Полочная акустика — KEF Q3 Meta

The Q3 Meta is a two-way bookshelf speaker in the KEF Q Series Meta, an eight model range announced on 26 September 2024 that spans floorstanders, bookshelf models, a centre, height speakers and an on-wall LCR unit. KEF priced the Q3 Meta at USD 800 per pair, placing it above the Q1 Meta at USD 600 per pair, and it went on sale on 10 October 2024. Walnut, Satin White and Satin Black versions are offered, each with colour matched drivers.

Key specs that matter

A single 12th generation Uni-Q array carries the full band, with a 25 mm vented aluminium dome tweeter mounted at the centre of a 165 mm aluminium cone which handles the lower and middle band, and the two hand over at 2.0 kHz. Response is 49 Hz to 20 kHz within plus or minus 3 dB, 42 Hz at -6 dB, and KEF quotes a typical in-room bass figure of 39 Hz at -6 dB. Sensitivity is 87 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, and maximum output is 109 dB at 1 m. The load is 4 ohms nominal with a minimum of 3.2 ohms, and the amplifier range is 15 to 150 W. Distortion measured at 90 dB and 1 m stays under 2% from 110 Hz upward and under 1% between 135 Hz and 20 kHz. A cabinet stands 357 mm tall, 210 mm wide and 305 mm deep, with a weight of 8.2 kg.

Engineering and use context

What sets this range apart from earlier Q models is Metamaterial Absorption Technology, or MAT, taken from the R Series Meta. KEF describes it as a maze placed behind the tweeter whose passages are each tuned to soak up one frequency, taking in 99% of the stray energy radiated backward by the dome. A conical waveguide couples the tweeter to this absorber, and the tweeter gap damper was re-engineered with two rings of porous material to control resonances. The crossover was developed from more than 1000 measurements in an anechoic chamber. The enclosure is ported, and magnetic grilles in a matching colour are included. KEF also released an SQ1 floor stand and a PQ1 plinth spike kit for the range in winter 2024. Four other models of the series, the Q11 Meta, Q7 Meta, Q Concerto Meta and Q6 Meta, moved to a three-way layout, while the Q3 Meta stays two-way.

Pairing

Unlike the 8 ohm Q models of 2017, the Q3 Meta presents a 4 ohm load that dips to 3.2 ohm, so it needs an amplifier or AV receiver specified for 4 ohm loads. For a 20 m2 room the pair works as main stereo speakers, and in a surround system it can sit beside the Q6 Meta centre and Q8 Meta Atmos surrounds from the same range.

Alternatives

The KEF Q Concerto Meta is the three-way bookshelf model of the same series, adding a dedicated bass driver below the Uni-Q, at USD 1,300 per pair.