KEF R3 META

Pre owned. In excellent condition. Free from any visible signs of wear. Supplied with manual and original packaging.

Three-way standmount loudspeaker from the R Meta series, designed around the twelfth-generation Uni-Q driver array and technologies developed by KEF for the Reference range. The design combines a compact cabinet with dedicated tweeter, midrange and woofer drivers, with the aim of providing wide frequency extension and accurate reproduction even at high listening levels.

The Uni-Q system places the tweeter at the acoustic centre of the midrange driver, creating a concentric sound source from which the different frequencies are radiated. This configuration promotes more even dispersion throughout the listening environment and widens the listening area compared with a system using separate drivers. The twelfth-generation driver also introduces a new midrange motor design with an integrated copper ring that reduces variations in inductance as the voice coil position changes, helping to minimise distortion and thermal compression.

The 25 mm tweeter uses an aluminium dome and incorporates Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT). The metamaterial absorber features an internal structure made up of numerous channels with different configurations, each designed to absorb a specific frequency. The system absorbs up to 99% of unwanted sound energy radiated from the rear of the tweeter, reducing reflections that can affect high-frequency reproduction. A conical waveguide connects the dome to the absorber, while porous elements help control the tweeter's resonances.

The low-frequency section uses a 165 mm woofer with a hybrid structure comprising a paper cone reinforced by a concave aluminium layer. The driver features a new low-distortion motor system designed to generate a more uniform and extended magnetic field. This allows the woofer to combine extension, control and dynamic capability.

The bass reflex loading uses Flexible Port Technology, developed by KEF to control airflow behaviour inside the port. The profile and geometry of the reflex port are designed to maintain stable pressure and limit resonances, while the flexible walls help reduce coloration in the low-mid and midrange frequencies. The ports are positioned on the rear panel and designed in relation to the position of the drivers.

The cabinet uses Flexible Decoupling Chassis technology, which combines a rigid structure with internal joints incorporating damping elements. The system helps isolate the cabinet from vibrations generated by the drivers and reduce mechanical energy that could otherwise contribute to coloration. The relatively slim cabinet profile also facilitates positioning in the listening environment.

The front profile incorporates Shadow Flare, an element derived from the Reference series that extends the waveguide effect of the Uni-Q system and reduces diffraction generated by the cabinet edges. The progressive transition between the driver and the front panel promotes more uniform sound dispersion.

The R3 Meta is supplied with magnetic front grilles made from composite material and microfibre, featuring a multilayer structure and precision perforations positioned in correspondence with the drivers. The magnetic attachment system eliminates the need for visible fixing elements and keeps the grille aligned with the front panel.

The crossover is designed to integrate the three drivers and the loudspeaker's various acoustic technologies, while the overall design allows the R3 Meta to be used both in stereo systems and as a front, side or rear loudspeaker in multichannel configurations.

Technical specifications:

• Category: 3-way bass reflex standmount loudspeaker
• Frequency range: 38 Hz - 50 kHz (-6 dB)
• Typical in-room bass response: 30 Hz (-6 dB)
• Frequency response: 58 Hz - 28 kHz (±3 dB)
• Sensitivity: 87 dB (2.83 V/1 m)
• Harmonic distortion: <1% from 73 Hz; <0.5% from 90 Hz to 20 kHz
• Maximum output level: 110 dB
• Recommended amplifier power: 15-180 W
• Nominal impedance: 4 Ω (min. 3.2 Ω)
• Uni-Q driver array: 25 mm vented aluminium dome tweeter with MAT; 125 mm aluminium cone midrange
• Bass driver: 165 mm hybrid aluminium cone woofer
• Crossover frequencies: 400 Hz; 2.3 kHz
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 422 x 200 x 336 mm
• Weight: 12.4 kg