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KEF Q Meta is Coming

it is (minus the 2-way bookshelf speakers)
Q7 Meta 87dB vs Q750 88dB
Q6 Meta 86dB vs Q650c 87dB
Not really comparable but the Q11 Meta 89dB vs Q950 91dB

The Q1/Q8, Q3 don't use the same Uni-Q as the Q Concerto/Q11/Q7/Q6
I'm trying my best here, but I don't really know what you're saying?
 
I'm trying my best here, but I don't really know what you're saying?
Sensitivity and SPL is down across the lineup, which is what I pointed out in my original comment.
The difference is minor and likely inaudible but it's a measurable difference according to KEF.
I'm looking forward to compression testing with an 80hz crossover from Erin's Audio Corner to see if there's any real world difference.
 
Sensitivity and SPL is down across the lineup, which is what I pointed out in my original comment.
The difference is minor and likely inaudible but it's a measurable difference according to KEF.
I'm looking forward to compression testing with an 80hz crossover from Erin's Audio Corner to see if there's any real world difference.
Gotcha. I don't know what the sensitivity of the new 4" Uni-Q driver is. Likely it's a bit lower than it's larger brothers, but when the Q Concerto Meta has a sensitivity of 85dB and the Q11 Meta has a sensitivity of 89dB, you know the sensitivity of these models (and the Q7 and Q6) is determined by the woofer(s).
 

I think the Concerta will be a direct competitor to the R3 Meta. I mean, at 1200 bucks it better be good, even though the finishing is not up to par compared to the R3 meta. Like the Monitor Audio Bronze 100 is to the Silver 100.
Sorry that I mention it again, but I'm too enthousiastic about my freshly bought r3 meta's :)
Don't worry, the new Q Meta doesn't sound as good as R Meta. Besides, the R Series has a more robust construction, nicer finishes and higher maximum output.
The aim with Q series is to bring the best sound to as many people as we can. Our opinion on "the best sound" is a 3-way speaker. This is why it was a priority to bring this architecture to the Q Meta.
 
I also like that they finally have an on-wall speaker with the Q4 Meta.
But why is it 250€ more expensive (or +45%) than the Q1 which uses the same drivers?
Maybe because they are sold apiece and in much lesser quantities.
 
In Italy the Q7 meta (1600€) is quite less money than Q11 meta (2200€) for just a woofer less, and only a bit more money than Q Concerto (1200€) but you get a big tower speaker and a woofer more. I think it's the sweet spot in the range, hope it gets measured or at least we find measurements in the brochure.
Weaknesses of the prevous series were the crossover and the 2.5 ways design, they claim are solved in the new design. Well done Kef, today's loudspeaker market leader. Harman where are you?
 
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Look at the lineup with the same UniQ:
Q Concerto Meta (1 woofer): 85 dB
Q7 Meta (2 woofers): 87 dB
Q11 Meta (3 woofers): 89 dB

Looking at another line:
Reference 1 Meta (1 woofer): 85 dB
Reference 3 Meta (2 woofers): 86 dB
Reference 5 Meta (4 woofers): 88 dB

it is (minus the 2-way bookshelf speakers)
Q7 Meta 87dB vs Q750 88dB
Q6 Meta 86dB vs Q650c 87dB
Not really comparable but the Q11 Meta 89dB vs Q950 91dB

The Q1/Q8, Q3 don't use the same Uni-Q as the Q Concerto/Q11/Q7/Q6
 
Look at the lineup with the same UniQ:
Q Concerto Meta (1 woofer): 85 dB
Q7 Meta (2 woofers): 87 dB
Q11 Meta (3 woofers): 89 dB

Looking at another line:
Reference 1 Meta (1 woofer): 85 dB
Reference 3 Meta (2 woofers): 86 dB
Reference 5 Meta (4 woofers): 88 dB

Reference Meta uses 5.25" Uni-Q
Q7/11/Concerto uses 4" Uni-Q
Also reference Meta can handle 2x the power and has a higher SPL ceiling.

I was just pointing out that max SPL and sensitivity is down VS the previous Q series. I have no doubt the quality/measurements will be superior but there is a small trade off.
 
