KEF Q3 Meta

KEF's mature standmounts are impressive all-rounders

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Aimed at customers seeking to "elevate their at-home audio experience", the eight-strong Q Series aims to bring KEF's latest raft of innovations to a wider audience. The KEF Q3 Meta are the step-up standmounts in this entry-level range, and offer a chance to experience the brand's sonic pedigree at a more affordable price than the more premium QConcerto Meta (£1099).

The Award-winning Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 are the current gatekeepers at this level, while the newly reviewed Acoustic Energy AE300 Mk2 wowed us.

The KEF Q3 Meta are reasonably large units when put up against their key rivals. At 35.7 x 21 x 30.5cm (hwd) and 8.2kg, these are quite large standmounters. They are wider and heavier than the comparatively slender Acoustic Energy AE300 Mk2 (32 x 17 x 27cm), and - while it's not such a noticeable gap - they are also a tad broader than the 18.9cm-wide B&W 606 S3.

The Q3 Meta are built to the high standard that we have come to expect from KEF, and when we pick each speaker up we can feel its weighty, solid construction. While the cabinets themselves are reasonably utilitarian, KEF's signature Uni-Q driver array never fails to draw the eye, while a single set of rear terminals feels well made and nicely finished.

The two-way design implements the 12th generation of KEF's signature Uni-Q driver array, in which the drive acts as a single-point source to disperse audio more evenly, leading to what KEF claims is a more "immersive and cohesive soundstage with better clarity". That array also grants the benefit of more even sonic dispersion, floating a more consistent soundstage no matter where you are in relation to the speakers.