The new benchmark among standmount speakers
The KEF R3 Meta are high-end 3-way bookshelf speakers intended for those who want extremely realistic listening without giving up a compact format. Although they are the bookshelf model of the R Meta Series, they adopt reference-class solutions and share the same technical DNA as the larger models, offering transparency, a wide soundstage and surprising neutrality. The result is a standmount speaker able to sound “big”, with a refined upper midrange and treble and bass that is deep and controlled for its class.
12th-generation Uni-Q with MAT™: more detail, less distortion
The heart of the R3 Meta is the coaxial 12th-generation Uni-Q driver, with a 25 mm tweeter and a 125 mm midrange at the same point of emission, for even dispersion and credible spatial reconstruction even outside the sweet spot. Added to this is MAT™ (Metamaterial Absorption Technology), which absorbs up to 99% of the unwanted resonances behind the tweeter, improving cleanness, micro-detail and naturalness. The updated design of the motor and moving parts aims to reduce distortion and compression, for freer, more dynamic reproduction.
True 3-way, bass reflex and fine finishes
Unlike many bookshelf speakers, the R3 Meta are a true 3-way design: the Uni-Q module is joined by a dedicated 165 mm hybrid aluminium woofer for the low frequencies, with fast, articulate behaviour. The cabinet uses damping solutions to limit vibrations and colouration, while the bass-reflex loading with optimised ports helps to keep the bass cleaner. Available in Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut and in the Indigo Gloss Special Edition, they complete a stereo or multichannel system with a modern, sophisticated look.
Technical specifications
| Type |
3-way standmount speaker, bass-reflex |
| Driver |
Uni-Q: 25 mm vented aluminium tweeter with MAT™ + 125 mm aluminium midrange |
| Woofer |
1 × 165 mm hybrid aluminium |
| Frequency response |
58 Hz – 28 kHz (±3 dB) |
| Extension (-6 dB) |
38 Hz – 50 kHz |
| Typical in-room response |
30 Hz (-6 dB) |
| Sensitivity (2.83 V / 1 m) |
87 dB |
| Nominal impedance |
4 Ω (min. 3.2 Ω) |
| Recommended amplifier power |
15 – 180 W |
| Maximum output |
110 dB |
| Harmonic distortion (90 dB/1 m) |
<1% from 73 Hz; <0.5% 90 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Crossover frequencies |
400 Hz, 2.3 kHz |
| Dimensions (H×W×D) |
422 × 200 × 336 mm |
| Weight |
12.4 kg each |
| Finishes |
Black Gloss / White Gloss / Walnut / Indigo Gloss (Special Edition) |