SKU: 54579989801

KEF R Series R8 Meta Two-way Up-firing Speakers

Sale price$1260.00 Regular price$1400.00
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Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 23 - Aug 28

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Description

KEF R Series R8 Meta Two-way Up-firing SpeakersDolby Atmos surround speakers The R8 Meta can serve as a surround or rear speaker with the integrated wall mount feature, or be placed upon another speaker for Dolby Atmos height to bounce sound off the ceiling, bringing Dolby Atmos to the room with no need for custom installation. It has a 12th generation Uni Q array with MAT to steer the sound for genuine 3D results. R Series HiFi Speakers Now with Metamaterial Absorption Technology Since 1961, KEF

Dolby Atmos surround speakers

The R8 Meta can serve as a surround or rear speaker with the integrated wall mount feature, or be placed upon another speaker for Dolby Atmos height to bounce sound off the ceiling, bringing Dolby Atmos to the room with no need for custom installation. It has a 12th generation Uni-Q® array with MAT to steer the sound for genuine 3D results.


R Series
HiFi Speakers

Now with Metamaterial Absorption Technology

Since 1961, KEF has strived to reproduce pure sound precisely as it was meant to be heard. Decades of experience in acoustic innovation and the quest for music perfection come together in the R Series to deliver sound with more detail and deeper insight, sound that ignites excitement every time you experience it.

The R Series is a direct beneficiary of the technological innovations developed for The Reference, the class-leading series that continually set the benchmark for loudspeakers and sound reproduction. Combining with bespoke technologies, the R Series delivers an exceptional acoustic performance. The revolutionary Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) has been incorporated into the latest iteration of the R Series, and the 12th generation Uni-Q® driver array has been refined to maximise the impact of this technological advance and ensure the best possible performance.

The result is an exceptional seven-model range of loudspeakers, engineered to deliver with exquisite detail and incredible insight. Whether your taste lies with traditional two-channel HiFi, multi-channel home theatre or both, the R Series reveals levels of detail that must be heard to be believed.

Revolutionary sound absorption with MAT™

At the heart of the latest R Series is Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), a revolutionary innovation that takes the performance of the 12th generation Uni-Q driver array to another level in terms of accuracy and clarity.

MAT is a highly complex maze-like structure, where each of the intricate channels efficiently absorbs a specific frequency. When combined, the channels act as an acoustic black hole, absorbing 99% of the unwanted sound that comes from the rear of the tweeter, eliminating the resulting distortion and providing a purer, more natural acoustic performance.

Superior KEF sound

A bespoke 12th generation Uni-Q driver array with MAT is found in all seven models of the R Series and delivers an incredibly detailed performance. It’s the result of decades of accumulated in-house knowledge and the application of cutting-edge simulation and analysis tools. The developments are many and all play a part in R Series’ exceptional performance.

The Uni-Q driver array has been redesigned to maximise the performance improvements that MAT delivers. The conical waveguide that couples the tweeter dome to the new metamaterial absorber has been specially
designed for the bespoke driver based on its depth. The re-engineered tweeter gap damper strategically places two rings of porous material to tame the resonances and imperfections effectively, thus greatly improving detail and clarity.

The ultra-low distortion midrange motor design uses a copper ring embedded into the motor gap to minimise inductance and variation of inductance with coil position. This lowers the midrange THD and reduces thermal compression, leading to improved efficiency.

The Flexible Decoupling Chassis first used on the latest Blade and The Reference loudspeakers is employed on the Uni-Q driver array to dramatically reduce coloration of the sound caused by midrange vibration transmission to the cabinet, while also solving the problem of additional sound created by the driver basket that occurs with traditional decoupling methods. It works by decoupling the massive midrange motor from the Uni-Q chassis, dissipating its vibration before it can travel to the cabinet and be radiated as unwanted sound.

The surround on the 12th generation Uni-Q driver array allows for longer excursion without causing diffraction and extending the frequency range of the midrange. The contours of tweeter dome, midrange cone and surround are all computer-optimised to ensure a perfectly smooth transition to the cabinet. These innovations combine to ensure the R Series sound even more transparent and life-like than previously heard on this already exceptional range.

Shadow Flare for improved clarity

Shadow Flare is another feature originally designed for The Reference. It reduces harmful cabinet diffraction, allowing the 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT to work to its highest potential. Shadow Flare is a precision designed surface that extends the waveguide effect of the Uni-Q driver array. This means the tweeter no longer has line of sight of the cabinet edges, creating a ‘shadow region’ at the points where the potential for diffraction is highest, minimising the acoustic impact to negligible levels. The result is improved clarity and the reproduction of the fine details that make listening such a thrilling experience. The subtle nuances of plucked strings, the changes of vibrato in a voice, all of these are clearer on the R Series.

