Erin's review -- KEF Q11 Meta

[Robert-Hifi]

Gotcha. I hope the Mofis sound great and look good enough for the wife to be fine with them. I like the classic look with the off-white grill if I keep that on. Guess I'll find out when they arrive tomorrow.

Appreciate the insight.

I'm curious about your subjective listening experience with them.

 

[Digital_Thor]

It's depends on your preferences. Visually and sonically.
The MoFi SourcePoint 888 definitely has the better build quality and fit and finish, but the KEF Q11 Meta looks more modern with no visible mounting screws.

Sonically the KEF's will sound a bit darker looking at Erin's estimated in-room response of both, but the MoFi's have the edge when it comes to deep bass.

Hard to tell where the diminishing returns lie.

That's the rub for me. For the price difference, you could get a pre with dsp and streaming+ 2 subwoofers and measuring equipment. So, it depends on what you already have, your preference, budget and interior design of the room too

 

[Robert-Hifi]

That's the rub for me. For the price difference, you could get a pre with dsp and streaming+ 2 subwoofers and measuring equipment. So, it depends on what you already have, your preference, budget and interior design of the room too

Yeah, that's the point exactly.

If I would go for the KEF's I would go down in build quality and finish with what I have now and I find that hard to swallow, personally. They look and feel to much "budget line" for me.
With the MoFi's you have good deep bass (for music) without having to worry about subwoofer integration. Even though I can afford the MoFi's they are at a price level I'm not so comfortable with (even with 10% discount).

Pros and cons....

 

[alebucc91]

That's the rub for me. For the price difference, you could get a pre with dsp and streaming+ 2 subwoofers and measuring equipment. So, it depends on what you already have, your preference, budget and interior design of the room too

888 in Europe unfortunately are available for around €6000. With the 888 there is no need to use a subwoofer. Dsp obviously makes sense.

 

[Digital_Thor]

Yeah, that's the point exactly.

If I would go for the KEF's I would go down in build quality and finish with what I have now and I find that hard to swallow, personally. They look and feel to much "budget line" for me.
With the MoFi's you have good deep bass (for music) without having to worry about subwoofer integration. Even though I can afford the MoFi's they are at a price level I'm not so comfortable with (even with 10% discount).

Pros and cons....

I have to admit, I haven't seen them in real life. But a friend of mine bought the Q550, and is very happy. So again, it all deeply depend on what your "level" is - in all aspects - financially, technically, geeky, playfulness, design, etc.
There's pros and cons in all aspects of life - one man's poison is another man favorite- or the other way around
Again, depend on the room. My room sucks bass like a sponge sucks water. So all these "cute" little woofers, just "drown" in my room. Besides, I love to be able to move around a bit, without the bass changing a lot.

 

[Digital_Thor]

888 in Europe unfortunately are available for around €6000. With the 888 there is no need to use a subwoofer. Dsp obviously makes sense.

I would go so far, to say that most speakers are close to worthless, without DSP at some point - if you want to reach above average bass performance in almost any room. Subwoofers just makes it possible to not have your head in a vice. Some rooms can require your head to be within +/-20cm for the bass to be within 5-10dB. Moving just one step, can almost remove all bass or make it be perceived twice as loud. That's too much, IMO.

 

[da3wilson]

Yeah, that's the point exactly.

If I would go for the KEF's I would go down in build quality and finish with what I have now and I find that hard to swallow, personally. They look and feel to much "budget line" for me.
With the MoFi's you have good deep bass (for music) without having to worry about subwoofer integration. Even though I can afford the MoFi's they are at a price level I'm not so comfortable with (even with 10% discount).

Pros and cons....

Yeah luckily I was able to pick up a demo set +10% off of that so it was under 4k for the set. I probably wouldn't have paid full price. They sound really great so far but haven't moved them to an optimal spot or played with equalization/DSP yet.

 

[mike7]

i'm just starting my stereo speakers journey, so a little bit newb question, but would really appreciate your help. Will WiiM Amp Pro be a good enough pairing for q11? at least to start? or i will loose a lot and should consider separate amp?

 

[kyuu]

i'm just starting my stereo speakers journey, so a little bit newb question, but would really appreciate your help. Will WiiM Amp Pro be a good enough pairing for q11? at least to start? or i will loose a lot and should consider separate amp?

Wiim Amp should have no trouble driving the Q11. I think you'll be quite happy with it.

 

[amarsicola]

i'm just starting my stereo speakers journey, so a little bit newb question, but would really appreciate your help. Will WiiM Amp Pro be a good enough pairing for q11? at least to start? or i will loose a lot and should consider separate amp?

With 170€ more you can get a wiim pro plus (identical measured performance as the ultra) + a 3e audio A7 power amp with twice the power and better sinad (should be reviewed soon by amir) and you are end-game. The Ultra is needed only if you have a turntable. Consider also the Q7 meta which according to Kef's own data (https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/kef-q-series-with-mat-whitepaper.57911/) has almost identical frequency response for 500€ less, in my opinion it's the hidden gem of the line. Anyway you can check on spinorama.org all the measurements of loudspeakers, you'll find that the Q series is the best value on the market now.

 

[aedagnino]

Any updates from Q11 Meta users? I'm interested in them.

 

[jeffgarret]

I did a lot of research and overthinking and listening to all kinds of speakers and had narrowed it down to the Q11 Meta or SVS Ultra Evolution Titans as a splurge. I saw that there was a tariff price increase coming on the Q11 and got them. My room is set up basically exactly as Erin’s review says it would need to be to optimize their sound and they are outstanding! Don’t regret not spending the extra on the SVS especially given that there were really mixed reviews on the SVS by credible people. I didn’t think they sounded all that much better, which is what really matters.

 

[amarsicola]

Good choice, the kefs have fantastic measurements you can find them on Erin's audio corner

 

[jeffgarret]

Good choice, the kefs have fantastic measurements you can find them on Erin's audio corner

Yes, the measurements/ratings on Spinorama show their amazing specs for the price relative to everything else. Can’t live on specs alone but it’s a good start.

 

[CJH]

Have a pair on the way, currently using LS50 meta and subs with 120Hz crossover. Will probably use AutomaticEQ (IIR) on the Q11s and subs as I did on the LS50s. I will also try a HF shelf of +2 or 3dB from 15500 down to 800Hz. Any recommendations or comments on this?
CJH

 

[Digital_Thor]

I would look at the data from Erin's review and EQ after that from 4-500Hz and up.
Let the mains run further down with maybe a first order HP at 60Hz if they can't handle full range for your intended spl.
Overlap subwoofers with LP at 100Hz and do global EQ for everything combined up to around 400Hz. Extra bass sources even out the overall response better IMO.
Do consider to plug the ports before measuring. The phase shift from a reflex cabinet is not ideal... Erin also mentions this in one of his videos... I think in the one for KEF R5... normal or Meta... Can't remember.

 

[Wookson]

How do the compare to th Dali Opticon mk2 6?
Both are in the same price range...

 

[Digital_Thor]

Price range is one thing, but the Dali seems to alter the frequency response with respect to on and off axis. So the KEF could offer a more neutral and balanced sound overall, because KEF can EQ better because of the more equally smooth on and off axis response.
So Dali will have 'character'. I would still go KEF.

https://www.dali-speakers.com/media/7156/dali_opticon_6_mk2_stereo-test.pdf

 

[Wookson]

Price range is one thing, but the Dali seems to alter the frequency response with respect to on and off axis. So the KEF could offer a more neutral and balanced sound overall, because KEF can EQ better because of the more equally smooth on and off axis response.
So Dali will have 'character'. I would still go KEF.

https://www.dali-speakers.com/media/7156/dali_opticon_6_mk2_stereo-test.pdf

I have 2 listening positions, 1 central and one about 5ft to the right, so you think the kefs will be beter for me? Or maybe the focal aria evo 2's? Those are also on my shortlist...

 

[Digital_Thor]

Always hard to predict, since we have so many variables, but most likely yes. I walk around my listening space and sit different places too, and KEF's been the best speakers for me throughout