-
WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
Kef R3 meta or Reference 1 non meta ?
- Thread starter Amsz
- Start date
AnalogSteph
Major Contributor
Depends on your priorities, I guess. The Reference 1 is a larger, substantially heavier speaker that can play slightly lower, would be less bothered by high levels and can be tuned for placement (I assume short port for freestanding operation and long port for shelved bass but deeper reach when close to walls). On the negative side it seems to have had some bass tuning issues with a downright hole when using the long port, not sure what that's about (QC issues?). I would have thought that it was supposed to behave much like the Meta successor down there. Aside from that the old coax would be a bit less smooth in the highs.
BTW, I don't exactly envy anyone who bought the "old" Reference 1 (released about 2014 I think?) in 2021 and wants to sell them now. It's a mere 3 years later and they already have to take a substantial hit. I'm sure part of that is the usual disparity between new and used prices in audiophile components, but it being the older model definitely plays a role as well.
BTW, I don't exactly envy anyone who bought the "old" Reference 1 (released about 2014 I think?) in 2021 and wants to sell them now. It's a mere 3 years later and they already have to take a substantial hit. I'm sure part of that is the usual disparity between new and used prices in audiophile components, but it being the older model definitely plays a role as well.
ban25
Addicted to Fun and Learning
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2022
- Messages
- 952
- Likes
- 970
Superior build quality on the Reference 1, not to mention a different Uni-Q driver compared to the R3. The shadow flare is much nicer. The R series build quality is noticably worse, and the plastic shadow flares have a tendency to pop out during shipping. If it was my choice, I'd take the Reference every day of the week.
- Thread Starter
- #4
Both of you have essentially summarized my dilemma. On one hand, I have the R3 Meta, which offers a potentially better tonal response and a well-established design. On the other hand, there's the earlier version of the high-end Reference 1, known for its lower distortion, reduced compression, and superior bass handling. The prices are so close that cost isn't a deciding factor. So, the real question is: how much better is the Reference 1 Meta compared to the original? After all, there's no real comparison between the R3 and the Reference 1.
ban25
Addicted to Fun and Learning
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2022
- Messages
- 952
- Likes
- 970
The meta-material only affects the top end by canceling waves coming out the backside of the tweeter. If you care more about bass extension, then the Reference 1 is the right choice. Also bear in mind that the original owner has already taken the depreciation hit on the Reference speakers.
Actually I currently own a non meta R11 and I have listened to the R11 meta and Reference 5(old version). If you look at my earlier comments you can see me very much sold on the idea that my R11 could do everything if eqed.
But when I got a chances to compare the r11 meta and reference 5(non meta in the same place), I ended up splitting hairs, thinking how the heck the references even the older one sounds so much transparent. They sound more agile, and midrange nuances on the References are simply still better than the R11 meta. I wish I could take my post down arguing the same for days here. I don’t know what is at play but the old References are still better than the R series meta. Probably outside the meta tech which reduces treble resonance, every other tech bit on the reference driver is more sophisticated. Same is the case with cabin design and woofer design and crossover design.
To me I would blindly pick up an older Reference 1,3,5 over the new R Meta. r meta is a great speaker but not as good as the Reference Meta or the References
The new Reference meta is more transparent in highs, but for vocal listening I felt the older ones somehow more “human” like.
The cabinet design and woofers of the Reference series remains the same, which means if you need to upgrade the References to the Reference metas, you need to get two crossovers and uniq drivers exchanged. But that’s not a small sum, as the uniq reference drivers cost 1200€s per unit if I m not wrong. Also the crossovers shouldn’t be cheap either.
However if you get a used Reference 3 or Reference 5 and do this upgrade the math is more sane compared to the new price of a Reference 3/5 meta- which is 13,500 and 20,000 euros respectively. These boxes can be found under 5000 and 7000 respectively which makes them very desirable in my books. I was happily living under the rock until I took a friend of mine to demo R11 meta for his step into the hifi world and now I am searching for References!
lmao i rmb you the guy in the R11 thread saying u can EQ ur R11 to sound the same as blades confidently. Glad you moved on and widen your perspective
Yes. I agree I was wrong. To say it took me a listen to the Reference 5 (non meta!) to “widen” my perspective. Now I admit the References are superior. It was the same room and same amp, and damn things mids were magically transparent. Highs on the r11 has better air but I think stil the old references had very tight start and stop to the treble region too. Everything sounded like they had some energy drink !
Similar threads
