KEF R2 Meta is a 3-way Passive Sealed Center Channel speaker by KEF. It was released in 2023. Center channel speaker is an important component of a home theater system set-up as it delivers the listener significant part of the on-screen dialogue from your television. It features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter, 1 x 5" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" Hybrid Aluminum Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 67-28k Hz and a sensitivity of 87 dB. KEF R2 Meta has an MSRP of 1399$.
Room Size Suitability
The size of the room where you plan to use the KEF R2 Meta is a crucial factor in your decision. We have assessed its suitability for various room sizes based on its dimensions and maximum power output:
| Listening Environment* |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Poor |
| Small Room | Poor |
| Mid-size Room | Good |
| Large Room | Good |
| Very Large Room | 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.)
KEF R2 Meta Lifestyle
KEF's R META Series of Loudspeakers
R2 Meta is a member of KEF's R META series of Passive speakers. R Meta is the latest generation of KEF's R Series, adding Metamaterial Absorption Technology. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.
See all 7 KEF R META models compared »
KEF R META Series Speakers
**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequency Response of the KEF R2 Meta Speaker
KEF R2 Meta has a Frequency response range of 67-28k Hz and Power Range of 15-200 watts.
Here we have a comparison of how R2 Meta's Low frequency value compares with the average, max and min Low frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Crossover frequency of the KEF R2 Meta?
R2 Meta is a 3-way speaker and its crossover frequency between the woofer and the midrange is set to 560 Hz and the crossover frequency between the midrange and the tweeter is set to 2500 Hz.
Impedance and Sensitivity
KEF R2 Meta's nominal impedance level is
4 ohms but can go down to as low as
3.2 ohms, and has a sensitivity of
87 dB.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Nominal Impedance of the 4 Ohms means that the KEF R2 Meta is a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective, make sure that you choose an amplifier than can provide 4 Ohms for this speaker.
Many AVRs (audio/video receiver) in the market may have difficulty when the speakers dip below the 4 Ohms levels (this may cause clipping or even physical damage), so we recommend to not pair the KEF R2 Meta with an AVR but use an Integrated Amplifier instead.
Sensitivity
With a sensitivity level of only 87 dB, KEF R2 Meta is a difficult to drive speaker from Sensitivity perspective, make sure to choose an amplifier with a high output if you like listening to your music at high volume levels. You may especially have a hard time using Tube amplifiers which are traditionally very low power compared to Class A/B or Class D amps. Work out how loud the KEF R2 Meta plays in your room →
Running more than one pair from a single amplifier? Check the load it would present →
Minimum Impedance of the KEF R2 Meta
Even though the nominal impedance of the R2 Meta is 4 ohms, the minimum impedance level of this speaker according to KEF is 3.2 ohms KEF R2 Meta so while choosing an amplifier, you should ideally check if the unit you are considering can provide this impedance level.
What amplifier does the KEF R2 Meta need?
At normal listening levels in a medium room, about
30–200 W
per channel into 4 ohms.
Set your own conditions and we will rank every amplifier we cover.
Prefer to browse? Integrated amplifiers under $1,500, or every amplifier we cover.
Input Type
R2 Meta has Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts type connectors and lets bi-amping/bi-wiring. Bi-wiring can enhance the overall transparency of your loudspeakers by using separate speaker wires for the low and high-frequency drivers from a single amplifier. Bi-amping, on the other hand, involves using separate amplifiers for the high and low-frequency drivers, potentially resulting in a greater dynamic range and reduced distortion.
Work out what gauge speaker cable this run needs →
KEF R2 Meta Back View
KEF R2 Meta External Dimensions and Weight
KEF R2 Meta has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 6-15/16-inch x 21-3/4-inch x 12-1/4-inch (177.0 x 553.0 x 312.0mm ).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of KEF R2 Meta is approximately 1725.4cm2 / 267.4inch2.
To get a better perspective on the real life size of KEF R2 Meta, let's compare it with a standard size Compact Disc which has a diameter of 4.7inch (120mm).
KEF R2 Meta Speaker Size Compared to a Compact Disc
Find speakers that fit your shelf or alcove →
WeightThe KEF R2 Meta weighs 15.45kg / 34lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how R2 Meta's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Weight
Center Channel Speakers under $1500
How does the KEF R2 Meta compare to the KEF R6 Meta?
One of the natural alternative to the KEF R2 Meta is the R6 Meta which is located one step higher in KEF's Passive Center Channel selection.
Here is a scaled size comparison of these two speakers to give you an idea how their external dimensions compare:
Comparison image of KEF R2 Meta and KEF R6 Meta Size and External Dimensions
Check the Detailed Comparison of KEF R2 Meta vs R6 Meta for more details.
Cabinet type and Materials
KEF R2 Meta has a
Sealed type cabinet.
Speaker Feet
KEF R2 Meta comes with Rubber feet which you can use to secure your loudspeaker on the surface that you are putting on.
It is always recommended to use some kind of feet under all types of speakers. Besides limiting the movement of the speakers, it also compensates for non-flat surfaces and limits the contact surface area of the speaker. Rubber based feet also help isolating the vibrations within certain frequency ranges.
Available colors
KEF R2 Meta is available in Black Gloss, White Gloss and Walnut.
KEF R2 Meta Colors
KEF R2 Meta with Grille
What's in the Box of KEF R2 Meta?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R2 Meta:
- 1 R2 Meta
- 1 microfiber grille
- Rubber feet
- User manual and warranty information
Recommended Accessories
Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the KEF R2 Meta.
User's Manual
For more information about how to setup, use and maintain the KEF R2 Meta, use the direct link below to download the official manual document:
Download User Manual for KEF R2 Meta
Official Brochure
Here is a link to download the official brochure for the KEF R2 Meta speaker:
Official Brochure for KEF R2 Meta
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the KEF R2 Meta speaker can be found below:
Official Product Page for KEF R2 Meta
Warranty
5 years of parts warranty and 5 years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.
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