In this review, we will be comparing SourcePoint 8 and R3 Meta, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from MoFi and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MoFi SourcePoint 8 and KEF R3 Meta first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | MoFi SourcePoint 8 | KEF R3 Meta |
|---|
| Brand | MoFi
United States · founded 2016 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 12th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.25" wide roll soft dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" Paper-pulp | 6.5" Hybrid Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 47-30k Hz | 58-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-150 watts | 15-180 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 12.70kg / 27.9lbs | 12.41kg / 27.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 18" x 11.4" x 12.6"
456 x 290 x 320mm | 16-5/8" x 7-15/16" x 13-1/4"
423.0 x 202.0 x 337.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the MoFi SourcePoint 8 and KEF R3 Meta 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* |
MoFi SourcePoint 8 |
KEF R3 Meta |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
(* 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that SourcePoint 8 is a 2-way design whereas the R3 Meta is a 3-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.
MoFi SourcePoint 8KEF R3 Meta
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
MoFi SourcePoint 8 |
KEF R3 Meta |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.25-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
SourcePoint 8 features a 1.25" wide roll soft dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" Paper-pulp Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1600 Hz. On the other hand, the 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.
Frequency Response
SourcePoint 8 has a frequency range of 47-30k Hz whereas R3 Meta has a frequency range of 58-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the SourcePoint 8 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R3 Meta's min frequency of 58Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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
SourcePoint 8 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the R3 Meta which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the R3 Meta can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. SourcePoint 8 sensitivity is rated at 87dB and the R3 Meta's is rated at 87 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
R3 Meta can handle a max power of 180 watts RMS, whereas SourcePoint 8 has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the R3 Meta.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
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
R3 Meta features Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. SourcePoint 8 has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
MoFi SourcePoint 8's 5-Way post terminals
KEF R3 Meta's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both SourcePoint 8 and R3 Meta have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 MoFi SourcePoint 8's and KEF R3 Meta's external dimensions. MoFi SourcePoint 8 has external dimensions of 456 x 290 x 320mm (18 x 11.4 x 12.6 inch) whereas 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).
KEF R3 Meta is 88mm narrower and 33mm shorter than MoFi SourcePoint 8 but it is also 17mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of MoFi SourcePoint 8 and KEF R3 Meta in scale.
Comparison image of MoFi SourcePoint 8 and KEF R3 Meta 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 MoFi SourcePoint 8 is approximately 928.0cm2 / 143.8inch2 and base area of the KEF R3 Meta is approximately 680.7cm2 / 105.5inch2. The SourcePoint 8 requires 36% more surface area than the R3 Meta 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 MoFi SourcePoint 8 weighs 12.70kg / 27.9lbs and the KEF R3 Meta weighs 12.41kg / 27.3lbs. This makes the SourcePoint 8 2% heavier than the R3 Meta.
Here is a comparison of how SourcePoint 8 and R3 Meta's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of KEF R3 Meta?
Here are the items that come with the R3 Meta:
- 1 pair of R3 Meta loudspeakers
- 1 pair of microfiber grilles
- Rubber feet
- Port bungs
- User manual and warranty information
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Minimum Impedance |
6.4 ohms
vs
3.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
47 Hz
vs
58 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Max Input Power |
180 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
423mm
vs
456mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
680cm2
vs
928cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2199USD
vs
2999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
MoFi SourcePoint 8 |
KEF R3 Meta |
| Brand |
MoFi |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-150 watts |
15-180 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
6.4 ohms |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
47-30k Hz |
58-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper-pulp |
Hybrid Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.25" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
wide roll soft dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
1600 Hz |
420Hz and 2300Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
456.0mm (18") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
290.0mm (11.4") |
202.0mm (8") |
| Depth |
320.0mm (12.6") |
337.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
12.70kg (27.9lbs) |
12.41kg (27.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
real wood veneer |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black, Walnut, Satin White |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut, Indigo Gloss Special Edition |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | MoFi SourcePoint 8 digs deeper - 47Hz against 58Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | MoFi SourcePoint 8 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (150W vs 180W). |
| Size | depends | KEF R3 Meta is easier to place; MoFi SourcePoint 8 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | KEF R3 Meta: bi-amping. KEF R3 Meta sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | KEF R3 Meta is cheaper - $2,199 against $2,999, about 27% less. |
A MoFi SourcePoint 8 B KEF R3 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?
MoFi SourcePoint 8 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 36% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - KEF R3 Meta looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the MoFi SourcePoint 8 appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 58Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper KEF R3 Meta much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate MoFi SourcePoint 8 the better fit for a small room, and KEF R3 Meta for a large room and a very large room.
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.