Short answer: the KEF R3. It ranks #15 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $2,200. The Power Sound Audio MT-110-M ranks #52, rated 4.1/5, at $1,350, $850 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the KEF R3: True three-way stand-mount with a 6.5-inch woofer below KEF’s 5-inch Uni-Q midrange/1-inch tweeter. Watch for: The low-frequency alignment rolls gradually rather than delivering high-output sub-bass; KEF specifies 58Hz +/-3dB and Erin’s high-level data supports using an 80Hz subwoofer crossover.
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. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $850 with the Power Sound Audio MT-110-M does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF R3 | Power Sound Audio MT-110-M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,200 per pair | $1,350 per pair |
| Ranked | #15 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #52 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 58Hz (manufacturer specified; consistent with Erin’s measured roll-off) | 113Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 86-87dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 92.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal; suitable for Erin’s 4/8-ohm-rated amplifier | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter coaxial with 5” midrange; 6.5” woofer | 1” polyimide compression tweeter with cast aluminum exponential horn, 10” high-efficiency neodymium woofer |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 7.9”W x 13.2”D | 17.5”H x 11”W x 14”D (includes grille) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear Flexible Port | sealed |
| Weight | 29.9 lbs (13.55 kg) each | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) each (unboxed) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.2 (spinorama.org) | 2.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.97 (spinorama.org) | 5.86 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 175W |
| Country | - | USA |
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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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
KEF R3: $2,200 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: True three-way stand-mount with a 6.5-inch woofer below KEF’s 5-inch Uni-Q midrange/1-inch tweeter. Erin measured approximately 86-87dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity, exceptionally low sub-1% distortion at 86dB and orderly directivity in both planes. The coaxial geometry maintains image stability across seats, while Flexible Port Technology avoids the strong midrange port resonance common to rear-vented competitors. A 110W Parasound drove it successfully in Erin’s listening. Measured bass extension of 35.2Hz (-10dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87dB.
Cons: The low-frequency alignment rolls gradually rather than delivering high-output sub-bass; KEF specifies 58Hz +/-3dB and Erin’s high-level data supports using an 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Narrow high-frequency features and natural Uni-Q narrowing toward the top octave make toe angle audible, although off-axis tracking remains smooth. Sensitivity is moderate, the cabinet weighs almost 30 lb, and this original R3 lacks the Meta successor’s MAT absorber.
Full KEF R3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 58Hz (manufacturer specified; consistent with Erin’s measured roll-off) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 7.9”W x 13.2”D |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter coaxial with 5” midrange; 6.5” woofer |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal; suitable for Erin’s 4/8-ohm-rated amplifier |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 86-87dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.2 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.97 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 29.9 lbs (13.55 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear Flexible Port |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- 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
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