KEF R3 Meta

An elevated and entertaining performance from classy speakers

Standmount speakers £1900 whf.cm/KEFR3Meta

The KEF R3 Meta speakers are an enticing prospect. These new stand-mounters are part of KEF's updated R Series, a revamped speaker range that now incorporates the company's celebrated MAT (Metamaterial Absorption Technology) innovation - an ingenious and successful technology that has been transforming KEF's audio performance in recent speakers.

It is an upgrade we are excited to hear: the original KEF R3 we tested a few years back received a five-star review, and the inclusion of MAT - from what we have heard already - should elevate the listening experience of the new speakers to a whole new standard. Do the R3 Metas live up to our expectations?

It may not look like much has changed on the surface, and really it hasn't. In terms of the size, build quality and driver sizes, the R3 Meta is pretty much exactly the same as the previous model.

But that's no problem at all, as these speakers are impeccably made. The finish and build quality are of a high standard, and they look elegant whether in our review sample's indigo gloss special edition (available at no extra cost), or the gloss black, gloss white or walnut finishes.

As before, the R3 Meta is a three-way design and the only stand mounter in 2023's new R Series. Taking pride of place is KEF's iconic Uni-Q driver array (which comprises a 25mm aluminium dome tweeter sitting right in the middle of a 12.5cm midrange driver) and a 16.5cm hybrid aluminium bass driver. The Uni-Q driver array is now in its 12th generation; it is designed to improve sound dispersion while also acting as a single source point for the high and mid frequencies. This type of driver configuration can be difficult to implement successfully, but KEF has had a knack for delivering a cohesive, integrated sound over the years.

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