Brilliant video comparison. Very useful to see these two together. I definitely agree after watching this and my own experience that the r3 meta is definitely the better speaker.
Thank you for making this review with a demo included and not just a solo demo, but a comparison demo. It seems like there are not a lot of actual demos to hear the Qseries. I have heard the r series and based off of that, I ordered the Q11s and Q6 center.
I like what you're doing here. I enjoy your objective and subjective take on reviews. The consistent sound clips are the icing on the cake for tonal differences and entertainment.
That's awesome man, thanks. I use the marantz cinema 30 + a rotel RB-1590 with the marantz as the front end and then take them into the bedroom and hook them up to the Denon AVR-X3500H to see how they sound on something less powerful and high end.
I flicked back and forth listening for the subtle difference between the two.AWESOME ..big thanks ..thumbs up from me.Have owned the R3s for a short time ...what a legendary speaker,but my heart sank when the Q was released...such a price difference.....I procrastinated buying the R3 Meta for 12 months ,in Australia cost $3990.00. R3 Meta are worth it.....the seemingly small difference is huge to me ,that is what I enjoy ,the true complete sound ,the detail ,the tone .I sit with eyes closed and listen for all the details I have missed from my Albums I have listened to for years.The Hegal 590 a perfect amp match...I think.Cheers for doing this comparison the way you did.
Thatks for the positive feedback, I feel the exact same way, Some people think that the difference in performance doesn't justify the difference in price but that is 100% up to what your budget allows. If you have the money and getting the best performance matters to you than it's worth it.
It'll be R3 Metas for me, after watching this vid. The only thing left now it to determine if there're any other speakers around that price range to consider. May consider stepping up to the PS Audio FR5. A giant deciding factor will be, as you put it, the precision of the imaging, and the ability of the speakers to disappear.
I know the finger prints on the gloss finish is a big issue for many, but honestly once I found the proper setup for them I never touch them unless I’m dusting them
@ Hold on… that’s this video isn’t? Did I make the same mistake you made and think the black ones were metas? Lol So basically bass is even on all 3, both R3s are a little better than the Concertos (Concerti?) in the mids & trebles and the R3M is best overall but only by a hair, yes?
Although prob. not the best acoustic environment, for me its clear the R3 easily takes the cake. However, the Concerto did not disappoint, but in A/B it sounds more restricted and/or less 'easy'.
Great review. I was able to get a brand new indigo gloss r3 meta for less than the price of the concertos, so it was a no-brainer for me. Used the savings to splurge on their overpriced stands. 😆
How does this fit into a more surround oriented buy? I got the concertos for surround left and right but the R3s are clearly better. Or doesn’t it matter that much for surround?
Yeah you can use the R3 Metas up front and the Concerto Metas as surrounds, the fact that they aren't from the same series is no big deal, the sound profile is similar enough.
I didn't think there would be such a huge difference in sound. The R3 Meta was very natural and articulate. The Concerto seemed more muted and oddly I thought I heard more reverb. But it would have been interesting to have a blind AB hearing test.
watch erin's audio review. It's very very close. Also darko audio (but he's a bit inaccurate at times). These audio clips over youtube compressed to what 128kbps is god awful. And they have to be pointed directly at the mic/not great since we are binaural
Exactly. His and other measurements don’t show a big difference. Sighted bias may be playing a role here. Haven’t heard anyone say the differences are large. I think KEF is planning an upgrade to the R3 and maybe at the point the differences will show up more in measurements.
I agree with your assessment. I'm a LS50 OG owner and have been eyeing the R3M. My local bestbuy had the Concertos and R3M side by side and was able to swith back and forth through the playlist. The R3's were better in every way which to me makes sense considering the price difference. Perhaps if I heard the Concertos by itself but after AB comparisons I can't unhear. I disagree with Darkos review of the Concertos being as highly regarded as the R3.
Thank you very much for your video, with what integrated amplifier and cables do you try the speakers? For me, If i have the money I just start with the Q concerto for one year, next year buy the R3 meta. I actually have the Elac Unifi UB52, its a great bookshelft speaker when you use a subwoofer.
both speakers would work great on an M1 the specs say they are both 4 Ohms and the concerto says 85db sensitive while the R3 is 87db so the R3 is a tiny bit easier to drive but it's not much of a difference.
I def love the R3 and the rest of the Rx series but the new kef Q3 and series are such a good deal if you’re building out more than just a 2 channel system. If it’s just the 2 speakers, def like the R3 better. But you’re basically 90% of R series with the new Q series (again, thinking of a 5.1.4 system and up). Maybe add some “no rez” for the concertos etc. 🎉
use a frequency generator to run a 22hz tone and then crawl around the room while the sub is in you listening position and where ever you are when the bass sounds best is where you put your sub.
Also, one correction: like the R3 Metas, the Q Concerto Meta bass drivers also come with KEF's hybrid aluminum cones, which is aluminum with a paper backing. You seemed to indicate that they are aluminum only.
I had a hard time really hearing the difference. I'm sure there is but on RUclips on my TV I couldn't tell. The more expensive Meta looks a little nicer, but I would definitely have to hear them in person. Price wise they have other speakers to compete with. I think for $2400 you can get jtr speakers.
Unless my ears and mind are decieving me, I hear a better output from the R3 Meta. They are closer then their price may suggest. The Q's sound even closer in the rockier tunes. What Amp was driving them?
The R5 should sound better, it has a narrower baffle so it may have wider sound stage, it has 2 5.25" woofers instead of 1 6.5 so it is a little more efficient so it should be more dynamic and should play a little deeper.
from what i hear- and your room is definitely not the best- the Q is a bit too subdued in the highs for my taste. Also not to mention the finish on the R3- no comparison.
I have to stop watching your channel because it makes me want to spend more money. Listening through my cheap computer speakers I had a hard time telling a difference. I would be very happy with the Q Concerto Meta's because it would be light years ahead of what I have now. If you keep comparing to more expensive speakers where do you stop? Before you know it you've spent $20,000 on a pair of bookshelf speakers.
There is a point of diminishing returns though so just spend what you budget allows. Reviews for cars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis get millions of views but very few of those viewers are actually buying one.
Never seen this reviewer. Is he blind? I ask because of the lack of eye contact. Not being mean, just curious. He's got the stats memorized incredibly well. Good review! 👍
@@AV-Obsessed Sorry for your condition, and you will have to forgive my ignorance with its effects and more specifically, how it effects you, but you should really try to find a way to practice and make it work. It distracts from the professionalism and otherwise quality content. I'd love to see your channel thrive, and please take this as the supportive comment that it is intended, because to a passing viewer it would appear as though you were reading a script that is for some inexplicable reason 3 feet to the side of the camera. If you are unable to know the position of your eyes while recording due to your condition, try placing a marker to the left of camera and do a short recording, watch the playback and see where that puts your eyes. Adjust that marker until it has you staring into the camera appropriately. Hope that helps and looking forward to new content regardless!
You are fast becoming my favourite Speaker reviewer. Good job, well done.
Brilliant video comparison. Very useful to see these two together.
I definitely agree after watching this and my own experience that the r3 meta is definitely the better speaker.
Thank you for making this review with a demo included and not just a solo demo, but a comparison demo. It seems like there are not a lot of actual demos to hear the Qseries. I have heard the r series and based off of that, I ordered the Q11s and Q6 center.
I like what you're doing here. I enjoy your objective and subjective take on reviews. The consistent sound clips are the icing on the cake for tonal differences and entertainment.
Thank you so much. Love reading such positive feedback.
Y@@AV-Obsessed Of course man. what electronics are you using to review speakers?
@@AV-Obsessed I shared your Keff vs Elac D3 comparison on a cheap audio man group that i'm a part of to get you more exposure.
That's awesome man, thanks. I use the marantz cinema 30 + a rotel RB-1590 with the marantz as the front end and then take them into the bedroom and hook them up to the Denon AVR-X3500H to see how they sound on something less powerful and high end.
I flicked back and forth listening for the subtle difference between the two.AWESOME ..big thanks ..thumbs up from me.Have owned the R3s for a short time ...what a legendary speaker,but my heart sank when the Q was released...such a price difference.....I procrastinated buying the R3 Meta for 12 months ,in Australia cost $3990.00.
