John Darko
KEF has announced the first revamping of its entry-level Q Series since 2017. The incoming Q Series Meta comprises two 3-way floorstanders (Q7 Meta & Q 11 Meta), two 2-way standmounts (Q1 Meta & Q3 Meta), a 3-way standmount (Q Concerto Meta), a 3-way centre channel (Q6 Meta), a 2-way Atmos module (Q8 Meta) and a 2-way on-wall speaker (Q4 Meta).
Side note: the Q Concerto Meta is the Q Series’ first-ever 3-way standmount.
Each of the eight models is loaded with a 12th Generation Uni-Q driver complete with KEF’s flexible chassis decoupling (for lower mid/bass driver distortion), tweeter gap damper (for fewer resonances), a ‘ShadowFlare’ waveguide (that prevents the tweeter from ‘seeing’ the edges of the cabinet) and – per the series’ name – a metamaterial ‘MAT’ disc that reportedly absorbs 99% of the tweeter’s back wave.
The 3-way models additionally feature a new 6.5″ bass driver that according to KEF, goes deeper with a higher maximum output level; the flared reflex port has been implemented to improve bass control and reduce chuffing at higher SPLs. My KEF contact also told me that a new measurement facility in Kent has allowed KEF’s engineering team to rework the crossover for better off-axis frequency response, which now more closely follows the on-axis response.
KEF has carried over the finishes from the previous series so that users can add the Meta models to an existing Q Series system. Our choice of Satin Black, Satin White, and Walnut. Magnetically attachable grilles ship in the box.
Pricing is as follows:
Q1 Meta standmount: US$600/pair or โฌ548/pair
Q3 Meta standmount: US$800/pair or โฌ698/pair
Q Concerto Meta standmount: US$1300/pair or โฌ1198/pair
Q7 Meta floorstander: US$1800/pair or โฌ1598/pair
Q11 Meta floorstander US$1100/pair or โฌ2198/pair
Q6 Meta centre channel: US$800 each or โฌ749 each
Q8 Meta Atmos module: $800/pair or โฌ698/pair
Q4 Meta on-wall: $500 each or โฌ399 each
What about availability?
The Q Concerto Meta will come first, available to myKEF members from September 26th. The Q11 Meta, Q7 Meta, Q3 Meta, Q1 Meta, Q6 Meta and Q8 Meta will begin shipping on October 10th but we’ll have to wait until December to get our hands on the Q4 Meta and SQ1 speaker stand.
Further information: KEF
