British manufacturer KEF is renewing its entry-level offering with the new KEF Q Series Meta range. This 2024 line perfects the British manufacturer’s most popular speakers by incorporating a 12th-generation Uni-Q coaxial driver with MAT (Metamaterial Absorption Technology). It promises superior musical precision for hi-fi and home theater.
A legendary range
Launched in 1991, KEF’s Q series has established itself over the decades as the brand’s most popular and award-winning range. This 2024 edition forms the 9th generation in this long lineage, which the brand perfects by integrating the technologies of the KEF Blade and KEF Reference series high-end speakers. The Uni-Q coaxial driver moves up to the twelfth generation and now uses metamaterials, while the crossover is perfected and technologies are multiplied for improved hi-fi and home theater performance. This comprehensive new range includes the following speakers:
| Type | Enclosure | Drivers | Frequency response | Amp power | Price | |
| Q1 | Bookshelf | Bass reflex | 1x 5″ Uni-Q with 1″ tweeter | 51Hz to 20kHz | From 10 to 150W | €549 |
| Q3 | Bookshelf | Bass reflex | 1x 6.5″ Uni-Q with 1″ tweeter | 49Hz to 20kHz | From 15 to 150W | €798 |
| Q Concerto | Bookshelf | Bass reflex | 1x 4″ Uni-Q with 0.75″ tweeter 1x 6.5″ woofer | 48Hz to 20kHz | From 15 to 180W | €1,199 |
| Q4 | On-wall | Bass reflex | 1x 5″ Uni-Q with 1″ tweeter | 65Hz to 20kHz | From 10 to 150W | €798 |
| Q7 | Floorstanding | Bass reflex | 1x 4″ Uni-Q with 0.75″ tweeter 2x 6.5″ woofers | 46Hz to 20kHz | From 15 to 200W | €1,798 |
| Q11 | Floorstanding | Bass reflex | 1x 4″ Uni-Q with 0.75″ tweeter 3x 6.5″ woofers | 44Hz to 20kHz | From 15 to 225W | €2,198 |
| Q6 | Center | Sealed | 1x 4″ Uni-Q with 0.75″ tweeter 2x 6.5″ woofers | 63Hz to 20kHz | From 15 to 200W | €749 |
| Q8 | Atmos | Sealed | 1x 5″ Uni-Q with 1″ tweeter | 105Hz to 20kHz | From 15 to 150W | €698 |
Uni-Q coaxial driver
The Uni-Q coaxial driver has been a signature of the British manufacturer for almost four decades. It ensures uniform diffusion, with better perception of different frequencies. The new speakers in the KEF Series Q Meta range are the twelfth generation, first introduced with the KEF LS50 Wireless II(KEF LS50 Wireless II review) and KEF LS50 Meta(KEF LS50 Meta review), then with the KEF LS60 Wireless and more recently with the KEF Series R Meta range. The KEF Q Series speakers were therefore the last of the brand’s speakers still lacking this latest-generation driver.
This driver is 4″ in diameter on the KEF Q11 Meta and KEF Q7 Meta floorstanding speakers, as well as the KEF Q Concerto Meta bookshelf and KEF Q6 Meta center speakers. The KEF Q1 Meta, KEF Q4 Meta and KEF Q8 Meta speakers have a 5″ driver, while the KEF Q3 Meta bookshelf uses a larger 6.5″ model. These different models are all based on the same technical processes, with the use of an aluminum cone for the midrange, at the center of which is placed the tweeter.
Tweeter with metamaterials
The tweeter fitted to this new KEF Q Series Méta range uses a ventilated aluminum dome whose diameter varies between 0.75″ and 1″ depending on the speaker model. It benefits from the brand’s latest advances, including optimized damping and a waveguide to extend diffusion. The rear of this tweeter now benefits from Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) to neutralize 99% of unwanted sound and improve transparency and naturalness. A solution that has already proved its worth on the KEF Series R Meta range, as well as on the manufacturer’s latest-generation connected speakers. Last but not least, Shadow Flare technology eliminates any diffraction or edge effects, for a uniform reproduction over a wide area.
Woofer
In addition to the coaxial driver, the KEF Q Concerto Meta, KEF Q11 Meta, KEF Q7 Meta and KEF Q6 Meta speakers benefit from one or more bass drivers. The latter are hybrid models, measuring 6.5″ in diameter, with a shallow paper pulp cone covered by aluminum. This structure combines rigidity and lightness to ensure better control and reduce unwanted resonance. The result is deeper, more precise bass, with no lag.
Elegant minimalist design
Like the previous generation, the KEF Q Series Meta speakers have a simple, minimalist design. These elegant models blend perfectly into any interior, whether used with or without the included magnetic cover. The cabinets are reinforced to limit coloration and unwanted resonance. With the exception of the KEF Q6 Meta center and KEF Q8 Meta Atmos speakers, all models in this range are bass-reflex loaded. The port used adopts flexible walls to eliminate turbulence. In the case of KEF Q4 Meta on-wall speakers, the port is conveniently positioned on the side of the speaker, so that it can be placed as close to the wall as possible without compromising sound reproduction.
The new KEF Series Q Meta speakers enhance the manufacturer’s most popular range by integrating the advanced technologies of the brand’s high-end and connected models. Offering even greater sonic precision, the KEF Series Q Meta speakers ensure that this range will remain a benchmark for years to come. These models are now available on Son-Vidéo.com, with the first shipments scheduled within the next few days.