Sorry that I mention it again, but I'm too enthousiastic about my freshly bought r3 meta's :)
Haha, don't worry. I'm talking about new buyers that have to choose between the two sitting next to each other in the showroom. They probably don't sound the same but a little similar because of the design, richt? And is the buyer willing to spend a grand more for the R series. That's what I meant by competition. But it's a nice choice to have that wasn't there before.
 
Reference Meta uses 5.25" Uni-Q
Q7/11/Concerto uses 4" Uni-Q
Also reference Meta can handle 2x the power and has a higher SPL ceiling.

I was just pointing out that max SPL and sensitivity is down VS the previous Q series. I have no doubt the quality/measurements will be superior but there is a small trade off.
Yes, the point is that for each series, the UniQ has a higher sensitivity than the woofers. I agree the specs for the prior and new Q series are different, but that might not be primarily attributable to the change in UniQ.
Interesting the Q Concerto Meta have lower sensitivity and max SPL than the Q3 Meta. Likely has to do with the smaller tweeter/uni-q
You compared the Q Concerto Meta and Q3 Meta. If the UniQ in the Q Concerto Meta was the limiting factor to sensitivity, then the Q7 & Q11 would not have a higher sensitivity compared to the single woofer model. This relationship holds within the Q Meta series and the within the Reference Meta series.
 
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Haha, don't worry. I'm talking about new buyers that have to choose between the two sitting next to each other in the showroom. They probably don't sound the same but a little similar because of the design, richt? And is the buyer willing to spend a grand more for the R series. That's what I meant by competition. But it's a nice choice to have that wasn't there before.
Yes indeed, and who knows how much (even) better these new Q's can perform with eq! For the time being I am too lazy to implement eq (apart from occasionally some bass/treble/subw. level adjustment) and 'old enough to have some money to spend', so 'with a few mouse clicks: enter the r3 meta..'
 
You compared the Q Concerto Meta and Q3 Meta. If the UniQ in the Q Concerto Meta was the limiting factor to sensitivity, then the Q7 & Q11 would not have a higher sensitivity compared to the single woofer model. This relationship holds within the Q Meta series and the within the Reference Meta series.
I think you're right and that the same goes for max. SPL. Only if you use a sub with a high enough crossover point, the q3 and q1 might go significant louder than the concerto because of the larger uni-q, but why torture your hearing and neighbours? BTW the mentioned ls60 lowers the bass output in the dsp to prevent distortion at higher levels.
 
The sensitivity of passive loudspeakers (at least not broken or unique designs) is always determined by the woofers as bringing down the sensitivity of mids and tweeters by resistors or voltage dividers is not a problem while using such for the woofers is so second is avoided.
 
Hi Opal, Rõlnnbacke,

Don't worry, the new Q Meta doesn't sound as good as R Meta. Besides, the R Series has a more robust construction, nicer finishes and higher maximum output.
The aim with Q series is to bring the best sound to as many people as we can. Our opinion on "the best sound" is a 3-way speaker. This is why it was a priority to bring this architecture to the Q Meta.
Thats nice to hear. Will you be sending a set to Amirm or Erin for a review?
 
I think you're right and that the same goes for max. SPL. Only if you use a sub with a high enough crossover point, the q3 and q1 might go significant louder than the concerto because of the larger uni-q, but why torture your hearing and neighbours? BTW the mentioned ls60 lowers the bass output in the dsp to prevent distortion at higher levels.
I think the original discussion was about sensitivity, not maximum output.
 
Thats nice to hear. Will you be sending a set to Amirm or Erin for a review?
Er. To be honest, I can't remember who we've sent speakers to, but I believe either/both Amir and/or Erin has some of the new Q Series.
Either way, there's definitely going to be third party measurements for you to have a look at. Obviously, there will be a pretty comprehensive set of measurements from the white paper when that's published.
 
I'd like to see KEF come up with a version of that, or of the R3 Meta, with two opposed and side-firing 165mm (6.5") woofers, perhaps with the front baffle shaped similarly to the LS50 Meta.
It would be even more interesting to see an active in that cabinet with side firing woofers and cardioid dispersion, maybe for around $3500 USD.
 
Kef Q meta overview
Audio Advice video introducing the new line up.

Oh, YouTube is filled with new (unboxing) videos of the series
This man of audio advice claims things like tweeter gap damping and motor decoupling of the 10 cm uni-q's, with an example picture of a reference driver array. (from about 3:50) Would they have opened a cabinet and studied that, or where does that information comes from?
 
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