alitomr1979
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2021
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R3s in small rooms need EQ and possibly always room treatment because they will most likely sound odd out of the box. I have been tinkering, moving and EQung and it’s really weird how much very slight changes in positioning or EQ can make them sound weird.I had previously purchased the R3 to compare with Meta and ended up keeping the R3 and recommended them to a friend who came by and listened to mine and fell in love.
He just bought a set and ended up returning them because of what we both consider pretty crappy build quality. The KEF logo on the front of one of the speakers was crooked, the bass drivers weren't centered in their housings and the "flares" or circular trim pieces that surround both drivers were all over the place between speakers in terms of depth/height. Lastly where the rubber surround meets the cone of the mid range driver is really messy on both (looks like torn rubber).
I know it's nit picky but these are $1699 speakers and should not be in this kind of shape. Thankfully mine are not at all like this but yeah just sharing.
On another note I just got Focal 906's and in my room actually prefer them to the R3. My room is on the smaller side and the R3 makes vocals way too thick due to the room I think. Focals front port and bass roll off gives the impression of clarity.
R3 in my room is audible down to 32hz which is crazy.
That congestion in the vocal range is probably due to high energy/pressure there. If you take care of it, which can be done often by EQing, you will hear impressive clarity in an even more impressive soundstage. Cliche but it’s as if having Diana Krall singing in front of you. Really nice.
@Descartes If you have a small room just get the metas and be over with it. It will be easier to work with and they are simply stunning. Otoh, if you are in the USA why not order both and try them and send back the one you like the least? That is acceptable for most dealers these days. They are making around 800-1000 from LS50 and R3 respectively, they can for sure spend the extra 50-100 in shipping so you can try the speakers.