Short answer: the KEF Blade Two Meta for better sound quality, the KEF R5 Meta for the lower price. The KEF Blade Two Meta ranks #2 of 56 floorstanding speakers at $28000. The KEF R5 Meta ranks #8 at $3999.99, $24000.01 cheaper.
What the KEF Blade Two Meta gets right: 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. The catch: 2dB dip and slight resonance around 200Hz, also visible in KEF white paper and likely cabinet-related.
What the KEF R5 Meta offers: 12th generation 5” Uni-Q coaxial driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) delivers remarkably smooth, controlled horizontal (±50°) and vertical directivity with near-identical off-axis tracking. Watch for: Low-frequency extension (F3 of 52Hz, F10 of 38Hz) requires pairing with a dedicated subwoofer crossed over at 80Hz for high-output home theater or bass-heavy music performance.
Buy the KEF Blade Two Meta if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the KEF R5 Meta if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Blade Two Meta | KEF R5 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $28000 only sold in stores | $3,999.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #2 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #8 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 52Hz (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) | 42.2"H x 10.7"W x 13.6"D (1073 x 273 x 346 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal |
| 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 | 1 in. vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT, 5 in. aluminum cone midrange, two 5.25 in. hybrid aluminum cone woofers |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 79.4 lbs / 36 kg each | 54 lbs / 24.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Revel F328Be vs JBL 4367
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs Revel F328Be
- MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition vs Revel F328Be
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs JBL HDI-3800
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs KEF R5
The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Blade Two Meta: $28000 only sold in stores
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.
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) |
| Weight | 79.4 lbs / 36 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs GR-Research NX-Treme
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs JBL HDI-3800
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Revel F328Be
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs KEF R5
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Revel F226Be
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs JBL 4367
- See all 12 comparisons
KEF R5 Meta: $3,999.99 Discontinued
Pros: 12th generation 5” Uni-Q coaxial driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) delivers remarkably smooth, controlled horizontal (±50°) and vertical directivity with near-identical off-axis tracking. Exceptional frequency response linearity through the midrange and treble that takes extremely well to minor parametric EQ adjustments. Constrained Layer Damping cabinet construction and flexible rear ports minimize enclosure resonances and port turbulence. Deliberately tuned low-frequency roll-off profile permits boundary-adjacent room placement near front walls without boomy acoustic buildup.
Cons: Low-frequency extension (F3 of 52Hz, F10 of 38Hz) requires pairing with a dedicated subwoofer crossed over at 80Hz for high-output home theater or bass-heavy music performance. High-frequency radiation above 7kHz shows a mild on-axis taper (1-2dB downward slope), performing best when listened to 10-20° off-axis. Moderate sensitivity (~86dB SPL average) requires a clean, robust 4-ohm capable amplifier to drive high dynamic peaks without clipping. Discontinued.
Full KEF R5 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 42.2"H x 10.7"W x 13.6"D (1073 x 273 x 346 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1 in. vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT, 5 in. aluminum cone midrange, two 5.25 in. hybrid aluminum cone woofers |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 54 lbs / 24.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons