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KEF R3 Meta vs Wharfedale Elysian 1 Comparison

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KEF R3 Meta

Passive Bookshelf | 58-28k Hz

KEF R3 Meta
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Wharfedale Elysian 1

Passive Bookshelf | 49-22k Hz

Wharfedale Elysian 1
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KEF R3 Meta KEF R3 Meta
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Wharfedale Elysian 1 Wharfedale Elysian 1
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KEF R3 Meta
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Wharfedale Elysian 1
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KEF R3 Meta vs Wharfedale Elysian 1 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing R3 Meta and Elysian 1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from KEF and Wharfedale.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of KEF R3 Meta and Wharfedale Elysian 1 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

KEF R3 Meta Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 12th Generation Uni-Q Driver
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 5" Midrange
  • 6.5" Hybrid Aluminum Woofer
  • 58-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:15-180watts
  • Weight:12.41kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 423.0" x 7-15/16" x 13-1/4"( 423.0 x 202.0 x 337.0mm )

Wharfedale Elysian 1 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 27x90mm" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter
  • 7" Coated Fiberglass Woofer
  • 49-22k Hz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:25-175watts
  • Weight:15.03kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 458.0" x 10-3/8" x 12-7/16"( 458.0 x 264.0 x 316.0mm )

What size room are the KEF R3 Meta and Wharfedale Elysian 1 speakers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:

Listening Environment* KEF R3 Meta Wharfedale Elysian 1
Near-field Poor Poor
Small Room Poor Average
Mid-size Room Good Good
Large Room Good Average
Very Large Room Average Poor

(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2. Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KEF R3 Meta and Wharfedale Elysian 1 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that R3 Meta is a 3-way design whereas the Elysian 1 is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.

Driver KEF R3 Meta Wharfedale Elysian 1
Driver Setup 3-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 27x90mm-inch
Midrange 1 x 5-inch -
Woofer 1 x 6.5-inch 1 x 7-inch

R3 Meta features a 1" Aluminum with MAT absorber Hard-Dome Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Hybrid Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 420Hz and 2300Hz. On the other hand, the Elysian 1 features a 27x90mm" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 7" Coated Fiberglass Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.

Frequency Response

R3 Meta has a frequency range of 58-28k Hz whereas Elysian 1 has a frequency range of 49-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 49Hz, the Elysian 1 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R3 Meta's min frequency of 58Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

R3 Meta
Elysian 1
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

KEF R3 Meta
Wharfedale Elysian 1
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

R3 Meta and Elysian 1 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R3 Meta sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Elysian 1's is at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Elysian 1 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF R3 Meta, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the R3 Meta and the R3 Meta can provide this impedance level.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

R3 Meta
Elysian 1
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

R3 Meta can handle a max power of 180 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Elysian 1 has a max power handling value of 175 watts RMS, 5 watts less than the R3 Meta.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Both R3 Meta and Elysian 1 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.

KEF R3 Meta Terminals
KEF R3 Meta's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Wharfedale Elysian 1Binding post Terminals
Wharfedale Elysian 1's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

R3 Meta has a rear firing port whereas Elysian 1 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale Elysian 1's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to KEF R3 Meta with its rear-firing port.

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare KEF R3 Meta's and Wharfedale Elysian 1's external dimensions. KEF R3 Meta has external dimensions of 423.0 x 202.0 x 337.0mm ( 16-5/8-inch x 7-15/16-inch x 13-1/4-inch) whereas Wharfedale Elysian 1 has external dimensions of 458.0 x 264.0 x 316.0mm ( 18-24 x 10-3/8 x 12-7/16inch) .

KEF R3 Meta is 62mm narrower and 35mm shorter than Wharfedale Elysian 1 but it is also 21mm deeper.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF R3 Meta and Wharfedale Elysian 1 in scale.

KEF R3 Meta vs Wharfedale Elysian 1 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of KEF R3 Meta and Wharfedale Elysian 1 Size and External Dimensions

Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base surface area of the KEF R3 Meta is approximately 680.7cm2 / 105.5inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale Elysian 1 is approximately 834.2cm2 / 129.3inch2. The R3 Meta requires 18% less surface area than the Elysian 1 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

Weight Comparison

The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The KEF R3 Meta weighs 12.41kg / 27.3lbs and the Wharfedale Elysian 1 weighs 15.03kg / 33.1lbs. This makes the Elysian 1 21% heavier than the R3 Meta.

Here is a comparison of how R3 Meta and Elysian 1's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
KEF R3 Meta
Wharfedale Elysian 1
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of KEF R3 Meta?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of R3 Meta:
  • 1 pair of R3 Meta loudspeakers
  • 1 pair of microfiber grilles
  • Rubber feet
  • Port bungs
  • User manual and warranty information
  • What's in the Box of Wharfedale Elysian 1?

    Here are the items that come with the Elysian 1:
  • 2 Stand-mount loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 4 Terminal-jumpers (pre-installed)
  • User Manual

  • Reasons to choose KEF R3 Meta over Wharfedale Elysian 1
    Max Input Power 180 watts vs 175 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    High Frequency Response 28k Hz vs 22k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 423mm vs 458mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 680cm2 vs 834cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 2199USD vs 4995USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Wharfedale Elysian 1 over KEF R3 Meta

    Sensitivity 89 dB vs 87 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Minimum Impedance 3.8 ohms vs 3.2 ohms Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier
    Woofer Size 7 inches vs 6.5 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 49 Hz vs 58 Hz Generates deeper bass
    KEF R3 Meta vs Wharfedale Elysian 1 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General KEF R3 Meta Wharfedale Elysian 1
    Brand KEF Wharfedale
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 15-180 watts 25-175 watts
    Sensitivity 87 dB 89 dB
    Impedance 4 ohms 4 ohms
    Impedance 3.2 ohms 3.8 ohms
    Frequency Response 58-28k Hz 49-22k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 6.5" 7"
    Woofer Composition Hybrid Aluminum Coated Fiberglass
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Foamed Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 27x90mm"
    Tweeter Type Hard-Dome AMT (Ribbon)
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 5" No
    Crossover Frequency 420Hz and 2300Hz 2500Hz
    Firing Direction rear bottom
    Physical Specs
    Height 423.0mm (16.7") 458.0mm (18")
    Width 202.0mm (8") 264.0mm (10.4")
    Depth 337.0mm (13.3") 316.0mm (12.4")
    Weight 12.41kg (27.3lbs) 15.03kg (33.1lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish n/a MDF/Lacquer
    Available Colors Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut, Indigo Gloss Special Edition Piano Black, Piano Walnut,White
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height n/a 18-24"
    Grille n/a Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes Yes
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 years 5 Years

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