KEF Reference Meta & Perlisten comparison

[quattro_98]

Does anyone have experience with how the Perlistens (S or R series) compare with the KEF Reference Meta line? I am thinking about mixing and matching these in a living room surround setup (not a dedicated room) to meet the install limitations.

I am most interested in tonality/timbre. Both are very linear and should sound similar. The differences in dispersion are easy to find. I want to see what those who have heard/measured both think about them. Maximum output isn't important to us.

 

[highfigh]

Does anyone have experience with how the Perlistens (S or R series) compare with the KEF Reference Meta line? I am thinking about mixing and matching these in a living room surround setup (not a dedicated room) to meet the install limitations.

I am most interested in tonality/timbre. Both are very linear and should sound similar. The differences in dispersion are easy to find. I want to see what those who have heard/measured both think about them. Maximum output isn't important to us.

Why do you want to mix & match?

 

[quattro_98]

Mostly due to installation limitations & the models offered in the lineup.

Perlisten offers on-wall models for surrounds and enclosed ceiling speakers. If I want to stay with KEF, I can wall mount an R8 Meta easily or use the R2/R6 Meta as a surround. KEF has nice in-ceiling speakers, but all are open back, so sound leakage is a concern.

We're in a high rise condo with concrete ceilings/floors. The interior has a suspended drywall ceiling which allows for in-ceiling speakers and recessed lights. In-walls won't work where I need to put them, so I need surface mount speakers. I don't want floor/stand mounts for the surrounds.

FWIW, in our last place, we had a surround setup that we enjoyed with speakers from multiple lines to make it work in the space. There I had concrete ceilings, so needed surface mount speakers for Atmos. I used Focal Domes. They aren't great, but did the trick with a very high crossover. I used Revel in-walls for surrounds and they complemented the LCR fine. At that time, I had Aerial Acoustics 7B & CC3B for LCR (now KEF Reference Meta 3 & 2).

 

[DigitalDawn]

Have you considered Triad OnWall Speakers?

They are fantastic sounding speakers, and Triad will paint them for free to match your wall color.

Triad Datasheet

 

[quattro_98]

Thanks. I’m not interested in Triad for this project since I’m looking for high linearity and low distortion. I do like the versatility of their line.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

KEF has nice in-ceiling speakers, but all are open back, so sound leakage is a concern.

What about using generic Foam Back-Box Enclosures?

 

[quattro_98]

It’s definitely an option. Dynamat also has some soft retrofit boxes. They won’t be the right volume or have the sound isolation of a rigid enclosure.

We do have existing in ceiling speakers throughout our place from the prior owners which are open backed, but I am cautious about taking a chance with the main system. Once a neighbor is sensitized it could be an ongoing problem. I want to avoid that situation.

What about using generic Foam Back-Box Enclosures?

 

[Golfx]

Does anyone have experience with how the Perlistens (S or R series) compare with the KEF Reference Meta line? I am thinking about mixing and matching these in a living room surround setup (not a dedicated room) to meet the install limitations.

I am most interested in tonality/timbre. Both are very linear and should sound similar. The differences in dispersion are easy to find. I want to see what those who have heard/measured both think about them. Maximum output isn't important to us.

Perhaps @shadyJ will chime in?

 

[quattro_98]

I've heard Perlisten speakers (S7t) once, but don't have a lot of experience with them. I am mostly looking for some input on whether they are in the same family tonally. Opinions vary, but I have no problems mixing neutral speakers when the environment is different (front vs surround vs height). Staying in the same family is ok too, but for a variety of reasons, I prefer the KEF Reference Meta over Perlisten for LCR. Maybe @shadyJ has experience with both?

 

[shadyJ]

I've heard Perlisten speakers (S7t) once, but don't have a lot of experience with them. I am mostly looking for some input on whether they are in the same family tonally. Opinions vary, but I have no problems mixing neutral speakers when the environment is different (front vs surround vs height). Staying in the same family is ok too, but for a variety of reasons, I prefer the KEF Reference Meta over Perlisten for LCR. Maybe @shadyJ has experience with both?

I have heard both but not in a way that I would try to compare them. The only way to do that is to do an AB comparison, and I doubt many people have done that between these specific speakers. That being said, while I would not mix these speakers in a front stage, I would guess that you can use either as surrounds and would not notice the difference in that capacity.

 

[quattro_98]

Thank you. I'm in a large market, but Perlisten isn't easy to find. Ideally, I'd bring a pair of bookshelves or monitors home to compare and then go for it. I will do some more checking. Since I'm mostly looking at surrounds and heights, demoing those is even harder. I suspect they will be fine since all are quite linear.

I have heard both but not in a way that I would try to compare them. The only way to do that is to do an AB comparison, and I doubt many people have done that between these specific speakers. That being said, while I would not mix these speakers in a front stage, I would guess that you can use either as surrounds and would not notice the difference in that capacity.

 

[DigitalDawn]

Thanks. I’m not interested in Triad for this project since I’m looking for high linearity and low distortion. I do like the versatility of their line.

Let me know if I can help you with KEF.

 

[quattro_98]

Let me know if I can help you with KEF.

Thank you.

 

[quattro_98]

Closing the loop on this thread. Since I knew I wanted KEF for the LCR, I stuck with them for everything. Here's our 7.4 system (subs are Rythmik). I'm thrilled with the setup. I do wish KEF had more options for mountable and surround speakers, but made this work. I don't think the R8 Meta is adequate as the only factory option for wall mounting.

Front: Reference 3 Meta
Center: Reference 2 Meta
Surround: R3 Meta
Rear: LS50 Meta (these required some creative mounting)
Atmos: Ci250RRM-THX

 

[highfigh]

I was under the impression that dealers aren't supposed to try to sell in the non-classifieds forum.

 

[highfigh]

Closing the loop on this thread. Since I knew I wanted KEF for the LCR, I stuck with them for everything. Here's our 7.4 system (subs are Rythmik). I'm thrilled with the setup. I do wish KEF had more options for mountable and surround speakers, but made this work. I don't think the R8 Meta is adequate as the only factory option for wall mounting.

Front: Reference 3 Meta
Center: Reference 2 Meta
Surround: R3 Meta
Rear: LS50 Meta (these required some creative mounting)
Atmos: Ci250RRM-THX

How would you mount the LS50, with the back against the wall, or angled toward seating?

 

[quattro_98]

Ours are angled. I designed some custom adapters for use with a K&M mount.

How would you mount the LS50, with the back against the wall, or angled toward seating?

 

[ban25]

Ours are angled. I designed some custom adapters for use with a K&M mount.

Impressions on the Reference 2 Meta? I'm considering it...

 

[quattro_98]

Both the 2 and 4 are great center channels. Any combination of the Reference Meta and Blade Meta speakers would make an outstanding LCR.

I think the sealed speaker makes a lot of sense in a bass managed system. If your preference is to cross over at a lower f the 4 is great too.

We have a living room system, so the smaller size looks nice and the speaker is much lighter and easier to move. I can’t really see being able to pick up the 4.

Impressions on the Reference 2 Meta? I'm considering it...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

KEF Reference is one of the best. They are also made in England, not China, which is important to some people spending $15-25K on speakers.