KEF R7 META - PAIR

Kef R7 Meta is the "middle" floorstanding speaker of the brand new Meta R Series. Equipped with 2 x 165mm aluminum bass woofers and the famous Uni-Q coaxial driver – with 125mm midrange and aligned 25mm aluminum dome tweeter – the R7 Meta now finally integrates Metamaterial absorption technology as well, exceeding all expectations and tests in this price range. It is therefore reconfirmed as the ideal choice both for classic "audiophile" stereophonic music listening and in multi-channel systems, to really tremble in front of the vision of the most compelling films...

Description

Kef R7 Meta the best HiFi floorstanding speakers

Kef R7 Meta are the floorstanding HiFi speakers par excellence. Within the legendary and just renewed Kef R Meta series, the R7 Meta are placed exactly in the middle between the entry model R5 and the incredible top of the range Kef R11. While guaranteeing the same ease of insertion into the environment as the more compact model, these R7 Metas have 165 mm woofers that allow them to go even lower, in fact they are able to go down to 33 Hz in this case.

The various loudspeakers in the R Meta range are characterized by the same design, and all are equipped with the same famous Uni-Q mid-high driver, now in its twelfth edition, and also implement the latest generation of Metamaterials technology.

If already with the previous 2021 renewal the Maidstone engineers had made more than 1000 individual changes to the design of these speakers, now with the Meta revolution the result - both aesthetic and sonic - of one of the most popular speaker lines ever is truly obvious.

It is no coincidence that the new Meta R Series draws heavily on the technological innovations that generated the Kef reference series: Reference Meta.

For the first time today, high-end high-end performance is accessible at a fraction of the price at which these performances are usually offered, therefore within the reach of every enthusiast. Kef R7 Meta is to all intents and purposes a High Fidelity floorstanding loudspeaker, like the rest of its series. For excellent sound quality but at a more affordable price, we recommend looking at the Q Series.

The new Meta technology

For over 60 years Kef has set itself the mission of constantly overcoming technological limits to achieve maximum sound quality. In fact, an incredible amount of patents and improvements converge in this renewed R Meta series in order to offer an even deeper and more detailed sound.

Starting from the MAT™ technology which, developed in collaboration with the Acoustic Metamaterials Group, represents tangible proof of the ability of this brand, which is in fact upsetting the acoustic engineering market.

This innovative Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), which is at the heart of the new Meta R-Series, uses a complex labyrinth-like structure to absorb 99% of unwanted resonances originating from the rear of the driver.

This approach is able to eliminate any distortion and vibration, thus returning a much purer and more natural sound than speakers that use different approaches and which can only achieve 60% absorption.

Metamaterials are created from existing materials but specially designed to exhibit unique properties. Among other things, this innovation has allowed Kef to win the What Hi-Fi award as innovation of the year 2020 and to significantly improve the performance of benchmarks such as LS50 Meta and Wireless II, LS60 Wireless, as well as absolute references Kef Blade Meta and Kef Reference Meta.

Now finally, Kef's R series also joins the range of products that offer a sound so faithful that it will make you fall in love with every recording, literally throwing you into your favorite live performances with emotion!

R7 offers the 12th Uni-Q revolution

Inspired by the natural spherical sound emission, the Uni-Q is the hallmark of Kef's typical sonority and consists of a tweeter inserted right in the acoustic center of the cone.

The result is a single body and therefore a single final driver: the frequencies will thus be emitted from the same point in space, allowing the sound to propagate uniformly throughout the room, eliminating the limited concept of "sweet spot".

The Uni-Q® patent design has been researched since 1988 and has also won numerous awards. Today – now in its 12th revision – however, it has been completely redesigned to accommodate the revolutionary MAT™ technology.

First of all, the conical waveguide that couples the dome to the new metamaterial absorber has been redesigned. Now also integrates two rings of porous material to improve detail and clarity.

The new design also continues in the midrange, with a new magnetic motor assembly, now with very low distortion. This allows for a longer driver excursion, effectively broadening the frequency range.

Finally, the wide angular dispersion – which has always been an incredible Kef peculiarity – should not be underestimated.

All of these upgrades deliver an end result that is even more natural sounding, free from coloration, and with remarkable dynamics.

Kef R7 Meta in ambient

For more than six decades, Kef has been dedicated to the pursuit of perfection in high-quality audio reproduction.

Driven by a passion for acoustics, the Maidstone brand has always collaborated with internationally renowned industrial designers to create cutting-edge loudspeakers that combine innovative technologies with an ultra-modern look.

Kef R7 Meta, like the full range, is available in three elegant classic colourways, with all tone-on-tone details, giving this floorstanding speaker a timeless look: Gloss Black, Gloss White and Walnut.

Kef also wanted to create a truly captivating special edition for this R7 Meta finished in Polished Titanium with Red driver, and one for the R3 Meta, with Indigo Gloss finish and gold Uni-Q, which makes the shelf model truly unique .

The size of these speakers, combined with the high-level performance of the low frequencies – possible thanks to the equipment of two 165 mm woofers and the double rear reflex – makes them easy to place in a medium-sized room. However, to give sound to large rooms, we suggest integrating a subwoofer within the set-up to give the "right punch" to your recordings.

R7 Meta are also ideal as front speakers for a high-level surround project. In fact, the R Meta line also includes a Dolby Atmos model and two LCR R2 and R6 Meta speakers, which can be positioned both vertically and horizontally, as central, rear or side channels, to create a tailor-made Home Cinema system!

The new Woofer of the Kef R7 Meta loudspeakers

R7 Meta, compared to the previous R700, from 2018 brings with it completely new woofers. The "punch" is clearly stronger and the control even better. In the new Kef R7 Meta the drivers are able to reproduce exceptionally clean bass and enjoy a truly incredible excursion that guarantees excellent tolerance in pressure and therefore volume variations.

To achieve deep, articulate, powerful but reactive low-frequency performance, Kef has redesigned the structure of the woofer cones, primarily increasing their rigidity and redesigning the baskets. They now also have a completely new motor, with very low distortion, with a further improved magnet system, which thus creates a wider and above all uniform magnetic field.

Neutral and Muted Cabinets

These floorstanding speakers are truly perfect for listening to any type of music: from rock to classical, from jazz to disco. This is because they are characterized by an absolute tonal neutrality, therefore without emphasizing particular frequencies. You will only hear what was recorded, as it was recorded.

This was possible thanks to a new cabinet construction technique – Flexible Decoupling Chassis – which alternates extremely rigid elements with soft internal damping joints, which manage to absorb unwanted vibrations created by the driver motor.

The result is a substantially inert chassis, in which the new woofers and Uni-Q find their ideal location, and which at the same time interacts even less with the environment that hosts it.

Reflex ducts

Another patent widely applied in the reference lines that finds space in these renewed Kef R Meta is the Flexible Port Technology, created using computational fluid dynamics.

The Kef R7 Meta speakers are equipped with two rear reflex ducts with walls with a flexible design, in order to hinder the coloring of the medium frequencies.

The doors have also been placed off axis with respect to the drivers and the profile of each of them is calculated with maximum precision. Thanks to these innovative solutions, the pressure inside the ducts will always be constant at any volume level and frequency, without creating unwanted resonances or turbulence.

The speaker will return the purest sound of the artist to the ear.

Shadow Flare

In the R7 Meta loudspeakers, as in the entire renewed line, Kef has implemented a technology deriving from the first noble Reference Series. Here the famous Tangerine Waveguide, i.e. the waveguide offered by the Uni-Q, is supported by the innovative “Shadow Flare“, the special external ring that seamlessly connects the driver to the rest of the cabinet.

