Short answer: the KEF R3 Meta. It ranks #10 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $2,499.99; the Yamaha NS-800A ranks #80, rated 4.0/5, and costs $4,999.90, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The KEF R3 Meta is the more accurate pick. A three way bookshelf speaker with KEF’s coaxial driver, superb accuracy that holds across the room, and bass that reaches deep for its size. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.10 against 4.66 for the Yamaha NS-800A. 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.
The Yamaha NS-800A is the deeper-bass pick. A beautifully built bookshelf speaker with wide, consistent dispersion, low distortion, and bass that works well close to a wall. Its bass reaches about 68Hz before falling 3dB, against 76Hz for the KEF R3 Meta. The tradeoff: A wide, roughly 2kHz-10kHz scoop in the upper-midrange/lower-treble gives it a laidback, soft, low-attack character: notably worse than the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference in an A/B comparison.
Buy the KEF R3 Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Yamaha NS-800A and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A three way bookshelf speaker with KEF’s coaxial driver, superb accuracy that holds across the room, and bass that reaches deep for its size.
A beautifully built bookshelf speaker with wide, consistent dispersion, low distortion, and bass that works well close to a wall.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF R3 Meta | Yamaha NS-800A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,499.99 per pair | $4,999.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #10 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #80 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (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) | 16.5”H x 9.1”W x 14.1”D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Hybrid aluminum ported woofer, 5” aluminum cone midrange, 1” vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | 1.25” dome tweeter, 6.5” mid-woofer |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 27.3 lbs (12.4 kg) each | 28.7 lbs (13.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | Bass reflex |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.10 | 4.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.91 | 6.43 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 40W nominal, 120W max |
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