Prominent Collaborator I

Answered

KEF R3 Meta

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Hi everyone, simple question - are the KEF R3 Meta speakers suitable for the Sonos Amp? Does anyone have any experience?

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Stanley_4Answer

Grand Maestro

Other brand options

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_109L82M2BU/JBL-L82-Classic-MkII-Blue-Grilles.html?cc=07&tp=186

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_700MB10WNT/MartinLogan-Motion-B10-Walnut.html?tp=186

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_700M3NNB/KLH-Model-Three-Nordic-Noir.html?tp=186

There are so many options, many less expensive that will likely sound as good or better. Both bookshelf sized or larger as well as a range of subwoofers to enchance the smaller ones.

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_37900/Bookshelf-Speakers.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_12000/Floor-standing-Speakers.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_12300/Powered-Subwoofers.html?tp=187

The Sonos Amp is going to do well for any of these.

If there is any way possible go listen live, don’t worry much about the amp used to demo them as long as it has adequate power to get to your preferred listening levels.

Second option is the Crutchfield “Speaker Compare” tool that does a good job of all but providing the low frequency impact you get from an actual speaker. Usually linked to at the bottom of the speaker’s page.

AjTrek1

Click this link to understand what speakers are compatible with the Sonos Amp.

According this link they are compatible; but at 4 Ohms they will place more strain on the Amp.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

buzz

Grand Maestro

AMP will be fine. It handles difficult speakers very well.

PalcoAuthor

Prominent Collaborator I

I asked the wrong question..... I know that the Amp will not have a problem with the speakers.... the right question should have been whether these speakers are worth it for the amplifier, whether speakers in the price range of about 1000 USD are not enough.... e.g. Acoustic Energy, Q Acoustic, Monitor Audio.... can the Sonos Amp even use the sound quality of the KEF?

buzz

Grand Maestro

I’ll turn this around a little. Can a better amplifier allow the speakers to sound better? In my opinion it can. While some people may think that AMP is expensive, I think that it is inexpensive for its level of performance. Many high end speakers are difficult to drive. I’ve seen amplifiers that cost more than AMP struggle with speakers that AMP handles effortlessly.

Always, you are the best judge of “best” (to you) sound.

buzz

Grand Maestro

Read through the Minimum Impedance of the KEF R3 Meta section of this review. Take care with your choice of amplifier. Notice that the minimum impedance is 3.2 Ohms. Many amplifiers will balk on some bass notes. AMP will tolerate this with grace.

Edit: For the advanced reader: Here are some measurements. There are some ugly low points on the impedance curve. Again, AMP will tolerate these. Many amplifiers will exhibit a rough midrange or shut down.

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

That is a lot of money for not much (58-28,000 Hz (±3 dB)) speaker! Pretty inefficient too at 87 dB.

The Sonos Amp should drive it with no problems, it or any other amp will struggle to provide a lot of sound with that efficiency and the 180 Watt maximum power rating.

The lack of low end frequency response almost demands a sub-woofer for what I would consider adequate music reproduction.

Bottom line, the Sonos Amp is a good choice for that speaker, the speaker not so good a choice with the specs shown and the cost.

PalcoAuthor

Prominent Collaborator I

I’ll turn this around a little. Can a better amplifier allow the speakers to sound better? In my opinion it can. While some people may think that AMP is expensive, I think that it is inexpensive for its level of performance. Many high end speakers are difficult to drive. I’ve seen amplifiers that cost more than AMP struggle with speakers that AMP handles effortlessly.

Always, you are the best judge of “best” (to you) sound.

Buzz, thanks a lot for the answer and the link... Of course, I was considering a better amplifier, which the seller also recommends to me....but I have almost everything from Sonos...that's why I would like to stay with the Sonos Amp. The question is whether the sound from the R3 will be better than, for example, a speaker half the price. I'll ask differently - what bookshelf speakers would you recommend? Thanks

PalcoAuthor

Prominent Collaborator I

That is a lot of money for not much (58-28,000 Hz (±3 dB)) speaker! Pretty inefficient too at 87 dB.

The Sonos Amp should drive it with no problems, it or any other amp will struggle to provide a lot of sound with that efficiency and the 180 Watt maximum power rating.

The lack of low end frequency response almost demands a sub-woofer for what I would consider adequate music reproduction.

Bottom line, the Sonos Amp is a good choice for that speaker, the speaker not so good a choice with the specs shown and the cost.

Stanley, and what bookshelf speakers would you recommend for the Sonos Amp?

PalcoAuthor

Prominent Collaborator I

I'll add.... possible alternatives instead of R3 Meta:

Acoustic Energy AE300 mk2

Q Acoustic Concept 30

Q Acoustics Q 3030C

Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G

buzz

Grand Maestro

You should attempt to listen to and compare speakers. There are some speakers I like, but respected friends don’t like. We have slightly different tastes and experience and respect each other’s preference.

When using a generic amplifier you’ll need a SONOS PORT if you want to integrate the 3rd party amplifier into the SONOS system.

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