This innovation was wanted and designed for a very specific purpose: to drastically reduce the diffraction effects that are created in a loudspeaker with classic shapes, with edges and corners. The combined use of the latest generation Uni-Q and Shadow Flare allows the English manufacturer to produce an ultra-performing, monolithic and elegant speaker with a modern design.

This allows you to take the sonic realism to the extreme without having to spend follies to create cabinets with elaborate shapes. This way more resources are allocated where the sound is generated.

Kef R7's new patented grills

Patented object, the front grilles of this new Meta R series exploit more than 1800 laser-made holes for each driver and are created by the hot fusion of microfibre and 13 different layers of composite materials. The result is a new type of magnetic protection that doesn't affect the sound at all.

The brand new protective grilles of the R7 Meta are, in themselves, a masterpiece.

Ultra thin, very rigid and elegant, they are tone-on-tone with the finishes of the speaker, effectively revolutionizing the design of speaker protections. A real touch of class in Kef style.

Tried and recommended pairings

The level of neutrality, dynamics and soundstage given by Kef R7 Meta is truly astounding. The enormous angular dispersion ensures that the sound reaches all areas of interest and allows you to hear perfectly not only in a precise point of the room, but in a large area.

In order for the features of this premium speaker to emerge in all their potential, we recommend a good running-in time. Furthermore, to make it express itself at its best, the combination with neutral amplifiers is a truly fundamental aspect. Kef officially offers Hegel amplifications - extensively tested with every speaker of the English brand - featuring good dynamics and above all good current control.

In this case the reference model is the H190, well calibrated on the R7, for those who want a lot of power and listen at high volumes the recommended model becomes the H390 which can give great satisfaction.

Alternatively, the famous Cyrus Hi-Fi amplification is recommended, in this case in the form of the new i9 XR integrated amplifier.

If instead a hyper-connected and modern solution is sought, one could opt for the integrated Lyngdorf TDAI 3400 or Cambrideg Evo 150.

Fine tuning for an exceptional result

Another factor to take into consideration to claim the maximum sound performance from the Kef R7 Meta is undoubtedly the fine tuning!

As far as speaker cables are concerned, Hifight undoubtedly recommends the famous English brand Chord Company. In line with the characteristics of this R7Meta we find the Clearway series, but to really expect high-level performance you have to go up to the Shawline line.

We also recall the role that the positioning of the speakers themselves plays within the environment. And not just position: if you want to enhance the final result of the system, placing the loudspeaker on a set of Gaia II floorstanding loudspeaker decouplers by IsoAcoustics, it will be possible to isolate it from the supporting surface, obtaining – thanks to IsoAcoustics' patented innovations – a deep soundstage, incredible detail and cleaner bass, attenuating reverbs and making the mid-highs much more transparent.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

WEIGHT 29,3 kg per unit

DIMENSION (H X W X D) 1062 x 200 x 384 mm with terminal*

DIMENSION (H X W X D) 1109 x 311 x 384 mm with terminal with plinth*

DESIGN Three-way bass reflex

FREQUENCY RANGE 33 Hz – 50 kHz (-6 dB)

TYPICAL IN-ROOM BASS RESPONSE 27 Hz (-6 dB)

FREQUENCY RESPONSE 48 Hz – 28 KHz (±3 dB)

HARMONIC DISTORTION (90 dB, 1 m) <1% 76 Hz and above; <0,5% 110 Hz – 20 kHz

SENSITIVITY 88 dB

MAXIMUM OUTPUT 111 dB

AMPLIFIER REQUIREMENTS 15 – 250 W

NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 4 Ω (min. 3.2 Ω)

DRIVE UNITS Uni-Q Driver Array: HF: 25 mm vented aluminium dome with MAT, MF: 125 mm aluminium cone

BASS DRIVER LF: 2 x 165 mm hybrid aluminium cone

CROSSOVER FREQUENCY 400 Hz, 2.4 kHz