For 2023, KEF finally adds a bigger center channel model to the R Meta Series, which we see as a very nice addition. The two LCR models are the and . And yes, you heard right, these are LCR capable which means you can use these vertically as left and right channels as well, or even put three in the vertical plan behind an acoustically transparent screen that would be mounted out from the wall.
You might see lots of speakers that call themselves LCR’s that have a tweeter centered between two mid/bass drivers. The problem with that design is you get a lot of what is called lobing due to the fact the bigger drivers need to be crossed over higher since the tweeter can only go so low. You can fix this with what is called a D'Appolito Array where you have woofer, midrange, tweeter, midrange, woofer, but when you do that you have limited horizontal dispersion. The Uni-Q solves all of this due to its very unique design and in our opinion is the best application of this type of LCR speaker out there. This concept also applies to all of the towers in the KEF R Meta Series as well.
They are both also a sealed box which gives even more . We could see these going into a built-in cabinet system with a flat panel TV and a pair of these on either side vertically with another one serving as the center channel above or below the TV. With no rear firing port like a lot of bookshelf speakers, you do not have to worry about having the port too close to the back wall. Now, like any speaker, they will sound better outside of a built-in unit, but with the way KEF makes these cabinets so anti-resonant, they make a great choice if your environment dictates this kind of placement, which is actually very common in traditional family rooms.
As you might have guessed the R2 Meta has the same Uni-Q driver paired with two 5 ¼” hybrid aluminum woofers and the R6 Meta gets two 6 ½” hybrid aluminum woofers. If you have the space and budget we would definitely recommend going with the larger model for its higher output and deeper bottom end reach, especially if you are more of an action type film fan.
