Short answer: the Revel M106. It ranks #9 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality; the KEF R3 Meta ranks #10.
On the Revel M106 side: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response with no obvious resonances, and a listening window that sits comfortably above the on-axis curve. Set against that: Some directivity error and response variation shows up in the crossover region.
What the KEF R3 Meta gets right: Three-way design with an unconventional concentric layout: the 1” tweeter is recessed into the throat of the 5.25” midrange driver, deeper integration than a standard coaxial arrangement. The catch: Pointed straight on-axis, there’s a 1-2dB bump around 9kHz that stays consistent across angles thanks to the constant-directivity waveguide - only toeing the speaker out about 10° tames it.
Buy the Revel M106 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the KEF R3 Meta if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel M106 | KEF R3 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $2,499.99 |
| Ranked | #9 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #10 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 76Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 85.9dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6.5" (16.5 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofer, 1" (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide | 6.5" Hybrid aluminum ported woofer, 5" aluminum cone midrange, 1" vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg | 27.3 lbs / 12.4 kg each |
| Dimensions | 15"H x 8.3"W x 11"D (381.0 x 210.8 x 279.4 mm) | 16.6"H x 7.9"W x 13.2"D (421.6 x 200.7 x 335.3 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Revel M106: Discontinued
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly even on-axis response with no obvious resonances, and a listening window that sits comfortably above the on-axis curve. Predicted in-room response is called “near ideal” by the reviewer, with a smooth downward slope from bass to treble. Distortion at 96dB SPL/1m stays well controlled through the midrange and treble.
Cons: Some directivity error and response variation shows up in the crossover region. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±50 degrees is on the narrower side. Vertical directivity requires staying within about ±20 degrees of the reference axis for accurate tonal balance. Minimum impedance dips to 4.6 ohms with several peaks, a moderately demanding load for a compact bookshelf speaker. Discontinued.
Full Revel M106 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 15"H x 8.3"W x 11"D (381.0 x 210.8 x 279.4 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" (16.5 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofer, 1" (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KEF R3 Meta: $2,499.99 Amazon Crutchfield
Pros: Three-way design with an unconventional concentric layout: the 1” tweeter is recessed into the throat of the 5.25” midrange driver, deeper integration than a standard coaxial arrangement. A quasi sealed/ported bass alignment gives an extended low-end shelf tuned to match typical in-room gain, reaching about 50Hz for most content - deeper than recently-tested rivals like the Focal Aria 906, Polk R200, and an 8” Aperion design. Spinorama measurements show class-leading directivity and sound power, plus very linear on-axis response (at the recommended 10° toe-out) and early-reflections directivity, so it takes EQ exceptionally well. The vertical sweet spot extends to about ±20-30° off the reference axis with nearly identical tonality, unusually wide for a two- or three-way design. A clear upgrade over the earlier, non-Meta R3, eliminating the treble brightness the original had even when toed off-axis. Outperforms similarly-priced rivals (Revel M106, Wharfedale Linton, Philharmonic BMR V2, JBL HDI 1600) specifically on directivity and linearity in the reviewer’s measurements. At $2,200/pair, called the best value in its class with near-reference-level anechoic performance.
Cons: Pointed straight on-axis, there’s a 1-2dB bump around 9kHz that stays consistent across angles thanks to the constant-directivity waveguide - only toeing the speaker out about 10° tames it. Minimum impedance dips to about 3.2 ohms nominal (EPDR as low as 1.9 ohms), so it needs a 4-ohm-stable amplifier; a standard AVR likely won’t cut it. Distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold around 80Hz at 96dB output and shows added deviation again near 50Hz, indicating it runs out of headroom at higher volumes - a subwoofer is recommended for loud listening. Horizontal radiation narrows from about ±70° at low frequency to ±40° at high frequency. Below about 100Hz, compression testing shows fairly wide deviations at both 86dB and 96dB output, though the reviewer notes this is typical for speakers in this size and price class. Current R3 owners who are already happy with that speaker have little reason to upgrade.
Full KEF R3 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.6"H x 7.9"W x 13.2"D (421.6 x 200.7 x 335.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Hybrid aluminum ported woofer, 5" aluminum cone midrange, 1" vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 27.3 lbs / 12.4 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: KEF R3 Meta: The Speaker to Beat.
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website KEF R3 Meta Review
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- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Personal Favorite Speakers Under $2500
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Top Picks of 2023: Must-Haves Under $3000
- GR-Research: Finally… a Speaker Danny Doesn’t Have to Fix?
- New Record Day: The Gold Standard Of “Pretty Good” KEF R3 Meta Review
- Reddit Search for KEF R3 Meta Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons