The KEF Q Concerto Meta three-way bookshelf speaker is the heart of the new KEF Q Series Meta line. The famous Uni-Q coaxial driver now benefits from MAT technology to optimize fine detail, while the 6.5″ woofer promises to provide a solid foundation. Given these features and their price (€1,199 per pair), will these speakers offer top-tier performance?
A legendary range
Launched in 1991, KEF’s Q Series has become one of the manufacturer’s most popular and award-winning ranges over the years. The 2024 version marks the 9th generation of this iconic line, enriched by technologies from the high-end KEF Blade and Reference Series speakers. The Uni-Q coaxial driver now reaches its twelfth generation, incorporating meta-materials for optimized performance. The crossover has also been perfected, and new innovations have been added for enhanced hi-fi and home theater performance.
Introducing the KEF Q Concerto Meta
Design
The KEF Q Concerto Meta speaker remains true to the traditions of the British brand. Inspired by the top-of-the-range KEF R Meta series, it boasts a refined, minimalist design, marked by sleek lines, clean edges and perfectly straight angles.
Its cabinet, covered in a fine-grain imitation wood veneer, stands out for its impeccably precise assembly, eliminating any visible seams. Available in three finishes – black, white or walnut – the KEF Q Concerto Meta can be adapted to any interior. To round off its aesthetic appeal, the color of the cone varies subtly according to the finish chosen: black for the walnut and black versions, and silver for the white finish.
These drivers can be completely concealed by the acoustic grille that comes with the speakers. The grille covers the entire front panel and hugs its edges perfectly. Thanks to a magnetic fastening system, it can be installed and removed in the blink of an eye, while preserving the minimalist aesthetics of the front panel, free of any visible notches.
The minimalist design of these bookshelf speakers attenuates their visual footprint, despite dimensions that are slightly above average. With a height of 41cm, a depth of 31cm and a width of 21cm, they stand out for their large size, earning them pride of place in your listening room. Ideally, they should be placed on dedicated stands, but they can also be installed on a piece of furniture or in a bookcase, provided that they’re big enough. Although equipped with a rear port, these speakers can be positioned close to the wall if needed. For this purpose, KEF includes foam plugs designed to obstruct the ports, thus reducing air outflow. This solution not only adjusts the sound signature by slightly attenuating bass, but also simplifies their placement in smaller spaces.
This port is the result of years of in-depth fluid dynamics research carried out by the manufacturer. This work has resulted in an innovative port with flexible walls and a precisely optimized flare to eliminate turbulence, even at high volumes. At the same time, longitudinal resonance has been carefully attenuated, avoiding any undesirable low-mid coloration while delivering faster, deeper bass.
Acoustic design
If the KEF Q Concerto Meta speaker is slightly larger than the standards in its category, it’s because it’s one of the few models to offer a three-way architecture in a bookshelf format. This feat is made possible by the use of a Uni-Q coaxial driver, for which the British manufacturer has been renowned for almost four decades. The KEF Q Concerto Meta is equipped with the twelfth generation of this technology, 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.
This coaxial driver adopts an aluminum cone that’s 4 inches in diameter and dedicated to midrange reproduction. At its center is a 0.75″ vented tweeter. This design creates a single point source for a more precise and detailed three-dimensional image. The result is more uniform sound diffusion throughout the room, limiting the sweet spot effect.
The KEF Q Concerto Meta’s tweeter features Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) to optimize accuracy. The latter uses composite materials that have a specific structure and unique properties that can’t be achieved with natural materials. MAT technology uses a sophisticated maze-like structure, where each path is meticulously calibrated to absorb a precise frequency. This functions as an “acoustic black hole”, eliminating up to 99% of unwanted sound emitted at the rear of the tweeter. The result is a significant reduction in distortion, for a purer, more natural sound, even at high volume.
To balance the reproduction, the Uni-Q coaxial driver is complemented here by a 6.5 inch woofer. The latter features a dual-structure design, combining a shallow concave aluminum surface with a paper cone. This unique architecture maximizes rigidity while maintaining an extremely low weight, two essential criteria for an effective driver. The magnetic system has also been meticulously optimized to generate a broad, homogeneous field, guaranteeing precise diaphragm movement.
Listening conditions
KEF Q Concerto Meta speakers can be installed on your furniture, in a bookshelf or on dedicated stands. In the latter configuration, we warmly recommend NorStone Stylum 1 stands, whose different colors match the Q Concerto’s finishes very well.
For this review, we used the WiiM Ultra network player as a preamplifier with a Tonewinner AD 2500 PRO power amp. This pairing proved particularly dynamic and transparent. We then added the Cayin SC-6LS MK2 preamplifier for an even warmer, richer reproduction. Finally, we paired the KEF Q Concerto Meta with NAD and then Marantz amplifiers, demonstrating the excellent ability of these speakers to work with a wide variety of equipment. However, it’s important to choose an amp with a good current reserve to maximize dynamics and bass impact.
Listening impressions
From the very first notes, the KEF Q Concerto Meta impressed with its precision and its ability to offer a vast soundscape. Each instrument was accurately positioned in a remarkably spacious soundstage that was wide, deep and tall. With acoustic tracks such as Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven, the guitar resonated with startling clarity, each string vibrating with a finesse that ensured that we could hear the slightest subtleties of the artist’s performance. The guitarist’s voice seemed to float between the speakers, giving the impression that he was standing right in front of us.
With Dua Lipa’s Don’t Start Now , the KEF Q Concerto Meta speakers revealed their dynamic temperament. The sound was lively, full of energy and drive. The lows hit hard, with robust, firm bass that punctuated the track with striking authority. They provided a solid foundation for the music, even when listening at low volume, ensuring a consistently well-balanced reproduction.
The KEF Q Concerto Meta speakers also shone with their remarkable linearity and unfailing harmony. Each register was perfectly balanced, offering a natural, gentle reproduction, no matter the musical genre. The midrange was very prominent, giving vocals and acoustic instruments beautiful texture. Songs took on an almost tangible dimension, as if the performers were standing just a few steps away. High frequencies benefitted from a striking clarity and light, revealing every micro-detail with great finesse. However, on some demanding tracks, such as the abrasive electric guitars of Jimi Hendrix’s Purple Haze, they verged on the edge of harshness, bringing a sharpness to the listening experience, but without becoming too aggressive.
KEF Q Concerto Meta vs KEF R3 Meta
Priced €1,000 higher, the KEF R3 Meta speaker offers a sound signature that’s very similar to that of the KEF Q Concerto Meta, with which it shares certain technologies, including the 6.5″ double-layer woofer and 12th generation Uni-Q driver. The latter, however, is larger, providing an even fuller soundstage, as well as richer, more textured mids. The KEF R3 Meta is also a little more linear and offers slightly fuller bass. Despite these refinements, the KEF Q Concerto Meta still offers unbeatable value for money. It stands out as an extremely attractive option, offering a very similar performance to that of the R3, at almost half the price.
Who are the KEF Q Concerto Meta for?
The KEF Q Concerto Meta speakers will appeal to listeners who appreciate a dynamic, natural sound reproduction, with a rich, expressive midrange, crystal-clear highs, and firm bass at all volumes. Fans of acoustic tracks, classical music and jazz will enjoy a finesse and precision capable of enhancing the subtlest nuances. Fans of rock and pop, meanwhile, will appreciate their liveliness and ability to reproduce the raw energy of their favorite songs. What’s more, the KEF Q Concerto Meta speakers are easy to install and place thanks to their coaxial driver, which eliminates directionality and ensures that the music is perceived evenly throughout a wide area. Every listener in the room gets the same sound.
Conclusion
With the KEF Q Concerto Meta speakers, the British manufacturer succeeds in modernizing its iconic series by integrating its latest technological advances. These speakers captivate with their remarkable dynamics and wide soundstage, allowing the music to breathe and express itself freely. Versatile, they adapt with ease to all musical genres, reproducing them with naturalness and tonal balance. The sound is always well-paced and energetic, with a rich midrange, hard-hitting bass and crystal-clear highs. A perfect success that confirms their place among the must-hear references in their category.
We liked:
- The extensive dynamics
- The impact in the lows
- The perfect tonal balance no matter the volume
- The wide soundstage
We would have liked:
- Even softer highs for complex recordings
