Polk Audio Reserve R700 vs KEF Blade Two Meta

Last updated: August 25, 2026

Short answer: the KEF Blade Two Meta for better sound quality, the Polk Audio Reserve R700 for the lower price. The KEF Blade Two Meta ranks #2 of 71 floorstanding speakers at $28000. The Polk Audio Reserve R700 ranks #32 at $1199, $26801 cheaper.

What the Polk Audio Reserve R700 offers: Three-way design with a 1” ring radiator tweeter, 6.5” mid-range, and dual 8” mid-bass drivers in a ported, down-firing cabinet. On-axis frequency response holds within about ±2dB across most of its range, with genuinely deep bass extension (F3 40Hz) reaching into the mid-30s Hz in-room. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±70°, giving a strong, enveloping stereo width and stage-extension effect on well-recorded tracks. Good low-level dynamics - solid bass thump at quiet listening volumes without over-accentuation. Strong distortion and compression control through the bass and midrange. Real nominal impedance closer to 4 ohms than the marketed 8 ohms, so with the right amplifier it can be driven hard - a $3,000 two-channel integrated brought out significantly more life than a budget $300 unit could. Excellent value at its roughly $2,200/pair MSRP, ranking among the reviewer’s top picks under $2,500; outperforms the similarly-priced Klipsch RP-8000F II in bass extension and overall smoothness. Watch for: Compression in the high frequencies rises sharply between 96dB and 102dB output - a real limitation only at very high volumes (around 100dB at 3 meters), but a clear step down from pricier ($5,000+) towers. Horizontal directivity mismatch around 4-5kHz, where the tweeter flares wider than the midrange, can sound a bit forward - especially noticeable when toed out further into the room; sidewall absorption or curtains help tame it. Harmonic distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold around 7kHz at 96dB output, possibly contributing to that same forward quality at high volume. Narrow vertical sweet spot (about ±15° from the tweeter axis), typical of non-coaxial tower designs - more of a consideration for multi-row home theater seating than single-row listening. The ring-radiator tweeter narrows noticeably above about 7-8kHz, and toeing the speaker out more than about 20° causes the top end to fall off quickly. Needs at least 2 feet of clearance from the rear wall to avoid boomy, exaggerated bass, since it lacks the bass-shelf tuning some rivals use to allow closer wall placement. Compared to the pricier KEF R5 Meta, has narrower horizontal (and much narrower vertical) directivity, so seating flexibility is more limited.

What the KEF Blade Two Meta offers: True point-source coaxial design (four 6.5in mid-bass drivers flanking a coincident mid/tweeter) with matched ~50 degree horizontal and vertical dispersion, unusual for a multi-driver speaker. Fully rounded, edgeless cabinet eliminates baffle diffraction. Frequency response holds within about 2.5dB across the listening window. Extremely low harmonic and multitone distortion even at 96dB, with under 0.5dB of compression at full output, rivaling the Reference 1 Meta and JBL 4367 in dynamic range. Reviewer described the imaging and soundstage depth as revealing recording details other speakers he tested (PS Audio FR10, MoFi SourcePoint 8, Neumann KH80) masked. Available in any custom finish at no extra charge. Watch for: 2dB dip and slight resonance around 200Hz, also visible in KEF white paper and likely cabinet-related. Bass rolls off fairly quickly below its 31Hz F3. Horizontal dispersion (~50 degrees) is narrower than the reviewer preferred 70-80 degrees; benefits from toeing out 10-20 degrees to open soundstage without losing image focus. Needs a separate power amp, not AVR-friendly.

Buy the Polk Audio Reserve R700 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the KEF Blade Two Meta if sound quality matters more than the price.

Buy the Polk Audio Reserve R700 at Amazon ($1,199.00) →

Polk Audio Reserve R700 vs KEF Blade Two Meta

Specifications Side By Side

Polk Audio Reserve R700 KEF Blade Two Meta
Price$1,199.00$28000 only sold in stores
Ranked#32 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers#2 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers
Bass Extension (-10dB)31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Impedance4 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner)4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Sensitivity87.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner)86.8dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Drivers2x 8" polypropylene cone woofers, 1x 6.5" turbine cone midrange, 1x 1" Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone, force cancelling woofers, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) aluminium dome with MAT tweeter
Weight102.1 lbs / 46.3 kg79.4 lbs / 36 kg each
Woofer Cabinetported, down-firingported, rear
Dimensions45"H x 12.6"W x 16.9"D (1143.8 x 320.7 x 428.3 mm)46.6"H x 13.5"W x 14.8"D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm)
Buy the Polk Audio Reserve R700 at Amazon ($1,199.00) →

