Полочная акустика — KEF Reference 1 Meta

The Reference 1 Meta is the three-way stand-mount model of KEF's Reference series, the British company's top hi-fi line, updated with Metamaterial Absorption Technology in the Meta generation introduced in 2022. It is the only standmount in the Reference range and currently lists at USD 9,999.98 per pair. Despite its bookshelf format, it separates bass from midrange with a dedicated woofer, a layout usually found in floorstanders.

Key specs that matter

A 12th-generation Uni-Q array combines a 125 mm aluminium midrange cone with a 25 mm aluminium dome tweeter and MAT at its centre, and a 165 mm aluminium bass driver sits beneath it. Crossover points are 450 Hz and 2.1 kHz. Frequency response is 45 Hz to 35 kHz at ±3 dB. At -6 dB the speaker reaches 40 Hz with the short port and 37 Hz with the long port, and KEF quotes typical in-room extension of 30 Hz. Sensitivity is 85 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, nominal impedance is 4 ohms with a 3.2 ohm minimum, and KEF suggests amplifiers of 50 to 200 W. Maximum output is 111 dB. Distortion at 90 dB is below 0.5% from 40 Hz to 100 kHz, below 0.2% between 200 Hz and 2 kHz, and below 0.1% from 2 kHz to 20 kHz. Each cabinet measures 440 x 205 x 422 mm and weighs 18.2 kg.

Engineering and use context

Since the dome is mounted at the centre of the midrange cone, the Uni-Q array works as a single point source and spreads sound evenly over a wide area. MAT is a maze-like disc behind the dome that KEF says absorbs 99% of the rear radiation which would otherwise reflect back into the tweeter. Shadow Flare, the shaped surround around the Uni-Q, reduces diffraction from the cabinet edges. Flexible Port Technology supplies both a short and a long port, so the owner can choose the bass alignment that fits the placement. Moving midrange duties to a separate cone leaves the woofer to handle only the lowest octaves, which reduces the excursion demanded of the midrange driver. Finishes are High-Gloss Black with Copper, Black with Grey, White with Blue, White with Champagne and Satin Walnut with Silver.

Pairing

This modest efficiency and demanding load call for an amplifier that delivers solid current into difficult loads, ideally one rated well above the minimum KEF suggests. Rigid, heavy stands of a height that places the Uni-Q near ear level suit the weighty cabinet.

Alternatives

The KEF R3 Meta is a smaller and less expensive three-way stand-mount, with the same midrange and bass driver sizes.