Features

Dolby Atmos Surround Speaker: The KEF Q8 Meta loudspeaker can be utilized as a Dolby Atmos speaker module that sits atop your compatible floorstanding or bookshelf speaker, as well as used as an on-wall Dolby Atmos or surround speaker. As a Dolby Atmos topper, the KEF Q8 Meta speaker fires sound upward and bounces that sound off the ceiling to create overhead effects from Dolby Atmos music and movie soundtracks. As an on-wall Dolby Atmos speaker, it fires sound downward into the listening area to create immersive Dolby Atmos overhead effects. As an on-wall surround speaker, the KEF Q8 Meta acts as a direct radiating surround or surround back speaker for your home theater system. The Q8 Meta loudspeaker has been expertly tuned by KEF acoustic engineers to bring extraordinarily immersive Dolby Atmos and surround sound into your home.

• Dolby Atmos: Dolby Atmos is an advanced surround sound technology that generates a heightened sense of immersion and realism. Beyond traditional setups, Atmos utilities overhead or upward-firing speakers to add vertical channels, allowing sounds to be precisely placed and moved through a three-dimensional space. This creates a profound awareness of spatial depth and envelopment, making the listener feel truly surrounded by the audio. Dolby Atmos is commonly found in premium home cinemas, movie theaters, and select music studios, delivering a remarkably natural and lifelike soundscape that heightens the impact of films, TV, and music.
  
• Surround Sound: Surround sound creates a 360-degree soundfield around the listener in a home theater system. Placed behind or beside the seating position, they reproduce ambient audio, effects, and other elements that envelop the audience. This heightens the sense of realism and spatial awareness beyond a basic stereo setup. The surround speakers work in harmony with the front left, center, and right channels to create a cohesive, multi-dimensional soundscape that brings movies, TV, and music to life in a more compelling, lifelike way.

Uni-Q Driver Array: KEF's 12th generation Uni-Q driver array with MAT is found in the Q8 Meta Dolby Atmos Surround loudspeaker. Uni-Q technology places the tweeter precisely at the acoustic center of the mid/bass cone, so both act together 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. With Uni-Q's single point source design all frequencies reach your ear at the same time. The sound is therefore more accurate and realistic than with conventional loudspeakers, where the output from each separate driver arrives at slightly different times, causing the sound to be smeared and less natural sounding. The Uni-Q driver array is made up of a 1" aluminum dome tweeter and a 5.25" aluminum mid/bass woofer.

• 1" Aluminum Dome Tweeter: At the center of the Uni-Q driver array is a 1" aluminum dome tweeter that utilizes a conical waveguide which couples the tweeter dome to the metamaterial absorber for ultra-wide dispersion and greater depth. The re-engineered tweeter gap damper strategically places two rings of porous material to tame the resonances and imperfections effectively, greatly improving detail and clarity. The tweeter motor system has also been redesigned to maximize the transmission of energy from the rear of the tweeter to the MAT absorber. The area of the tweeter rear chamber vent is increased by 250%, allowing more sound to reach the metamaterial absorber and therefore its effectiveness. This also significantly reduces the acoustic pressure behind the dome, allowing the tweeter to operate more linearly leading to lower distortion still.
• 5.25" Aluminum Mid/Bass Woofer: The 5.25" mid/bass woofer features an aluminum cone structure that has been engineered to reduce cone breakup and improve midrange performance. The Flexible Decoupling Chassis of the Uni-Q's woofer dramatically reduces coloration of the sound caused by midrange vibration transmission to the cabinet, while also mitigating the potential of additional sound created by the driver basket that occurs with traditional decoupling methods. It works by decoupling the massive mid/bass motor from the Uni-Q chassis, dissipating its vibration before it can travel to the cabinet and be radiated as unwanted sound. The aluminum cone woofer also employs KEF's ingenious Z-flex surround which guides the sound from the tweeter across the surround without any disturbance or secondary radiation.

Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT): The crucial advancement of KEF's Uni-Q driver array is the integration of their Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT). MAT is a highly complex "maze-like" structure that absorbs unwanted noise from the rear of the driver, eliminating the resulting distortion and providing a purer, more natural sound. Metamaterials are specially developed structures that use existing materials in such a way that they exhibit new properties. MAT’s tuned channels absorb 99% of the unwanted sound from the rear of driver, compared to around 60% absorption from loudspeakers using different approach.

Refined Crossover: To achieve a smooth and natural sound between drivers, KEF engineers take more than 1,000 specific measurements for each speaker model using a custom-built reference microphone array in their anechoic chamber in Maidstone, UK. These extensive on and off-axis measurements allow KEF's team to thoroughly understand each model's acoustic interactions, enabling precise crossover design through advanced simulation and prototyping. This meticulous process guarantees precise signal path optimization and the best possible audio performance.