R3 Meta are worth it.....the seemingly small difference is huge to me ,that is what I enjoy ,the true complete sound ,the detail ,the tone .I sit with eyes closed and listen for all the details I have missed from my Albums I have listened to for years.The Hegal 590 a perfect amp match...I think.Cheers for doing this comparison the way you did.
Thatks for the positive feedback, I feel the exact same way, Some people think that the difference in performance doesn't justify the difference in price but that is 100% up to what your budget allows. If you have the money and getting the best performance matters to you than it's worth it.
Great review! Thanks for sharing.
It'll be R3 Metas for me, after watching this vid. The only thing left now it to determine if there're any other speakers around that price range to consider. May consider stepping up to the PS Audio FR5. A giant deciding factor will be, as you put it, the precision of the imaging, and the ability of the speakers to disappear.
I know the finger prints on the gloss finish is a big issue for many, but honestly once I found the proper setup for them I never touch them unless I’m dusting them
Agreed, people talk about it like it is a big deal but it's not. just some pledge and a microfiber cloth once in a while.
I have some Polk LS90 towers with the gloss dark red finish and they look amazing. Once setup I only touch them to dust them.
But are the non meta R3s also a significant improvement over the Q Concertos?!
I have a video comparing the two before I realized the gloss black speakers weren't "Meta" and did like them better but not by a huge margin.
@ Hold on… that’s this video isn’t? Did I make the same mistake you made and think the black ones were metas? Lol
So basically bass is even on all 3, both R3s are a little better than the Concertos (Concerti?) in the mids & trebles and the R3M is best overall but only by a hair, yes?
Although prob. not the best acoustic environment, for me its clear the R3 easily takes the cake. However, the Concerto did not disappoint, but in A/B it sounds more restricted and/or less 'easy'.
Great review. I was able to get a brand new indigo gloss r3 meta for less than the price of the concertos, so it was a no-brainer for me. Used the savings to splurge on their overpriced stands. 😆
Already bought the Q Concerto Meta's but wish I had saved up for the R3 Meta after hearing the difference.
How does this fit into a more surround oriented buy? I got the concertos for surround left and right but the R3s are clearly better. Or doesn’t it matter that much for surround?
Yeah you can use the R3 Metas up front and the Concerto Metas as surrounds, the fact that they aren't from the same series is no big deal, the sound profile is similar enough.
I didn't think there would be such a huge difference in sound. The R3 Meta was very natural and articulate. The Concerto seemed more muted and oddly I thought I heard more reverb. But it would have been interesting to have a blind AB hearing test.
watch erin's audio review. It's very very close. Also darko audio (but he's a bit inaccurate at times). These audio clips over youtube compressed to what 128kbps is god awful. And they have to be pointed directly at the mic/not great since we are binaural
Exactly. His and other measurements don’t show a big difference. Sighted bias may be playing a role here. Haven’t heard anyone say the differences are large. I think KEF is planning an upgrade to the R3 and maybe at the point the differences will show up more in measurements.
I agree with your assessment. I'm a LS50 OG owner and have been eyeing the R3M. My local bestbuy had the Concertos and R3M side by side and was able to swith back and forth through the playlist. The R3's were better in every way which to me makes sense considering the price difference. Perhaps if I heard the Concertos by itself but after AB comparisons I can't unhear. I disagree with Darkos review of the Concertos being as highly regarded as the R3.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much for your video, with what integrated amplifier and cables do you try the speakers? For me, If i have the money I just start with the Q concerto for one year, next year buy the R3 meta. I actually have the Elac Unifi UB52, its a great bookshelft speaker when you use a subwoofer.
I am powering the speakers with the Marantz cinema 30 and the cables I made myself.
Clarity, like detailed, is not (only) tonality/frequency related. Quality of filter components do matter a lot on this level.
Which one is easier to handle, and which one would fit better with the Marantz model M1?
both speakers would work great on an M1 the specs say they are both 4 Ohms and the concerto says 85db sensitive while the R3 is 87db so the R3 is a tiny bit easier to drive but it's not much of a difference.
Can you do a video of the cantons please
I def love the R3 and the rest of the Rx series but the new kef Q3 and series are such a good deal if you’re building out more than just a 2 channel system. If it’s just the 2 speakers, def like the R3 better. But you’re basically 90% of R series with the new Q series (again, thinking of a 5.1.4 system and up). Maybe add some “no rez” for the concertos etc. 🎉
Thoughts on the SB4000, or is that the SB16? I just got a pair of the SB4000s, and currently dialing them in.
It's the SB-4000 and it is great. So much output, fast and clean.
Wish I had the space for 2 of them!
@AV-Obsessed Ya it seems to slap pretty hard. Need to find the best spots in the room for them as the current location has a bad 22 hz suck out.
use a frequency generator to run a 22hz tone and then crawl around the room while the sub is in you listening position and where ever you are when the bass sounds best is where you put your sub.
Also, one correction: like the R3 Metas, the Q Concerto Meta bass drivers also come with KEF's hybrid aluminum cones, which is aluminum with a paper backing. You seemed to indicate that they are aluminum only.
I guess it did sound like I was saying that but I meant it's a normal surround not the inverted surround.
I had a hard time really hearing the difference. I'm sure there is but on RUclips on my TV I couldn't tell. The more expensive Meta looks a little nicer, but I would definitely have to hear them in person. Price wise they have other speakers to compete with. I think for $2400 you can get jtr speakers.
teah, try watching on your phone and using headphones.
Concerto Meta or POLK R200?
Good Question, I haven't heard the Polk Reserve series but I know it has been well reviewed.
For the money do the q concerto dissapear?
not as well as the R3 but if they are positioned right and you close your eyes.
Unless my ears and mind are decieving me, I hear a better output from the R3 Meta. They are closer then their price may suggest. The Q's sound even
closer in the rockier tunes. What Amp was driving them?
They are very close but yes the output from the R3s is better and the amp is the Marantz cinema 30.
What do you think would sound better out of the R3 Meta and the R5 meta?
The R5 should sound better, it has a narrower baffle so it may have wider sound stage, it has 2 5.25" woofers instead of 1 6.5 so it is a little more efficient so it should be more dynamic and should play a little deeper.
KEF R3 Meta Indigo Gloss is my dream! But they never discounted, also dislike finish of Q Concerto
Ps Bas seems to come from one side! Both speakers!
Not hearing that myself.
3rd song def. bass is panned left.
@@34332i completely agree with you. It’s obvious with headphone and the room is clearly the reason of that
R3 meta, much better build quality.
wow that is a long intro
from what i hear- and your room is definitely not the best- the Q is a bit too subdued in the highs for my taste. Also not to mention the finish on the R3- no comparison.
yeah, I really need some acoustic treatment for my room
I have to stop watching your channel because it makes me want to spend more money. Listening through my cheap computer speakers I had a hard time telling a difference. I would be very happy with the Q Concerto Meta's because it would be light years ahead of what I have now. If you keep comparing to more expensive speakers where do you stop? Before you know it you've spent $20,000 on a pair of bookshelf speakers.
There is a point of diminishing returns though so just spend what you budget allows. Reviews for cars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis get millions of views but very few of those viewers are actually buying one.
anal about the finish...peel it off? otherwise good review
Never seen this reviewer. Is he blind? I ask because of the lack of eye contact. Not being mean, just curious. He's got the stats memorized incredibly well. Good review! 👍
I am actually mostly blind I have no central vision only on the edges.
@@AV-Obsessed You're awesome dude !!!!!
You need to learn to keep your eyeline with the camera. NOT, whatever is off to your right.
That is really hard to do with my Stargardt disease (eye condition)
@@AV-Obsessed Sorry for your condition, and you will have to forgive my ignorance with its effects and more specifically, how it effects you, but you should really try to find a way to practice and make it work. It distracts from the professionalism and otherwise quality content. I'd love to see your channel thrive, and please take this as the supportive comment that it is intended, because to a passing viewer it would appear as though you were reading a script that is for some inexplicable reason 3 feet to the side of the camera. If you are unable to know the position of your eyes while recording due to your condition, try placing a marker to the left of camera and do a short recording, watch the playback and see where that puts your eyes. Adjust that marker until it has you staring into the camera appropriately. Hope that helps and looking forward to new content regardless!