Customer Ratings & Reviews

At first, I was skeptical that this speakers will give me the sound I was after due to it size. After many review and a recommendation from a family member who is into audiophile equipment I decided to purchase these speakers on line. Once it was hooked up, I was not impressed with what my ears is telling me. However, after one day of burning in it blows my mind how it sounds and I began to fall in love with these speakers as time goes on. Definitely impressive for a bookshelf speakers that sound so good that you would never expect such sounds can be accomplished for the size and the price. I cannot stop listening to my music once I turn on my system and it sounds much better after burning in period. Highly recommend to everyone who's searching a great pair of speakers at a great price.

Great speakers,good quality and fantastic sound,highly recommended for who care about sound quality ,I set this speaker with Marantz 50 analog and perfect match

I've only briefly had these before the review prompt; if there are any changes, I will try to update at a later time. I'm going to try to be careful for buyers like myself - cost conscious, or first-timers to audiophile-grade speakers, or people switching formats/form factors, or some point in the Venn diagram of all three (we were). These are probably right at the beginning of investment-grade speakers. My guess is that careful use will return 20 years of wonderful play, or more. The build quality is robust and the finish is *stunning* in person; there just aren't photos capable of doing it any justice. It appears they were engineered to last, play beautifully, and built like show furniture. As to play: if you are like us, you are having a difficult time finding these to audition in person, especially through Best Buy (even Magnolia locations). I'm no audiophile nor expert so bear with me. After combing through virtually everything available online and on YouTube, I understand something now about what KEF is on about with the Uni-Q driver, the Meta "filter", timing, etc. Again - NOT an expert, nor do I have the audiophile vocabulary. These sound amazing! They generate a *lot* more bass/low range than you might think by looking at them, depending I think on your expectations, needs and placement. We in fact chose these for this reason after initially flipping over the KEF LS50 Metas. Those, too, actually create more midrange in person than you might think; your choice might well come down to what you like, what you're going to use it for, and your space. We both listen to music and need these for the front soundstage of a modest home theater in a medium-sized family room. The extra mid- and low-range is helpful both for use and space, for us. I think those LS50's would be fine in a smaller room or propped with a good subwoofer cube (we run two SVS SB-1000's as well). These speakers are so *revealing*. My wife the teacher used to be a musician and we are both noting things in recordings we never noticed before. I am very confident it is not recency bias nor wishful thinking. I know that we are playing more music than we used to, reveling in what these speakers do to & for our music. I can recommend these without reservation if you have the means, desire need and space. Their function is amazing and their form leads to an unprecedented sense of pride of ownership.

I own 3 pairs of KEF bookshelf speakers. They each sound a bit different. I replaced the Q350s on my desktop with the R3 Metas. The difference in sound is significant. They may still be breaking in, but what I really like about them besides their great looks (I can't avoid seeing them while working at my computer) is the solidity of each instrument/voice - they sound like they are at a specific place and very real. In comparison, the Q350s, while also quite good at this, give more of an impression of instruments/voices as ghosts or holograms. The bass on the R3 Metas is much better - it is better defined, not vague. I have a recording of the Ravel Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, and I never knew exactly at what moment it began, because it starts extremely soft with low bass instruments. With the R3 Metas, I can distinctly hear when these instruments start playing, and what instruments they are - I could not identify them with the Q350s. In general, all instruments/voices are more distinct and detailed, and more precisely placed in the sound field. By the way, I am using a low-power (15W/channel) tube amplifier, so compatible speaker choices are limited.

I can’t believe that much sound can come from a bookshelf speaker! I’m a believer now! Love the color as well! I got the matching stands and I’ve received many compliments!!! Just upset that I didnt upgrade sooner, these are beyond amazing!!! Give them a listen at your local Best Buy / Magnolia store! You’ll be glad you did!!!

While $2500 is not inexpensive, especially given the current state of inflation, there are few (if any) speakers at this price point that deliver on justifying the expense. This is a speaker that can compete with speakers in the ~$5K price range. Pros: - Imaging is best in class - Separation is extremely well defined - Tonally neutral with a hint of warmth, but still very detailed - Scales well with a range of amps - Speaker placement is very forgiving; still sounds great ~1+ feet from the rear wall - Exceptional for use as both Home Theater or 2-channel speakers Cons: - Sounds best with the matching speaker stands, which adds $800 to the overall price (I think it's worth it, but your mileage may vary.) - (not really a con, more a point of comparison) The KEF Q Concerto Meta delivers ~80% of what the R3 Meta has for less $$ - can be very slightly sibilant with female voices (But it can depend on the sound characteristics of the room. I heard it at a friends house and with the Concerto Meta but not in my listening area at home, again your mileage may vary)

Beautiful and detailed sound that extends across all genres. Great and focused soundstage with crisp and airy vocals. Highly recommend Billie eilish songs on these. Pairs great with kc62 sub and Arcam SA35 amp. Blue looks stunning.

When I bought them I was a little worried about their quality and design for HIFI, But I'm not afraid to say that they are unique, beautiful and, above all, a special sound that can keep you listening to music of any genre for hours without getting tired. You will surely enjoy them if you are a good music lover. Highly recommended.

Absolutely love the response of the mids and highs without distortion. Just crisp clear audio refinement without clipping or buzzing. Also the supreme finish is delightful to add to your system. Truly something to be proud of.

I've listened LS50 before and it was a bit harsh on my ears but R3 Meta is absolutely different beast! There is no harshness anymore, sound is airy and crystal clear with tons of details I've not heard before. Mid-tone is substantial and bass good enough. Not tired of listening ambient, metal, witch house and other genres for hours. All in all highly recommend but price jump last year is definitely disappointing. It sounds great but not sure if it can be considered good value for money anymore.

Did a lot of research to make this choice. I have a small-ish space and wanted speakers that were detailed but not cold, bright, or fatiguing. I got what I was looking for - detailed, balanced, really a joy to listen to. Tough speaker to beat in this price range.

Good speaker but needs space from your rear wall. Also sounded to forward in condo dimensions. Good bass response for its size.

Excellent speakers at $2,200. Treble is very good, mids are clear and precise. Bass is decent. Imaging it's is strongest attribute. Worth the money. Paired with a sub and a power neutral amp and you will be satisfied.

Very good sounding speakers for audio. Very strange echo for anything voices in movies. It was an open box and there might have been something off about them, hard to tell.

I love these speakers. I am using these with an Aracm sa20 integrated amp , 2 rel T9x subs and my audio-technica turntable. The sound is full , detailed and has excellent soundstage .