The Reference 3 Floorstander

Now with Metamaterial Absorption Technology

The Reference

Now with Metamaterial Absorption Technology

The Reference

Detail remastered. An icon redefined for tomorrow.

The essential for any audiophile. Hand built by the masters who set the standard for audio quality, The Reference has been the benchmark for loudspeakers and sound reproduction. The Reference is an embodiment of KEF’s philosophy and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Now with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT™).

The benchmark of benchmarks

Since 1973, The Reference has continually set the benchmark for loudspeakers and sound reproduction. Pioneering the use of digital technologies to achieve the highest audio accuracy, every pair can be matched within 0.5dB to the laboratory-maintained reference standard.

Always innovating

Since the first Reference speaker, KEF engineers have continuously to innovate using what is possible with The Reference. Ground-breaking in its first incarnation, each subsequent iteration of The Reference has added to the world’s knowledge of the science of acoustics.

So pure. So KEF.

The latest version of Blade benefits from our latest acoustic innovation: Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT™). MAT™ is a highly complex maze-like structure that absorbs 99% of the unwanted sound from the rear of the driver, eliminating the resulting distortion and providing purer, more natural sound.

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Sit anywhere, hear every detail

Refined through iterations, Uni-Q® driver array for The Reference is the 12th generation Uni-Q® with MAT™. Uni-Q® acts as a single point source to disperse sound more evenly throughout the room. The result is the elimination of the limited ‘sweet spot’, therefore allowing everybody sitting at different spots in the room to experience and enjoy the same natural, detailed sound.

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Total attention to detail

Every speaker in The Reference range exudes the sense of sheer quality that comes from being hand-built by KEF’s master craftsman in Maidstone, Kent, UK. They are designed to be acoustically exceptional, attractive to look at, and each speaker is meticulously built to KEF’s exceptional standards.

Reference quality bass

The Reference’s 165mm (6.5 inch) low frequency driver perfectly complements the new 12th generation Uni-Q driver array. Smart engineering and meticulous attention to detail enables the bass to blend seamlessly with the immaculate midrange and treble.

Engineered to be flexible

The Reference speakers are welcomingly undemanding in terms of positioning and are easy to fine-tune for your listening area by using KEF’s innovative Flexible Port Technology.

The smallest details, revealed

Shadow Flare drastically reduces harmful cabinet diffraction, allowing Uni-Q to work at its highest level. A precision-designed surface extends the waveguide effect of Uni-Q for improved clarity, particularly when it comes to the subtle nuances of plucked strings and other percussive sounds.

Computer-modelled cabinet

The Reference’s cabinets are designed using finite element analysis to determine the ideal shape and bracing geometry to minimise secondary radiation. Constrained Layer Damping is then applied to turn what little vibration is left into heat.

Designed, engineered, handcrafted in Maidstone, UK

Since 1961, we have been creating remarkable award-winning loudspeakers at our UK home Maidstone, Kent. As our high-end speakers, The Reference is still being designed, engineered, and handcrafted in Maidstone today.

Finished to Perfection

The expertly engineered cabinets are finished in a sumptuous high-gloss or richly detailed, pair-matched wood veneers to complement the strikingly distinctive front baffle. Five finishes are available, a combination of three cabinet finishes and five drive unit colours: Satin Walnut/Silver, High-Gloss Black/Copper, High-Gloss Black/Grey, High-Gloss White/Blue, and High-Gloss White/Champagne.

Model	REFERENCE 3 Meta
Design	Three-way bass reflex
Drive units	Uni-Q driver array: HF: 25 mm (1 in.) aluminium dome with MAT MF: 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone Bass units: LF: 2x 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone
Frequency range free field (-6dB)	38 Hz - 45 kHz Long port: 35 Hz - 45 kHz
Frequency range typical in room bass response (-6dB)	28 Hz
Frequency response (±3dB)	43 Hz – 35 kHz
Crossover frequencies	450 Hz, 2.1 kHz
Amplifier requirements	50 - 300 W
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)	86 dB
Harmonic distort ion 2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)	<0.5% 40 Hz - 100k Hz <0.2% 200 Hz - 2k Hz <0.1% 2k Hz - 20k Hz
Maximum output (SPL) (peak sound pressure level at 1m with pink noise)	113.5 dB
Impedance	4 (min. 3.2 )
Weight	51.3 kg (113.1 lbs.)
Dimensions (H x W x D) (with grille and terminal)	1155 x 205 x 462 mm (45.5 x 8.1 x 18.2 in.)
Dimensions (H x W x D) (with grille, terminal & plinth)	1207 x 323 x 467 mm (47.5 x 12.7 x 18.4 in.)
Standard finishes	Satin Walnut/Silver, High-Gloss White/Blue, High-Gloss White/Champagne, High-Gloss Black/Grey, High-Gloss Black/Copper

* Measurement per unit

** KEF reserves the right, in line with continuing research and development, to amend or change specifications. E&OE. **

The Reference Meta Brochure	Download
The Reference Meta Information Sheet	Download
The Reference R&D Paper	Download
The Reference Meta White Paper	Download

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Reference 3 Meta

The benchmark of HiFi speakers, condensed

So pure. So KEF.

Sit anywhere, hear every detail

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Reference 3 Meta

The benchmark of HiFi speakers, condensed

So pure. So KEF.

Sit anywhere, hear every detail

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