Kef Blade 1 meta disappointed

[Sokel]

I think their volume maybe somewhat deceptive, they are pretty deep, front to back. Also, there's a fair bit of extra volume above the tweeter, whereas with most, but not all, speakers, the the enclosure, doesn't extend much above the tweeter.

View attachment 431920

Yes,seeing them up close is clear that we talk about big-ish speakers, these are no small.
If I had to guess more than 100 lit. clean volume if not more.

One can also tell by that pic, the Wilsons beside them are also no small.

 

[Snafu]

One can also tell by that pic, the Wilsons beside them are also no small.

And they look like a trash can...

 

[Sokel]

And they look like a trash can...

Looks are subjective, but the finish and feel of the Wilsons are impeccable too.
What's more an argument between the two camps is country of origin (KEF is Chinese now) and materials, plastic for KEF, wood (or resin and stuff, edit: , nope,that's my favorite Rockports, along with alu) for Puppies.

 

[terryforsythe]

What's more an argument between the two camps is country of origin (KEF is Chinese now) and materials, plastic for KEF, wood (or resin and stuff, edit: , nope,that's my favorite Rockports, along with alu) for Puppies.

I would say the bigger argument is objective test data, at least from the KEF perspective.

 

[terryforsythe]

What's more an argument between the two camps is country of origin (KEF is Chinese now)

The Blades and Reference Series are meticulously assembled and tested in England:

 

[Count Arthur]

Kef used to be based in Maidstone, Kent, UK, about 40 miles from where I live.

I think R&D and some manufacturing is still there:

The buildings in Maidstone are fully equipped for research and development. There is also a piece of production, but only of the hand-built high-end loudspeaker lines: the Reference-speakers, the Blade and Blade 2, and the overwhelming, 2-meter high Muon. KEF has been part of GP Acoustics for more than 25 years, which in turn is part of the Gold Peak group from Hong Kong. The initial fear that the KEF brand would end up with all kinds of inappropriate products – as often happens – turned out to be unfounded. The Chinese holding company treats the British brand with great respect and also wants it to remain true to its character. Meanwhile, investments have been made in a very expensive production center in South China, where 1,500 people work. “We are so much bigger than before, it simply can not be any different”, says Coorg. But the beating heart remains in Maidstone.

Factory visit loudspeaker manufacturer KEF: This is the cradle

KEF is one of the most popular loudspeaker brands in audiophiles. That has to do with the excellent performance of speakers such as the Reference series

allhomecinema.com

For some reason, I can't see any images on that site.

 

[Sokel]

The Blades and Reference Series are made in England:

I know, it's the ownership of the company that matters for some, as with everything else I suppose.

About the objective data:
At about 30k euro street price in Europe Blades are in a very competitive price-range in hiend audio territory.
And as known, "everything matters" there, even the crate and the pallet that brings them to your house.

So...

Edit: Muon is also probably made there (or assembled, what matters to me is the QC and that's sound there) .

 

[Ciobi69]

plastic or not they don't resonate

 

[Pearljam5000]

"The Blade One META's cabinet is constructed from a lightweight composite material that is incredibly strong and rigid, while the META technology ensures that the cabinet is acoustically inert, allowing the drivers to work their magic without interference"

Doesn't sound like plastic to me
Anyways I'm waiting for the aluminum version

 

[Sokel]

For some reason, I can't see any images on that site.

Seems like no image at this site is visible, not only that article

 

[thewas]

Kef used to be based in Maidstone, Kent, UK, about 40 miles from where I live.

I think R&D and some manufacturing is still there:

Yes, R&D and assembly of their TOTL models is done there, had the luck to visit it 7 years ago, here is a factory tour video from 2023:

 

[thewas]

Anyways I'm waiting for the aluminum version

Its actually already long waiting for you, be quick as only 100 pairs will be produced

MUON

A triumph of form marrying function, MUON is perhaps the most extraordinary loudspeaker ever conceived. MUON is the result of KEF engineering prowess combining with world-class industrial design by Ross Lovegrove. The Muon is limited to an edition of 100 pair. ENQUIRY WHERE TO BUY

us.kef.com

 

[Pearljam5000]

Its actually already long waiting for you, be quick as only 100 pairs will be produced

MUON

A triumph of form marrying function, MUON is perhaps the most extraordinary loudspeaker ever conceived. MUON is the result of KEF engineering prowess combining with world-class industrial design by Ross Lovegrove. The Muon is limited to an edition of 100 pair. ENQUIRY WHERE TO BUY

us.kef.com

Not sure what I think of it

 

[thewas]

View attachment 431931
Not sure what I think of it

I guess it shows possible options when someone can afford such loudspeakers.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

well you got a very respectable front , i can't because i dont have space , and got a tv instead the vpr,now you miss the 4th subwoofer and you are done honestly

VPR?

 

[Frank Dernie]

lightweight composite material

Lightweight composite materials are generically plastic, however expensive they are.

The chassis aero surfaces and many suspension parts on Formula 1 cars are fibre reinforced plastic. Very high tech fibres and carefully chosen resins - but plasic.

 

[Ciobi69]

VPR?

sorry video projector

 

[BlackTalon]

Lightweight composite materials are generically plastic, however expensive they are.

The chassis aero surfaces and many suspension parts on Formula 1 cars are fibre reinforced plastic. Very high tech fibres and carefully chosen resins - but plasic.

The resins are essentially plastic, but not the carbon fiber reinforcing. It's interesting -- the resin will exhibit plastic deformation, but for all practical purposes the composite goes from elastic to brittle failure with no useable plastic deformation range.

So a plastic that is not 'plastic', essentially.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Why not just use Fiberglass and call it a day

 

[Frank Dernie]

The resins are essentially plastic, but not the carbon fiber reinforcing. It's interesting -- the resin will exhibit plastic deformation, but for all practical purposes the composite goes from elastic to brittle failure with no useable plastic deformation range.

So a plastic that is not 'plastic', essentially.

If you use the definition of "plastic" in the deformation sense this is true but then mild steel is plastic in that sense!
I don't think many people think "materials in their plastic deformation phase" when somebody writes "plastic".

If you use it in the chemical sense many fibres used for reinforcement are either plastic or made from plastic. Hemp and glass are not but carbon fibres were made by stretching and heating polyester fibres in a reducing atmosphere - or they were in the early days, I was researching them and using them in Formula 1 car structures back in 1982 and they were then.
Kevlar and dyneema are both plastic.
All the resins I have used are thermosets, but most affordable carbon fibre parts that are moulded use a thermoplastic matrix.

Carbon fibre reinforced parts vary in properties enormously depending on the actual fibre chosen, layup and resin, the high stiffness high temperature ones are pretty brittle.
OTOH dyneema is used because it absorbs a huge amount of energy in its plastic deformation stage (plastic in both senses of the word) in wheel tethers and crash structures in Formula 1 (and maybe others I am less familiar with).

Kevlar is used in "bullet proof" shields which are also both plastic composites and have plastic deformation.

The Blade shell is probably polyester/glass with ribs and cores.