Endgame passive bookshelf shootout: KEF Reference 1 Meta vs. Ascilab S6B

[mglobe]

I think there are better places to debate the value of Klippel measurements than this thread. OP is asking advice on what speaker to buy.

 

[Maxim-ICOM]

I think there are better places to debate the value of Klippel measurements than this thread. OP is asking advice on what speaker to buy.

Sure, it is another topic, but OP asked what speaker is better and referring to measured data, which sadly cannot tell which one is better as do not show all the truth.

Very good example here: highly rated in review index with score 6.7 - Revel F328Be. I see there commented "same nice response" and "vertical response is also good" for color directivery plots. But If I scroll down to Post 2 I see spinoramas with lines 0/10/20//30.. , and that presentation give me quite opposite. If I look on horizontal graphs I see that I that if speaker toed for 30-40 degrees the response will be unacceptable to many ears. 2-3kHz will be +3db compared to lower midrange and highs, and our ears and brain will accept it as main signal and speakers will sound unnatural. If I look to vertical, then I see that crossover if far then optimal and tweeter goes into inversion.
I see all latest reviews do not include spinoramas with lines 0/10/20//30 and it does not provide full info if it is good or bad speaker.

Another one - Kef R3, directivity plots "It is as pretty as single coaxial drivers" - on the top with 6.5 rating.
My own measurements for it is 3 lines 0-15-30 and it tell me full character of it -
a bit boring as it higlite 3KHz compared to 1K and 10K and on tweeter axis too going off, and again louder signal brain takes it as main signal and ask to turn the volume down after 5minutes, as he think it is taking too much processor power to process wrong data and present it nice.

Those measurements what does not show full set of measured data should be taken in account with good percentage of reasonable doubt.

If I would be OP and will search "endgame" speakers for 10K€ , then I would not rely too much on the graphs, but better go around the shops to check all the bookshelves in 10-30k€. All kind of brands - even "boutique" ones, to get the idea what may cost the sound he likes.

We have upcoming Vienna High-End and it is good place to visit. Sure it will be cheaper to spend on travel&hotel&schnitzel rather sell speakers for 50% of price paid if do not like them.

 

[Purité Audio]

If you are affiliated with a manufacturer or retailer you really should declare that to the moderation team, which is @RickS

Keith

 

[Maxim-ICOM]

If you are affiliated with a manufacturer or retailer you really should declare that to the moderation team, which is @RickS

Keith

I'm not a manufacturer and do not take part in exhibitions like Munich and now Vienna, except as a visitor. It is nice place where you can find many setups with a different price range and listen to them personally and make own conclusion how speaker sounds vs magazine reviews and published tests/measurements.

 

[mglobe]

I'm not a manufacturer and do not take part in exhibitions like Munich and now Vienna, except as a visitor. It is nice place where you can find many setups with a different price range and listen to them personally and make own conclusion how speaker sounds vs magazine reviews and published tests/measurements.

I could see from how your post was worded how Keith might assume you were involved in the show somehow. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Maxim-ICOM]

I could see from how your post was worded how Keith might assume you were involved in the show somehow. Thanks for clearing that up.

yes, after Keth wrote I found that "We have upcoming Vienna" was not 100% clear.
I'm from EU as Goldhamster916 and Vienna High-End for us is a quite simple and not very expensive trip.

 

[Paul7777x]

Have you considered these too?

Clarity 6.2

High-end 2-way speakers with exceptional detail and dynamic range, featuring PURIFI USHINDI drivers for ultra-low distortion. Direct-to-Consumer.

radiantacoustics.com

Some superb reviews and measurements.

 

[Audionaut]

KEF Reference 1 Meta
Ascilab S6B

Very good speakers, but you may have already noticed the threads about the Palmer Orbit 11 on ASR.
I would include the Palmer in your selection.

 

[berjine]

Very good speakers, but you may have already noticed the threads about the Palmer Orbit 11 on ASR.
I would include the Palmer in your selection.

He's mostly interested in passives for reliability, or actives with proven high reliability and leng term service so mostly Genelec

The Palmer are cheap though

 

[Goldhamster916]

Have you considered these too?

Clarity 6.2

High-end 2-way speakers with exceptional detail and dynamic range, featuring PURIFI USHINDI drivers for ultra-low distortion. Direct-to-Consumer.

radiantacoustics.com

Some superb reviews and measurements.

Hm very good speaker but for my liking the dispersion and frequency response is not quite as good as the other two options.

 

[Goldhamster916]

Thanks to @mglobe how made me aware of a amazing deal on the Reference 1 meta in my favorite finish these are no right in front of me. Just have done the first Dirac correction and As I expected they sound very, very, good. I had the reference 5 (non meta) before and these sounds quite a bit better to my ears as far as I can tell of memory. I just hoped for a bit more low end extension in my room (sub 35hz) which makes me second guess if the S6B would have give me that with its 30hz tuning and purify driver. Apart from that I am happy with them. However I will get a subwoofer next month, integrate it with Dirac art and see how that goes. A part from me also wonders if it is a mistake to stick to passive since I would probably benefit from cardioid quite a lot given that huge reflective TV and overall Reflective room. Maybe I will order the S6B and/or a cardioid option in the future for comparison and report back.

I thank you all so much for participating and helping me with your time and brain power! It’s much appreciated!

It really warms my heart that a community member (@mglobe) made the initiative to actively search for good deal for me just to help out. Thats just very valuable and rare to find in the anonymous Internet world.

 

[mglobe]

Thanks to @mglobe how made me aware of a amazing deal on the Reference 1 meta in my favorite finish these are no right in front of me. Just have done the first Dirac correction and As I expected they sound very, very, good. I had the reference 5 (non meta) before and these sounds quite a bit better to my ears as far as I can tell of memory. I just hoped for a bit more low end extension in my room (sub 35hz) which makes me second guess if the S6B would have give me that with its 30hz tuning and purify driver. Apart from that I am happy with them. However I will get a subwoofer next month, integrate it with Dirac art and see how that goes. A part from me also wonders if it is a mistake to stick to passive since I would probably benefit from cardioid quite a lot given that huge reflective TV and overall Reflective room. Maybe I will order the S6B and/or a cardioid option in the future for comparison and report back.

I thank you all so much for participating and helping me with your time and brain power! It’s much appreciated!

It really warms my heart that a community member (@mglobe) made the initiative to actively search for good deal for me just to help out. Thats just very valuable and rare to find in the anonymous Internet world.


View attachment 514626

Super happy for you!

 

[mmares056]

I have KEF Reference One Meta and love them!

Im thinking about going with the Kef Ref One Metas for my mains in my theater room.. my room is well treated with absorption and scatterer panels and I wonder if these Kef Ref one metas are meant to sound better in untreated rooms. BTW. my MLP is about 12.5 ft from the front stage speakers.

 

[Descartes]

Im thinking about going with the Kef Ref One Metas for my mains in my theater room.. my room is well treated with absorption and scatterer panels and I wonder if these Kef Ref one metas are meant to sound better in untreated rooms. BTW. my MLP is about 12.5 ft from the front stage speakers.

They sound absolutely amazing in any room, and they will sound even better in a well design room