Hi,
I measured the KEF R3 meta loudspeakers this time.
These speakers have just been released, but I was able to get a pre-order sample (a pair) from an audiophile in Korea.
Impedance
Frequency response
I measure HF responses using a 5ms window gating.
Therefore, the crossover frequency of this speaker was located lower than I could measure, so I could not use the 'Merging Nearfield + Farfield' technique.
It has a similar LF roll-off to its predecessor.
Here's a comparison of 'ported vs sealed' responses.
(This was done with nearfiled measurements, with baffle step compensation applied).
Directivity
Wow. That's really cool.
I'm noticing a huge improvement in the 15~20k compared to before.
On the outside, it looks like the exact same product as its predecessor, but the directivity definitely seems to be a step up.
While this may not be important to all users, I can't help but admire KEF's passion and skill in achieving performance improvements despite the seemingly identical design.
(Perhaps it's a fine-tuning of the lemon squeezer on tweeter?)
Beamwidth
It looks as complete as anything you'll see in this price range.
(In South Korea, it's currently available for around $1,700 to $1,800).
Polar plot
This loudspeaker shows almost perfectly smooth attenuation, not only in the front, but also in the sides and back.
Total Harmonic Distortion
I am representing THD relative data as CHD.
This is the percentage of each HD component based on the average SPL from 200 Hz to 10 kHz.
You can hear a very clean response at 85dB SPL and even at 95dB SPL.
It's flawless.
Multitone test
Multitone distortion of -40 to -50 dB were measured.
I tried removing the measurement signal below 80 Hz and measuring it.
This was done to see how much the effects of MD from the woofer's high displacement motion and ports could be reduced when used with a subwoofer.
And if anyone remembers, this product also had the "shadow flare" issue that was featured in Erin's Audio Corner.
So I measured how much the MD was changed by this as well.
(The effect on FR can be seen below).
MD for each SPL.
Despite the increase in output, there is very little increase in Multitone Distortion.
This is a strong defense against distortion.
Compression test
This test was performed with Multitone.
It shows a compression of only 0.5 dB even at 96 dB SPL.
Very powerful performance.
Here's a look at compression testing from the other side.
These were performed at 0.1 m and 1 m, respectively, and measured with a sine sweep.
We can see that the response of the woofer increased with the increase in SPL at 45Hz.
This means that the internal air pressure along the port did not remain linear.
In other words, above a certain sound pressure, the ports in this speaker lose a little bit of their effectiveness.
(All SPL values are based on output at 1kHz @1m)
Grill test
The grille is affected by a very high Q value.
Shadow flare
I measured the impact of Shadow flare, which we introduced in EAC.
(I don't own this loudspeaker, so I wasn't able to push the part very hard).
You can see that there is a dip centered around 1 kHz.
(Pressing in the Shadow flare will correct this).
Finally, the FR deviation comparison between the two samples.
A very personal thought.
KEF's precise directional control is truly amazing.
Its predecessor was good enough, but it's even better than I expected.
If I had to pick a downside...
The bass is weak.
Also, due to the compression at high SPL, I think it would be a bit too much for me to enjoy a movie without a subwoofer.
Of course, I was just nitpicking because it was so great.
(I envy the owner.)
I measured the KEF R3 meta loudspeakers this time.
These speakers have just been released, but I was able to get a pre-order sample (a pair) from an audiophile in Korea.
Impedance
Frequency response
I measure HF responses using a 5ms window gating.
Therefore, the crossover frequency of this speaker was located lower than I could measure, so I could not use the 'Merging Nearfield + Farfield' technique.
It has a similar LF roll-off to its predecessor.
Here's a comparison of 'ported vs sealed' responses.
(This was done with nearfiled measurements, with baffle step compensation applied).
Directivity
Wow. That's really cool.
I'm noticing a huge improvement in the 15~20k compared to before.
On the outside, it looks like the exact same product as its predecessor, but the directivity definitely seems to be a step up.
While this may not be important to all users, I can't help but admire KEF's passion and skill in achieving performance improvements despite the seemingly identical design.
(Perhaps it's a fine-tuning of the lemon squeezer on tweeter?)
Beamwidth
It looks as complete as anything you'll see in this price range.
(In South Korea, it's currently available for around $1,700 to $1,800).
Polar plot
This loudspeaker shows almost perfectly smooth attenuation, not only in the front, but also in the sides and back.
Total Harmonic Distortion
I am representing THD relative data as CHD.
This is the percentage of each HD component based on the average SPL from 200 Hz to 10 kHz.
You can hear a very clean response at 85dB SPL and even at 95dB SPL.
It's flawless.
Multitone test
Multitone distortion of -40 to -50 dB were measured.
I tried removing the measurement signal below 80 Hz and measuring it.
This was done to see how much the effects of MD from the woofer's high displacement motion and ports could be reduced when used with a subwoofer.
And if anyone remembers, this product also had the "shadow flare" issue that was featured in Erin's Audio Corner.
So I measured how much the MD was changed by this as well.
(The effect on FR can be seen below).
MD for each SPL.
Despite the increase in output, there is very little increase in Multitone Distortion.
This is a strong defense against distortion.
Compression test
This test was performed with Multitone.
It shows a compression of only 0.5 dB even at 96 dB SPL.
Very powerful performance.
Here's a look at compression testing from the other side.
These were performed at 0.1 m and 1 m, respectively, and measured with a sine sweep.
We can see that the response of the woofer increased with the increase in SPL at 45Hz.
This means that the internal air pressure along the port did not remain linear.
In other words, above a certain sound pressure, the ports in this speaker lose a little bit of their effectiveness.
(All SPL values are based on output at 1kHz @1m)
Grill test
The grille is affected by a very high Q value.
Shadow flare
I measured the impact of Shadow flare, which we introduced in EAC.
(I don't own this loudspeaker, so I wasn't able to push the part very hard).
You can see that there is a dip centered around 1 kHz.
(Pressing in the Shadow flare will correct this).
Finally, the FR deviation comparison between the two samples.
A very personal thought.
KEF's precise directional control is truly amazing.
Its predecessor was good enough, but it's even better than I expected.
If I had to pick a downside...
The bass is weak.
Also, due to the compression at high SPL, I think it would be a bit too much for me to enjoy a movie without a subwoofer.
Of course, I was just nitpicking because it was so great.
(I envy the owner.)
