: John Darko / Olaf von Voss
🎬 Editor: John Darko
🌈 Colour: Olaf von Voss
🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
💰 Ad segment: John Darko

0:00 Intro
1:04 AFX SAW II
2:09 Details & pricing
4:52 Side-by-side comparisons #1
10:44 Side-by-side comparisons #2
15:33 Five final thoughts

Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Vol. 2 (Expanded 3CD)

KEF Q Concerto Meta

KEF SQ1 stands

Golden Ear BRX

Zu DWX

Wharfedale Linton

KEF R3 Meta

Musical Fidelity A1 (2023)

NAD C 3050

Marantz Stereo 70S

FiiO R9

Moondrop DiscDream 2 Ultra

USM Haller sideboard

Cables and power products by AudioQuest

Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel

Room treatment by Vicoustic

Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a '🛒'.

Darko.Audio is an Amazon Associates Program member, an Audio Advice Program member and a Howl Program member.

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[EvanA.]

Not surprised to hear the R3 Meta and Q Qoncerto Meta are similar. The consumer really wins here. Thanks KEF (and Mr. Darko).

[JohnDoe-dfzz]

I generally agree with your opinions on audio equipment, but I always chuckle at your choice of test tracks. I frequently queue up songs you use to test equipment and generally hate them. It's amazing that folks with such different musical tastes can still be brought together through audio equipment. Keep up the great work.

[sobeautifulsrilanka]

Love these direct comparisons! Keem them coming, please.

[amante]

For the love of God, I don't know why nobody will directly compare these with the LS50 Meta that everyone has reviewed at this point, which is closer in price ($999 currently). Yes, it's design is obviously similar to the R3, but purchase decision has a much stronger correlation to price! Great review as always!

[LULAM]

Another great review from John Diarko. Cheers from Canadia !

[lmtrades]

regular viewers of this channel are still waiting for that aluminum vs. aluminium side by side review

[scootie]

I really appreciate how much you talk about and listen to Talk Talk in your videos.

[taidee]

Well JD, we thank you for all that work and weeks of doing this review, that's why we're here, for top quality production.

[MrTimah]

Heard these at a hifi show recently and every single person in the room was super impressed within 10s of hearing these. Once we were told the price we were all floored and unanimously said they were likely the best value speakers at the moment

[DapumaAZ]

USM Haller furniture - a review that has solid furniture in it - well done

Fun fact: you can get the interior of the drawers whatever color you want so you can call it the blue green red drawer etc - very fun when customizing

[LouMontana-wcnr]

Just finished listening to five of your programs and greatly appreciate your down to earth content and ease of listening (you are not Lenny Florentine, and I thank you).

[KITFLETCH]

One of your best. Love that you took trouble use both of your rooms and that you told us the media listening choices in Berlin and Portugal. Different speaker stands and placement of the speakers presumably make little difference.

[AdamFitzgerald]

I've been looking forward to this review since the Q Concerto Meta was announced and it did not disappoint. Thank you John.

[mihgio]

I can’t wait to listen to them. They will arrive to me tomorrow or the day after :) I hope I’ll listen to them for a long time from now on.

[dirk-jansmit]

Yep Aphex Twin, bought the CD back in 1992, the original. Did not know what it was :-) 5 years ago went to AT printworks in London with my eldest daughter....

[justbrowsing]

Looking forward to a Super Linton review.

[kenw]

Interesting as considering the R3 Meta's but who doesn't want to save a few quid. Enjoying your work and learning plenty and love the taste in music.

[YURD]

Thanks John, great content, as always.

[luispaxtor]

I tried these and while I loved the depth and height of the soundstage I returned them. On rock music electric guitars sounded opaque, this was really surprising. I also have Lintons and JBL HDI 1600s. Amp is a Rotel 1592 MKII.

[AngeloAthens]

Hello!!! I've been waiting for this review since i saw them at your site and now the next step is to take my amp and go to a store to actually listen to them. And if they sound as good as you say, then i will definitely buy them! Thnx Darko for the great review!!