KEF Q Meta is Coming

[testp]

Hi Matt,

Thank you for reply.

The actual speakers are 89 centimeters tall. The Q7 are very similar. Seeing the reviews, I've understood that Q7's positioning is also simple. Maybe I'll give them the priority in choice.

I've attached a photo of audio/video equipments. The kef speakers will be in same positions.

Thanks,

Antonio

if you go listen, pay attention to overall listening presentation.., Q7/Q11 in-room tilt is steeper than some would like, others prefer.., so listening and know what you like, helps

 

[thewas]

In my room it's just a tad too dark so I currently use a HSQ with 4500 Hz, +1.0 dB and Q=1.00 with my Q7 Meta plus the normal room correction below 500 Hz in case anyone wants to test it with his Q Metas.

 

[thewas]

EAC now measured and reviewed the Q6 Meta:

LLM summary:

• 00:00–00:25 – The speaker under review is the KEF Q6 Meta (~US$850), marketed as a center-channel but also usable vertically for stereo or LCR setups.
• 00:25–01:06 – Most center speakers fail because their dispersion in the upper midrange/narrowing above a certain angle causes off-axis listeners to hear a “null”—i.e. poor sound if not sitting directly in front.
• 01:06–02:00 – Good designs (especially coaxial or “three-way” with dedicated midrange + tweeter) perform better across multiple seating positions. MTM / mid-tweeter-mid (or mid-mid / midrange-tweeter-midrange) designs often have limitations off-axis.
• 03:07–04:02 – The Q6 Meta needs sidewalls; rooms without sidewalls or very open rooms will render its top end sounding dark. The speaker is designed assuming sidewall reflections help reinforce its treble.
• 04:23–05:38 – In listening tests, with the speaker oriented vertically, stereo imaging is precise. Soundstage is relatively wide (≈ ±50-60°). Moving it closer to walls increases bass, but that can be managed by proper EQ or positioning (~2 feet away recommended if no EQ).
• 07:28–08:33 – Bass output: usable down to about 60 Hz in real room conditions. SPL (sound pressure level) performance is solid in the mid-90s dB before distortion/compression occurs.
• 08:33–10:23 – Measured frequency response shows a dip around 1 kHz (could sound hollow) and a roll-off above the mid/high frequencies. But these dips are partially compensated in real rooms with sidewalls. Directivity is very good: consistent response from 0°, 10°, 30° off-axis.
• 11:32–13:29 – Vertical dispersion narrows somewhat in the mid-range (≈45-50°) but still much better than many standard center designs. Horizontal spread is quite wide. There’s a dip around 4-5 kHz which might require toe-in or small angle tweaks in placement.
• Wrap-up (≈15:07-15:34) – Best use: small-to-medium rooms with sidewalls. Not great in very open rooms without sidewall reflections. But it offers textbook directivity, and EQ can address its darker tendencies. If those conditions are met, it “shines” compared to many center speakers.

 

[tw 2022]

EAC now measured and reviewed the Q6 Meta:

View attachment 476373

LLM summary:

• 00:00–00:25 – The speaker under review is the KEF Q6 Meta (~US$850), marketed as a center-channel but also usable vertically for stereo or LCR setups.
• 00:25–01:06 – Most center speakers fail because their dispersion in the upper midrange/narrowing above a certain angle causes off-axis listeners to hear a “null”—i.e. poor sound if not sitting directly in front.
• 01:06–02:00 – Good designs (especially coaxial or “three-way” with dedicated midrange + tweeter) perform better across multiple seating positions. MTM / mid-tweeter-mid (or mid-mid / midrange-tweeter-midrange) designs often have limitations off-axis.
• 03:07–04:02 – The Q6 Meta needs sidewalls; rooms without sidewalls or very open rooms will render its top end sounding dark. The speaker is designed assuming sidewall reflections help reinforce its treble.
• 04:23–05:38 – In listening tests, with the speaker oriented vertically, stereo imaging is precise. Soundstage is relatively wide (≈ ±50-60°). Moving it closer to walls increases bass, but that can be managed by proper EQ or positioning (~2 feet away recommended if no EQ).
• 07:28–08:33 – Bass output: usable down to about 60 Hz in real room conditions. SPL (sound pressure level) performance is solid in the mid-90s dB before distortion/compression occurs.
• 08:33–10:23 – Measured frequency response shows a dip around 1 kHz (could sound hollow) and a roll-off above the mid/high frequencies. But these dips are partially compensated in real rooms with sidewalls. Directivity is very good: consistent response from 0°, 10°, 30° off-axis.
• 11:32–13:29 – Vertical dispersion narrows somewhat in the mid-range (≈45-50°) but still much better than many standard center designs. Horizontal spread is quite wide. There’s a dip around 4-5 kHz which might require toe-in or small angle tweaks in placement.
• Wrap-up (≈15:07-15:34) – Best use: small-to-medium rooms with sidewalls. Not great in very open rooms without sidewall reflections. But it offers textbook directivity, and EQ can address its darker tendencies. If those conditions are met, it “shines” compared to many center speakers.

this looks like the "perfect" lcr set up for dual use folks that want the music to be "as good" as the ht .....great ht set up for small rooms as well....

 

[Romario]

A look inside youtube video 13 min. Concerto unscrewed by hobby enthousiast. Incl driver test measurements

 

[AlinDz]

Hello i have a smaller room and i already have a setup x4800H Denon, Kef Q6 meta front and central, Q4 Meta surround, SVS SB2000 pro and now i want to purchase the atmos 2 pairs since i dont have anyway the rear speaker because of my room.

 

[audiofan7464]

I recently purchased some Q4 Meta and Q1 Meta speakers for use as surrounds and was interested to see the label on the speakers said ‘Made in Thailand’.

I then checked the Concerto Meta and Q6 Meta I bought earlier in the year, they are also made in Thailand. For some reason I had thought the speakers were made in China.

Just curious more than anything how long KEF have been manufacturing in Thailand? Are other lines are also made there? I am located in Australia. Do units sold in the USA also come from Thailand?

 

[thewas]

Interesting, my one year old Q7 Meta labels write "Made in China".

 

[billou5767]

I recently purchased some Q4 Meta and Q1 Meta speakers for use as surrounds and was interested to see the label on the speakers said ‘Made in Thailand’.

I then checked the Concerto Meta and Q6 Meta I bought earlier in the year, they are also made in Thailand. For some reason I had thought the speakers were made in China.

Just curious more than anything how long KEF have been manufacturing in Thailand? Are other lines are also made there? I am located in Australia. Do units sold in the USA also come from Thailand?

manufacturing , made in is the last operation , all can be made in china but the last screw or the package in thailand

china cost more and more for man , and made in china become bad

 

[delta76]

Jumped the wagon, and ordered Q6 meta + a pair of Q8 meta. I missed the sale for Q Concerto Meta so I will wait for a little bit more, but will probably be 4 x of them.

Or 2x q7 meta and 2x q4 meta

 

[thewas]

LLM summary of above video:

