Short answer: the KEF Reference 203 for better sound quality, the KEF R11 Meta for the lower price. The KEF Reference 203 ranks #12 of 56 floorstanding speakers at $5000. The KEF R11 Meta ranks #19 at $3499.99, $1500.01 cheaper.
On the KEF Reference 203 side: An unusually accomplished 4-way design for its era: excellent on-axis linearity (within about +/-3dB), genuinely good directivity both horizontally (~55 degrees) and vertically (~40-50 degrees). Set against that: This is a 20+ year old, long-discontinued speaker only findable secondhand (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, audio forums) - condition, driver matching, and component aging vary by unit.
The case for the KEF R11 Meta: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response with good directivity and very deep bass extension (F10 of 30Hz). The tradeoff: 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.
Buy the KEF Reference 203 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the KEF R11 Meta if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Reference 203 | KEF R11 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5000 Discontinued | $3,499.99 |
| Ranked | #12 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #19 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 31Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 1067H mm (42" tall) | 51"H x 12.2"W x 15.1"D (1295.4 x 309.9 x 383.5 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.6 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 3.2 ohms per manufacturer spec) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 89.5dB |
| Drivers | 1x 0.75" supertweeter, coaxial 1" dome tweeter + 6.5" midrange, 2x 6.5" 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 |
| Weight | 58 lbs / 26.3 kg (58 lb) | 80.5 lbs / 36.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, with switchable flat/cut/lifted bass ports for wall placement | ported, rear |
| Crossover Frequency | 400Hz, 2.7kHz, 15kHz | - |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 55kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Recommended Power | 50-200W | - |
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- KEF Reference 203 vs JBL HDI-3600
- KEF R5 Meta vs KEF Reference 203
The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Reference 203: $5000 Discontinued
Pros: An unusually accomplished 4-way design for its era: excellent on-axis linearity (within about +/-3dB), genuinely good directivity both horizontally (~55 degrees) and vertically (~40-50 degrees), and an estimated in-room response that closely matches what the reviewer actually heard. Distortion is excellent - under 1% harmonic above 80Hz at both 86dB and 96dB, and multitone stays around 1% even at 96dB. Bass reaches a real F3 of 51Hz (F10 37Hz), with in-room extension into the low-mid-40s. The reviewer’s overall listening notes were essentially “nothing stood out bad or good” - a genuinely neutral, accurate speaker with a distinctive rounded-baffle look that avoids the diffraction issues a flat baffle this wide would normally have.
Cons: This is a 20+ year old, long-discontinued speaker only findable secondhand (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, audio forums) - condition, driver matching, and component aging vary by unit, so audition before buying if at all possible. Demands a robust amplifier: impedance dips to about 3.6 ohms with an EPDR of 2.2 ohms. The small supertweeter shows minor breakup artifacts at the extremes of the vertical polar plot and some compression at very high output in the top octave, though neither was audible in normal listening. Discontinued.
Full KEF Reference 203 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 400Hz, 2.7kHz, 15kHz |
| Dimensions | 1067H mm (42" tall) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 0.75" supertweeter, coaxial 1" dome tweeter + 6.5" midrange, 2x 6.5" woofers |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 55kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.6 ohms minimum, measured, Erin's Audio Corner; 3.2 ohms per manufacturer spec) |
| Recommended Power | 50-200W |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 58 lbs / 26.3 kg (58 lb) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, with switchable flat/cut/lifted bass ports for wall placement |
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KEF R11 Meta: $3,499.99 Amazon
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.
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) |
| 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 |
| Weight | 80.5 lbs / 36.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons