Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Up for review is the KEF Q11 Meta. This speaker sounds fantastic but does need the benefit of sidewalls to provide a more overall neutral tonality. If these are used in a room where there are no sidewalls then they likely will sound a bit too "dark" thanks to their intended design. They also work well placed against the wall behind the speakers as they are designed to get some additional boundary gain. At $2100/pair, I think they are a fantastic speaker.
How do they compare to the Polk R700? Two different animals. The Polk needs more room off the walls and may sound a bit "bright" or "sibilant" if there are sidewalls that do not have a bit of absorption such as curtains or side furniture (though, not terribly bright). The Q11 Meta is designed to be placed close to the wall behind it where the Polk isn't. The Polk has a wider soundstage in the midrange compared to the KEF but the KEF is more consistent and doesn't narrow in the top octaves like the Polk does. All in all, I think the Polk makes sense for a room where you don't have sidewalls and the speaker can be placed far off the front wall where the KEF is designed to work with a more constrained room space. At least, that's my take.
Full data set here:
erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kef_q11_meta
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:35 - Specs
3:09 - Subjective
12:21 - Objective
18:11 - Summary
____________________
All of my tests are conducted using KLIPPEL Hardware and Software. KLIPPEL is an innovative leader in providing unique test equipment for electro-acoustical transducers and audio systems. Founded in 1997 by Dr. Wolfgang Klippel, the novel techniques developed for control and measurement systems of loudspeakers and other transducers are the result of over 30 years of fundamental research. This provides more accurate physical models of loudspeakers, micro-speakers and headphones valid for both small and large amplitudes. The focus is on revealing the root causes of signal distortion and defects and giving practical indications for improvements in design and manufacturing of audio products. For information on KLIPPEL products, please visit their site below:
klippel.de/company/about-us.html
Up for review is the KEF Q11 Meta. This speaker sounds fantastic but does need the benefit of sidewalls to provide a more overall neutral tonality. If these are used in a room where there are no sidewalls then they likely will sound a bit too "dark" thanks to their intended design. They also work well placed against the wall behind the speakers as they are designed to get some additional boundary gain. At $2100/pair, I think they are a fantastic speaker.
How do they compare to the Polk R700? Two different animals. The Polk needs more room off the walls and may sound a bit "bright" or "sibilant" if there are sidewalls that do not have a bit of absorption such as curtains or side furniture (though, not terribly bright). The Q11 Meta is designed to be placed close to the wall behind it where the Polk isn't. The Polk has a wider soundstage in the midrange compared to the KEF but the KEF is more consistent and doesn't narrow in the top octaves like the Polk does. All in all, I think the Polk makes sense for a room where you don't have sidewalls and the speaker can be placed far off the front wall where the KEF is designed to work with a more constrained room space. At least, that's my take.
Full data set here:
erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kef_q11_meta
Support the cause:
Patreon: patreon.com/erinsaudiocorner
Contribute via PayPal: paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=CLHSW4L9SBSLY
Generic Affiliate Links:
Amazon: amzn.to/3v6i6ov
Audio Advice: audioadvice.com/?referral=erins-audio-corner
Best Buy: howl.me/ck2IPpcOp1h
Crutchfield: shop-links.co/cgZmmT81jmh
Parts-Express: parts-express.sjv.io/Y9zoEB
Newegg: howl.me/ck2IQg52L5b
Samsung: howl.me/ck2IQ5qe16w
Target: howl.me/ck2IRDNsIqn
Thomann: thomann.de/de/index.html?offid=1&affid=2577
Emotiva: https://shorturl.at/pBEU9
Monoprice: bit.ly/3yAY6NH
Arendal Sound: arendalsound.com/store/?refer=hardisj
Purchases through these links can earn me a small commission - at no additional cost to you - and help me continue to provide the community with free content and reviews. Doesn't matter if it's a TV from Crutchfield, budget speakers from Audio Advice or a pair of socks from Amazon, just use the link above before you make your purchase. Thank you!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:35 - Specs
3:09 - Subjective
12:21 - Objective
18:11 - Summary
____________________
All of my tests are conducted using KLIPPEL Hardware and Software. KLIPPEL is an innovative leader in providing unique test equipment for electro-acoustical transducers and audio systems. Founded in 1997 by Dr. Wolfgang Klippel, the novel techniques developed for control and measurement systems of loudspeakers and other transducers are the result of over 30 years of fundamental research. This provides more accurate physical models of loudspeakers, micro-speakers and headphones valid for both small and large amplitudes. The focus is on revealing the root causes of signal distortion and defects and giving practical indications for improvements in design and manufacturing of audio products. For information on KLIPPEL products, please visit their site below:
klippel.de/company/about-us.html
