WOW. Just WOW. KEF R3 Meta review.
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- čas přidán 10. 06. 2024
- This episode is brought to you by Bluesound:
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🎥 Camera: Olaf von Voss / John Darko
🎬 Editor: John Darko
🌈 Colour: Olaf von Voss
🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
💰 Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan
🎵 Song IDs? Playlists of all music heard in this video - and other videos - can be found on PATREON: / johndarko
0:00 Intro
1:24 What is the R3 Meta -- and what about the LS50 Meta?
4:41 Electronics
7:07 Wire wool
8:46 Side-by-side comparisons
13:24 What does it all mean?
👉 As mentioned in this video...
KEF R3 Meta (blue)
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KEF R3 Meta (white)
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KEF S3 stands
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B&W 705 S3
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NAD M23
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Bluesound NODE X
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Thorens TD1500
📖 www.thorens.com/de/thorens%C2...
PS Audio Stellar Phono
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Zu DWX Supreme
🎧 darko.audio/2023/09/podcast-j...
Prefab Sprout - Jordan: The Comeback
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The Sabres of Paradise - Haunted Dancehall
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Streaming platform by Roon
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Cables and power products by AudioQuest
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Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel
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Room treatment by Vicoustic
📖 vicoustic.com/
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, which are indicated with a '🛒'.
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Hi. I just bought a pair of these speakers, 3 days ago. I have a Music Hall Ikura turntable with an Ortofon 2m blue cart and an Accuphase e211 amplifier. I am totally blown away by these speakers. Bloody hell! Vocals, guitar, instrument separation bass clarity which keeps on going and giving. I couldn't /can't believe the soundstage it's so clear so pronounced so, I dunno, perfect. Perfect in a luxurious, sexy way! Blew my mind, incredible. Prior to these speakers I had B and W Cdm 1se. I thought they were good and they are but these Kef R3 meta are just MAD. Music I've been listening to for years just grew and opened, breathed and spread out so much detail has been released. Nitin Sawney's Beyond Skin, Dominique Fils Aime Nameless, Karin Krog, Air Pocket Fly On were some of the albums I played. All shone. Save some money, go shopping! Holy smokes people, holy smokes!
'Songs are really just interesting things to be doing with the air.' Tom Waits. Your cool reference to air reminded me of that. Solid review John.
Definitely picking up your enthusiasm for the speakers, and really glad you like the Nad M23. And big thank you for all the music you listed into the review, you gave us enough to listen all week! Keep up the great work!
Besides the great information on equipment, I love your videos because I always find new music to listen to as well.
Have been waiting for this review. Thank you!
WOW 300K subs! Congrats John!
300,000 subscribers! congratulations, John!!
thanks for this enjoyable review! as someone not even in the market for hi-fi speakers, stumbling upon this video was a delight. your description is so accessible yet appropriately technical for those who know (i don't, but appreciate the effort!)
Very high production quality in all your vids brother. Actually enjoy those inserted ads, how they’re informative yet perfectly brief
Finally there is timestamp for your videos.... THANK YOU!!!! BIG HELP
non-native English speaker like me absolutely appreciate this because it can be super difficult to keep track of what topic are being discuss, sometimes.
Finally? Most videos nowadays have time stamps.
Terrific video as always, John! Thank you!
Great insight as always. I tested the R3 Meta and the LS50 Meta side by side a couple of weeks ago. Also had the KC62 subwoofer at hand. The R3 Metas are pretty spectacular, but if I had to pick one for my smaller room (16 square meters, acoustically treated), I'd opt for the LS50 Meta + KC62. The bass of the R3 Metas is simply too hard to control in my room. Plugging the ports with the supplied foam plugs helps greatly (partial plugging was enough), but I would still rather opt for the added flexibility of the bass control with the KC62 sub. It integrates with the LS50 Metas beautifully, and it allows you to select the volume level best suited for your room. For me, that was the starting quarter of its volume range. I should also note I was able to distort the LS50 Metas' Uni-Q driver at high volumes on certain bass-heavy tracks. In the end I decided to stick with the KEF Q550 + KC62 combo, as that's the combo that plays with my room best, has the most flexibility, doesn't distort where the LS50 Metas did, and gives me most enjoyment overall. And after a couple of hours of listening, I completely forgot about the slightly improved clarity I was getting from the LS50 Metas. My takeaway would be - don't feel bad if the R3 Meta is out of your financial reach. Depending on your room size, composition and sound, you might get better results from a less expensive option(s). After my experience, I wouldn't consider the R3 Meta for a room smaller than 25 square meters.
great review on the KEF R3M, john, and your attitude is perfecto 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 keep up the good work, mate ...
I bought them last week. Transparent and expressive sound. Deep bass, dynamics, power..
Hi John. Thank you for this review and showing what you're listening at. Different tastes but still very interesting your thoughts about new loudspeakers and other components. I'll lend them an ear next time I'll see them. Cheers.
Just put together your “triple play”: ideas, cinematography and playlists. After watching this video, I patiently waited until I could get to the”big rig” to listen to the music in the playlist. So much fun. Thanks, John.
So good reviews that you produce!
So much taste in your representation!!!
These metas are the most amazing things I've ever heard!
Greetings Darko,very enjoyable as usual listening to your commentary..appreciate your choice of music that really space out the base & treble .Dub plate is the order of the day.👊🏾🇯🇲
I purchased R3 meta, paired it with McIntosh 252 and SMSL D300. Together, they sound awesome!
Thank you so much for this perfect review.
I will order the r3 meta after hearing them with the rotel ar 1592 mk2. Such lovely speakers...
So cool. Love the enthusiasm. ❤
Awesome overall frequency reponse, bass response for this size, and what an observation that they sounded so good - even in another room. Telling.
Next to the great reviews you provide, that guide me through the vast and confusing landscape of quality audio equipment (with a budget) I also really enjoy your taste in music and discovering new music through you video's. I love the subjective approach and also not assuming you have the answers, but more a preferred way of listening to things. I bought the Klipsch RP600m's because of your review. Also, as a designer, I really enjoy how well put together your video's are and the quality of the cinematography. It's rare in this content creators landscape, where quantity trumps quality far too often. Thank you so much.
Great review, like the genuine excitement. This is another „proof” that KEF and NAD is a match made in heavens. I have owned 9 pairs of KEFs, four run by NAD electrics, that always was my favorite combination.
I always enjoy very much each track you use in your videos
Always on point. Great review.
Just what I needed to hear! Thanks
The blue cabinets are gorgeous
A wonderful review. I've only discovered your channel recently and you bring a warmth and personality which is very similar as (from a cooking stand point) Sam the Cooking Guy. I think You've swung me from LS50s to R3s, thank you.
Thanks for an awesome review. ☺
fun video to watch. Nice to see you so enthusiastic about a product.
Great review as ever, +1 for The Horse With No Name! Also a guilty pleasure when testing speakers!
Love the Kef LSX's purchased as great near-field, low volume speakers for my office so much that my next bookshelves will definitely be R3 Metas. Thanks for another great review, and thanks for sharing all the music you listen to. My tastes are similar, so whenever you talks about music that's somehow passed me by, it's my signal to go check it out!
Since two weeks I got the KEF LSX II as well as speakers for near field listening and me too find they're great even at low level. I tried them as midfield with a subwoofer, to enlighten the tasks for the amps and the drivers of the LSX, and they sounded great! I've been on the fence for the R3's as well a year ago, but I ended up buying the R7 (non meta) because of the price of the stands, which I don not like either.
Wire wool treble, and unnecessary chafing. Oh John, a superb choice of phrasing as always. Keep up the good work!
Nice review John ! 🙂 I know the color has no effect on the sound but the blue does have that "this is color you want" pull to it.
I like your videos, they are well produced and organized, even though most of the time the products you review are out of my price range. Finally the KEF R3 Meta is in my price range.
Thanks, John. Bddn waiting on this one, ever since I spotted them behind you in an earlier review. Even though I just bought a pair of Q Accoustics 3030i's. I still am exicted to hear about these.
Thank tou ever so much for your great content!
About a year ago I gave up on loudspeakers after dropping some serious dough because I just wasn't able to overcome the crappy room acoustics. I hope when we relocate in a few years our new spot will be more friendly audio-wise. Will keep these KEF's in mind.
I agree in particular with the comparison of Bowers 'flashy' vs KEF 'subdued' when demo'ing at a store. You go into to the store wanting to be wow'd, and the Bowers do that, while the KEF sound boring. I bought the OG R3 purely based on reviews, and it has been a long journey of finally falling in love with their sound, clean and non fatiguing. I will say, that recently adding a class A pre-amp really woke up the speakers with better dynamics and emotion. I think the KEF R3 scale really well, so if you like to fiddle with your system, or upgrades, then this might be a speaker that will have a long life for you. BTW, I demo'd a $100K Bowers + McIntosh system at the store, this will impress your friends for a quick demo, but I actually found it a bit fatiguing after only a couple of tracks. The KEF may not give your buddies a wow moment, it takes more time and longer sessions to appreciate what they do.
I bought the KEF LS50s in 2016. Seven years on they are still a joy to listen to. For my main listening room, I invested in the Dali Rubicon 6 BE. After listening to this review, I am keen to hear the KEF R3 Metas in action. I have an inkling that they might be my next acquisition. Or one of the larger R MEta series for that matter. Thanks for the great review!!!
congrats to 300k
I did a side by side r3 meta with reference 1 meta when shopping for replacement of my original ls50. The reference 1 meta superior but not a huge delta as John would say. I did bust my budget and get the reference 1 but wouid have been totally happy with the r3.
Reference 1 is more superior in what ways? I’m on the same boat. Have a LS50 meta and want to upgrade to ref 1 but my local dealer only has ref 3 so I did a AB comparison between LS50 meta with Ref 3. Ref 3 wins by a far margin. Much more clarify, more silent background. But they don’t have R3.
Nice, I was waiting for this :)
Thanks for the information 👍
2 things. 1. thanks for the heads up on the Sabres of Paradise album, its fantastic. 2. Really looking forward to your experience adding in subs. Really interested in your thoughts on 2 subs vs one especially.
THANKS 🙏 JOHN, WE DIG IT 😎💚💚💚
My home town hero’s Built to spill!! Watching from Boise Idaho🤘🏽
Love my LS50 Metas on Orchard Audio monoblocks paired with 2 RSL Speedwoofer mkii. It. Is. Glorious.
Watching on my R3 metas 😂 what made me try them finally was the larger center channel for home theater. I know not your cup of tea but for me I need the full package. Great review!
I have R3's in white (4 of them and a center for a 5.1 system). Love them.
Sounds like these loudspeakers really impressed you. Great review.
Fantastic episode. Informative and entertaining. You mentioned “effortless”. Did they also get out of the way and let the music pass through?😂
Side by side comparison is good thing, thanks:-)
Been waiting for this review... and trying to find some place to listen to them. I only have some LSX but I think it is time to upgrade my system! :) Always love your videos as well as your music recommendations!
By the way, the links to the speakers (blue or white) themselves in your description do not guide me to where they are supposed to, I think.
The KEF Blades on a home build tube amplifier sounds angelic. I can believe how this sounds already. I am saving money for years to get my hand on the Blades. The Tube amplifier is getting form already.
I must say that you are dead on with this review. It's the first product I have owned that you reviewed and I find your review spot on. I have a dedicated room with extensive treatment with GIK products and typically use Magnepan 3.7i's. The R3's give them a run for their money and surpass them in some ways. Well done indeed!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you so much for all your candid, entertaining audio review videos. I have found them enlightening & very practical, over the years.
Also, you mention your love of larger, stand mounted monitor speakers near the close of this video; as well as mentioning why you shy away from floor standing speakers, in general (limited storage space). I was wondering, if at all possible, if it would be possible for you to 'break' that rule, to do a review of the Zu Druid 6s? They are a fair bit more expensive than you generally review. They also, well, aren't stand mounted. So, that's 2 strikes against them. However, I feel like speakers in the $10K USD range are just at that point that those of us who have been into audio for some time, may begin to aspire to owning something in that range.
I for one, would love to hear your take on equipment that is in that 'next tier' for cost! Does it live up to its greater investment?
Either way, all the best as 2023 nears its close. Cheers!
I've been the LS50, the R3 Meta and the R5 Meta at my local dealership. The R3 and R5 are so good, trying to work out which I can make work in my room.
Thanks John
It’s cool hearing Darko mention Built to Spill. I just found out about them a few weeks ago as they opened for Sylvan Esso! What a great show.
Built to Spill are one of my fav bands of all time.
Thank you John! Delightful video! Any chance of a M23 review?
Kef is killing it with Meta technology
Great video. Stunning speakers, too! As nice as the blue is, agreed, the white ones are the way to go!
So elegant, so beautiful, just looking like a wow !
@Darko Audio I have been waiting for this review since I seen the R3 behind you in others videos.
I was about to buy those speakers, but I waited a bit longer and got a pair of Acoustic Research AR94 that were almost new, except for the suspensions, which I already replaced.
I have two pairs of Kef C55, which are from the first Uni-Q generation, wonderful speakers that feature an 8" Uni-Q driver and an 8" passive radiator. The R3 speakers are the closest match to my C55s, and I have my eye on them. In reality, the AR94 also have a certain resemblance, although they haven't a concentric driver, with two 8" woofers and a 1" tweeter in a configuration that I believe is one of the early 2.5-way setups. I'm convinced that they would also give you that room-filling sensation you mentioned.
I'm glad to see that the R3 has caught your attention!
I have the R3s on my radar, but for now, I'm so satisfied with my C55s and the AR94s that I think it will be a while before I switch to new speakers.
I had exactly the same preamp and amp. The most refined sounding system I have ever heard in my room.
That was a super awesome review as always.
Why am I doing this, I mean, continue to watch John’s reviews, I have a complete set of equipment, I don’t need anything, and now I just have to listen to these speakers😅
Jordan the comeback❤
Kef should also build in future a powered/wireless version of KEF R3 speakers
Great review, as always. Thanks John.
I know it’s unlikely, but I would love to someday hear your opinion on Amphion speakers. Perhaps the Argon 3S or even 3LS. Fingers crossed🤞
See you in the next one!
Can you give your thoughts as to why you think the $700 stands are important to buy? You said you felt this was close to a 3000 euro purchase (2000+ for speakers and then 700 for stands). To me it just seems like a blatant cash grab by KEF knowing that the consumers of these products are willing to spend high sums of money for these products. The profit margin on speaker stands is astronomical compared to speakers themselves, and it would not be unreasonable to buy 3rd party stands that are more economical, even if they don't have the same color matching as the speakers themselves.
Pretty furniture
I can see buying separate stands for a white/black pair, but not this insane blue. You need the matching stands for this colour.
Nice tantrum.
I have zero experience with it but I imagine what he means is that at this price range and at this tier where the aesthetics comes at a higher priority you should not be nickel and diming the choice of stands and should get what the designer intended for the art piece else you rob yourself of the total package.
$2,000 is nothing for high-end quality speakers. I have Focal Electra 1008 BE’s ($5,999 new in 2018) and bought custom Sound Anchor stands for $700. Each stand weighs 70lbs, each speaker weighs 35lbs. A quality stand reduces the need for a subwoofer. Great system by the way!
Wow! Never seen you this enthusiastic. You forgot to mention though that they look absolutely fabulous. I am an "Keffie" myself and started with a floor standing KEF DIY kit (constructor series model CS7 - some 35 years ago and they're still playing beautifully at my parents') but since moved to a smaller apartment and very happy with my (also white) LS50W (pre-meta) and Kube 8b. Just can't be bothered with all the extra gear.
_an “Keffie”_
Excellent review, John. I'm really looking forward to your adding subwoofers. I have KEF Reference Three/2's and they roll off -6 dB at about 40 Hz. My room can sustain deeper bass so I'm sitting on the fence, waiting for one or two subwoofers I can't do without. A pair of REL S812's is my current thinking. Very glad to hear about your opinion on the NAD power amp. Currently tempted by Primare or Exposure. All the best, Rob in Switzerland
Yes I had LS50 Meta connected to the same amp Hegel H95 that now is replaced with R3 Meta and definitely there is a change in sound. R3 Meta is more transparent on the high frequency and has more dynamic on the low end. It is a better allrounder but still they both have that nice warmth at the same time.
its interesting to note that for an audiophile, the coffee grinder you use (the baratza sette) is one of the loudest around :p.
I like your music selection reasoning
Wonderful review. Delighted that KEF is up to standard again!
Thanks for the great video! Would love to see a review on the R5 meta from you. Not a very widely covered speaker it seems, yet I find its' form factor quite intriguing - their slender shape doesn't visually overload a lowboard/TV setup as much as R7s would imho!
Thanks John. Try the REL T-Zero sub to fill the low end without waking up the room node at 35-36 Hz. It works excellent!
be nice to see an active version
I demoed a pair of LS50 wireless and R3 metas in the KEF store (I have LS50 metas at home though). I asked the clerk to hook up a KC62 subwoofer to the LS50s. The R3 sound better than the 2.1 system. Such a beautiful speaker and a massive step up from the LS50 range. But, if you have the LS50ms, you could probably just add the sub and get a similar response. Although the R3s are tuned for it, so I'd probably go for the single 2 speaker system
Did you listen to the R3 Metas with the KC62? I have the KC62 already but have the Q Acoustics Q Active 200 speakers.
@@c0mbat15my perception of the LS50 Meta vs R3 Meta (both in blue w matching stands, disclaimer, Kef dealer here) is as such. The LS50 meta even without a sub sounds incredibly detailed and lush. Adding the little kc62 (not blue ) fills in those missing octaves that you didn’t know you were missing.
For near field listening from just a few feet away the LS50 are perfect.
Once I got the R3 meta it was immediate how these guys “project” sound much further into the room, and do not need a sub. Truly fantastic speakers, and I’m using less than spectacular electronics than Darko.
Can’t go wrong either way. Meta is a true game changer.
I have heard these...they are very good with dynamics.
Hi John Would you pick [and why] these KEF s over the BUCHARDT 400 MKII at a similar price? thanks in advance
I believe I speak for thousands souls here… 😀 Can you please compare them to the Buchardt S400 MKII. They are on the same price range and they are both (in your own words) amazing speakers. Thank you very much. Regards from Portugal. 🎼🌈
The Terry Ellis chuckle at 14:28 🤌🏼
Speaking of KEF; I bought the LSX early in 2023 after seeing your videos talking about it. One of my better buys of the year, cheers!
Watching this review with my Q350s. KEF really are masters at bookshelf speakers!
“Great review! I enjoyed your detailed analysis of the KEF R3 Meta speakers. I’m curious to know how they compare to the Buchardt S400 MKII speakers. Have you had a chance to listen to both? Also, have you ever tried the Canton - Vento 20 speakers? I’d love to hear your thoughts on those as well.”
Great video as always Mr Darko. I like your shout-out to PS Audio, Stellar and BHK. They have some new gear out and on the horizon. Does that mean you have a review coming out soon?
Great review. It makes me curious what the KEF Reference 1 Meta are like.
Good review John, R3 seems to be a good speaker. 2-way or 3- way … whats the pros and cons for standmounts? M23 should be purifi? I use the node-x with the ugly brother C298, very good combo to my ears.
That’s a very good in room response !! Wow a lot of Tizzzz from B&W ?!! That’s a surprise
Another great video that's really peaked my interest in the R3 Meta.
I'd love to see a video on the miniDSP Flex digital. Essentially, it allows you to add PEQ or Dirac to any system while continuing to use your existing DAC. Room correction appears to be growing in relevance, so it would be great to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for the review. Bought these a few months ago for my living room where we mostly watch television and movies. My main listening room is downstairs in the man cave where I have Bryston amps and Walsh speakers. Since installing the KEFs, I’ve been overstaying my welcome in the living room as the sound blows my other music system away. Who would have thought . . .
What's the amp you've paired up with the R3 Meta?
@@arvind0rjillako Marantz NR1510 av receiver as preamp only feeding Emotiva BasX A2 power amp.
Just purchased R11 Metas in Walnut!~ I have a Cambridge audio evo 150 to power them but was thinking about trying out the HiFi Rose RS520.
Hi Darko -- wonderful video. Two questions:
1) How do you think the R3 Meta's alone, with no subwoofer, compare to the LS50 Metas high-passed with the KC62 sub?
2) Do you have any plans to review the Reference 1 Meta or any of the Reference Series KEF?
Nice review. The R3 being a true 3-way is a huge win, I run a pair of Dynaudio 2-ways (Contour 20) and wonder how much more the R3 could give.