The KEF R5 Meta is the most compact floorstander in the R Series, sitting below the three-way R7 Meta and the flagship R11 Meta in KEF's performance speaker hierarchy. Despite its slim footprint, the R5 Meta is a fully-fledged three-way bass reflex design, built around KEF's 12th-generation Uni-Q driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT).
Uni-Q with MAT
At the heart of the R5 Meta is KEF's Uni-Q driver array, which places a 25 mm vented aluminium dome tweeter concentrically within a 125 mm aluminium midrange cone. This single-point-source arrangement enlarges the listening sweet spot and disperses sound more evenly throughout the room, so the tonal balance remains consistent regardless of seating position.
The tweeter incorporates Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), a maze-like structure that absorbs 99% of unwanted sound from the rear of the dome. By eliminating this residual energy before it can reflect back through the diaphragm, MAT delivers a purer, more natural high-frequency response with reduced distortion and colouration.
Bass Performance
Two 130 mm hybrid aluminium bass drivers are mounted below the Uni-Q array, providing extended low-frequency reach in a cabinet that measures just 175 mm wide. The hybrid aluminium construction combines rigidity with controlled damping for tight, deep bass with greater driver excursion than conventional designs. In-room bass response extends down to 29 Hz at the −6 dB point, giving the R5 Meta genuine authority in the low registers despite its compact dimensions.
Cabinet & Design
The R5 Meta ships with a removable plinth and spike accessories for stability, plus port bungs to fine-tune bass response in different room positions. A precision-cut microfibre grille is included, designed to maintain acoustic performance when fitted. Available in Gloss Black, Gloss White, and Walnut finishes, the R5 Meta suits a wide range of interiors and works equally well as a stereo pair or as part of a surround-sound system built around the R Series range.
| Design | Three-way bass reflex |
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| Uni-Q Driver | 25 mm vented aluminium dome tweeter (with MAT) + 125 mm aluminium midrange |
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| Bass Drivers | 2 × 130 mm hybrid aluminium cone |
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| Frequency Response (±3 dB) | 52 Hz – 28 kHz |
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| Frequency Range (−6 dB) | 38 Hz – 50 kHz |
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| In-Room Bass Response (−6 dB) | 29 Hz |
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| Crossover Frequencies | 400 Hz, 2.7 kHz |
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| Sensitivity | 87 dB (2.83V / 1m) |
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| Nominal Impedance | 4 Ω (minimum 3.2 Ω) |
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| Amplifier Requirements | 15–200 W |
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| Maximum Output | 110 dB |
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| Harmonic Distortion (90 dB, 1m) | <1% (75 Hz+), <0.5% (110 Hz – 20 kHz) |
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| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 1025 × 175 × 344 mm |
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| Weight | 24.5 kg (per speaker) |
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| Also Available As | Gloss Black, Gloss White, Walnut |
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