Bookshelf Speakers — KEF Q1 Meta

The KEF Q1 Meta is the smallest bookshelf speaker in the current Q Series, the British company's entry range, and KEF presents it as a speaker for people building their first hi-fi system. Like all eight Q Series models, it uses the 12th-generation Uni-Q coaxial driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), technology taken from KEF's more expensive ranges. It works as a stereo pair or together with other Q Series speakers and KEF subwoofers in a film system. Finishes are Satin Black, Satin White and Walnut, with magnetic grilles.

Key specs that matter

The Q1 Meta is a ported two-way design with a single Uni-Q array. Its 25mm vented aluminium dome tweeter, fitted with MAT, is mounted in the middle of a 130mm (5.25-inch) aluminium cone that covers bass and midrange, and the crossover point is 2.1kHz. Frequency response is 51Hz to 20kHz (+/-3dB) and 47Hz to 20kHz at -6dB, with typical in-room bass extension to 42Hz. Sensitivity is 86dB at 2.83V/1m. Nominal impedance is 4 ohms, dropping to 3.2 ohms at minimum, and the recommended amplifier power is 10 to 150W. At 90dB, harmonic distortion stays below 2% from 140Hz and below 1% from 170Hz to 20kHz, and maximum output is 108dB. Each speaker measures 302 x 180 x 277mm and weighs 6.1kg. Two foam port plugs come in the box.

Engineering and use context

Because the dome is nested inside the cone, the whole array behaves as a single point source. High and midrange frequencies leave from the same place and spread evenly across the room, and the balance stays the same when the listener moves away from the axis. The cone around the tweeter also works as a waveguide that controls tweeter dispersion at the bottom of its range. The MAT absorber is a disc of labyrinth-like passages behind the dome, with channels of different lengths that each absorb a band of frequencies, and KEF states that it absorbs 99% of the sound radiated from the back of the dome. Without it, this rear energy would reflect inside the tweeter and pass back through the thin diaphragm as distortion. Venting the tweeter lets the rear output reach the absorber. The aluminium cone is light and stiff for its size. The rear reflex port extends bass from the compact cabinet, and the foam plugs can seal it to reduce bass boom when the speaker sits on a shelf or close to a wall.

Pairing

The low impedance and below-average efficiency call for an amplifier that handles low loads comfortably. KEF's matching SQ1 floor stands or B2 wall brackets fit it, and a KEF subwoofer adds bass in larger rooms.

Alternatives

The KEF Q3 Meta moves up to a 165mm Uni-Q array in a bigger Q Series cabinet.