• Intro & Specs (00:00–00:42): Speaker focus is the KEF Q1 Meta (~$699/pair), a two-way coaxial with a 1″ aluminum dome tweeter and 5¼″ aluminum cone mid/bass driver, 86 dB sensitivity, 10–150 W recommended, ported design with detachable grill.
• Tonality vs Previous Model (00:42–01:25): The Q1 Meta is notably more neutral vs the older Q150, with less brightness but a forward midrange around ~900 Hz.
• Frequency Response Detail (01:25–02:09): A ~1 kHz bump and ~2 kHz dip make the midrange forward/noticeable; EQ around 98 Hz (~–2.5 dB) can smooth this.
• Imaging & Soundstage (02:32–03:34): Offers reasonably wide horizontal soundstage (~±50–60°) and better vertical dispersion because of the coaxial driver (wider sweet spot).
• Bass & In-Room (03:56–06:02): F3 ~52 Hz (in-room ~50 Hz). In-room response has a slight upper mid-bass rise, giving a punchy or warm male vocal quality.
• Distortion & Output (08:20–09:04): Distortion stays acceptable at typical listening levels (~88 dB). Not optimal for full-range SPL without a subwoofer.
• Setup Recommendations (10:31–10:55): Best to toe-in speakers ~0–10°; broader toe-out (~30°) dulls highs.
• Price & Competitor Setup (11:16+): Price comparisons: KEF ~$699, Emotiva XP2 ~$549, Klipsch RP600M2 ~$699 (retail).
• Klipsch Comparison (11:16–12:23): RP600M2 has higher treble energy and brighter/edgy upper-frequency emphasis compared to KEF’s more neutral treble response.
• Emotiva Comparison (12:05–12:23): Emotiva also shows brighter high frequency than the KEF in “in-room” response, even off-axis.
• Cabinet/Bass & Wall Placement (12:23–12:44): KEF’s bass shelf design works better nearer the wall; Klipsch & Emotiva increase output with wall proximity but may color response.
• Overall Personality Differences (13:57–14:15):
  • KEF – forward midrange, neutral treble; broader dispersion.
  • Emotiva – brighter highs.
  • Klipsch – forward mid & sharper highs; narrower vertical window.
• Conclusion (14:35): KEF Q1 Meta is a strong performer in its price class, upgrade over Q150, and worthy competitor with other ~$700 bookshelf speakers in balance and imaging.

 

[billou5767]

the concerto can be find under 900 euro

 

[delta76]

the concerto can be find under 900 euro

Where where where
I'm desperate for two .

My s1 stands and Q8 Meta arrived today. Q6 is probably next week. Still finding good deals on Concerto. Or Q7. Whatever better deal

 

[billou5767]

europa : germany , luxembourg

 

[delta76]

europa : germany , luxembourg

Care to share a link?

 

[billou5767]

Care to share a link?

(Europe) Master Deals Thread on Audio Product Sales

https://audiophile.lu/soldes-2026/

www.audiosciencereview.com

you have this topic

cinemotion luxembourg was 950 e last year , in gerany during sales we can see them at 850

 

[delta76]

(Europe) Master Deals Thread on Audio Product Sales

https://audiophile.lu/soldes-2026/

www.audiosciencereview.com

you have this topic

cinemotion luxembourg was 950 e last year , in gerany during sales we can see them at 850

Thought you meant now. Just before Christmas it was 399/piece at Hidden-audio, but I was hesitant. Still kicking myself for that

 

[billou5767]

Thought you meant now. Just before Christmas it was 399/piece at Hidden-audio, but I was hesitant. Still kicking myself for that

all the price become silly in computer , ssd , sd card .... the next its hifi

you cannot buy only one its par

 

[kyuu]

I generally like Erin, but I have a couple of qualms about this video.

First, he states that the typical 2-way directivity "locks your head into a vice". That's a relatively accurate way to describe something like an electrostat, but a 2-way cone and dome? One, horizontal directivity is not an issue despite what his head movements suggest. Second, even for vertical directivity, you're typically looking at a window of at least 20-degrees above or below the tweeter axis. At 5 feet away, that results in a window of plus or minus roughly 2 feet from the tweeter axis before you would experience a noticeable tonality shift. At 10 feet, plus or minus about 3 and 3/4 feet. Not a super tight window IMO. (This all presumes I remember my trigonometry well enough not to have fudged the math.)

Second, his comparison between the speakers doesn't go over anything except the on-axis and PIR. He doesn't show IMD or compression which puts the Q1 in a less positive light relative to the Emotiva or Klipsch:

(No IMD data for RP-600M II unfortunately)

 

[kharan]

Second, his comparison between the speakers doesn't go over anything except the on-axis and PIR. He doesn't show IMD or compression which puts the Q1 in a less positive light relative to the Emotiva or Klipsch:

Strangely, my memory (though I might be mistaken as I only listened to it while doing other things) of the review is that he said in multiple ways at multiple times that the Q1 was very output limited.