There are very few speakers that remain in my mind after testing, and the best speakers I have ever heard are the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signatures. After testing the KEF R11 Meta loudspeakers, I think we have a new speaker in the top 5 list, because these speakers impressed me a lot. In this article, we will review the KEF R11 Meta loudspeakers and see why they impressed me so much.
KEF R11 Meta Review
The KEF R11 Meta speakers are KEF’s top-of-the-line flagship loudspeakers. They come in three finishes: Black Gloss, White Gloss, and Walnut. They are three-way loudspeakers with a total of six drivers, four 6 ½ inch bass drivers, a 5-inch aluminum cone midrange driver, and a 1-inch vented aluminum dome tweeter. The tweeter features KEF’s MAT (Metamaterial Absorption Technology) design, which is a highly complex maze-like structure that absorbs 99% of the unwanted noise from the rear of the driver, eliminating the resulting distortion and providing purer, more natural sound.
The tweeter sits inside the larger midrange driver, KEF calls this arrangement a “Uni-Q Array”. This arrangement acts as a single point source to disperse sound more evenly through the room. The result is the elimination of the limited ‘sweet spot’, therefore allowing everybody, wherever in the room they may be, to experience and enjoy the same natural, detailed sound.
KEF makes some of the best-looking speakers on the market, and the R11 Meta speakers are no exception. They will blend well in any room with their three finishes, and they add a simplistic feel to rooms. The gloss finishes are better than most finishes, and you can also take the grilles off for a different look. Every driver has 1801 precision-cut holes, so you will get amazing performance even when the drivers are covered by the grille.
The KEF R11 Meta speakers are rear-ported, and the six drivers, along with the two rear ports, give the loudspeakers a frequency range of 46 Hz – 28 kHz. The speakers have a sensitivity of 90dB, and they can go as low as 3 ohms, which means you will need a good amplifier that offers more than 100 watts to get the best out of these speakers. I used the KEF R11 Metas with the Audiolab 7000A and the Marantz Model 10, and I got a slightly better performance with the Marantz unit.
When setting up your speakers in your room, placement matters a lot. The KEF K11 Meta speakers are no exception to this, and the right placement will give you much better sound. Professionals recommend placing your loudspeakers about 3 feet from your walls, and 9 feet apart; however, I think that 11 feet is the ideal placement, but you should always experiment with what suits you.
Let’s talk about the sound of the KEF R11 Meta loudspeakers. They demonstrated an extraordinary ability to reproduce sound with remarkable precision and emotional depth. Classical recordings revealed the speakers’ exceptional spatial resolution, with orchestral performances presenting a three-dimensional soundstage that felt almost holographic. The Uni-Q Array technology shines most brilliantly here, creating a consistent sound field that maintains incredible detail whether you’re sitting dead center or slightly off-axis.
Jazz recordings were particularly impressive, with the midrange driver capturing the nuanced textures of saxophone and piano with breathtaking realism. The MAT (Metamaterial Absorption Technology) in the tweeter becomes immediately apparent, delivering high frequencies that are crisp and detailed without a hint of harshness. Miles Davis’s trumpet on “Kind of Blue” emerged with a lifelike presence, each note hanging in the air with incredible definition and warmth.
Rock and electronic music showcased the speakers’ dynamic capabilities. The four 6 ½ inch bass drivers demonstrated exceptional control and punch, delivering deep, articulate bass that never becomes muddy or overwhelming. Listening to Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories,” the low-end had both weight and precision, while the intricate electronic layers remained distinctly separated and transparent.
Vocal performances were where the KEF R11 Metas truly elevated themselves from excellent to extraordinary. Whether it was the delicate intimacy of a solo acoustic recording or the powerful projection of a live concert track, vocal reproduction was startlingly natural. The speakers seemed to disappear, leaving only the pure essence of the human voice – a hallmark of truly exceptional sound reproduction.
Verdict
The KEF R11 Meta loudspeakers represent a pinnacle of audio engineering, offering a near-perfect balance of technical precision and musical soul. With their innovative Uni-Q Array, MAT technology, and meticulously designed drivers, these speakers transcend mere sound reproduction to deliver a transformative listening experience. While they demand a quality amplifier and careful room placement, the KEF R11 Metas reward discerning listeners with sound quality that competes with speakers at significantly higher price points. They are not just speakers, but a gateway to rediscovering your music collection, making them an exceptional choice for audiophiles seeking reference-level performance without the stratospheric pricing of ultra-high-end systems. The KEF R11 Meta loudspeakers retail for 3249.99 per unit, and you can get them for cheaper if you buy the pair together.