Short answer: the Perlisten R5t. It ranks #21 of 73 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $8,790. The KEF R11 Meta ranks #26, rated 4.4/5, at $6,999.98, $1,790.02 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Perlisten R5t: Measures a -3dB extension point of 44.6Hz and a Harman-style -6dB in-room extension (lfx) of 29Hz, deep for a mid-size tower, with a strong 0.82 listening-window smoothness score and a predicted in-room smoothness of 0.63. The catch: On-axis deviation of 0.277dB and a pronounced -0.28dB per octave downward slope point to a warmer, less forward tonal balance, consistent with Sound & Vision’s review finding it leans analytical rather than warm and wanting more air in larger rooms.
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 Perlisten R5t. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $1,790.02 you would save on the KEF R11 Meta does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Perlisten R5t | KEF R11 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8,790 per pair | $6,999.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #21 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #26 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | 3-way, switchable bass reflex / acoustic suspension | - |
| Drivers | 3x 26mm silk dome (tweeter + 2 midrange), 2x 165mm (6.5”) HPF 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 | 43.3”H x 9.1”W x 13.8”D (1100 x 230 x 350 mm) | 51”H x 12.2”W x 15.1”D (1295.4 x 309.9 x 383.5 mm) |
| Weight | 58.4 lbs (26.5 kg) each | 80.5 lbs (36.5 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 89.0dB @ 2.83V/1m | 89.5dB |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum | 4 ohms |
| Power Handling | 100-250W RMS recommended amplifier power | - |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz +/-1.5dB | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 24Hz (bass reflex) / 38Hz (acoustic suspension) | 31Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Certification | THX Dominus, THX Ultra | - |
| Warranty | 5 years, extendable to 6 with product registration | - |
| Country | Designed in the United States (Verona, Wisconsin) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 113.0dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.16 | 5.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.50 | 7.32 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 44.6Hz (manufacturer spinorama data) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Perlisten R5t compares with other leading options:
- Revel F226Be vs Perlisten R5t
- Perlisten R5t vs Revel F228Be
- Perlisten R5t vs Perlisten S7t
- Perlisten R5t vs Perlisten R7t
- KEF R11 Meta vs Revel F228Be
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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
Perlisten R5t: $8,790 per pair Audio Advice eBay
Pros: Measures a -3dB extension point of 44.6Hz and a Harman-style -6dB in-room extension (lfx) of 29Hz, deep for a mid-size tower, with a strong 0.82 listening-window smoothness score and a predicted in-room smoothness of 0.63. THX Dominus and THX Ultra certified at a fraction of Perlisten’s S7t flagship price, and reviewers across Sound & Vision, Audiograde, SoundStage Ultra and HiFiReport all rated it highly for its class, with Audiograde naming it a Best of 2023 pick. Measured bass extension of 24Hz (-10dB).
Cons: On-axis deviation of 0.277dB and a pronounced -0.28dB per octave downward slope point to a warmer, less forward tonal balance, consistent with Sound & Vision’s review finding it leans analytical rather than warm and wanting more air in larger rooms. It’s sold only in Piano Black through specialty AV dealers, with per-unit pricing that varies noticeably by retailer.
Full Perlisten R5t review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 24Hz (bass reflex) / 38Hz (acoustic suspension) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 44.6Hz (manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Certification | THX Dominus, THX Ultra |
| Country | Designed in the United States (Verona, Wisconsin) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 43.3”H x 9.1”W x 13.8”D (1100 x 230 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 3x 26mm silk dome (tweeter + 2 midrange), 2x 165mm (6.5”) HPF woofers |
| Enclosure | 3-way, switchable bass reflex / acoustic suspension |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz +/-1.5dB |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum |
| Maximum SPL | 113.0dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 100-250W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 89.0dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.50 |
| Warranty | 5 years, extendable to 6 with product registration |
| Weight | 58.4 lbs (26.5 kg) each |
- 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