KEF Reference 2 Meta vs Perlisten R7c

Short answer: the KEF Reference 2 Meta. Both are rated 4.4/5 for sound quality (#6 and #8 of 131 center channel speakers), and the KEF Reference 2 Meta costs $5,999.99 against $9,990 for the Perlisten R7c, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.

Why pick the KEF Reference 2 Meta: A three-way sealed center with KEF’s 12th generation Uni-Q coaxial driver (25mm aluminium tweeter with MAT inside a 125mm midrange) between two 6.5” bass drivers. The catch: Bass rolls off at 76.9Hz (-3dB) and about 46Hz (-10dB) in the sealed cabinet, so plan on a subwoofer.

The Perlisten R7c is the deeper-bass choice. A larger Perlisten R5c with the same three-dome DPC array between four 6.5” woofers. Its bass reaches about 36Hz before falling 10dB, against 46.2Hz for the KEF Reference 2 Meta. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.

Buy the KEF Reference 2 Meta. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $3,990.01 less than the Perlisten R7c.

Worth knowing: the Perlisten R7c has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 4.1 to 4.7, so treat this verdict as provisional.

Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Speaker Comparisons

More worthwhile head-to-heads for KEF Reference 2 Meta:

• Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Horizon vs KEF Reference 2 Meta
• Perlisten R5c vs KEF Reference 2 Meta
• Perlisten S5c vs KEF Reference 2 Meta
• KEF Reference 2 Meta vs KEF R2 Meta
• KEF Reference 2 Meta vs Paradigm Persona C

Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

The Two Speakers In Full

KEF Reference 2 Meta: $5,999.99 each KEF eBay

Same family: the KEF Reference 1 Meta (bookshelf, rated 4.8/5), the KEF Reference 3 Meta (smaller floorstanding, rated 4.6/5), the KEF Reference 5 Meta (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.8/5) and the KEF Reference 4 Meta (larger center, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5). See every KEF Reference generation.

Pros: A three-way sealed center with KEF’s 12th generation Uni-Q coaxial driver (25mm aluminium tweeter with MAT inside a 125mm midrange) between two 6.5” bass drivers. Measured by Erin’s Audio Corner, the listening window stays within 2.1dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and the coaxial driver spreads sound evenly out to about ±50 degrees, so dialogue sounds the same from every seat on a wide sofa. Preference score 5.23, rising to 7.84 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 76.9Hz (-3dB).

Cons: Bass rolls off at 76.9Hz (-3dB) and about 46Hz (-10dB) in the sealed cabinet, so plan on a subwoofer. Sensitivity is a modest 86dB and the impedance dips to 3.2 ohms, so it needs a capable amplifier. At $6000 it costs far more than the KEF R2 Meta, which measures nearly as well.

Full KEF Reference 2 Meta review and specifications →

Released	Feb 2022 (4 years ago)
Bass Extension (-10dB)	about 46.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	76.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
DIY Kit	No
Dimensions	8.1”H x 24.8”W x 13.2”D (205 x 630 x 335 mm)
Drivers	Uni-Q: 25mm aluminium dome tweeter with MAT, 125mm aluminium midrange; 2x 165mm (6.5”) aluminium bass units
Frequency Response	80Hz-35kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified)
Impedance	4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified)
Maximum SPL	113.5dB (manufacturer specified)
Sensitivity	86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified)
Spinorama Preference Score	5.23
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub	7.84
Weight	50.3 lbs (22.8 kg)
Woofer Cabinet	sealed

• Links
  • Official KEF Reference 2 Meta Website
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org) More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
  • Erin’s Audio Corner Website: KEF Reference 2 Meta
  • Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • KEF Reference 2 Meta vs Perlisten S5c
  • KEF Reference 2 Meta vs Perlisten R5c
  • KEF Reference 2 Meta vs KEF R2 Meta
  • KEF Reference 2 Meta vs Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Horizon
  • KEF Reference 2 Meta vs Paradigm Persona C
  • KEF Reference 2 Meta vs Revel C426Be

Perlisten R7c: $9,990 per pair Estimated Audiolab eBay

Same family: the Perlisten R4b (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.5/5), the Perlisten R5m (larger bookshelf, rated 4.3/5), the Perlisten R5t (smaller floorstanding, rated 4.5/5), the Perlisten R7t (larger floorstanding, rated 4.3/5), the Perlisten R5c (smaller center, ranked higher, rated 4.5/5) and the Perlisten R4s (surround, rated 4.4/5).

Pros: A larger Perlisten R5c with the same three-dome DPC array between four 6.5” woofers.

Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. It is a wide center that needs a large stand or shelf, and it is sold through specialist dealers.

Full Perlisten R7c review and specifications →

Amplifier Power	100-250W RMS recommended
Bass Extension (-10dB)	36Hz (manufacturer specified)
Dimensions	9.1”H x 36.2”W x 11.8”D (230 x 920 x 300 mm)
Drivers	3x 1” silk dome tweeters (DPC-Array), 4x 6.5” HPF woofers
Enclosure	Acoustic suspension
Impedance	4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified)
Sensitivity	90.2dB (manufacturer specified)
Weight	81.1 lbs (36.8 kg)

• Links
  • Official Perlisten R7c Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Perlisten R7c vs Perlisten S5c
  • Perlisten R7c vs Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8
  • Perlisten R7c vs Revel C426Be