In this review, we will be comparing Reference 1 Meta and P300, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from KEF and Buchardt. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF Reference 1 Meta and Buchardt P300 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the KEF Reference 1 Meta and Buchardt P300 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KEF Reference 1 Meta and Buchardt P300 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Reference 1 Meta is a 3-way design whereas the P300 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 Reference 1 Meta |
Buchardt P300 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.74-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Reference 1 Meta features a 1" aluminium dome with MAT Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" aluminium cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 2100Hz. On the other hand, the P300 features a 0.74" Custom fine weave soft fabric textile with CDC aluminum waveguide aluminum waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 6" paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
Reference 1 Meta has a frequency range of 45-35k Hz whereas P300 has a frequency range of 37-40k HZ. With a minimum frequency of 37Hz, the P300 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Reference 1 Meta's min frequency of 45Hz.
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
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
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
Reference 1 Meta and P300 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Reference 1 Meta sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the P300's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Buchardt P300 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Reference 1 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 Reference 1 Meta and the Reference 1 Meta can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
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.
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.
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 Reference 1 Meta's and Buchardt P300's external dimensions. KEF Reference 1 Meta has external dimensions of 440 x 205 x 422 mm ( 17.3 x 8.1 x 16.6 ) whereas Buchardt P300 has external dimensions of 365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm ( 14.4 x 7 x 11inch) .
KEF Reference 1 Meta is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 25mm wider, 75mm taller and 142mm deeper than Buchardt P300.
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 Reference 1 Meta is approximately 865.1cm2 / 134.1inch2 and base area of the Buchardt P300 is approximately 504.0cm2 / 78.1inch2. The Reference 1 Meta requires 72% more surface area than the P300 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Reference 1 Meta weighs 18.20kg / 40lbs and the Buchardt P300 weighs 6.30kg / 13.9lbs. This makes the Reference 1 Meta 189% heavier than the P300.
Here is a comparison of how Reference 1 Meta and P300's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
| Low Frequency Response |
37 Hz
vs
45 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
35k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
one 5x8-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
365mm
vs
440mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
504cm2 (180x280mm)
vs
865cm2 (205x422mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1450USD
vs
9000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
KEF Reference 1 Meta |
Buchardt P300 |
| Brand |
KEF |
Buchardt |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
50-200 watts |
50 - 200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
85 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
45-35k Hz |
37-40k HZ |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
aluminium cone |
paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.74" |
| Tweeter Type |
aluminium dome with MAT |
aluminum waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5" |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
450Hz and 2100Hz |
2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
440.0mm (17.3") |
365.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
205.0mm (8.1") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
422.0mm (16.6") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Weight |
18.20kg (40lbs) |
6.30kg (13.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
n/a |
15mm Fiberboard HMR.E2 Moisture-proof with internal bracing |
| Available Colors |
High-Gloss White/Blue, High-Gloss White/Champagne, High-Gloss Black/Grey, High-Gloss Black/Copper, Satin Walnut/Silver |
Black, White, Peach, Ocean, Olive |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
10 years on speakers / 2 years on electronics (4 years if registered) |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
10 years on speakers / 2 years on electronics (4 years if registered) |