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The KEF Reference 1 Meta condenses flagship-class acoustic engineering into a compact standmount speaker. Its 12th-gen Uni-Q® driver with MAT™ delivers clean, distortion-free highs and wide dispersion, while the 6.5″ woofer — aided by dual-port tuning — reaches deep, controlled bass down to ~37 Hz. With smooth 45 Hz-35 kHz response, 85 dB sensitivity, and refined build quality, it’s a refined, musical centerpiece for serious listeners.
Type: 3-way passive standmount (bookshelf/stand-mount) speaker
Driver Configuration:
HF: 25 mm (1") aluminium-dome tweeter with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT™)
Mid: 125 mm (5”) aluminium cone midrange in Uni-Q® array
Bass: 165 mm (6.5”) aluminium cone woofer
Frequency Response (±3 dB): 45 Hz – 35 kHz
Bass Extension (-6 dB, free-field, long port): ~37 Hz (short port ~40 Hz)
Sensitivity: 85 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)
Nominal Impedance: 4 Ω (minimum ~3.2 Ω)
Recommended Amplifier Power: 50 – 200 W
Dimensions (H × W × D): 440 × 205 × 422 mm (≈ 17.3″ × 8.1″ × 16.6″)
Weight: ~18.2 kg (≈ 40 lb) each
Cabinet / Port: Rear-ported bass-reflex cabinet with swap-able port inserts (short/long) for bass tuning.
What Hi-Fi?
Reviewed on 06 Jun, 2023
KEF’s Reference 1 Meta is a superb all-round package that combines excellent sound with clever engineering and impressive build quality
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