Deep, agile bass

Bass is a vital element of performance, and the low-frequency drivers of R Series have been engineered with acute care and precision. They are built using a two-part structure, where a shallow concave aluminium skin sits atop a paper cone. This stiffness combined with the cone’s unique geometry reduces unwanted resonances and delivers the pistonic movement that makes these drivers time so well. The drivers’ magnet system creates a broad, uniform magnetic field, while the suspension reduces harmonic distortion for a clean, precise sound. The result is exceptionally deep and agile bass that reveals every last bit of detail and punch available in the deep.

Flexible port for cleaner bass

We only want to hear the drivers, not the resonances or turbulence created by a bass port. The R Series’ ports feature innovative flexible walls. Using computational fluid dynamics, the flare and profile of each port is calculated to delay the onset of turbulence, while the flexible port walls prevent longitudinal resonances from colouring the midrange. The advantages of this approach are twofold: better bass, and cleaner sound further up the frequency range in the vital lower midrange area.

Performance critical damping

Powerful drivers can easily cause the cabinet walls to make noise of their own - noise that was never in the recording in the first place. Working alongside the bespoke internal bracing layout, KEF’s Constrained Layer Damping is a sophisticated bracing system that ensures the cabinet stays inert by connecting the bracing to the drivers and cabinet by a lossy interface. This material converts vibration into heat, ensuring that the cabinet makes the only sound it needs to - the sound of silence.

Strength and versatility in numbers

The R Series comprises seven models, providing listeners with a great versatility when building their ideal HiFi system. Whether that’s a stereo or a home theatre set up, they can do so with the confidence that they will enjoy an immersive, realistic sound experience.

Stereo for music

A trio of floorstanding speakers including R11 Meta, R7 Meta and R5 Meta and a bookshelf speaker R3 Meta reproduce high-fidelity stereo sound for your favourite music irrespective of the dimensions of the listening space. Each of them will allow you to discover depth and detail in your music you never knew existed – from the scrap of plectrum on guitar string to the sense of emotion and atmosphere in a live performance.

Home Theatre

The two centre speakers including R6 Meta and R2 Meta, which can also be used in LCR configuration, deliver brilliant dialogue clarity to the home theatre experience in different room sizes. Identically sized Uni-Q arrays are deployed on the centre speakers and all other models in the series. This creates a consistent sound character, therefore ensuring that the focus is entirely on the film and not the equipment around the room.

If you want to experience the glorious experience that is Dolby Atmos, then the R8 Meta surround speaker is an ideal addition to a surround system. It can be either wall-mounted or placed on top of another R Series loudspeaker, for sensationally immersive sound. With the addition of any of KEF’s class-leading subwoofers, the whole cinematic experience is felt, from the deepest impact to the softest whispers.

Perfecting every detail

At KEF innovative engineering goes hand-in-hand with great design, and our product design team strives to ,create deceptively simple, elegant loudspeakers. While every design choice KEF makes is driven by acoustic performance, visual appeal is vitally important and the R Series proves that a loudspeaker can perfectly integrate into the room, both sonically and aesthetically.

This understated design aesthetic is complemented by carefully selected colour options. Conceived to be at home in either traditional or modern interiors, each model in the R Series comes in a choice of two sleek gloss finishes: Black Gloss, White Gloss and a classic wood veneer finish: Walnut. Two models also have their own signature finish option in the form of the Titanium Gloss Special Edition for R7 Meta and the Indigo Gloss Special Edition for R3 Meta.

The R3 Meta also features threaded insets that allow the speaker to be mounted securely onto the top of the S3 Floor Stands, which also boast integrated cable management and a mass-loadable column.

Dedicated microfibre grilles

The R Series is engineered to perform its best with or without grilles. The dedicated microfibre grilles are crafted from multiple layers of material and the edges are burnished for a suede-like feel. With 1801 precision-cut holes for each driver you experience fantastic performance even when the drivers are covered, which is great news if you feel the need to protect them. The magnetic fixings provide a secure and precise fit, in keeping with the clean styling of the R Series.


Specifications

DESIGN
Two-way closed box
DRIVE UNITS
Uni-Q Driver Array:
HF: 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT
MF/ LF: 130 mm (5.25 in.) aluminium cone
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY
2.6 kHz
FREQUENCY RANGE (-6dB)
88 Hz - 19.5 kHz
TYPICAL IN-ROOM BASS RESPONSE (-6dB)
-
FREQUENCY RESPONSE (±3dB)
97 Hz - 17.5 kHz
HARMONIC DISTORTION (90dB, 1m)
<1% 220 Hz and above
<0.5% 320 Hz - 20 kHz
MAXIMUM OUTPUT
106 dB
AMPLIFIER REQUIREMENTS
25 - 150W
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE
4 Ω (min. 3.2 Ω)
SENSITIVITY (2.83V/1m)
85 dB
WEIGHT *
4.5 kg (9.9 lbs.)
DIMENSION (H x W x D) WITH TERMINAL *
174 x 175 x 259 mm (6.9 x 6.9 x 10.2 in.)
FINISHES
Black Gloss / White Gloss / Walnut


Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 54579989801

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4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 20 reviews
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A
Verified Purchase
afireinside1988
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent fit and finish for the money. Just buy them.
Size: For BMW E46 2002-2005, Size: For BMW E46 2002-2005
Perfect fit. These grilles were better quality than the price would suggest. Easy to install, not brittle, and fit very snug. I’m not sure why there are so many negative reviews for these. I was fairly rough with the first one I installed and it didn’t crack. They look great. For a purist with excess money lying around, sure, go with genuine BMW. For a daily driver, you’d never know the difference aside from the black finish. Save the money spent on these over the OEM BMW and use it for something else. Below need not be read unless you like long winded car resurrection stories... The back story on the car for those who might wanna talk trash about its condition: I bought this ‘01 330xi from a buddy who really beat the car up. I’ve had to replace the entire front end and am in the process of painting the car. I had to source a hood at my local pick ‘n pull due to low funds because I bought a new house recently. The hood I found at the parts yard was for an ‘04 e46 (post facelift). Hood fits just fine and the grilles are perfect. Don’t hesitate to buy!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2020
D
Verified Purchase
Daniel Bremer
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
e46 Sedan Black Kidney Grill: Good fit with a better attachment mechanism than stock!
Size: For BMW E46 1998-2001
These kidney grill replacements were for a e46 sedan (323i). They fit really well. They come with a different type of attachment mechanism than other types I've used in the past: These have 'posts' with a slight groove that you gently pry into place against the hood's mounting tabs. It's a solid holding mechanism - much better than the tab-types I've seen in the past. These do not wiggle around, and feel very solid once mounted. They DID require a bit of fitting with a dremel where the hood release latch is mounted to the hood. I had to cut back about half-an-inch of the inner 'shell' of the grill so it didn't interfere with the latch when you pull 'up' on it to release the hood. Based on having an e46 sedan for 16+ years, and having replaced the kidney grills several times, I'm quite fine with a little bit of modification for a good fit. I like these quite a bit better than other aftermarket types, and even the OEM BMW grills. The price is good, and mounting is solid. I liked them so much, I purchased a second set for my son's 323i right after putting them on one of my 323i's. I plan on getting a set for a 325Ci one that car needs replacements.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2021
J
Verified Purchase
Jean Colon
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
They fit super snug and the quality is way better than price suggests.
Size: For BMW E46 2002-2005
They came in wrapped very well in foam and bubble wrap. They felt sturdy and the matte finish was satisfactory. They needed quite some pressure to snap in but when they did you could tell they weren’t going anywhere. The fitment is perfect and it looks great. If the stubs in the car where the grille clips attach are in tact you shouldn’t have a problem. Don’t be discouraged by the negative reviews.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2024
W
Verified Purchase
W. Biggs
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 4
Good value for the money
Size: For BMW E46 2002-2005
The matte is flawless and looks pristine & super easy to install. It does fit and it’s a good enough fit for a daily driver; however, it’s not a flawless fit. It’s off by maybe a 1/16th on the inside corners. It’s amazingly close despite the price point…would definitely recommend.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2022
S
Verified Purchase
Slow Walk
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 1
VERY poor materials and fit for E46, WILL FALL OUT
Size: For BMW E46 2002-2005, Size: For BMW E46 2002-2005
This part resembles the original, but not enough. It is both too big AND too small, depending on the dimensions. It's too small from top to bottom, and too big from side to side. The locking tabs don't get close enough to lock (see pics) because there is too little clearance. Viewing from the front, the outer top corner is so far out (see pics) that the most important tab cannot properly lock in, causing the grill to drop out into my hand (or the ground, if I wasn't there to catch it). The grill also is missing some important curves to follow the shape it is supposed to fit into. It also wasn't matte black as ordered. It looks like it was spray-painted, but I can't be sure. it is made of VERY brittle plastic, and the locking tabs are VERY small and flimsy. I wouldn't expect this part to survive a month or two before blowing away in a medium breeze. One positive is that there is a relief cut to allow the hood safety catch handle to move fully upward without interfering with the plastic grille. That one positive has a lot of making up to do, and there's no way it can do it. Add to that that the seller included instructions for a car fifteen years newer than the model advertised on the item page, and we have a complete failure. But don't worry! I'm sure the seller will probably delete the listing and make a new one so they don't have to have this honest review attached to it.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2025

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