KEF R6 meta Measurements and Review

[Descartes]

Great measurements ! Thank you
Killer value but I still think having another R3 as centre speaker in vertical is a better deal

As I said before the problem is no one is willing to sell a single R3 Meta in Blue or any color for that matter!

 

[Descartes]

I asked the dealer about matching the R6 Meta as center with my Reference 3 Meta speakers and they don't recommend it. They obviously recommended going with the Reference 2 or 4, for a better match.

- aluminium drive units are the exact same size on both
- crossover frequencies of the R6 Meta are 500 Hz and 2.4 kHz
- crossover frequencies of the Reference 3 Meta are 450 Hz and 2.1 kHz

What do you think? Would it be that bad of a combination?

They make more money that’s why they are telling you that! There is a law of diminishing returns and that’s a classic example!

 

[Sammy135]

I do the same thing but in my opinion 200Hz is overkill and not necessary for the LS50's. I'm in a condo so I can't crank mine but I find at the typical listening levels up to 85db around 10 feet away, a 100Hz 2nd order high pass is enough for my levels. If you listen louder you may need to go up to 120-150Hz 2nd order but I don't see a need to go any higher. If you exclusively use 4th order high pass slope, 120Hz is the absolute highest I would ever go due to subwoofer localization and the fact that 120Hz 4th order is already overkill for distortion. At these lower crossover points, you could integrate an R6 no problem.

As far as a 3-way and lower crossover points of course that would make a better point source, because frequencies above 200Hz are directional and below that not so much. Listening to the R11 is the easiest way to tell since it has dual woofers flanking the UniQ, it's more like a wall of sound instead of a point-source like the LS50. I'm not saying there aren't benefits to the 3-way, I just prefer the LS50 with multiple subwoofers. Oh and my setup for reference:

View attachment 301961

Does the 3rd ls50 meta above the tv really help?

The tv width doesn't look huge, so im guessing the left and right pair can paint the center image properly, and associate any dialogue to the proper location on the soundstage/actor location on TV

 

[GabrielPhoto]

I wonder how this will compare to my beloved revel c208.
Time to get my hands on one!!

 

[aarons915]

Does the 3rd ls50 meta above the tv really help?

The tv width doesn't look huge, so im guessing the left and right pair can paint the center image properly, and associate any dialogue to the proper location on the soundstage/actor location on TV

2 LS50 can create a good center image but it is no replacement for a center, dialogue sounds much more natural coming from a center on top of the TV than what stereo can create. I also listen to music in 3.1 with the center about 5db lower than the fronts and that also sounds better than stereo to my ears so I would never want a pure stereo setup.

 

[Ellebob]

As I said before the problem is no one is willing to sell a single R3 Meta in Blue or any color for that matter!

That's because they only come from Kef in pairs and no dealer likes odd ball speakers kicking around. Maybe a big enough dealer will split a pair if they think they can move the other speaker. Kef should sell and package them individually.

 

[Descartes]

That's because they only come from Kef in pairs and no dealer likes odd ball speakers kicking around. Maybe a big enough dealer will split a pair if they think they can move the other speaker. Kef should sell and package them individually.

I agree same with stands! Sell them individually

 

[DMill]

That's because they only come from Kef in pairs and no dealer likes odd ball speakers kicking around. Maybe a big enough dealer will split a pair if they think they can move the other speaker. Kef should sell and package them individually.

I honestly don’t know why manufactures do this. What happens if one of them is damaged? A bookshelf falling off a stand could easily crack a case. You could try contacting KEF and see they’ll sell one direct.

 

[Snoopy]

I wonder how 3xR6 Meta (vertical) for LCR would perform.

From the KEF homepage.

 

[Descartes]

From the KEF homepage.


View attachment 314438

That’s just for advertising! Not sure anyone has tried that setup!

 

[nawfal07]

The predecessors were named R2C and R600C (there were no R6C on the last iteration) for center channels, they removed the C from the current names because they can be used in vertical as a stereo pair as well. In fact for a home theater, it would be a perfect timbre match.

I'm just not sure if the excellent measurements of the R6 Meta also means it'll work as good in vertical for stereo for music? My setup is a home theater and music hybrid, but I'm new to speaker measurements I can't really understand them well yet.

I'm contemplating between R3 Meta+R2/R6 Meta or all-R2/all-R6 Meta as LCR, my room is tiny at 10x10x13 ft with the subwoofer I just can't fit a pair of floorstanders. I'm just waiting for the measurements for R2 Meta and the answer to the above before I decide.

 

[Descartes]

The predecessors were named R2C and R600C (there were no R6C on the last iteration) for center channels, they removed the C from the current names because they can be used in vertical as a stereo pair as well. In fact for a home theater, it would be a perfect timbre match.

I'm just not sure if the excellent measurements of the R6 Meta also means it'll work as good in vertical for stereo for music? My setup is a home theater and music hybrid, but I'm new to speaker measurements I can't really understand them well yet.

I'm contemplating between R3 Meta+R2/R6 Meta or all-R2/all-R6 Meta as LCR, my room is tiny at 10x10x13 ft with the subwoofer I just can't fit a pair of floorstanders. I'm just waiting for the measurements for R2 Meta and the answer to the above before I decide.

All R3 or all R2 will work great!
I have a small room as well 11x10x9 and use LS50 all around and it sounds great!

 

[soerenssen]

In case of my R6 Meta, the upper edge of the middle speaker's frame is flush with the box, but at the bottom it is protruding around 2-3 millimeters.
Is this normal when the speaker is placed horizontally? I can push it all the way back to make it flush, but it comes out again soon and if it's pointless to mess around with it because it has no effect on sound quality, then I just leave it like that. It's not visible from a distance.

 

[q2klepto]

How do you guys think this compares to a Reference One?

Thinking of doing Ref One for LR with R6 as center

Current plan is to get 3x R6 Metas

 

[sweetchaos]

R6 Meta is US$2k/each (or US$4k/pair when setup for L-R).
Reference 1 is US$9k/pair.

Is Reference 1 an excellent speaker? Yes, see Erin's review.
Is Reference 1 twice as good as R6 Meta? No. I'd say, you're getting 80/20 principle. R6 Meta is 80% as good, for half the price. To get the final 20% of quality, you need to pay double the price. My assumption is that there's a sub, so you're ignoring the low frequency extension in this scenario.

I wish either Erin or Amir would review the R6 Meta, so we a more accurate picture (other than the currently medium quality spinorama provided by the vendor).

Here's the comparison:

Obviously Reference 1 is a better speaker than R6 Meta WHEN you're just using it for stereo, without a subwoofer, since the low frequency extension will be deeper on Reference 1.

 

[Descartes]

R6 Meta is US$2k/each (or US$4k/pair when setup for L-R).
Reference 1 is US$9k/pair.

Is Reference 1 an excellent speaker? Yes, see Erin's review.
Is Reference 1 twice as good as R6 Meta? No. I'd say, you're getting 80/20 principle. R6 Meta is 80% as good, for half the price. To get the final 20% of quality, you need to pay double the price. My assumption is that there's a sub, so you're ignoring the low frequency extension in this scenario.

I wish either Erin or Amir would review the R6 Meta, so we a more accurate picture (other than the currently medium quality spinorama provided by the vendor).

Here's the comparison:
View attachment 321995

Obviously Reference 1 is a better speaker than R6 Meta WHEN you're just using it for stereo, without a subwoofer, since the low frequency extension will be deeper on Reference 1.

For home theater the R6 is hard to beat?

Great measurements ! Thank you
Killer value but I still think having another R3 as centre speaker in vertical is a better deal

only if you could buy it as a single unit rather than in pairs

 

[seememom]

How do you guys think this compares to a Reference One?

Thinking of doing Ref One for LR with R6 as center

Current plan is to get 3x R6 Metas

3X R6 Meta’s might integrate better (more easily) with subs in room + increased sensitivity is a bonus. I am biased as I am using 2X Pioneer S-8EX. Just find the right stands for them.

 

[q2klepto]

Welp just ordered 3x KEF R6Meta for my LCR, replacing my LS50 Metas. Should arrive Wednesday. Ill make sure to take measurements of my LS50Ms before switching

 

[exm]

Best center speaker tested so far I believe. Looking at KEF website it can be set up as LCR. Are there feet included in the box to allow you to sit it up vertically for use as LR channel?

Sure it's better compared to the Ref 2 Meta or Reference 4c? Only feet included are small rubber feet.

Excellent. This makes the Reference 2 Meta a pretty tough sell at 3(!) times the cost. Going by the measurements alone, I don't see many differences that would be clearly audible beyond bass extension. For the cost savings, you could grab a pair a quality subs and still have a bunch of cash left over.

I see your point. However, the Reference Uni-Q Meta drivers are in a different league which can't be displayed in measurements. Is it worth 3x the cost? Good question. Most likely the answer is no, but if you can afford it, the Reference 2 Meta is definitely a better center.

Is it a good idea to combine this with a pair of Reference 3 Meta for LCR?

Do yourself a favor, and get the Reference 2. In a HT system where voices are important, the Uni-Q driver is the most important driver (see above). I have a Reference Meta center (2) combined with non-Meta Reference L/R (5). Perfect combination.

I asked the dealer about matching the R6 Meta as center with my Reference 3 Meta speakers and they don't recommend it. They obviously recommended going with the Reference 2 or 4, for a better match.

- aluminium drive units are the exact same size on both
- crossover frequencies of the R6 Meta are 500 Hz and 2.4 kHz
- crossover frequencies of the Reference 3 Meta are 450 Hz and 2.1 kHz

What do you think? Would it be that bad of a combination?

See above. Get the Reference 2 Meta if you can afford it.

How do you guys think this compares to a Reference One?

Thinking of doing Ref One for LR with R6 as center

Current plan is to get 3x R6 Metas

Is that the Reference One Meta, or the non-Meta? If you ask me, get a pair of (used?) Reference One non-Meta and the Reference 2 Meta Center.

Cheers all.

 

[Descartes]

Welp just ordered 3x KEF R6Meta for my LCR, replacing my LS50 Metas. Should arrive Wednesday. Ill make sure to take measurements of my LS50Ms before switching

Sweet $6,000 that’s a bit steep!