Acoustic Suspension Cabinet: The KEF Q8 Meta speaker employs an acoustic suspension (sealed) cabinet for tight, accurate sounding bass response. The speaker cabinet feature a contemporary minimalist design that is available in Satin Black, Satin White, or Walnut finish - designed to blend effortlessly into practically any room's decor.

• Shadow Flare: Shadow Flare reduces unwanted cabinet diffraction , allowing the speaker's 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT to work at its highest potential. Shadow Flare is a precision-designed surface that extends the waveguide effect of the Uni-Q driver array. This means the tweeter no longer has a line of sight to the cabinet edges, creating a "shadow region" where the potential for diffraction is highest, minimizing the acoustic impact to negligible levels. The exceptional clarity and reproduction of fine details make for an improved listening experience.
• Magnetic Grilles: Color-matched grilles are included with the Q8 Meta Dolby Atmos Surround speaker. The magnetic fixing provides a secure and precise fit, in keeping with the clean and seamless styling of the Q Series.

Binding Post Terminals: On the rear of the speaker cabinet is a pair of gold-plated binding post terminals that will accept bare wire (up to 10AWG), pin-connectors, spade-lugs, and banana plugs (single only). Plastic inserts must be removed from the binding posts to use banana plugs. The gold-plated binding post terminals provide excellent audio signal transmission and resistance to corrosion.

Mounting & Placement Options: As a Dolby Atmos topper, the KEF Q8 Meta simply sits atop your compatible floorstanding or bookshelf loudspeaker to create the reflection of overhead Dolby Atmos effects from music and movie soundtracks. The KEF Q8 Meta can also be used as an on-wall Dolby Atmos or surround/surround back speaker to create overhead effects and an immersive 360-degree soundfield around the listener. The Q8 Meta speaker mounts to the wall using the integrated keyhole slots (mounting screws not included). Proper speaker positioning is key to unlocking the full immersive potential of the KEF's Q8 Meta's sound.

• Dolby Atmos Topper: As a Dolby Atmos topper, the KEF Q8 Meta simply mounts on top of your compatible floorstanding or bookshelf speaker. Rubber feet are provided to protect the top of your floorstanding or bookshelf speakers. The rubber feet add approximately 0.1875" to the overall height of the Q8 Meta loudspeaker. The KEF Q8 fires sound upwards and reflects sound off of the ceiling to create overhead effects from Dolby Atmos soundtracks.
  • as a Dolby Atmos Topper speaker, the KEF Q8 Meta measures 7.125" (w) x 7.25" (h) x 10.25" (d).
• On-Wall Dolby Atmos Speaker: As an on-wall Dolby Atmos speaker, the KEF Q8 Meta mounts on front, side, or rear walls to deliver 3D (theatre-dimenional) Dolby Atmos overhead effects. In this setup, the KEF Q8 Meta should be mounted approximately 2' above the main listening area and fires Dolby Atmos overhead effects and sound down into the room for a truly immersive listening experience.
  • as an on-wall Dolby Atmos speaker, the KEF Q8 Meta measures 7.125" (w) x 10.25" (h) x 7.25" (d).
• On-Wall Surround Speaker: As an on-wall surround speaker, mount the KEF Q8 Meta on the side walls, placed slightly behind the main listening area. As surround back speakers, the KEF Q8 Meta can be mounted on the wall directly behind the main listening area, also at ear level. Positioning the speakers at or just above ear level achieves the most enveloping effect. Avoiding placement too far forward or too close to the main listening area is crucial to maintaining a sense of audio space and preventing overpowering surround effects.
  • as an on-wall surround speaker, the KEF Q8 Meta measures 7.125" (w) x 10.25" (h) x 7.25" (d).

Q Meta Series: The Q Meta Series is quipped with innovative technology from KEF, including  their Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) and KEF's 12th generation Uni-Q driver array to ensure exceptional sound quality - making it an ideal choice for both stereo and home theatre setups. The Q Meta Series' comprehensive line-up caters to almost any room size or application with models including two floorstanding speakers (Q7 Meta / Q11 Meta), three bookshelf speakers (Q1 Meta / Q3 Meta / Q Concerto Meta), a center-channel speaker (Q6 Meta), a Dolby Atmos surround speaker (Q8 Meta), and an on-wall speaker (Q4 Meta). With the versatility to seamlessly mix and match, the Q Series can adapt to evolving audio needs. Color-matched grilles are included with the speakers. With the versatility to seamlessly mix and match, the Q Meta Series can adapt to your evolving audio needs.

Optional Powered Subwoofer: A KEF Kube series powered subwoofer (sold separately) is the perfect addition to the Q Meta Series loudspeakers for bigger, more impactful bass.