Short answer: the KEF R5 Meta for a subwoofer-based system; the JBL 4367 is the high-output horn speaker but a major investment. The JBL pairs a 15” front-ported woofer with a compression driver on a controlled-dispersion horn crossed over at 700Hz, and the reviewer recommends a dealer with a liberal return policy given the outlay. The KEF’s 5” Uni-Q array controls directivity to about +/-50 degrees, but its F3 of 52Hz and F10 of 38Hz call for a subwoofer.
Buy the KEF R5 Meta or the JBL 4367, whichever you find used in better condition; both are discontinued. For a new speaker, start with the MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF R5 Meta | JBL 4367 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,999.99 per pair Discontinued | $16,500 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #9 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #11 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 42.2”H x 10.7”W x 13.6”D (1073 x 273 x 346 mm) | 37.2”H x 22.2”W x 16.8”D (944.9 x 563.9 x 426.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal (5.3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 92.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1 in. vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT, 5 in. aluminum cone midrange, two 5.25 in. hybrid aluminum cone woofers | 15” (380mm) 2216Nd-1 Dual Differential Drive® woofer, 3” (75mm) D2430K dual compression tweeter |
| Weight | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) each | 119 lbs (54 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.33 | 5.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.07 | 6.88 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for KEF R5 Meta:
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs KEF R5 Meta
- MoFi SourcePoint 888 vs KEF R5 Meta
- Revel F328Be vs KEF R5 Meta
- Revel F226Be vs KEF R5 Meta
- KEF R5 Meta vs KEF Reference 203
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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 R5 Meta: $3,999.99 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: 12th generation 5” Uni-Q coaxial driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) delivers remarkably smooth, controlled horizontal (±50°) and vertical directivity with near-identical off-axis tracking. Exceptional frequency response linearity through the midrange and treble that takes extremely well to minor parametric EQ adjustments. Constrained Layer Damping cabinet construction and flexible rear ports minimize enclosure resonances and port turbulence. Deliberately tuned low-frequency roll-off profile permits boundary-adjacent room placement near front walls without boomy acoustic buildup. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: Low-frequency extension (F3 of 52Hz, F10 of 38Hz) requires pairing with a dedicated subwoofer crossed over at 80Hz for high-output home theater or bass-heavy music performance. High-frequency radiation above 7kHz shows a mild on-axis taper (1-2dB downward slope), performing best when listened to 10-20° off-axis. Moderate sensitivity (~86dB SPL average) requires a clean, robust 4-ohm capable amplifier to drive high dynamic peaks without clipping. Discontinued.
Full KEF R5 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 42.2”H x 10.7”W x 13.6”D (1073 x 273 x 346 mm) |
| Drivers | 1 in. vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT, 5 in. aluminum cone midrange, two 5.25 in. hybrid aluminum cone woofers |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.07 |
| Weight | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL 4367: $16,500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL 4369. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
Pros: Three-way design pairing a 15” front-ported woofer with a compression driver on a controlled-dispersion horn/waveguide, crossed over at 700Hz. On-axis frequency response is nearly dead flat, holding within about ±1.5dB, with the listening window tracking it closely except right at the crossover. Distortion stays below 1% THD across the entire audible band at both 86dB and 96dB. Compression/dynamic-range linearity is exceptional: within about a quarter of a dB from 76dB to 102dB, among the best the reviewer has measured. High sensitivity (about 92.6dB average) eases the amplifier match despite the speaker’s size. Minimal rear radiation thanks to the 15” woofer’s directivity and front-firing ports: rear energy runs about 20dB down from the primary wavefront, giving it a near-cardioid radiation pattern. Well-controlled horn directivity keeps the soundstage from noticeably shifting in width across the 700Hz crossover region. A natural high-frequency rolloff above about 7-8kHz gives it an easy, non-fatiguing character for extended listening sessions. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 92.5dB.
Cons: At roughly $16500/pair, this is a major investment: the reviewer recommends buying from a dealer with a liberal return policy. Vertical response shows dips beyond about ±10-20°, with a larger null further out: an inherent trade-off of mating a 15” woofer to a horn compression driver at a 700Hz crossover, since crossing lower would hurt power handling and dynamic range. Horizontal directivity isn’t perfectly consistent with frequency: narrow (about ±20°) through 200-800Hz, briefly widening to near ±50° above the crossover, then narrowing again at high frequency. An unusual, non-constant pattern. The high-frequency rolloff that gives it an easy-listening character also reduces the sense of air and space in the soundstage when listening from off-center seats. Massive and heavy (about 120 lbs, roughly 36-37” tall): needs to be raised on a stand to bring the horn to ear level, and isn’t something one person easily moves alone. Only modest EQ adjustment is available on the speaker itself (about ±1-2dB bass/treble trim). Discontinued.
Full JBL 4367 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 37.2”H x 22.2”W x 16.8”D (944.9 x 563.9 x 426.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 15” (380mm) 2216Nd-1 Dual Differential Drive® woofer, 3” (75mm) D2430K dual compression tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (5.3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 92.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.88 |
| Weight | 119 lbs (54 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons