It’s crazy how the most affordable line is the most enjoyable, but I know what you mean. For casual listening the q series might be enough for most of us, but the ceiling is what it is. We’re paying for better cabinets, and parts that give the R and reference line a higher ceiling with wider bandwidth and higher spl with less distortion. Unfortunately the tighter the tolerance the more demanding of source.
There’s another reason…personally I get used to the brain rattling bass coming from my pickup stereo and booming midbass is fun. Klipsch are really fun.
|
I’ve heard the Golden Ear BRX. Fantastic monitor.
The new speaker by Luca Chesky is getting rave reviews.
|
If Best Buy was switching speakers through a patch panel, I'd consider the audition to be an entertainment, nothing more. Better would be moving each pair to the same locations, hooking them to the same equipment, and playing the same music. That's still not ideal, as some speakers sound different with different placement, with different amps, etc.
The optimum method for you would be to purchase multiple pairs and try them at your home. Then you can see how they sound with the gear you have, and in your room setup.
|
I haven’t heard the SVS but it is well enough reviewed to warrant a listen. The B&W is a good sounding speaker, especially with tubes and an analog front end. If you shared more info about your musical tastes, the room dimensions and the rest of your gear we could take a better whack at it. No matter what tho, you have to go listen to them. Personally, I think that’s the best part.
|
+1 on R11’s. I drive mine with the Moon 330A.
Open AI thoughts.
The KEF R11 Meta is the flagship floor‑standing model of KEF’s R Series, designed to bring Reference‑level technology into a more approachable price segment.
🔍 Key Features
- 12th‑generation Uni‑Q® coaxial driver with “Shadow Flare” waveguide for wide, coherent sound dispersion and pinpoint imaging
- Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT™) that absorbs ~99% of unwanted resonances for cleaner, more natural sound .
- Four 6.5″ hybrid aluminum bass drivers for tight, punchy low end with ample power and control .
- Three‑way, five‑driver design with crossovers at 400 Hz and 2.9 kHz; ported enclosure, 4 Ω impedance, 90 dB sensitivity. Dimensions: approx. 51″ × 12″ × 15″; ~80 lb each .
🏆 Acclaim & Performance
- EISA Best High‑End Loudspeaker 2023‑24 .
- SoundStage! Hi‑Fi review: “textbook‑accurate frequency response, punchy extended fast bass, midrange transparency … imaging outstanding … a steal at $4,999” .
- The Absolute Sound praised its neutrality: “top‑to‑bottom coherence… sounded less like boxes … more like music itself” .
- Reddit users note “massive soundstage,” precise mid/treble, clean bass; impressive at low volumes but may require wall spacing adjustment .
💬 User Feedback
- “Absolutely fabulous … excel on classical music … no listening fatigue” — Best Buy review .
- Audiogon and StereoNET threads echo that bass and imaging are exceptional, though in very large rooms some users almost opt for KEF Reference models .
🛋️ Who They’re For
- Enthusiasts seeking reference-level performance without breaking the bank.
- Ideal for medium to large listening rooms, especially when positioned a few feet from walls.
- Suitable for high‑end stereo music listening and home cinema setups, with optional matching center/surround models available.
💵 Pricing Snapshot
- MSRP: $3,499.99 each (~$7,000 pair) .
- Retailers sometimes offer pair discounts to $6,500–$7,000, and open‑box deals can dip to $3,000/pair .
🎯 Bottom Line
The KEF R11 Meta packs value-packed flagship features—MAT™, 12th-gen Uni‑Q with Shadow Flare, punchy quad-woofer bass—into a beautiful, award-winning package. Reviews and user impressions highlight its neutrality, clarity, imaging, and fatigue-free listening. If you have the space and budget for serious floorstanders, these are hard to beat for under $8K pair.
|
