Any Kef R3 or Meta owners here?

[sbo6]

I have a pair of Kef R3s in my office and love them. Great for near - field with the coaxial driver and amazing bass especially when coupled with a sub or 2. One of the best bangs for your $ in an affordable monitor IMO!

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

I have a pair of Kef R3s in my office and love them. Great for near - field with the coaxial driver and amazing bass especially when coupled with a sub or 2. One of the best bangs for your $ in an affordable monitor IMO!

I have had the OG LS50. They are outstanding, but Metas are better. Some folks are wondering if R3 or LS50 M is a better choice. R3 have a better bass extension and nicer dynamics. LS50 is more holographic, and perfect for smaller rooms.

 

[Kenc]

I have had both the R3 and LS50 Meta in our "family room" where we stream movies and do casual listening while reading or net browsing etc. I much prefer the LS50 Meta - just more coherent and "musical". Yes, there is a little shortfall in the bass but this is remedied by the amazing little KC62 subwoofer. The sub is only necessary, I think, if you watch movies. Driven by a NAD M10 (original), this minimalist system sees more use than the "big rig" in the basement.

 

[steve59]

I wish you guys would quit talking up the meta's. I've only had my Blades a year and am by no stretch used to them, yet.

 

[tomsch63]

Caveat is that I've not yet heard the R3s but I do own LS50 Metas that really stepped up to a new level when I integrated a KS62. Really opened up the LS50 sound and at least in my room it was a very easy integration. It's exciting to have amazing choices!!

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

Caveat is that I've not yet heard the R3s but I do own LS50 Metas that really stepped up to a new level when I integrated a KS62. Really opened up the LS50 sound and at least in my room it was a very easy integration. It's exciting to have amazing choices!!

The OG LS50's biggest problem was that KEF tried to get deep bass from a speaker too small. We all remember that hard bump in its response that really muddied the midrange down. Luckily now, the Meta fixed that issue, presenting a much nicer, more balanced sound.

 

[tomsch63]

Yes iFi! BTW my desktop headphone and Focal monitor system is driven by a ZEN DAC V2 and into a ZEN can But back to the KEF LS50 Metas. Crossing them over at 90hz really is a good solution for my room. Given that the <90hz goes to the sub it really does make the LS50 Metas sing.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

Yes iFi! BTW my desktop headphone and Focal monitor system is driven by a ZEN DAC V2 and into a ZEN can But back to the KEF LS50 Metas. Crossing them over at 90hz really is a good solution for my room. Given that the <90hz goes to the sub it really does make the LS50 Metas sing.

Thank you for choosing us! I use the Zen Signature at my desk
I think the 90Hz crossover region is nice, but you can try to go a bit higher even. Something like 120Hz. The less bass this driver plays, the better the midrange will be. Do you have any possibility of measuring the LS50s response after closing the bass-reflex tube?

 

[sbo6]

I have had the OG LS50. They are outstanding, but Metas are better. Some folks are wondering if R3 or LS50 M is a better choice. R3 have a better bass extension and nicer dynamics. LS50 is more holographic, and perfect for smaller rooms.

I also moved to the MS50 Meta and the first thing you notice is how much more clarity the Metas have. Not that the R3s are cloudy or unclear, more than the Metas are crystalline and in this department they punch way above their $ IMO.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

I also moved to the MS50 Meta and the first thing you notice is how much more clarity the Metas have. Not that the R3s are cloudy or unclear, more than the Metas are crystalline and in this department they punch way above their $ IMO.

The only downside is that LS50M is picky about amplifiers. It requires the amp to handle large currents well and will make every shortcoming very apparent to the user.