Short answer: the KEF Reference 3 Meta. Both are rated 4.6/5 for sound quality (#13 and #8 of 73 floorstanding speakers), and the KEF Reference 3 Meta costs $15,999.98 against $82,000 for the Magico S5 2024, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
The case for the Magico S5 2024: Manufacturer Spinorama data shows exceptionally flat on-axis response, with just 0.15dB average absolute deviation and 0.89 listening-window smoothness inside a narrow 1.3dB reference band. The tradeoff: At $41000 per pair it is one of the most expensive speakers we list, and it is sold only through Magico dealers.
What the KEF Reference 3 Meta does well: Three-way bass reflex tower built around KEF’s 12th generation Uni-Q driver, a 125mm aluminium midrange with a 25mm aluminium dome tweeter and MAT at its centre, plus two 165mm aluminium woofers. The catch: The only measurements are KEF’s own, not independently verified, and spinorama.org computes no preference score for them.
Buy the KEF Reference 3 Meta. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $66,000.02 less than the Magico S5 2024.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Magico S5 2024 | KEF Reference 3 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $82,000 per pair | $15,999.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #13 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | Curved aluminum | - |
| Drivers | Two 10” graphene Nano-Tec woofers; 6” graphene Nano-Tec midrange; 28mm diamond-coated beryllium tweeter | Uni-Q: 125mm aluminium cone midrange, 25mm aluminium dome tweeter with MAT; 2x 165mm aluminium cone woofers |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (manufacturer specified) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 50-1000W recommended amplifier power | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-50kHz (manufacturer, in-room) | 43Hz-35kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 37Hz (measured, manufacturer data on spinorama.org) | 42.2Hz (measured, KEF vendor data via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 20.8Hz (measured, manufacturer data on spinorama.org) | about 31.1Hz (measured, KEF vendor data via spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.35 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.52 | - |
| Dimensions | 48”H x 19.1”W x 19.3”D (1220 x 485 x 490 mm) | 45.5”H x 8.1”W x 18.2”D (1155 x 205 x 462 mm) |
| Weight | 260.1 lbs (118 kg) each | - |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
| Recommended Power | - | 50-300W |
| Maximum SPL | - | 113.5dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 450Hz, 2.1kHz |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
| Country | - | United Kingdom |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Magico S5 2024 compares with other leading options:
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Magico S5 2024
- Magico S5 2024 vs Perlisten S7t
- KEF Reference 3 Meta vs TAD Evolution 2
- Revel F328Be vs KEF Reference 3 Meta
- KEF Reference 3 Meta vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
Magico S5 2024: $82,000 per pair Audio Solutions eBay
Pros: Manufacturer Spinorama data shows exceptionally flat on-axis response, with just 0.15dB average absolute deviation and 0.89 listening-window smoothness inside a narrow 1.3dB reference band. Preference scores are 7.35 without a subwoofer and 8.52 with one. Bass reaches 37Hz at -3dB, 27.9Hz at -6dB and about 20.8Hz at -10dB from two 10-inch woofers, so most music needs no subwoofer. The diamond-coated beryllium tweeter, graphene midrange and heavily braced curved aluminum cabinet are built for high output with low coloration.
Cons: At $41000 per pair it is one of the most expensive speakers we list, and it is sold only through Magico dealers. The measurements are manufacturer supplied and digitized from published graphs rather than an independent ASR or Erin test. A 2.78 directivity-index deviation is less even than the flattest on-axis numbers suggest. The 4 ohm load, 88dB sensitivity and 118kg weight call for a powerful amplifier and careful placement.
Full Magico S5 2024 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 20.8Hz (measured, manufacturer data on spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 37Hz (measured, manufacturer data on spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 48”H x 19.1”W x 19.3”D (1220 x 485 x 490 mm) |
| Drivers | Two 10” graphene Nano-Tec woofers; 6” graphene Nano-Tec midrange; 28mm diamond-coated beryllium tweeter |
| Enclosure | Curved aluminum |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-50kHz (manufacturer, in-room) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 50-1000W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.52 |
| Weight | 260.1 lbs (118 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KEF Reference 3 Meta: $15,999.98 per pair KEF eBay
Older model: the KEF Reference 203 (rated 4.6/5).
Pros: Three-way bass reflex tower built around KEF’s 12th generation Uni-Q driver, a 125mm aluminium midrange with a 25mm aluminium dome tweeter and MAT at its centre, plus two 165mm aluminium woofers. KEF’s own Spinorama measurements, published on spinorama.org, hold the 300Hz to 5kHz response within 1.4dB, one of the flattest results in this category, and the listening window is very smooth (0.90), so tonal balance stays even across a normal seating area. Measured bass reaches 42Hz (-3dB) and about 31Hz (-10dB), deep enough that many rooms won’t need a subwoofer for music. Measured bass extension of 42.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The only measurements are KEF’s own, not independently verified, and spinorama.org computes no preference score for them. Sound power directivity is good but not class leading (3.15dB index deviation). Sensitivity is a moderate 86dB and impedance drops to 3.2 ohms, so it needs a capable amplifier (KEF recommends 50 to 300W).
Full KEF Reference 3 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 31.1Hz (measured, KEF vendor data via spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.2Hz (measured, KEF vendor data via spinorama.org) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Crossover Frequency | 450Hz, 2.1kHz |
| Dimensions | 45.5”H x 8.1”W x 18.2”D (1155 x 205 x 462 mm) |
| Drivers | Uni-Q: 125mm aluminium cone midrange, 25mm aluminium dome tweeter with MAT; 2x 165mm aluminium cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz-35kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 113.5dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 50-300W |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons