The slim and elegant KEF R5 Meta is compact, but it is more than capable of delivering highly detailed sound and deep, clean bass. It boasts the 12^th generation Uni-Q^® driver array with MAT^™ and two 5.25” hybrid aluminium bass drivers. 

The R5 Meta is a three-way design and the slimmest floorstander in 2023’s new R Meta Series. Taking pride of place is KEF’s iconic Uni-Q driver array (which comprises a 25mm aluminium dome tweeter sitting right in the middle of a 12.5cm midrange driver) and then there is two 13cm hybrid aluminium bass drivers. The Uni-Q driver array is now in its 12th generation; it is designed to improve sound dispersion while also acting as a single source point for the high and mid frequencies.

Another key improvement here is the inclusion of the aforementioned MAT (Metamaterial Absorption Technology). After its debut and success with the Award-winning LS50 Meta speakers (which sit below the R Series), it was inevitable that this revamped range would incorporate this MAT technology. MAT is a puck-sized, maze-like plastic structure that sits behind the tweeter and absorbs the unwanted backward radiation from the tweeter into the cabinet. KEF claims that MAT (made up of 30 tubes, each designed to absorb a particular high frequency) absorbs 99 per cent of these distorting sound waves. The result? Less distortion, clearer highs. 

The R5 Meta is the easiest speaker to set up in the tower series. With the smaller woofers and somewhat limited bottom end, it will not interact much with the walls around it, giving you the flexibility to put it closer to a rear wall. If you are putting them into a room larger than around 20-25m sq - we would recommend that you add a subwoofer (or two).

The KEF R5 meta speakers deliver an open sound that seems to present a very wide and detailed soundstage that has a natural tone and a particularly pleaseing mid-range that makes the most out of vocals.

KEF R5 Meta - Specifications

Design Three-way bass reflex
Drive Units 
Uni-Q Driver Array:
  HF: 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT
  MF: 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone
Bass Unit:
  LF: 2 x 130 mm (5.25 in.) hybrid aluminium cone
Crossover Frequency  400 Hz, 2.7 kHz
Frequency Range (-6db)  38 Hz - 50 kHz
Typical In-Room Bass Response (-6db)  29 Hz
Frequency Response (±3db)  52Hz - 28kHz
Harmonic Distortion (90db, 1m)  <1% 75 Hz and above, <0.5% 110 Hz - 20 kHz
Maximum Output  110 dB
Amplifier Requirements  15 - 200W
Nominal Impedance  4 Ω (min. 3.2 Ω)
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)  87 dB
Weight *  24.5 kg (54.0 lbs)
Dimension (H X W X D) with Terminal *  1025 x 175 x 344 mm (40.4 x 6.9 x 13.5 in.)
Dimension (H X W X D) with Terminal with Plinth *1072 x 272 x 344 mm (42.2 x 10.7 x 13.5 in.)

* Measurement per unit