Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Studio for a clean waterfall, the KEF Reference 1 Meta for resonator technology. The NX-Studio’s burst decay plot is ultra clean, though its sealed enclosure means bass is tight rather than deep. The Reference 1 Meta places a Helmholtz-style resonator behind the tweeter to absorb rear-radiated resonance, but it costs far more than the similarly sized KEF R3 and its radiation narrows from about ±60° to ±50°.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Studio. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $6,369.98 less than the KEF Reference 1 Meta.
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Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research NX-Studio | KEF Reference 1 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3630 per pair | $9999.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #3 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 18”H x 8.5”W x 15.5”D (457.2 x 215.9 x 393.7 mm) | 17.3”H x 8.1”W x 16.6”D (439.4 x 205.7 x 421.6 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 2.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | 82.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | GR-Research M165NQ 6.5” paper cone, non-resonant polymer frame, copper shorting rings and aluminum phase plug sealed enclosure woofer, GR-Research Neo3 Planar Magnetic Ribbon open baffle tweeter | 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Weight | 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg) each | 40.1 lbs (18.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | ported, rear |
| DIY Kit | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 6.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 8.29 |
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