Short answer: the KEF R5 Meta for smoother directivity; the Revel F208 is close on-axis but ripples at its crossover. The F208’s spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response with sensitivity matching spec at about 87-88dB, but some directivity error and tweeter-response ripple appear at the 2.2kHz crossover. The KEF’s Uni-Q tracks near-identically off-axis at about +/-50 degrees, though its F3 of 52Hz and F10 of 38Hz mean a subwoofer is advisable.
Buy the KEF R5 Meta only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the MoFi SourcePoint 888 instead.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF R5 Meta | Revel F208 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,999.99 per pair Discontinued | $4,800 per pair used, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #9 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #16 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 24Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 42.2”H x 10.7”W x 13.6”D (1073 x 273 x 346 mm) | 46.6”H x 13.5”W x 14.8”D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 88.2dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1 in. vented aluminum dome tweeter with MAT, 5 in. aluminum cone midrange, two 5.25 in. hybrid aluminum cone woofers | Dual 8” (20 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofers, 5.25” (13.3 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Midrange, 1” (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide |
| Weight | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) each | 79.4 lbs (36 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.33 | 6.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.07 | 7.67 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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 JBL 4367
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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
Revel F208: $4,800 per pair used Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Revel F228Be, ranked lower, rated 4.5/5.
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response with sensitivity matching spec at ~87-88dB. Predicted in-room response is a smooth, textbook-quality downward slope that should translate well to most rooms without correction. Early reflections sum so cleanly with the direct sound that side-wall absorption isn’t recommended: it would work against the speaker’s naturally well-integrated off-axis behavior. Distortion stays below 0.5% from 100Hz up at 96dB/1m, with all distortion components falling below audible threshold above 200Hz. Very wide horizontal directivity of about ±75 degrees. Measured performance was judged very close to Revel’s own flagship Salon2, and Revel’s speakers (including this one) are developed using Harman’s double-blind listening test methodology. Preference score of 7.4 (7.7 with a subwoofer added). Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.2dB.
Cons: Some directivity error and tweeter-response ripple right at the 2.2kHz crossover point. A notable on-axis dip at about 4kHz, attributed to probable cabinet diffraction. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows an unexplained resonance around 4-5kHz that the reviewer couldn’t pin down a clear cause for. Vertical directivity shows narrowband interference nulls just above and below the tweeter axis (roughly 2-3kHz), typical of a non-coaxial tower with vertically separated drivers, so listening height matters more than it would with a coincident design. Minimum impedance dips to 3.4 ohms, calling for a robust, high-current amplifier. Distortion climbs substantially below about 80-100Hz (up to ~5% in the deep bass) when driven hard, an excursion-limited trade-off typical of towers at high output. Isolating the woofers alone shows their usable range ending around 500-700Hz at the crossover, with somewhat elevated (though still low in absolute terms) 2nd/3rd harmonic distortion in the 100-300Hz region. Discontinued.
Full Revel F208 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 24Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 46.6”H x 13.5”W x 14.8”D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 8” (20 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofers, 5.25” (13.3 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Midrange, 1” (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.67 |
| Weight | 79.4 lbs (36 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons