KEF R5 Meta Compact 3 Way Floorstanding Speaker

The KEF R5 Meta is the compact floorstanding speaker in KEF's R Series, sitting between the R3 Meta bookshelf and the larger R7 Meta. Despite its slim footprint, it is a true three-way bass reflex design: a 12th generation Uni-Q driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) handles the mid and high frequencies, while two 130mm (5.25 in.) hybrid aluminium bass drivers manage the low end. The result is a speaker capable of a frequency range from 38Hz to 50kHz, a maximum output of 110dB, and an in-room bass extension of 29Hz from a cabinet that is only 175mm wide. Available in Black Gloss, White Gloss, and Walnut, the R5 Meta works equally well as a stereo pair or as part of a larger R Series home cinema system.

The R5 Meta shares its driver complement with the rest of the R Series Meta lineup, meaning all the same Reference-derived technologies are present at this price point. MAT, developed with the Acoustic Research Centre at the University of Salford, sits behind the 25mm vented aluminium dome tweeter and absorbs 99% of unwanted rear-firing sound from the driver, removing the resonances that colour the treble in conventional designs. The 12th generation Uni-Q places the tweeter at the acoustic centre of the 125mm midrange cone so both drivers radiate from a single point, widening the sweet spot and producing more even dispersion throughout the room. The compact cabinet makes the R5 Meta particularly well suited to rooms where a larger floorstander would be impractical, without asking the listener to give up the point-source coherence or the extended bass reach that a dedicated bass driver arrangement provides.

Key Features

• Compact R Series three-way bass reflex floorstander
• 12th generation Uni-Q driver array with MAT
• MAT absorbs 99% of unwanted tweeter rear-radiation
• Two 130mm (5.25 in.) hybrid aluminium bass drivers
• Frequency range 38Hz to 50kHz; in-room bass to 29Hz
• Maximum output 110dB
• Sensitivity 87dB (2.83V/1m); nominal impedance 4 Ohm
• Amplifier requirements 15 to 200W
• Crossover at 400Hz and 2.7kHz
• Precision-cut microfibre grille with 1,801 holes per driver
• Works as stereo pair or R Series home cinema surround
• Available in Black Gloss, White Gloss, and Walnut
• EISA Loudspeaker Series 2023-2024; Home Cinema Choice Best Buy, Summer 2023

Warranty:

5-year manufacturer's warranty

Why Consider the KEF R5 Meta

The R5 Meta is the right choice for listeners who want a full R Series floorstanding speaker in a room where a wider cabinet would be impractical. At just 175mm wide, it fits into spaces that the R7 and R11 Meta cannot, yet it carries exactly the same Uni-Q with MAT driver technology and the same extended frequency response. The two dedicated bass drivers give it proper low-frequency authority that no bookshelf speaker can match, and at 110dB maximum output it handles demanding material without strain. It also serves as an excellent LCR or surround option in an R Series home cinema build where tonal consistency across all channels is a priority.

Ideal for

• Smaller or medium rooms where a wider floorstander would not fit
• Listeners who want R Series MAT and Uni-Q technology in a compact footprint
• Stereo music systems needing genuine floorstanding bass reach
• Home cinema builds using R5 Meta as surround or LCR speakers
• Amplifier pairings from 15 to 200W across a wide range of setups
• Rooms where multiple speakers must maintain tonal consistency throughout

What's in the Box

• KEF R5 Meta Floorstanding Speakers (pair)
• Microfibre Grilles
• Plinth and Spike Accessories
• Port Bungs
• User Manual and Warranty Information

Technical Specifications