Напольная акустика — KEF R5 Meta

The R5 Meta is the smallest floorstanding speaker in KEF's R Series, updated in 2022 with the Metamaterial Absorption Technology that defines the Meta generation. This three-way tower uses the 12th-generation Uni-Q driver shared with KEF's Reference models, and it sits below the R7 Meta and R11 Meta in the range.

Key specs that matter

Its Uni-Q array places a 25 mm vented aluminium dome tweeter with MAT inside a 125 mm aluminium midrange cone, and two 130 mm hybrid aluminium bass drivers handle the low frequencies. Crossover points are 400 Hz and 2.7 kHz. Frequency response is 52 Hz to 28 kHz at ±3 dB and 38 Hz to 50 kHz at -6 dB, and KEF gives 29 Hz as typical in-room bass extension. Sensitivity is 87 dB, impedance is 4 ohms with a minimum of 3.2 ohms, and recommended amplifier power runs from 15 to 200 W. Maximum output is 110 dB. At 90 dB, harmonic distortion stays below 1% from 75 Hz upward and below 0.5% between 110 Hz and 20 kHz. The cabinet measures 1,072 x 272 x 344 mm with the plinth, or 1,025 x 175 x 344 mm without it, and weighs 24.5 kg. KEF lists three finishes, namely Black Gloss, White Gloss and Walnut.

Engineering and use context

As a three-way design, the R5 Meta hands midrange frequencies to the Uni-Q cone at the lower crossover point, so the bass drivers work only below that point and the midrange cone is free of large excursions. Because the tweeter is set within the throat of the midrange cone, the array works as a point source with even dispersion. MAT absorbs about 99% of the rear radiation from the tweeter dome, according to KEF. Shadow Flare, the contoured ring around the Uni-Q, reduces diffraction at the cabinet edges. The cabinet uses Constrained Layer Damping, with damping material bonded between panel layers to control resonance. The flexible port tube delays turbulence and keeps port resonances out of the midrange. The narrow 175 mm cabinet is widened at the base by the plinth for stability.

Pairing

The low impedance suits amplifiers stable into difficult loads, while the moderate sensitivity means moderate power levels are enough in a 20 m2 room. The rear port benefits from some clearance behind the cabinet. KEF's R Series centre and stand-mount models extend an R5 Meta pair into a home cinema system.

Alternatives

The KEF R7 Meta is the next R Series tower above it, stepping up to two 165 mm bass drivers under the same Uni-Q array.