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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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

Polk Audio Reserve R700: $1,199.00 Amazon eBay

Polk Audio Reserve R700 ranking card

Pros: Three-way design with a 1” ring radiator tweeter, 6.5” mid-range, and dual 8” mid-bass drivers in a ported, down-firing cabinet. On-axis frequency response holds within about ±2dB across most of its range, with genuinely deep bass extension (F3 40Hz) reaching into the mid-30s Hz in-room. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±70°, giving a strong, enveloping stereo width and stage-extension effect on well-recorded tracks. Good low-level dynamics - solid bass thump at quiet listening volumes without over-accentuation. Strong distortion and compression control through the bass and midrange. Real nominal impedance closer to 4 ohms than the marketed 8 ohms, so with the right amplifier it can be driven hard - a $3,000 two-channel integrated brought out significantly more life than a budget $300 unit could. Excellent value at its roughly $2,200/pair MSRP, ranking among the reviewer’s top picks under $2,500; outperforms the similarly-priced Klipsch RP-8000F II in bass extension and overall smoothness.

Cons: Compression in the high frequencies rises sharply between 96dB and 102dB output - a real limitation only at very high volumes (around 100dB at 3 meters), but a clear step down from pricier ($5,000+) towers. Horizontal directivity mismatch around 4-5kHz, where the tweeter flares wider than the midrange, can sound a bit forward - especially noticeable when toed out further into the room; sidewall absorption or curtains help tame it. Harmonic distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold around 7kHz at 96dB output, possibly contributing to that same forward quality at high volume. Narrow vertical sweet spot (about ±15° from the tweeter axis), typical of non-coaxial tower designs - more of a consideration for multi-row home theater seating than single-row listening. The ring-radiator tweeter narrows noticeably above about 7-8kHz, and toeing the speaker out more than about 20° causes the top end to fall off quickly. Needs at least 2 feet of clearance from the rear wall to avoid boomy, exaggerated bass, since it lacks the bass-shelf tuning some rivals use to allow closer wall placement. Compared to the pricier KEF R5 Meta, has narrower horizontal (and much narrower vertical) directivity, so seating flexibility is more limited.

Full Polk Audio Reserve R700 review and specifications →

Bass Extension (-10dB)31Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)40Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Dimensions45"H x 12.6"W x 16.9"D (1143.8 x 320.7 x 428.3 mm)
Drivers2x 8" polypropylene cone woofers, 1x 6.5" turbine cone midrange, 1x 1" Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter
Impedance4 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner)
Sensitivity87.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner)
Weight102.1 lbs / 46.3 kg
Woofer Cabinetported, down-firing
Check current price at Amazon ($1,199.00) →Search eBay for Polk Audio Reserve R700 →

KEF Blade Two Meta: $28000 only sold in stores eBay

KEF Blade Two Meta ranking card

Pros: True point-source coaxial design (four 6.5in mid-bass drivers flanking a coincident mid/tweeter) with matched ~50 degree horizontal and vertical dispersion, unusual for a multi-driver speaker. Fully rounded, edgeless cabinet eliminates baffle diffraction. Frequency response holds within about 2.5dB across the listening window. Extremely low harmonic and multitone distortion even at 96dB, with under 0.5dB of compression at full output, rivaling the Reference 1 Meta and JBL 4367 in dynamic range. Reviewer described the imaging and soundstage depth as revealing recording details other speakers he tested (PS Audio FR10, MoFi SourcePoint 8, Neumann KH80) masked. Available in any custom finish at no extra charge.

Cons: 2dB dip and slight resonance around 200Hz, also visible in KEF white paper and likely cabinet-related. Bass rolls off fairly quickly below its 31Hz F3. Horizontal dispersion (~50 degrees) is narrower than the reviewer preferred 70-80 degrees; benefits from toeing out 10-20 degrees to open soundstage without losing image focus. Needs a separate power amp, not AVR-friendly.

Full KEF Blade Two Meta review and specifications →

Bass Extension (-10dB)26Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)31Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Dimensions46.6"H x 13.5"W x 14.8"D (1183.6 x 342.9 x 375.9 mm)
Drivers4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone, force cancelling woofers, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) aluminium dome with MAT tweeter
Impedance4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Sensitivity86.8dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Weight79.4 lbs / 36 kg each
Woofer Cabinetported, rear
Search eBay for KEF Blade Two Meta →