KEF Blade 2 Meta review by Erin's Audio Corner

[thewas]

Written review isn't online yet, so for now just some screenshots of some important measurements:

Real excellence, one of the best passive loudspeakers currently, hope in many years I will be able to afford a used pair. Interesting also that Erin say they are not only objectively in each category some of the best if not the best measuring but also the best sounding loudspeakers he has heard. Several years ago I had the luck to hear the original Blade 2 in an acoustically good setup and it was also one of the best stereo reproduction experiences I ever had.

Edit: The written review is now online too https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kef_blade2_meta/

 

[mj30250]

No surprises there, this is truly a complete SOTA passive speaker package in virtually all ways. If only I could demo a pair in my house versus a Best Buy showroom, even if to simply satisfy my curiosity.

 

[Matias]

As good as it gets. The Blade 1 Meta extending even a little further down. Excellent review.

 

[thewas]

No surprises there, this is truly a complete SOTA passive speaker package in virtually all ways. If only I could demo a pair in my house versus a Best Buy showroom, even if to simply satisfy my curiosity.

Not always a good idea, many years ago I had the luck to hear the original Blade 2 in an acoustically good setup and since then I wish I had them.

 

[mj30250]

Not always a good idea, many years ago I had the luck to hear the original Blade 2 in an acoustically good setup and since then I wish I had them.

I'm fortunate to have landed on a setup that for the first time, after many years and many different speakers, I am fully satisfied with. That was never the case prior. But yes, curiosity can get you into loads of trouble, I agree.

 

[thewas]

As good as it gets. The Blade 1 Meta extending even a little further down. Excellent review.

But the Blade 2 Meta has a bit smoother and more continuous directivity in the lower region (it was the same also on the first generation) and would be personally my choice if I didn't need the extra SPL:

 

[FrantzM]

Damn!!

Them, Kef people!!
Damn!
Wow!!

Peace

 

[thewas]

I'm fortunate to have landed on a setup that for the first time, after many years and many different speakers, I am fully satisfied with. That was never the case prior. But yes, curiosity can get you into loads of trouble, I agree.

Truth to be said I am also satisfied a lot of with my current setups and probably around 80+ % of it subjectively, but when you know how it can be even better, especially the imaging but that was also partially due to the difference in room acoustics, so I would need also another and bigger room which is a much larger problem than getting the Blades...

 

[Gabbocasa]

Incredible compression results

 

[holdingpants01]

very good (for a passive speaker), but rather expensive (for a passive speaker)

 

[sweetchaos]

It’s definitely the best speaker I’ve heard to date.

 

[Ken Tajalli]

Funny!
I heard these at an exhibition, and they sounded pretty crap!
At the time, I was pretty disappointed, as I expected better from Kef.
Why? I wouldn't know.

 

[MacClintock]

As good as it gets. The Blade 1 Meta extending even a little further down. Excellent review.

They should, being bigger and having larger drivers. But strangly, if you go to the homepage, the +- 3dB specs say otherwise. Maybe an error there?

 

[MacClintock]

It looks like Amir has finally to replace his Salon 2´s .

 

[dfuller]

Yeah, that's pretty exceptional for a passive. Bloody expensive though - with amps fit to drive these you're looking at probably 35k. That's a hard number to justify when you can get very similar levels of performance out of actives for about a third as much.

 

[prestigetone]

I'm sold on measurements being king. If only they looked as good as they measure.

 

[Matias]

They should, being bigger and having larger drivers. But strangly, if you go to the homepage, the +- 3dB specs say otherwise. Maybe an error there?

Huh, you are right: the Blade 1 Meta does not extend much further than the Blade 2 Meta at all, just a little bass bump and I assume probably even less compression.

Easily compare loudspeakers measurements

www.spinorama.org

 

[FrantzM]

I'm sold on measurements being king. If only they looked as good as they measure.

You could well be in the minority there .. A poll? people!? to back up my asssertion.. Please!?

I find these beautiful...

Peace.

 

[FrantzM]

Yeah, that's pretty exceptional for a passive. Bloody expensive though - with amps fit to drive these you're looking at probably 35k. That's a hard number to justify when you can get very similar levels of performance out of actives for about a third as much.

In these days of circa $1000 for 500 wpc Class D amplifiers.. Not really. Just add the price for a good preamp (miniDSP?) and you are done

Of course you need to add the price for Synergistic Research speaker cables ...


NOT.

Peace.

 

[Ze Frog]

I'm sold on measurements being king. If only they looked as good as they measure.

Have to agree, the styling I just can't quite grow to love. Still, if I had the cash, I'd likely still be tempted.