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KEF Reference 3 Meta Review
KEF Reference 3 Meta

Main Features

  • 12th Generation Uni-Q Driver
  • 1" aluminium dome with MAT Tweeter
  • 5" aluminum cone with Uni-Q Technology Midrange
  • 2 x 6.5" aluminium cone Woofer
  • 43-35k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range: 50-300watts
  • Weight:113.10 lbs / 51.30 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 47.5"x12.7"x18.4" / 1207 x 323 x 467 mm
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KEF Reference 3 Meta Review

KEF Reference 3 Meta is a 3-way Passive Bass Reflex Floor-standing speaker by KEF. It features a 1" aluminium dome with MAT Tweeter, 1 x 5" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" aluminium cone Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 43-35k Hz and a sensitivity of 86 dB. KEF Reference 3 Meta has an MSRP of 15000$ per pair.

What size of room is the KEF Reference 3 Meta speaker good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use the KEF Reference 3 Meta is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various sizes of environments considering its size and max power parameters:

Listening Environment* Suitability
Near-fieldAre you nuts?
Small RoomPoor
Mid-size RoomAverage
Large RoomGood
Very Large RoomGood

(* 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.)

What are the speakers in KEF's Reference META Series?

Reference 3 Meta is a member of KEF's Reference META series of Passive speakers. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

KEF Reference META Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
KEF Reference 1 Meta
Compare
45-35k Hz 85 dB4Ω 1 x 6.5"
KEF Reference 5 Meta
Compare
40-35k Hz 88 dB4Ω 4 x 6.5"
KEF Reference 3 Meta
43-35k Hz 86 dB4Ω 2 x 6.5"
KEF Reference 2 Meta
Compare
80-35k Hz 86 dB4Ω 2 x 6.5"
KEF Reference 4 Meta
Compare
48-35k Hz 88 dB4Ω 4 x 6.5"


**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.

What is the Frequency Response of the KEF Reference 3 Meta speaker?

KEF Reference 3 Meta has a Frequency response range of 43-35k Hz at ±3dB (28Hz (-6dB)) and Power Range of 50-300 watts. At a minimum frequency of 43 Hz, Reference 3 Meta will provide a deep bass that will probably satisfy majority of listeners, especially for music. Movie lovers and music listeners who like to experience a full range response will still benefit from the use of a subwooofer though.

Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available subwoofer options.
Here we have a comparison of how Reference 3 Meta's Low and High frequency values compare with the average, max and min Low and High frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
KEF Reference 3 Meta
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
KEF Reference 3 Meta
Min
Average
Max
KEF Reference 3 Meta Woofer
KEF Reference 3 Meta's aluminium cone Woofer

Among the speakers in our database with a max MSRP price of 20000$ (Pair), these are the 5 Passive Floor-standing speakers that have the deeper bass levels than the KEF Reference 3 Meta's 43Hz:

  • PSB Synchrony T600 with Low Frequency of 24 Hz (Compare w/ Reference 3 Meta)
  • KLH Kendall with Low Frequency of 25 Hz (Compare w/ Reference 3 Meta)
  • Revel PerformaBe F328Be with Low Frequency of 26 Hz (Compare w/ Reference 3 Meta)
  • GoldenEar Triton Five with Low Frequency of 26 Hz (Compare w/ Reference 3 Meta)
  • Monitor Audio Silver 500 7G with Low Frequency of 27 Hz (Compare w/ Reference 3 Meta)


What is the Crossover frequency of KEF Reference 3 Meta?

Reference 3 Meta is a 3-way speaker and its crossover frequency between the woofer and the midrange set to 450Hz and the Crossover frequency between the midrange and the tweeter is set to 2100Hz.

What are the Impedance and Sensitivity of the KEF Reference 3 Meta? Is it an easy-to-drive speaker?

KEF Reference 3 Meta's nominal impedance level is 4 ohms but can go down to as low as 3.2 ohms, and has a sensitivity of 86 dB.

Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
KEF Reference 3 Meta
Min
Average
Max

Nominal Impedance of 4 Ohms means that the KEF Reference 3 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 Reference 3 Meta with an AVR but use an Integrated Amplifier instead.

Sensitivity

With a sensitivity level of only 86 dB, KEF Reference 3 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 speakers.

Minimum Impedance of KEF Reference 3 Meta

Even though the nominal impedance of the Reference 3 Meta is 4 ohms, the minimum impedance level of this speaker according to KEF is 3.2 ohms KEF Reference 3 Meta so while choosing an amplifier, you should ideally check if the unit you are considering can provide this impedance level.

Check the amplifiers that are in a similar price range to the KEF Reference 3 Meta:

  • Integrated Amps under 5000 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 10000 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 20000 USD
  • All Integrated Amplifiers

Input Type

Reference 3 Meta has Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts type connectors and lets bi-amping/bi-wiring. Bi-wiring can provide improvements in the overall transparency of your loudspeakers by running separate speaker wires to the low & high frequency drivers from a single amplifier. Bi-amping allows the use of separate amplifiers for the high & low frequency drivers of your loudspeaker which may result in greater dynamic range & lower distortion.

KEF Reference 3 Meta Back View
KEF Reference 3 Meta Back View

KEF Reference 3 Meta Terminals
KEF Reference 3 Meta's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

KEF Reference 3 Meta External Dimensions and Weight

KEF Reference 3 Meta has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 47.5 x 12.7 x 18.4 in. (1207 x 323 x 467 mm ).

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 Reference 3 Meta is approximately 1508.4cm2 / 233.8inch2.

To get a better perspective on the real life size of KEF Reference 3 Meta, let's compare it with a standard size Compact Disc which has a diameter of 4.7inch (120mm).

KEF Reference 3 Meta Real Life Body Size Comparison
KEF Reference 3 Meta Speaker Size Compared to a Compact Disc

Here we place the KEF Reference 3 Meta virtually next to a standard width amplifier and turntable on a media center to get a better idea about the size.

KEF Reference 3 Meta placed next to a Media Stand
KEF Reference 3 Meta Floor-standing Speaker next to a Media Stand

Weight

The KEF Reference 3 Meta weighs 51.30kg / 112.9lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how Reference 3 Meta's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
KEF Reference 3 Meta
Min
Average
Max
Weight
Floor-standing Speakers under $20000
KEF Reference 3 Meta
Min
Average
Max

How does the KEF Reference 3 Meta compare to the KEF Reference 5 Meta?

One of the natural alternative to the KEF Reference 3 Meta is the Reference 5 Meta which is located one step higher in KEF's Passive Floor-standing selection.

Here is a scaled size comparison of these two speakers to give you an idea how their external dimensions compare:

KEF Reference 3 Meta vs KEF Reference 5 Meta Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of KEF Reference 3 Meta and KEF Reference 5 Meta Size and External Dimensions

Check the Detailed Comparison of KEF Reference 3 Meta vs Reference 5 Meta for more details.

Cabinet type and Materials

KEF Reference 3 Meta has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. Bass Reflex type loudspeakers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.

KEF Reference 3 Meta  Feet
KEF Reference 3 Meta Feet

Port Position

KEF Reference 3 Meta is a rear-firing port speaker so you have to make sure you leave enough space between the back of the speaker and wall or bookshelf so that it has room to breathe.

KEF Reference 3 Meta  Port
KEF Reference 3 Meta Port

Available colors

KEF Reference 3 Meta is available in High-Gloss White/Blue, High-Gloss White/Champagne, High-Gloss Black/Grey, High-Gloss Black/Copper and Satin Walnut/Silver.

KEF Reference 3 Meta  Colors
KEF Reference 3 Meta Colors

User's Manual

For more information about how to setup, use and maintain the KEF Reference 3 Meta, use the direct link below to download the official manual document:
Download User Manual for KEF Reference 3 Meta

Official Brochure

Here is a link to download the official brochure for the KEF Reference 3 Meta speaker:
Official Brochure for KEF Reference 3 Meta

Official Product Page

Official manufacturer's product page for the KEF Reference 3 Meta speaker can be found below:
Official Product Page for KEF Reference 3 Meta

Warranty

5 years of parts warranty and 5 years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.

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KEF Reference 3 Meta  Lifestyle
KEF Reference 3 Meta Lifestyle

KEF Reference 3 Meta Alternatives in Passive Floor-standing Speakers
Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
B&W 702 S3
Compare
3-way 90 dB 8 ohms 46-28k Hz
Wharfedale Elysian 4
Compare
3-way 92 dB 4 ohms 30-22k Hz
B&W 703 S3
Compare
3-way 90 dB 8 ohms 46-28k Hz
ELAC VELA FS 409
Compare
3-way 89 dB 4 ohms 28-50k Hz
B&W 702 S2
Compare
3-way 90 dB 8 ohms 46-28k Hz
JBL HDI-3800
Compare
2-way 92 dB 4 ohms 37-30k Hz
McIntosh XR100
Compare
4-way 87 dB 8 ohms 30-45k Hz
KEF R11
Compare
3-way 90 dB 8 ohms 46-28k Hz
Klipsch Cornwall IV
Compare
3-way 102 dB 8 ohms 34-20k Hz
GoldenEar Triton One.R
Compare
3-way 92 dB 8 ohms 13-35k Hz
Frequently Asked Questions about KEF Reference 3 Meta
What is the External Dimensions of KEF Reference 3 Meta
What is the Speaker Sensitivity of KEF Reference 3 Meta
is the KEF Reference 3 Meta an easy to drive speaker?



KEF Reference 3 Meta Detailed Specifications

General
BrandKEF
Full Model NameKEF Reference 3 Meta
Speaker Type3-way Floor-standing
Power Range50-300 watts
Sensitivity86 dB
Impedance4 ohms
Max SPL113.5 dB
Frequency Response43-35k Hz
DRIVERS
Woofer Size6.5-inch
Woofer Compositionaluminium cone
Woofer SurroundRubber
Tweeter Size1-inch
Tweeter Typealuminium dome with MAT
Midrange Size5-inch
Crossover freq450Hz and 2100Hz
Port Positionrear

CONNECTIONS
Connector TypeCustom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts
Biamp InputsYes
Port Positionrear
PHYSICAL SPECS
Height1207.0mm ( 47.5-inch)
Width323.0mm ( 12.7-inch)
Depth467.0mm ( 18.4-inch)
Height1207.0mm ( 47.5-inch)
Weight51.30kg ( 113.10 lbs)
EnclosureBass Reflex
Available ColorsHigh-Gloss White/Blue, High-Gloss White/Champagne, High-Gloss Black/Grey, High-Gloss Black/Copper, Satin Walnut/Silver
Mounting BracketNo
Moisture ResistanceNo
OTHER
Handheld RemoteNo
Parts Warranty5 years
Labor Warranty5 years
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