Pulled the trigger!! KefR3 Meta!!

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

Having sold my BW CM8 I was wondering what next! Kef or BW? Decided it’s time to try something different, Kef it was! Then came another dilemma R3 meta or R3 (Half the price for non meta) after little bit of research decided that it’s not worth paying almost £1k more for something that demonstrates better performance in theory. Sound wise there are differences but these don’t warrant an increase of £1k that is a lot of money for someone like myself.
Few days of anxious/ exiting waiting. Meanwhile I would to hear from Kef owners of their experience. I will report back once I hear them.

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

Having sold my BW CM8 I was wondering what next! Kef or BW? Decided it’s time to try something different, Kef it was! Then came another dilemma R3 meta or R3 (Half the price for non meta) after little bit of research decided that it’s not worth paying almost £1k more for something that demonstrates better performance in theory. Sound wise there are differences but these don’t warrant an increase of £1k that is a lot of money for someone like myself.
Few days of anxious/ exiting waiting. Meanwhile I would to hear from Kef owners of their experience. I will report back once I hear them.

Congratulations and enjoy!
I think you did well going with the KEFs

 

[Integralista]

Hi, you did the right step. Meta version is for sure better than non Meta, but I agree they are not worth extra 1000£. I think KEF today represent better value than B&W in ranges of R and Reference speakers. Which amp and system will you use with them?

Having sold my BW CM8 I was wondering what next! Kef or BW? Decided it’s time to try something different, Kef it was! Then came another dilemma R3 meta or R3 (Half the price for non meta) after little bit of research decided that it’s not worth paying almost £1k more for something that demonstrates better performance in theory. Sound wise there are differences but these don’t warrant an increase of £1k that is a lot of money for someone like myself.
Few days of anxious/ exiting waiting. Meanwhile I would to hear from Kef owners of their experience. I will report back once I hear them.

 

[Roog]

Good choice, it seems to me that KEF products are doing well right now with examples of well performing options across the range.

I particularly like 'the look' of The LS50, LS 60 and R3 + the Meta version.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

Hi, you did the right step. Meta version is for sure better than non Meta, but I agree they are not worth extra 1000£. I think KEF today represent better value than B&W in ranges of R and Reference speakers. Which amp and system will you use with them?

I have a Leema Tucana amp and use Apple music through arcam wireless DAC.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

How stupid!!!!! How stupid of me!! What a last 2 days it has been. After buying the R3, or should I say R300, I realised that the speakers I bought were R300 not R3, not seller’s fault, entirely my fault I thought they were same. I only found out when watching a YouTube video. Luckily for me seller hadn’t posted them by then. I requested cancellation and seller very kindly accepted it.
So today I said to myself ‘sod it!’ I love the look of those R3 meta in indigo blue with bright coloured twitter. So emailed Petertyson, got offered a goodish deal on them and proceeded with Paypal………..

 

[Al ears]

How stupid!!!!! How stupid of me!! What a last 2 days it has been. After buying the R3, or should I say R300, I realised that the speakers I bought were R300 not R3, not seller’s fault, entirely my fault I thought they were same. I only found out when watching a YouTube video. Luckily for me seller hadn’t posted them by then. I requested cancellation and seller very kindly accepted it.
So today I said to myself ‘sod it!’ I love the look of those R3 meta in indigo blue with bright coloured twitter. So emailed Petertyson, got offered a goodish deal on them and proceeded with Paypal………..

Bright coloured twitter?? 🙂

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

Bright coloured twitter?? 🙂

Yes 😃I am kind of colour blind. Would you say they are yellowish? I don’t know.
But I am super excited to have a listen to them. I know I should have auditioned but just don’t have time to faff around with all that. If I don’t like them I will have them for 2/3 years and then will have an excuse to sell them and buy another pair of speakers 🔊. I don’t have too many hobbies so may as well enjoy the one I have.
Any kef meta owners here….?

 

[Al ears]

Yes 😃I am kind of colour blind. Would you say they are yellowish? I don’t know.
But I am super excited to have a listen to them. I know I should have auditioned but just don’t have time to faff around with all that. If I don’t like them I will have them for 2/3 years and then will have an excuse to sell them and buy another pair of speakers 🔊. I don’t have too many hobbies so may as well enjoy the one I have.
Any kef meta owners here….?

Tweeter??

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

Tweeter??

Teeeter Indeed! Been a long day. All day had to listen to very clever ppl talking about very clever things, not that I understood any of it. I was too busy negotiating an offer with Petertyson. Autocorrect didn’t pick it either.

 

[Mark Dunlop]

I listened to a pair of R3 Metas in the listening room at James Morrow Hifi in Edinburgh and I was astounded at the quality of the sound. Now, to be fair, they were set up with about £40K worth of gear in there, but still - fabulous sound. When I get the readies together, I'm either getting a pair of these or the ATC SCM 19s to replace my old B&W DM602 S3s.
m.d.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

Love the DMs, listening to them now. Had to buy something more hi-end to justify Tucana’s match. Even if there is 20% improvement over these old DMs, it will be worth it!

 

[Noddy]

Yes 😃I am kind of colour blind. Would you say they are yellowish? I don’t know.
But I am super excited to have a listen to them. I know I should have auditioned but just don’t have time to faff around with all that. If I don’t like them I will have them for 2/3 years and then will have an excuse to sell them and buy another pair of speakers 🔊. I don’t have too many hobbies so may as well enjoy the one I have.
Any kef meta owners here….?

I have the LS50 Meta, bought them 18 months ago, and I’m still astonished at the sound. They do good recordings justice. Yours should be the mutts, higher up the range and a more conventional appearance. They are for people who aim for a neutral presentation, not everyone’s cup of tea, but if that is your bag, the R3 Meta should keep your fancy tickled. Enjoy them, not everyone has the readies to buy such nice items.

 

[nopiano]

How stupid!!!!! How stupid of me!! What a last 2 days it has been. After buying the R3, or should I say R300, I realised that the speakers I bought were R300 not R3, not seller’s fault, entirely my fault I thought they were same. I only found out when watching a YouTube video. Luckily for me seller hadn’t posted them by then. I requested cancellation and seller very kindly accepted it.
So today I said to myself ‘sod it!’ I love the look of those R3 meta in indigo blue with bright coloured twitter. So emailed Petertyson, got offered a goodish deal on them and proceeded with Paypal………..

That was a close call! Good decision….eventually!

 

[gasolin]

Have you listen to the new kef Q Concerto meta instead of the Kef R300 ?

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4eYVO5IuIc

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

Have you listen to the new kef Q Concerto meta instead of the Kef R300 ?

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4eYVO5IuIc

I will watch the video. Thanks

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

Got the delivery today. They look gorgeous!! All hooked up and music playing. With new speakers you can tell how they go through the process of opening up. I don’t think it takes hours tbh may be a few tracks in highish volume.
First impressions, very wide sound stage and full bodied sound. I will write a more detailed impressions in a few days.

 

[gasolin]

I will watch the video. Thanks

View: https://youtu.be/MKcsk-To9Ks?si=ha5d9e0YC3_1ykbr

 

[RJW232]

If I can afford it I always choose the best option, in this case I would have bought the R3 Meta. But that's just me. I know if I buy the older/cheaper version I will always think, "what if". And if I have to choose between (for example) the R3 and R3 Meta but can't afford the R3 Meta, I would buy something completely different, probably even another brand. Just to stay away from the "what if".....

 

[Noddy]

If I can afford it I always choose the best option, in this case I would have bought the R3 Meta. But that's just me. I know if I buy the older/cheaper version I will always think, "what if". And if I have to choose between (for example) the R3 and R3 Meta but can't afford the R3 Meta, I would buy something completely different, probably even another brand. Just to stay away from the "what if".....

From what I have read, the meta technology does make a noticeable improvement, so what you say makes a lot of sense. I too considered the R3 non meta as it was on offer, but chose the LS50 Meta. The R3 Meta was more than I wanted to pay. I still think the R3 Meta is more attractive.

 

[gasolin]

Considered Kef Q Concerto Meta ?

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

Considered Kef Q Concerto Meta ?

Nope, had a bit of fascination with the R series for number of years. 10/12 years ago I went to audition ATC SCM 10 at the hifix in Coventry, my amp at the time didn’t have enough power to drive them so ended up buying BW CM5 but really liked how the R series looked and sounded, reason I didn’t buy them then, was because my listening room was too small for them.

 

[davidf]

I listened to a pair of R3 Metas in the listening room at James Morrow Hifi in Edinburgh and I was astounded at the quality of the sound. Now, to be fair, they were set up with about £40K worth of gear in there, but still - fabulous sound. When I get the readies together, I'm either getting a pair of these or the ATC SCM 19s to replace my old B&W DM602 S3s.
m.d.

Hi Mark

Can I ask - is the system they demonstrated the R3s on similar to your own? Did they ask about your system? Was there no attempt to recreate your own system for the apdemo? A loudspeaker can only sound as good as the system it is connected to, and there'd be quite a difference between how they sound on a £40k system and a £5k system!

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

Hello again!
I have had these speakers for just over a month and feel have spent sufficient time to express my opinion.
Speakers were well packaged, albeit a touch disappointed with the quality control, on one of the speaker there are a couple of blemishes from a small amount of unpolished lacquer. I got these from Petertyson and price have gone up by £300 since my purchase. I didn’t contact the dealer to complain since I don’t want them to think I am looking for some sort discount + didn’t want the hassle.
If you can’t see my signature, I have Leema Tucana amp, DMP A6 streamer, Apple Music/ Tidal.
They look gorgeous! I got them in indigo blue!
Now the important stuff!
Despite being over a foot away from the wall I am still using bungs to tame the bass, uncontrolled bass can sound boomy, my hard wood flooring doesn’t help either.
Excellent sound stage, clarity, and stereo imaging so complain there.
One big disadvantage of going high up the ladder of hi-fi, as many of us hifi enthusiasts find out as we make the journey, is good quality recording will sound excellent and bad quality recording will sadly worse!
And this is very much the case with R3 M.
I will stop waffling now so here is the summary: excellent sounding speakers with being a little on the brighter side, very much unforgiving to poor quality recordings but surprisingly shine with good quality recordings. They will stay with me for many years to come and that is pretty much it.

 

[Al ears]

Hello again!
I have had these speakers for just over a month and feel have spent sufficient time to express my opinion.
Speakers were well packaged, albeit a touch disappointed with the quality control, on one of the speaker there are a couple of blemishes from a small amount of unpolished lacquer. I got these from Petertyson and price have gone up by £300 since my purchase. I didn’t contact the dealer to complain since I don’t want them to think I am looking for some sort discount + didn’t want the hassle.
If you can’t see my signature, I have Leema Tucana amp, DMP A6 streamer, Apple Music/ Tidal.
They look gorgeous! I got them in indigo blue!
Now the important stuff!
Despite being over a foot away from the wall I am still using bungs to tame the bass, uncontrolled bass can sound boomy, my hard wood flooring doesn’t help either.
Excellent sound stage, clarity, and stereo imaging so complain there.
One big disadvantage of going high up the ladder of hi-fi, as many of us hifi enthusiasts find out as we make the journey, is good quality recording will sound excellent and bad quality recording will sadly worse!
And this is very much the case with R3 M.
I will stop waffling now so here is the summary: excellent sounding speakers with being a little on the brighter side, very much unforgiving to poor quality recordings but surprisingly shine with good quality recordings. They will stay with me for many years to come and that is pretty much it.

Glad to hear they are doing it for you.