KEF R2 Meta Compact three-way centre channel speaker

Key Features

• Metamaterial Absorption Technology
• 12^th generation Uni-Q^®
• True bass definition
• Dedicated microfibre grilles

KEF R2 Meta centre speaker is designed to voice perfectly with other R series Meta speakers to integrate perfectly into a multi-channel speaker setup. It has been upgraded with Metamaterial in the Uni-Q driver array, for even better performance.

Of course, a good quality centre speaker is vitally important to accurately deliver the dialogue that makes movies and games more immersive. R2 Meta has a 25mm aluminium dome tweeter and a 125mm midrange speaker in one unit. That is the Uni-Q array. There are also two 130mm bass drivers for excellent impact and dynamics.

Metamaterial Absorption technology (Meta)

Metamaterial is a material that has had its characteristics changed so that it behaves in a different way from the same material’s solid form. In the case of the KEF damping material, ABS plastic has been modified to act as an almost perfect sound absorber. A moulded component made of this material has been placed behind the tweeter element in the Uni-Q array. This is designed to prevent any high-frequency sound from interfering with the midrange unit. As a result, distortion is reduced and the sound should have more accurate detail.

Excellent Centre Performance

The R2 Meta centre speaker has an impressive frequency range of 74Hz-28kHz (±3dB). Power handling is 200w. High and mid frequencies are handled by the KEF-designed Uni-Q array. This is a two-way speaker that is the latest in a long line of centre speakers that have been improved over many years of research and development.

Uni-Q Driver Array

The Uni-Q driver array is used throughout the R series. It combines a 25mm aluminium dome tweeter with a 125mm midrange unit. This creates a single-point source for more dispersed sound. The motor system that drives the diaphragm has been upgraded. The pole has been modified and it now has symmetrical aluminium demodulation rings. As a result voice coil impedance variations have been reduced for more natural vocals.

130mm Bass Units

A two-part cone structure is used for the R2 Meta bass drivers. A concave aluminium skin is bonded to an underlying paper cone. This makes for a very rigid structure that resists deformation. As a result, the bass should be tighter and resonances are reduced. There is also a new magnet system in the motor. This improves the evenness of the magnetic field. The suspension has been redesigned to reduce distortion. Overall the result should be less chance of colouration and more accurate sound.

Rigid Cabinet Geometry

The R series cabinets use Constrained Layer Damping bracing. A flexible material is used to join the baffle elements. This material dissipates unwanted vibrations and this bracing layout creates a very inert structure. In this way, a very solid vibration-free platform is created for the drivers.

Who are KEF and what is their R series?

KEF is a highly renowned, multi-award-winning loudspeaker manufacturer, whose high-quality products can be found all over the world. They were founded in Maidstone, Kent in 1961 by electrical engineer Raymond Cooke, who was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1979. The KEF name comes from Kent Engineering & Foundry, who were previous occupants of the KEF site. The company have designed loudspeakers for the BBC, and has a vast range of products at many different price points.

KEF's R series features many of the prestigious speaker company's latest and most impressive innovations in premium high-fidelity audio and home theatre loudspeaker technology. The R series takes authentic audiophile quality standards and brings them to a much more affordable price range. The range utilises KEF's latest Uni-Q driver array, combined with newly developed bass drivers and enhanced components throughout. This results in a wide and vast stereo image, complete with flawless accuracy that many reference-level speakers from lesser brands are unable to achieve.