Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Treme for open-baffle soundstaging, the KEF Blade Two Meta for a point-source coaxial design. The NX-Treme’s open baffle radiates in all directions for a huge soundstage, but it is very tall and needs a GR-Research open baffle subwoofer on each side. The Blade Two Meta surrounds a coincident mid/tweeter with four 6.5-inch mid-bass drivers, though it shows a 2dB dip and slight resonance around 200Hz.
On the GR-Research NX-Treme side: Amazing in terms of soundstage and imaging as the speaker can radiate in all directions and not have internal reflections due to there not. The catch: Very tall and will require GR-Research open baffle subwoofers one on each side.
The case for the KEF Blade Two Meta: True point-source coaxial design (four 6.5in mid-bass drivers flanking a coincident mid/tweeter) with matched ~50 degree horizontal. Set against that: 2dB dip and slight resonance around 200Hz, also visible in KEF white paper and likely cabinet-related.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Treme. It ranks higher for sound quality than the KEF Blade Two Meta and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research NX-Treme | KEF Blade Two Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9662 per pair for the kit with subs (assembly required) | $28000 per pair only sold in stores |
| Ranked | #1 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #2 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | <20Hz (With GR-Research open baffle subwoofers) | 31Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 85"H x 17"W x 20"D (2159 x 431.8 x 508 mm) (plus a subwoofer on each side) | 46.6"H x 13.5"W x 14.8"D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | Eight 6.5" M165 open baffle woofer, Two 6.5" M165NQ open baffle midrange, GR Neo 3 Magnetic planar open baffle tweeter; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers | 4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone, force cancelling woofers, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 94.5dB | 86.8dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | open baffle | ported, rear |
| Weight | (35.3 lbs (16 kg)) | 79.4 lbs (36 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 26Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 6.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.37 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for GR-Research NX-Treme:
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs Revel F328Be
- JBL Studio 698 vs GR-Research NX-Treme
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs Revel Concerta2 F35
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
GR-Research NX-Treme: $9662 per pair for the kit with subs (assembly required) Gr-research eBay
Pros: Amazing in terms of soundstage and imaging as the speaker can radiate in all directions and not have internal reflections due to there not being a speaker box. One of the highest sensitivity speakers around. Open baffle mids, highs and bass (using GR-Research Open baffle subs). If you have not heard open baffle bass, you must hear it in person, there’s no going back. Amazing in terms of imaging as the speaker can radiate in all directions and not have internal reflections due to there not being a speaker box. Can easily be driven by tube amps due to the mild impedance. Measured bass extension of <20Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Very tall and will require GR-Research open baffle subwoofers one on each side
Full GR-Research NX-Treme review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | <20Hz (With GR-Research open baffle subwoofers) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 85"H x 17"W x 20"D (2159 x 431.8 x 508 mm) (plus a subwoofer on each side) |
| Drivers | Eight 6.5" M165 open baffle woofer, Two 6.5" M165NQ open baffle midrange, GR Neo 3 Magnetic planar open baffle tweeter; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94.5dB |
| Weight | (35.3 lbs (16 kg)) |
| Woofer Cabinet | open baffle |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KEF Blade Two Meta: $28000 per pair only sold in stores eBay
Pros: True point-source coaxial design (four 6.5in mid-bass drivers flanking a coincident mid/tweeter) with matched ~50 degree horizontal and vertical dispersion, unusual for a multi-driver speaker. Fully rounded, edgeless cabinet eliminates baffle diffraction. Frequency response holds within about 2.5dB across the listening window. Extremely low harmonic and multitone distortion even at 96dB, with under 0.5dB of compression at full output, rivaling the Reference 1 Meta and JBL 4367 in dynamic range. Reviewer described the imaging and soundstage depth as revealing recording details other speakers he tested (PS Audio FR10, MoFi SourcePoint 8, Neumann KH80) masked. Available in any custom finish at no extra charge. Measured bass extension of 31Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.8dB.
Cons: 2dB dip and slight resonance around 200Hz, also visible in KEF white paper and likely cabinet-related. Bass rolls off fairly quickly below its 31Hz F3. Horizontal dispersion (~50 degrees) is narrower than the reviewer preferred 70-80 degrees; benefits from toeing out 10-20 degrees to open soundstage without losing image focus. Needs a separate power amp, not AVR-friendly.
Full KEF Blade Two Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 46.6"H x 13.5"W x 14.8"D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone, force cancelling woofers, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.37 |
| Weight | 79.4 lbs (36 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs JBL HDI-3800
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Revel F328Be
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs KEF R5 Meta
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs KEF R5
- See all 35 comparisons