The KEF R3 META Review! A Complete BOMBSHELL!

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.

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:

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

[billfife]

Always to the point. No fluff. Just Meaningful information one needs to make an informed decisions when purchasing equipment.

[pm]

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.

[ZeroFidelity]

Thanks for watching, and thanks for your patience!

[johnsonadekunle]

Haven’t heard from you in a while, hope you’re doing alright.

[wiebl]

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!

[alanalain]

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...

[elbebe]

What is happening with Sean? We really miss him. I hope he is doing fine.

[wokthetalk]

We miss you Sean. I hope you get well soon. Godspeed!

[mehmetcamat]

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.

[Reluctantaudiophile]

We’ve been missing you Sean, great review and looking forward to more. I laughed out loud at the “oof” remark.

[davelaidlaw]

Another great review Sean! They are certainly fantastic looking speakers- love the blue also. Thanks! 😊

[robertnitsche]

Sean, the highest praise I can give your video is that I now want a pair of KEF R3 Metas in Indigo Blue, badly.

[rc]

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!

[andrewconger]

You are so damn insightful and well-rounded. Likely one of the best on YouTube.

[tomscott]

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.

[renatomorais]

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!

[elyoe]

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. ✌️

[richardramorino]

Your best presentation ever. Really enjoyed it.

[Justwantahover]

The LS 50 has a more holographic soundstage cos of the lack of the stereo speaker woofer. I have built both type speakers, with and without a woofer (with my FR drivers). And one type speaker can be cranked and the other can't but it's more holographic. The woofer effects the point source sound cos there is always some residual medrange in the stereo speaker woofer. You can solve the problem by using a sub instead of stereo speaker woofers. LS 50s with a sub or subs.

[mrpositronia]

Hey, there's nothing wrong with being a KEF fan! 😄