KEF R6 C META

The R6 Meta center channel of the R line features the same Uni-Q driver, 12th generation with Metamaterials, of the stereo models of the Series, for a perfect tonal coupling, and two powerful 16.5 cm aluminum hybrid woofers. R6 Meta offers a truly immersive listening experience that brings the cinema experience to life. It is extremely versatile and can be used in an LCR (Left-Center-Right) configuration. Available in Black Gloss, White Gloss and Walnut finishes, this speaker is the perfect complement to a high-end Home Theater and Hi-Fi system.

Kef R6 Meta is the audio center channel for Home Cinema systems

Kef R6 Meta is the three-way closed-box speaker dedicated to the center channel for High-End Home Theater systems of the renewed R line by Kef. Unlike previous versions, this speaker can now be used in LCR (Left-Centre-Right) configuration, therefore both in a horizontal position as a central channel of a Home Cinema installation, but also in a vertical position as a front, side or rear. This speaker is so versatile that it can be positioned, in addition to being a surround, as the main speaker for a traditional Hi-Fi system.

Kef R6 Meta is therefore the perfect complement to create any audio-video system together with the other speakers of the complete R Meta line of the English brand, which includes in addition to the R2 Meta - the smallest model of this central channel - a bookshelf - R3 Meta - three different floor speakers and R8 Meta, a Dolby Atmos model.

R6 Meta - exactly like R2 - is designed in a closed case to be inserted inside furniture, in addition to two 16.5 aluminum woofers it also mounts the twelfth version of the Uni-Q driver with the implementation of the revolutionary Metamaterials technology.

All this contributes to significantly raising the performance of this speaker in terms of detail, transparency and naturalness, to enjoy your films and favourite music without compromise!

For high-level but more scaled installations we recommend instead turning to the entry level Q line.

“…the Kef R speakers are brilliant all-rounders. They are expertly balanced from a sonically point of view and work well on a wide range of systems, so much so that finding something better…”

WHAT-HiFi? and AF DIGITAL

Metamaterials

After the legendary Kef LS50 Meta and Wireless II, the new Ls60 Wireless and the acclaimed Blade and Reference, today also the R series of the Maidstone brand, boasts MAT™ technology.

The Metamaterials patent, to which What Hi-Fi magazine also awarded the prize for innovation of the year – in 2020 – was studied by Kef itself in collaboration with the Acoustic Metamaterials Group, and consists in exploiting the physical properties of new materials, arranged in very complex structures, to absorb most (99% compared to 60% of common speakers) of vibrations and distortions that are created in the rear chamber of the driver.

Kef once again demonstrates its attention to the constant search for increasingly faithful, natural, accurate and detailed sound reproduction.

New Uni-Q 12th generation: more musical and transparent

Since the late 1980s, the British manufacturer has distinguished itself from the rest of the production with the performance of its now famous coaxial driver: Tweeter and midrange, fused in the Uni-Q unit, which effectively allows for a more homogeneous diffusion of the sound. This creates a much wider listening area as well as a better perception of the various frequencies. The Uni-Q design has won countless awards and is now in its 12th upgrade.

At the heart of the Uni-Q coaxial driver is a 25mm ventilated aluminium tweeter that incorporates the brand's latest developments, including redesigned damping and a waveguide. The back of this tweeter now benefits from Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) to neutralise 99% of unwanted noise and improve the transparency and naturalness of the sound.

With the KEF R Meta series, the Uni-Q driver has been refined to ensure greater dynamics and even better balance. With a diameter of 13cm across all speakers in the range, this speaker has a midrange designed in aluminium that offers greater excursion. The magnetic group has also been redesigned to expand the harmonic range while further reducing distortion.

Ideal Drivers in Cabinets

Unlike the more compact R2 Meta model, this R6 Meta obviously differs in the size of the cabinet but also in the diameter of the drivers dedicated to the lowest frequencies.

The result of a project in itself, the woofers of the R Meta series are able to go really low – in this case up to the threshold of 55 Hz – thanks to the cone design that combines paper and aluminum thus achieving an even more important rigidity, but at the same time with an excursion that is double that of the past. All to guarantee extreme power and depth on the bass but always with control, articulation and speed.

The sophisticated new drivers from Kef are housed inside a totally inert chassis, designed and built with an innovative technique – Flexible Decoupling Chassis – which combines an ultra-rigid cabinet with softer internal damping joints.

Furthermore, the reduced front panel, combined with the Shadow Flare – the ring outside the driver – drastically reduce the effects of diffraction, allowing the speaker to interact much less with the environment that hosts it.

“The overall quality of the construction is exceptional. Kef R6 Meta shows a level of intuition and resolution of detail that goes far beyond that of most rivals”

Shocking design and performance

Since its foundation in 1961, Kef has always paid great attention to the design of its products, combining increasingly innovative patents, aimed at the search for perfect sound reproduction, with elegant and refined lines.

In fact, the passion for aesthetic harmony has often seen the birth of important collaborations with the pencils of famous designers for the creation of truly fascinating acoustic speakers.

Today the R series – Meta – is reborn, which in addition to including cutting-edge technologies, is designed to blend finely with the most disparate furnishings, giving listening environments an extra edge also on an aesthetic level.

Kef R6 Meta, like the rest of the line, comes in three elegant and classic tone-on-tone finishes: white or glossy black and one in real wood – Walnut. But the renewal of the famous English series also includes two exclusive special edition colors: an electric Indigo Glossy, with the golden contrast of the driver, for the R3 Meta bookshelf speaker, and a Titanium Glossy with Uni-Q Red that makes the R7 Meta floor speaker nothing short of captivating.

The elegance of these speakers is noted starting from the design of the magnetic microfiber grilles that are supplied with each model, always tone on tone, and with a result to the touch similar to suede.

Aesthetically they are ultra-thin, rigid and with a texture of 1801 holes per driver, they do not affect the sound result in the slightest and at the same time give a unique style to these speakers, completely redefining the standards of acoustic protection for speakers.

“The new patented grilles of Kef finally eliminate the classic MDF frame that compromises the performance of most speakers”

WHAT-HiFi? and AF DIGITAL

Application and installation

The features of this speaker really make it the perfect solution for every need: the closed-box design, first of all, allows it to be inserted inside any piece of furniture, and its LCR nature allows it to be configured both vertically and horizontally for any type of installation. R6 Meta is obviously perfect as a central channel - in Home Cinema systems, even in medium-large sized environments. In fact, thanks to the size of the cabinet and its drivers, it manages to return the right punch on the low frequencies but also the transparency necessary to understand the dialogues of your favorite films.

The ideal combination for timbre affinity and design is found with the other models in the line: R7 or R11 Meta as front speakers, R3 Meta as rear speakers and by integrating R8 Meta into your system you can relive the great emotions of the cinema in your living room thanks to Dolby Atmos. For smaller environments we recommend R5 Meta as main speakers and R2 Meta for the central channel.

Don't forget to integrate an active Sub with a power proportional to the size of the room and system. Kef recommends combining the R Meta line with one or more KF92, but if space is limited you can opt for the KC62, KUBE 8B or KUBE 10B models. Now your room will really not lack anything!

To drive R6 Meta inside a Home Theater system you obviously need a dedicated audio-video processor, capable of managing Dolby Atmos, Auro 3D signals etc...

Finally, as power and signal cables, Hifight recommends the use of Chord Company cables, starting from the Clearway series or specific cables for audio-video and custom installations.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

WEIGHT 17.8 Kg

FINISHES Black Gloss / White Gloss / Walnut

DIMENSION (H X W X D) 200 x 625 x 339 mm with terminal

DESIGN Three-way closed box

FREQUENCY RANGE 55 Hz – 50 kHz (-6 dB)

TYPICAL IN-ROOM BASS RESPONSE 40 Hz (-6 dB)

FREQUENCY RESPONSE 65 Hz – 28 kHz (±3 dB)

SENSITIVITY 88 db

HARMONIC DISTORTION (90 dB, 1m) <1% 65 Hz and above; <0.5% 93 Hz – 20 kHz

MAXIMUM OUTPUT 111 dB

AMPLIFIER REQUIREMENTS 15 – 250W

NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 4 Ω (min. 3.2 Ω)

DRIVE UNITS Uni-Q Driver Array: HF: 25 mm vented aluminium dome WITH MAT, MF: 125 mm aluminium cone

BASS DRIVER: LF: 2 x 165 mm hybrid aluminium cone

CROSSOVER FREQUENCIES 500 Hz, 2.4 kHz