Short answer: the KEF R3 Meta. It ranks #10 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $2,499.99. The Power Sound Audio MT-110-M ranks #52, rated 4.1/5, at $1,350, $1,149.99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the KEF R3 Meta: Three-way design with an unconventional concentric layout: the 1” tweeter is recessed into the throat of the 5.25” midrange driver, deeper integration than a standard coaxial arrangement. The tradeoff: Pointed straight on-axis, there’s a 1-2dB bump around 9kHz that stays consistent across angles thanks to the constant-directivity waveguide: only toeing the speaker out about 10° tames it.
Why pick the Power Sound Audio MT-110-M: Made in the USA with a 1” polyimide compression tweeter on a cast aluminum exponential horn plus a 10” high-efficiency neodymium woofer, both BMS-made drivers. The catch: A mid-range bump makes the tonal balance sound too thick and needs 2-3 bands of EQ to flatten out; correcting it also pulls measured sensitivity down to about 90-91dB in practice.
Buy the KEF R3 Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $1,149.99 you would save on the Power Sound Audio MT-110-M does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF R3 Meta | Power Sound Audio MT-110-M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,499.99 per pair | $1,350 per pair |
| Ranked | #10 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #52 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 113Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 7.9”W x 13.2”D (421.6 x 200.7 x 335.3 mm) | 17.5”H x 11”W x 14”D (includes grille) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Hybrid aluminum ported woofer, 5” aluminum cone midrange, 1” vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | 1” polyimide compression tweeter with cast aluminum exponential horn, 10” high-efficiency neodymium woofer |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 92.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Weight | 27.3 lbs (12.4 kg) each | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) each (unboxed) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.10 | 2.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.91 | 5.86 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 175W |
| Country | - | USA |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to KEF R3 Meta:
- TAD Compact Reference One (CR1TX) vs KEF R3 Meta
- KEF R3 Meta vs Perlisten S4b
- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs KEF R3 Meta
- KEF R3 Meta vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- KEF R3 Meta vs March Audio Sointuva AWG
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 PM 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
KEF R3 Meta: $2,499.99 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Three-way design with an unconventional concentric layout: the 1” tweeter is recessed into the throat of the 5.25” midrange driver, deeper integration than a standard coaxial arrangement. A quasi sealed/ported bass alignment gives an extended low-end shelf tuned to match typical in-room gain, reaching about 50Hz for most content: deeper than recently-tested rivals like the Focal Aria 906, Polk R200, and an 8” Aperion design. Spinorama measurements show class-leading directivity and sound power, plus very linear on-axis response (at the recommended 10° toe-out) and early-reflections directivity, so it takes EQ exceptionally well. The vertical sweet spot extends to about ±20-30° off the reference axis with nearly identical tonality, unusually wide for a two- or three-way design. A clear upgrade over the earlier, non-Meta R3, eliminating the treble brightness the original had even when toed off-axis. Outperforms similarly-priced rivals (Revel M106, Wharfedale Linton, Philharmonic BMR V2, JBL HDI 1600) specifically on directivity and linearity in the reviewer’s measurements. At $2500/pair, called the best value in its class with near-reference-level anechoic performance. Measured bass extension of 76Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.9dB.
Cons: Pointed straight on-axis, there’s a 1-2dB bump around 9kHz that stays consistent across angles thanks to the constant-directivity waveguide: only toeing the speaker out about 10° tames it. Minimum impedance dips to about 3.2 ohms nominal (EPDR as low as 1.9 ohms), so it needs a 4-ohm-stable amplifier; a standard AVR likely won’t cut it. Distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold around 80Hz at 96dB output and shows added deviation again near 50Hz, indicating it runs out of headroom at higher volumes: a subwoofer is recommended for loud listening. Horizontal radiation narrows from about ±70° at low frequency to ±40° at high frequency. Below about 100Hz, compression testing shows fairly wide deviations at both 86dB and 96dB output, though the reviewer notes this is typical for speakers in this size and price class. Current R3 owners who are already happy with that speaker have little reason to upgrade.
Full KEF R3 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 7.9”W x 13.2”D (421.6 x 200.7 x 335.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Hybrid aluminum ported woofer, 5” aluminum cone midrange, 1” vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.10 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.91 |
| Weight | 27.3 lbs (12.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: KEF R3 Meta: The Speaker to Beat. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website KEF R3 Meta Review
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Upgrade Your Sound with These 6 Surprisingly Affordable Speakers!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Personal Favorite Speakers Under $2500
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Top Picks of 2023: Must-Haves Under $3000
- GR-Research: Finally… a Speaker Danny Doesn’t Have to Fix? More from GR-Research →
- New Record Day: The Gold Standard Of "Pretty Good" KEF R3 Meta Review
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Power Sound Audio MT-110-M: $1,350 per pair Power Sound Audio eBay
Pros: Made in the USA with a 1” polyimide compression tweeter on a cast aluminum exponential horn plus a 10” high-efficiency neodymium woofer, both BMS-made drivers. Reasonably high measured sensitivity (about 92.5dB at 2.83V/1m), so it doesn’t need much power to play loud. Excellent dynamic range: frequency response barely shifts (about 0.5dB deviation) from 76dB to 102dB output, which the reviewer calls completely acceptable headroom. Not fatiguing or bright despite the horn-loaded compression driver: the constant-directivity horn avoids the artificially flat, reflection-heavy in-room high-frequency buildup that some waveguide designs suffer from. Sealed cabinet design means placement near a wall is less of a bass-reinforcement concern than with a ported design. Solid build quality using threaded nutserts rather than screws driven directly into the cabinet wood. Measured bass extension of 113Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 92.5dB.
Cons: A mid-range bump makes the tonal balance sound too thick and needs 2-3 bands of EQ to flatten out; correcting it also pulls measured sensitivity down to about 90-91dB in practice. F3 of 113Hz and F10 of 68Hz mean this doesn’t get low without a subwoofer: in the reviewer’s room it barely reached 70Hz with any real authority. Rising distortion in the upper mid-range, likely from woofer breakup, that lines up with anomalies seen in the impedance sweep above 500Hz: not a major concern but worth noting. The reviewer explicitly frames this as a home theater speaker rather than a stereo/music speaker.
Full Power Sound Audio MT-110-M review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 113Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | USA |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 17.5”H x 11”W x 14”D (includes grille) |
| Drivers | 1” polyimide compression tweeter with cast aluminum exponential horn, 10” high-efficiency neodymium woofer |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Power Handling | 175W |
| Sensitivity | 92.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.86 |
| Weight | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) each (unboxed) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs KEF R3
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs KEF Q Concerto Meta