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KEF R8 Meta Dolby Atmos Speaker Review

Rate this Dolby Atmos Speaker

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 21 11.1%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 77 40.7%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 88 46.6%

  • Total voters
    189
Has anyone compared the performance of Q50a and R8 Meta when used as up-firing Atmos modules? I haven't found any direct comparisons in this thread yet.
Using a speaker in up-firing placement will give bad results, does not matter which model.
 
Some processors (Stormaudio/Trinnov, maybe others) can allow you to send bass below a frequency to the nearest speaker of your choosing. For example if you had a top middle speaker that you wante to crossover at 150hz, you could send below 150hz to a surround speaker and then below 80hz (or whatever your crossover setting is on your surround) would get sent to subs.

This is an awesome function! Now I know why processors like Stormaudio is so expensive, thanks!

But on a modest budget using LX805 (with Dirac Live Bass Control), any good ways to get R8 Meta integrated?
 
But realistically speaking: Shouldn't someone who can afford a 15.000-30.000€ AVP also be capable of getting better speakers in the first place?

It's not like there aren't any alternatives of similar size that extent down to at least 80Hz
 
But realistically speaking: Shouldn't someone who can afford a 15.000-30.000€ AVP also be capable of getting better speakers in the first place?
That's a very good point.

It's not like there aren't any alternatives of similar size that extent down to at least 80Hz
Since I really like the R7 Meta (fits my room too), but R8 Meta doesn't seem like a good match (due to high crossover) for my AVR, maybe it's not too much of an issue to match up with other brands' Atmos speakers that extend to or below 80Hz? After all, my Dirac Live AVR should be able to address the timber mismatch among different brands right?
 
Interesting that despite the "bad results", many manufacturers are advertising the "up-firing" as a "feature," why is this happening and no additinal backlash?
Manufacturers also advertise soundbars with 9 channels which are supposed to work with even more reflection trickery ... Money.
 
That's a very good point.


Since I really like the R7 Meta (fits my room too), but R8 Meta doesn't seem like a good match (due to high crossover) for my AVR, maybe it's not too much of an issue to match up with other brands' Atmos speakers that extend to or below 80Hz? After all, my Dirac Live AVR should be able to address the timber mismatch among different brands right?
I don't think there would be a huge difference if the Atmos speakers are from a different brand as long as they measure well.
If ceiling mounting is an option, the Kef LS50 Meta apparently can be hung from the ceiling because they have screwholes and there are a few aftermarket mounts for those.
 
Interesting that despite the "bad results", many manufacturers are advertising the "up-firing" as a "feature," why is this happening and no additinal backlash?

Upfiring works better than "virtual heights" or no heights especially if they're properly done with Atmos HRTF filters. Some "presence" speakers are angled but do not implement the filters as recommended by Dolby.

Random upfiring is less predictable than ceiling mounted Atmos speakers. Also, individuals can have different HRTF's so it doesn't work for everyone -- but the patent shows that the the chosen target should work reasonably for most people.

But realistically speaking: Shouldn't someone who can afford a 15.000-30.000€ AVP also be capable of getting better speakers in the first place?

It's not like there aren't any alternatives of similar size that extent down to at least 80Hz

Aesthetics. Old homes with plaster walls. Remember, while a good portion of the middle class of the United States has air conditioning in their home, Queen Elizabeth II uses a Dyson fan at Buckingham Palace.
 
Are these r8 metas still good to get atmos as I have the r series Kef speakers. Do they add a lot more and do they sound good. ?

Thanks
 
I'm trying to do just that, however I'm not there yet. Happy to share some thoughts a tad later.

My seating position is near the back wall. I also have a small room, and would be difficult to mount larger bookshelves as rears due to the existing furniture.

I also don't think that putting them on the walls pointing down is a great idea for rears, as they should be at the same level as the mains, to have a coherent bed layer.
Dolby specs say that the height of the rears should be a maximum of 1.25x of the height of the mains.

So i'll try to mount them as rears, rotated in the corners, like in the photo, thanks to the coaxial driver having almost equal horizontal and vertical dispersion.
This way they will point into the listening position and be at ear level. I'm also hoping this will minimize acoustic reflections from the back wall due to the angle of the driver.

Crossing fingers :)
Did you try that after all?
I am also considering them for surrounds, would be a great match alongside a center R2 Meta or R6 Meta i think.
 
Hi All

I Have Bought Some Kef Atmos Meta Speakers and have put them on top of the front speakers and wired them in. I noticed there is a couple of options in the amp to tell the amp were placed, and are

Front Hight - The front presence speakers are installed on the front wall
Overhead - The front presence speakers are installed to the ceiling
Dolby Enabled SP - The Dolby enabled speakers are used as the front presence speakers

I Have Selected the Dolby Enabled SP is this right? as in the image on the screen these a placed on the speakers and front hights are above on the wall.

i am wondering what each selection would the amp do to these sounds to the speakers as i would of thought they would be just the same or am i wrong? have i picked the wrong option for Atmos setup?

I did a recalibration and this time did a 3-point setup on sofa left side, middle, right side about 2m spread as i only did a single centre one when i first set the amp up.

Also noticed the amp has put the cross over to 100hz but not sure if i read that its best to put these at 150hz? any thoughts on that.

thanks
 
I hope this thread continues as I am interested in introducing Atmos and/or height speakers to my system. If it were only for movies, I'm confident that the SVS Ultra elevations would be satisfactory. However, I require compatibility with music as well, so I am very interested in the R8s. I do not intend to bounce them. My fear is that I would like them and need to buy two more for the rear wall and that's a bit pricey. KEF now is offering the Q8 Meta for around half the price of the R8s. They both have the 5.25" 12th generation Uni-Q driver array with MAT™ driver with slightly different specs. Are they the same driver with different enclosures and crossovers? Someone please send Amir one for testing so I can sleep at night...
 
I hope this thread continues as I am interested in introducing Atmos and/or height speakers to my system. If it were only for movies, I'm confident that the SVS Ultra elevations would be satisfactory. However, I require compatibility with music as well, so I am very interested in the R8s. I do not intend to bounce them. My fear is that I would like them and need to buy two more for the rear wall and that's a bit pricey. KEF now is offering the Q8 Meta for around half the price of the R8s. They both have the 5.25" 12th generation Uni-Q driver array with MAT™ driver with slightly different specs. Are they the same driver with different enclosures and crossovers? Someone please send Amir one for testing so I can sleep at night...
You’ll find some measurements data for the Q8 Meta straight from KEF here:
https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...series-with-mat-whitepaper.57911/post-2182249

Hopefully that will help you sleep better. :)
 
You’ll find some measurements data for the Q8 Meta straight from KEF here:
https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...series-with-mat-whitepaper.57911/post-2182249

Hopefully that will help you sleep better. :)
Thank you, that is helpful. Have you heard either or both of them? I may have to pick up a pair. Unfortunately, while I can find some good deals for the Rs ($1200), I don't seem to find any deals for the Qs. I really don't like paying retail. I'm funny that way...
 
Thank you, that is helpful. Have you heard either or both of them? I may have to pick up a pair. Unfortunately, while I can find some good deals for the Rs ($1200), I don't seem to find any deals for the Qs. I really don't like paying retail. I'm funny that way...
Especially since the margins are at least 40 points off MSRP
 
Thank you, that is helpful. Have you heard either or both of them? I may have to pick up a pair. Unfortunately, while I can find some good deals for the Rs ($1200), I don't seem to find any deals for the Qs. I really don't like paying retail. I'm funny that way...
I got these original and they work phenomenal but I have yet to try music
 
It's generally not recommended to mount speakers on the ceiling if they only have keyhole mounts.
There is no way 4.5kg of speaker will be hold by those two keyholes.
img-pdt-r8meta-pks-03_720x_15d8e5bc-d746-456d-aa3a-db052bc87f78_1024x.webp


If you want to ceiling mount them, you could screw holes for a VESA mount into the cabinet. I've seen a lot of people doing that with the old LS50.
Hi, I recently bought a pair of KEF Q8 Metas with the plan to mount them on-ceiling for Dolby Atmos. There are various websites that claim it is fit for this purpose, but when I look at the specifications (and examine it physically in my hand), this speaker seems to be rather built to be mounted on the wall, not on the ceiling. I landed on this thread while searching for a solution.

My question what does "cabinet" mean in this post? Are you suggesting that I drill holes and screws into my (rather pricy) KEF speakers? Is there any risk of causing damage to internals or impacting the audio in any way?

Thanks!
 
I mounted their cheaper relatives on my ceiling, locking them in place using a thin piece of wood at the rear end (where the cables are). The front sags a little, though.
1000002423.jpg
 
I mounted their cheaper relatives on my ceiling, locking them in place using a thin piece of wood at the rear end (where the cables are). The front sags a little, though.View attachment 420499
The front sag because the wight is trying to pull them down as there is no fixing there that’s why these should never be ceiling fitted. I would be surprised all that weight will not damage or try and pull the fixing plugs out the back of the speakers it would not be me. The only thing I would say is to make a front type bracket to hold all the front wight to the ceiling.

I have 1 pair of r8 meta on top of my mains and going to get a pair for the rears and then wall mount them i would never ceiling mount them unless I got a special front bracket made to support the front part that’s 100% sure
 
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