Short answer: the KEF R5 for value, the Blade Two Meta for point-source precision. The Blade’s four 6.5in mid-bass drivers flank a coincident mid/tweeter for matched ~50 degree horizontal and vertical dispersion, with a 2dB dip and slight resonance around 200Hz. The R5 is a slim three-way tower whose Uni-Q off-axis responses track the direct sound smoothly, but its 77Hz F3 against 33Hz F10 means a gradual bass contour; add a subwoofer and roughly 80Hz high-pass.
Buy the KEF Blade Two Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality; the KEF R5 is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Blade Two Meta | KEF R5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $28,000 per pair only sold in stores | $2,999 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #2 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #22 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 77Hz (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) | 40.4”H x 6.9”W x 13.5”D |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 3.5 ohms minimum near 150Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| 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” aluminum tweeter coaxial with 5” midrange; dual 5.25” woofers |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 79.4 lbs (36 kg) each | 59.5 lbs (27 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.99 | 5.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.11 | 7.40 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for KEF Blade Two Meta:
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs KEF Blade Two Meta
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- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Revel F328Be
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The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Blade Two Meta: $28,000 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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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 | 6.99 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.11 |
| 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 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 Revel F328Be
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Magico S5 2024
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs KEF R5 Meta
- See all 37 comparisons
KEF R5: $2,999 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: Slim three-way tower with the acoustic advantages of KEF’s coincident Uni-Q midrange/tweeter: horizontal and vertical off-axis responses track the direct sound smoothly, producing stable imaging and a well-behaved directivity index. Erin measured deep low-frequency reach for the cabinet width (77Hz F3 but 33Hz F10) and less than 1% harmonic distortion at 86dB. At 96dB it remains clean when high-passed, and its mild response deviations are suitable for equalization because the radiation pattern stays orderly. Measured bass extension of 77Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: The unusual gap between 77Hz F3 and 33Hz F10 indicates a gradual bass contour rather than flat deep-bass output; a subwoofer and roughly 80Hz high-pass are recommended for high-level playback. Erin measured a minimum near 3.5 ohms around 150Hz, although most of the curve remains above 4 ohms, so amplifier quality still matters. Sensitivity is approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m. At 102dB, compression reaches roughly 1dB around 150Hz, showing the limits of the twin 5.25-inch woofers. This original model lacks the Meta version’s MAT rear-wave absorption. Discontinued.
Full KEF R5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.4”H x 6.9”W x 13.5”D |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum tweeter coaxial with 5” midrange; dual 5.25” woofers |
| Impedance | Approximately 3.5 ohms minimum near 150Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.40 |
| Weight | 59.5 lbs (27 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons