Short answer: the KEF R11 Meta, if you are buying new. The KEF R5 measures as well as it (#22 vs #26 of 74 floorstanding speakers, 4.4/5 vs 4.4/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the KEF R11 Meta is still sold new at $6,999.98.
Buy the KEF R11 Meta new; the KEF R5 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF R5 | KEF R11 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,999 per pair Discontinued | $6,999.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #22 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #26 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 31Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 89.5dB |
| Impedance | Approximately 3.5 ohms minimum near 150Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum tweeter coaxial with 5” midrange; dual 5.25” woofers | 4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) hybrid aluminium cone woofers, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Dimensions | 40.4”H x 6.9”W x 13.5”D | 51”H x 12.2”W x 15.1”D (1295.4 x 309.9 x 383.5 mm) |
| Weight | 59.5 lbs (27 kg) each | 80.5 lbs (36.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.78 | 5.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.40 | 7.32 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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How KEF R5 compares with other leading options:
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- Revel F328Be vs KEF R5
- KEF R5 Meta vs KEF R5
- Revel F226Be vs KEF R5
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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: $2,999 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: Slim three-way tower with the acoustic advantages of KEF’s coincident Uni-Q midrange/tweeter: horizontal and vertical off-axis responses track the direct sound smoothly, producing stable imaging and a well-behaved directivity index. Erin measured deep low-frequency reach for the cabinet width (77Hz F3 but 33Hz F10) and less than 1% harmonic distortion at 86dB. At 96dB it remains clean when high-passed, and its mild response deviations are suitable for equalization because the radiation pattern stays orderly. Measured bass extension of 77Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: The unusual gap between 77Hz F3 and 33Hz F10 indicates a gradual bass contour rather than flat deep-bass output; a subwoofer and roughly 80Hz high-pass are recommended for high-level playback. Erin measured a minimum near 3.5 ohms around 150Hz, although most of the curve remains above 4 ohms, so amplifier quality still matters. Sensitivity is approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m. At 102dB, compression reaches roughly 1dB around 150Hz, showing the limits of the twin 5.25-inch woofers. This original model lacks the Meta version’s MAT rear-wave absorption. Discontinued.
Full KEF R5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.4”H x 6.9”W x 13.5”D |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum tweeter coaxial with 5” midrange; dual 5.25” woofers |
| Impedance | Approximately 3.5 ohms minimum near 150Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.40 |
| Weight | 59.5 lbs (27 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KEF R11 Meta: $6,999.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response with good directivity and very deep bass extension (F10 of 30Hz). Predicted in-room response is very smooth aside from the small 1-1.5kHz dip. The coaxial Uni-Q driver gives excellent, symmetric vertical directivity, unusual for a tower speaker. Distortion is incredibly low even down to 30Hz at 86dB SPL/1m, and stays low even at 96dB and 102dB SPL/1m: the reviewer found essentially no audible tonality change across that whole output range. Measured bass extension of 64Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A dip around 1-1.2kHz on-axis is attributed to a diffraction effect, and shows up as a smaller dip in the predicted in-room response. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±40 degrees is on the narrower side, though the transition from wide to constant directivity is smooth. Minimum impedance dips to 3.2 ohms around 580Hz, calling for an amplifier comfortable with a demanding load. 4-ohm nominal impedance overall.
Full KEF R11 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 51”H x 12.2”W x 15.1”D (1295.4 x 309.9 x 383.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) hybrid aluminium cone woofers, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.32 |
| Weight | 80.5 lbs (36.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons