KEF R3 Meta Speakers (Pair)

KEF R3 Meta speakers are the latest version of this excellent stand mount loudspeaker in the R series range. These three way bookshelf speakers have received a Meta Upgrade, with KEF’s Metamaterial behind the tweeter which is designed to reduce distortion. The closest thing to KEF Reference 1 at a much lower price

R3 Meta is one of four standard speakers in the R series range, alongside the floorstanding R5 Meta, R7 Meta and R11 Meta, with a choice of centre speakers also available. They all feature Meta material, along with KEF’s unique Uni-Q driver array which is designed to distribute sound to all parts of the room evenly, along with shadow flare to reduces any unwanted diffractions.

Unrivalled Performance

KEF R3 Meta uses the same driver array as the rest of the R Range. This is a true 3 way design, in a compact space. The woofer is a 165mm unit. There is also a 125mm midrange driver. The tweeter is a 25mm Aluminium dome unit. The mid and high frequency cones are in one unit known as the Uni-Q. This is designed to give unrivalled performance, with a clean uncoloured sound.

The Uni-Q Driver Array

The KEF sound is derived from the revolutionary Uni-Q driver array. This is a single point source driver with all the cones in one unit. The tweeter is at the exact centre of the mid range cone. As a result the sound should be distributed evenly throughout the room. There are no sweet spots allowing everyone to experience pure and clear sound anywhere in the room. The R series motor system has been redesigned with a shaped and undercut pole, and symmetrical aluminium demodulation rings to dampen and optimise voice coil variations.

Shadow Flare

The shadow flare is derived from the Reference series and reduces distortion inducing cabinet diffraction. The flare allows the Uni-Q array to work at it’s best. The tweeter output is deflected by the flare which creates shadow regions to damp any diffraction. As a result clarity is improved, especially with more subtle music, such a plucked string.

Metamaterial Absorption Technology

MAT (Metamaterial Absorption Technology) has been developed in association with Acoustic Metamaterials Group. This is a new technology that absorbs any unwanted high frequencies from behind the tweeter. Notably, this stops any interference with the other cones in the group. Consequently, distortion is lowered and the sound is more natural.

Cabinet Finish and Features

There are three finishes available , black gloss, white gloss and walnut. The cabinet is approximately 40cm high. Power handling is 180W into 8 Ohms. Notably, all the R series cabinets have Constrained Layer Damping bracing. The bracing is joined with a material that dissipates unwanted vibrations. Moreover, a new bracing layout creates a very inert platform for the Uni-Q driver. As a result the sound is very clean with no colouration.

About KEF

KEF is a British company that has been making high-end speakers for more than fifty years. Their main claim to fame is the aforementioned Uni-Q driver. They set new standards of innovation that are used in the R series. Now MAT technology has been added for an even purer sound. KEF also make wireless speakers and headphones as well as a wide range of subwoofers.