In this review, we will be comparing R8 Meta and Q8 Meta, two Passive Surround speakers by KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF R8 Meta and KEF Q8 Meta first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KEF R8 Meta | KEF Q8 Meta |
|---|
| Brand | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | 12th Generation Uni-Q | 12th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" | 5.25" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 97-17.5k Hz | 105-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Weight | 4.49kg / 9.9lbs | 4.49kg / 9.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-1/4" x 6-15/16" x 10-7/16"
184.2 x 176.2 x 265.1mm | 6-15/16" x 7-1/8" x 10-1/4"
176.2 x 181.0 x 260.4mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both R8 Meta and Q8 Meta are 2-way speakers.
KEF R8 MetaKEF Q8 Meta
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
KEF R8 Meta |
KEF Q8 Meta |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
R8 Meta features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Woofer. On the other hand, the Q8 Meta features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Woofer.
Frequency Response
R8 Meta has a frequency range of 97-17.5k Hz whereas Q8 Meta has a frequency range of 105-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 97Hz, the R8 Meta can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q8 Meta's min frequency of 105Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Surround class in our database.
Low Frequency
Surround Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
R8 Meta and Q8 Meta have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R8 Meta sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the Q8 Meta's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the KEF Q8 Meta a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF R8 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 R8 Meta and the R8 Meta can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Surround Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
R8 Meta features Binding Post type posts and Q8 Meta has a Binding Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 R8 Meta's and KEF Q8 Meta's external dimensions. KEF R8 Meta has external dimensions of 184.2 x 176.2 x 265.1mm () whereas KEF Q8 Meta has external dimensions of 176.2 x 181.0 x 260.4mm ().
KEF Q8 Meta is 8mm shorter and 4.7mm less deeper than KEF R8 Meta but it is also 4.8mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Near-identical footprints.
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 R8 Meta is approximately 467.1cm2 / 72.4inch2 and base area of the KEF Q8 Meta is approximately 471.3cm2 / 73.1inch2. The R8 Meta requires 1% less surface area than the Q8 Meta 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 R8 Meta weighs 4.49kg / 9.9lbs and the KEF Q8 Meta weighs 4.49kg / 9.9lbs.
Here is a comparison of how R8 Meta and Q8 Meta's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Surround class.
Weight
All Surround Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
97 Hz
vs
105 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
467cm2
vs
471cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 High Frequency Response |
20k Hz
vs
18k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
176mm
vs
184mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
900USD
vs
1800USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
KEF R8 Meta |
KEF Q8 Meta |
| Brand |
KEF |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Surround speaker |
Surround speaker |
| Sensitivity |
85 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
97-17.5k Hz |
105-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
184.2mm (7.3") |
176.2mm (6.9") |
| Width |
176.2mm (6.9") |
181.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
265.1mm (10.4") |
260.4mm (10.3") |
| Weight |
4.49kg (9.9lbs) |
4.49kg (9.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
|
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Black |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
6 Years w/ registration |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
6 Years w/ registration |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - KEF R8 Meta costs roughly 2x what KEF Q8 Meta does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | KEF R8 Meta digs deeper - 97Hz against 105Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (85dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price | B | KEF Q8 Meta is cheaper - $900 against $1,800, about 50% less; arguably a different class. |
A KEF R8 Meta B KEF Q8 Meta
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
KEF R8 Meta is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 100% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - KEF Q8 Meta looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the KEF R8 Meta appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 105Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper KEF Q8 Meta much easier to justify. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $900 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.