KEF R3 Meta Speaker Review, Best Speaker For Your Money?

KEF R3 Meta Speaker
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ½
Price: 2200 USD (Oct, 2023)

Sound Stage: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ½
Stereo Image: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Highs: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Midrange: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Bass: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ½
Build Quality:⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Price: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Pros: Clean & Transparent Sound.
Cons: Can Sound Flat Unengaging with Some Paring.

(All Rating is based on price and sound quality, Product Sample Provided By Manufacturer)

Sound Sample with,

*Associated Components*
Speakers,

Front End,

Amplifiers,

Cables & Accessories,

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Video Timeline:
0:00 Review
15:36 Sound Sample

[Tharbamar]

300 watts power recommendation is based on most openness in sound quality with Class D amplification I have in hand.
Good quality 100 watts @8 ohm Class AB Amplification will be more than sufficient for up to 90-95db range.

[liamporter]

Don't get upset with negative comments. Don't bother them as they don't worth your attention, time, energy and emotion. Everyone has their own views. Just carry on to share your own views as that's what you fans need. Your reviews are much appreciated 👏👏👏👍.

[iluxman]

Great review. Most important point: You let the viewers hear the sound of the speakers, unlike ton of other nonsence youtubers "reviewers" keep talking, blathering the whole clip w/o let the viewers here the sound! that's sucked!. Again, Great clip. You know what the youtube viewers really want to, thanks for share.

[edwinsnoek]

The treble of these Kefs sounds like a old Classe D amplifier.
It sounds dry, harsh and mechanical.
It's not my cup of tea.😊

[CinemaDemocratica]

I was an *insufferable* KEF fanboy in the 1980s: My first audiophile purchase was a pair of KEF C80s. But the Uni-Q in the KEF 105/3 just shocked me for how dark and lifeless it sounded -- like listening to the highs and upper mids through a toilet tube. And ever since then it's been really hard for me to get excited again about the brand. I know this next part is going to sound silly, but it almost feels the way I imagine that a divorce would feel. The good news is that I also run an SMSL AO300 so the comp is one-to-one.

[erikjohansson]

Thanks for sharing your honest opinion. One of the best reviewer.

[Bulee]

Hello Tharbamar.
I have a question for you because as a Japanese you will be a competent person. There is a Luxman L505uXII amplifier on ebay, which can be bought twice cheaper than in Poland. The problem is that the voltage is AC100V. Will using a voltage converter from 230V to 110V negatively affect the sound quality?

[cremersalex]

The lighting on the speakers (the left speaker) give the impression that they have wooden side panels. And they look much better that way!

[donnowak]

Tharbamar, what ever mic's you are using, their rolled off somewhere in your chain. Love your reviews. Can't believe you don't correct it. A-hole's save the "get the wax out of your ears" fan boy comments. This is now becoming comical.

[JSVKK]

Can you do a comparison between Model 3 and R3 meta?

[surfd]

When you say pianos can sound a bit hard, do you mean bright and harsh, or something else? Does that hardness show up on other sounds too, e.g. Vocals or percussion?

[davidrivera]

Thabamar, what other reviewers mean is to set the speaker 10 degrees toe in from straighr position, which pretty much how you have yours set.

I suspect you're referring to Erin's Audio Corner re. 10° toe-out? He explains that when the tweeter is directly facing you, toe them out by 10° or your liking. 😉
It's prob. not the most bass heavy speaker, however, for a lot of rooms or closer to walls, that may be a blessing.

[jzenone]

Trying to decide between these meta R3 or Martin Logan xt b100 motion. Primarily for movies. Can you offer any insight or thoughts on this?

[Sentinel]

Given the fact that R2R works better with the R3 Meta than the Loxjie, will those speakers work better with a D400 EX dac, than with an ESS ? (I like midrange, i don't like r2r 😅)

[chrislynch]

These vs musician knight? What are your thoughts please? Thank you sir.

[galactusgalan]

Great review Thar. I was a little taken back about 300 watt in 4ohms needed to ideally drive these. Is that the same recommendation with your knight 1 and R11? Isn’t the e4000 and sx11 under 300 watts. Just trying to understand your logic. I do understand how more power can always be a benefit, but didn’t think it was needed on the speakers in your collection. Thanks again!

[davidrivera]

I purchased the same Indigo blue 3R meta two months ago. I used two different subwoofers with these KEFs. They replaced a $6k full range floor standing speaker. Not quite as detailed as the ones they replaced, but the r3 meta have a great soundstage and airy imaging. I'm quite pleased.

[mehmetcamat]

I run my KEF R3 Metas with Hegel H190 - Gustard R26 dac - KEF KC62 Sub and it sounds fantastic. I am pretty happy with this setup. The sound is pretty warm, transparent and holographic as well. The imaging is pretty good.

[herrtrigger]

Please show R7 meta vs R11 meta, people are aware of the R3 already. It's better than the previous but still aggressive when loud so it's out. Both R7 / R11 need subs so show us what we lose with the R7. It should be the sweet spot in the R line.