I haven't logged into ASR in a while and as such am late to the Kef Blade review thread that got locked so I can't add to it. I wanted to discuss these two speakers/companies as I saw several people saying to buy the cheaper Genelec The Ones plus sub(s). I don't think I post here enough for people to know what I was looking for- I am looking for some speakers for shared listening spaces and all the usual suspects were at the top of my list including larger Genelec The Ones and Kii 3 BXT. Kef Blade were never on my radar until very recently as my experience with the first generation LS50 was just average.
Now I would strongly disagree with the Genelec The Ones/subs competing with the Kef Blade Meta. I heard them on two different occasions and if you're not listening in the nearfield they simply sound like monitors just listened to at the further away distance even with the W371a, they pale in comparison at normal listening distances, they just sound small. I have never got this impression with the Blade Meta 2 I heard at a dealer. I wrote this about the Blade Meta 2 before the review in question came out (link to classical message board, posted on February 2, 2024) and full quote below:
Having said that I will be buying the 8341a to use at my practice's computer setup. I was sticking to the considerably cheaper 306 MK2 because we contract a cleaning company and theft worried me. But the Genelecs are so much better/more natural sounding than the JBLs that the risk is well worth it.
Now I would strongly disagree with the Genelec The Ones/subs competing with the Kef Blade Meta. I heard them on two different occasions and if you're not listening in the nearfield they simply sound like monitors just listened to at the further away distance even with the W371a, they pale in comparison at normal listening distances, they just sound small. I have never got this impression with the Blade Meta 2 I heard at a dealer. I wrote this about the Blade Meta 2 before the review in question came out (link to classical message board, posted on February 2, 2024) and full quote below:
I was able to hear KEF Blade Meta 2, I was blown away by what I heard. Among the best speakers I've heard at reproducing symphony music. Not surprisingly being pretty much the best measuring speakers directivity FR wise they sounded dead even throughout their entire bandwidth. Putting in Etymotic earplugs and playing way louder than I would ever listen I could not detect any compression.
Recreating a spiritual double header I came into a few weeks ago- Celibidache's live Munchner Bruckner Symphony 8 and Franck's Prelude, Chorale, and Fugue played by Michel Block. Sadly I could not listen to both pieces in full but it confirmed what I'd known; an incredible stereo elevates the emotional response of already great music/performances.
Now on my short list for shared space speakers.
Next will be the NYC dealer for MBL 101e for speakers I want to upgrade in the dedicated listening room.
Having said that I will be buying the 8341a to use at my practice's computer setup. I was sticking to the considerably cheaper 306 MK2 because we contract a cleaning company and theft worried me. But the Genelecs are so much better/more natural sounding than the JBLs that the risk is well worth it.