Short answer: the KEF R11 Meta. It ranks #44 of 188 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $6,999.98. The Focal Aria Evo X N°2 ranks #136, rated 3.7/5, at $4,798, $2,201.98 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The KEF R11 Meta is the more accurate option. CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response with good directivity and very deep bass extension (F10 of 30Hz). Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.91 against 4.88 for the Focal Aria Evo X N°2. Watch for: A dip around 1-1.2kHz on-axis is attributed to a diffraction effect, and shows up as a smaller dip in the predicted in-room response.
The Focal Aria Evo X N°2 is the deeper-bass pick. Solid bass with a deliberate mid-bass bump (80-120Hz) that gives extra thump and weight, extending to about 40-50Hz in-room. Its bass reaches about 50Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the KEF R11 Meta. The tradeoff: Sounds very bright pointed directly at the listener: the tweeter comes in 5-6dB above the midrange with an unusually wide, roughly two-octave dip (1kHz-4kHz) leading into it, giving a laid-back, low-attack character even after toeing out ~20 degrees.
Buy the KEF R11 Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $2,201.98 with the Focal Aria Evo X N°2 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF R11 Meta | Focal Aria Evo X N°2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6,999.98 per pair | $4,798 per pair |
| Ranked | #44 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #136 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 51”H x 12.2”W x 15.1”D (1295.4 x 309.9 x 383.5 mm) | 40.7”H x 14.6”W x 11.6”D (1035 x 371 x 294 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (2.9 ohms minimum, Manufacturer specified; 3.4 ohms minimum measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) hybrid aluminium cone woofers, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | Aluminum-magnesium inverted dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” flax midrange, dual 6.5” flax midbass woofers |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB | 88.2dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 91.5dB Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 80.5 lbs (36.5 kg) each | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | 3-way, bass reflex (bottom-firing port, requires plinth) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.91 | 4.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.32 | 6.82 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 40-250W |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
KEF R11 Meta: $6,999.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the KEF R11 (ranked lower, estimated 4.3/5).
Same family: the KEF R3 Meta (bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the KEF R5 Meta (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5), the KEF R7 Meta (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.6/5), the KEF R2 Meta (smaller center, rated 4.3/5) and the KEF R6 Meta (larger center, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response with good directivity and very deep bass extension (F10 of 30Hz). Predicted in-room response is very smooth aside from the small 1-1.5kHz dip. The coaxial Uni-Q driver gives excellent, symmetric vertical directivity, unusual for a tower speaker. Distortion is incredibly low even down to 30Hz at 86dB SPL/1m, and stays low even at 96dB and 102dB SPL/1m: the reviewer found essentially no audible tonality change across that whole output range. Measured bass extension of 64Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A dip around 1-1.2kHz on-axis is attributed to a diffraction effect, and shows up as a smaller dip in the predicted in-room response. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±40 degrees is on the narrower side, though the transition from wide to constant directivity is smooth. Minimum impedance dips to 3.2 ohms around 580Hz, calling for an amplifier comfortable with a demanding load. 4-ohm nominal impedance overall.
Full KEF R11 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 51”H x 12.2”W x 15.1”D (1295.4 x 309.9 x 383.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) hybrid aluminium cone woofers, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.32 |
| Weight | 80.5 lbs (36.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Focal Aria Evo X N°2: $4,798 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Focal Aria Evo X N°1 (bookshelf, estimated 3.5/5), the Focal Aria Evo X N°3 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.3/5), the Focal Aria Evo X N°4 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.4/5) and the Focal Aria Evo X Center (center, estimated 3.7/5).
Pros: Solid bass with a deliberate mid-bass bump (80-120Hz) that gives extra thump and weight, extending to about 40-50Hz in-room. High sensitivity (measured 88.2dB) makes it easy to drive, and distortion is low throughout the range even at high output: the reviewer found only a minor compression “glare” around 4.5kHz at very high volumes, not a real concern. Directivity components (mid-range and tweeter) transition smoothly rather than abruptly, and the overall soundstage is wide and enveloping. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.2dB.
Cons: Sounds very bright pointed directly at the listener: the tweeter comes in 5-6dB above the midrange with an unusually wide, roughly two-octave dip (1kHz-4kHz) leading into it, giving a laid-back, low-attack character even after toeing out ~20 degrees. Fixing this properly requires real EQ (a mini DSP or similar), not just toe-out or absorption alone; without EQ, expect it to sound bright for stereo listening. A mild dip around 200Hz makes male vocals sound slightly subdued. Narrow vertical directivity (about +/-15 degrees) means you need to stay close to tweeter-axis height. Impedance dips to 3.4 ohms (EPDR 1.4 ohms), so it wants a 4-ohm-capable amplifier, and requires a plinth for floor clearance since it’s bottom-ported.
Full Focal Aria Evo X N°2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.7”H x 14.6”W x 11.6”D (1035 x 371 x 294 mm) |
| Drivers | Aluminum-magnesium inverted dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” flax midrange, dual 6.5” flax midbass woofers |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (2.9 ohms minimum, Manufacturer specified; 3.4 ohms minimum measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 40-250W |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 91.5dB Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.82 |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | 3-way, bass reflex (bottom-firing port, requires plinth) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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