KEF LS50 Meta

Features

Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT): KEF teamed up with the Acoustic Metamaterials Group (AMG) to use Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) in their LS50 Meta loudspeaker. Metamaterials are specially developed structures that use existing materials in such a way that they exhibit new, desirable properties that are simply not found in naturally occurring substances. A truly revolutionary technology, MAT is a highly complex maze-like structure, where each of the intricate channels efficiently absorbs a specific frequency. When combined, the channels act as an acoustic black hole, absorbing 99% of the unwanted sound that comes from the rear of the tweeter, eliminating the resulting distortion and providing a purer, more natural acoustic performance.

12th Generation Uni-Q Driver Array: The LS50 Meta bookshelf loudspeaker utilizes KEF's patented 12th Generation Uni-Q driver configuration, in which the tweeter is mounted at the acoustic center of the midrange cone. With both acting as a single point source, the sound is dispersed widely and evenly throughout the listening area allowing you to experience superbly defined and perfectly balanced stereo imagery with a wide "sweet spot". Using simulation and analysis tools and decades of accumulated in-house knowledge, KEF engineers developed a 12th Generation Uni-Q driver array, with a new cone neck decoupler and motor system that is precisely shaped to reduce high-frequency distortion in the mid-frequency driver. The result is reduced coloration, less distortion and a sound that is more transparent and life-like than previously possible. The same can also be said of bass performance, where LS50 Meta exceeds the expectations of a modestly proportioned bookshelf and standmount speaker to deliver room-filling sound with deep, articulate bass.

• 1" Aluminum Vented-Dome Tweeter: The geometry of the tweeter dome matches that of the midrange cone to avoid disrupting the waveform. By smoothening high frequency response, this helps to account for the detailed and strikingly natural-sounding treble. The 1" aluminum vented-dome tweeter utilizes a Tangerine Waveguide to encourage the sound to radiate spherically for wider, more even dispersion so that everyone in the room enjoys the same superb sound quality. A large internal vent prevents potentially distorting high pressures from building up behind the dome in the critical vocal region, preserving all the nuance and fine detail of the original performance.
• 5.25" Aluminum Cone Woofer: The 5.25" woofer uses an Aluminum cone that is light, stiff, and smooth for natural midrange and midbass sound. As well as allowing the midrange cone its full extension, KEF's ingenious Z-flex surround guides the sound from the tweeter across the surround without any disturbance or secondary radiation. Treble response is clearer and sweeter.

Advanced Cabinet Design: From the precision molded curved baffle to the solid, reinforced cabinet, every inch of LS50 Meta has been designed to perform. Every aspect of LS50 Meta has been considered for acoustic benefits and from a design perspective. The low-diffraction curved front baffle is subtly mirrored by the gently radiused rear panel, where both the port exit and speaker terminals have been elegantly recessed and softened visually.

• Rigid Cabinet Bracing: The LS50 Meta’s extremely rigid cabinet is optimized for the best performance, with smooth curved surfaces that help radiate sound out across the baffle without any interference. Inside the cabinet, cross bracing and Constrained Layer Damping (CLD) combine to deaden internal vibrations. The result of such meticulous attention to detail is that LS50 Meta produces the lowest coloration of any speaker in its class.
• Robust Curved Baffle: LS50 Meta's baffle is engineered from an injection-moulded Dough Moulding Compound (DMC), usually found in the automotive industry. The LS50 Meta's low-diffraction, curved baffle is precision modelled around the Uni-Q driver array. It’s smooth curved surfaces help radiate sound out across the baffle without any interference from hard edges, which cause diffraction. The result is cleaner, more precise sound.
• Flexible Port Design: Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the port flare and profile of LS50 Meta's patented off-set port is calculated to delay the onset of turbulence, and the flexible port walls prevent resonances from coloring the midrange. This leads to improved clarity, with exceptional depth and detail. Two foam port plugs are included to seal the cabinet if the bass is too "boomy" because of speaker placement.

Note: No grilles are included with the KEF LS50 Meta.

Binding Post Terminals: On the back of the KEF LS50 Meta's speaker cabinet is a pair of heavy-duty binding post terminals to connect your speaker wire (sold separately). The binding post terminals will accept bare wire (up to 10AWG), pin-connectors, spade-lugs, and banana plugs (single only).

Mounting & Placement Options: The KEF LS50 Meta bookshelf loudspeakers can be simply mounted on a stand, shelf, table top, or other flat surface. The KEF S2 speaker stand (sold separately; see Accessories Tab) is custom-designed specifically for the LS50 Meta bookshelf speaker. Eight self-adhesive rubber feet (four for each speaker) are included to provide a secure non-slip, protective mounting surface. The feet add approximately 0.1875" to the overall height of the speaker.

• The LS50 Meta bookshelf loudspeaker should be mounted 25" to 30" from the floor.
• The speaker should be spaced 7.875" to 19.6875" from the rear wall, and 19.6875" to 39.375" from the side wall.
• A pair of LS50 Meta speaker should be spaced 6' to 10' apart, and "toed" in slightly (0-15 degrees) to the main listening area.

Note: There is no included bracket, keyhole slot, or threaded insert to wall-mount the speaker.