Let’s get into this article and compare Revel F226BE Vs KEF Reference 1 features, performance, and design elements to assist you in determining which one will be more suitable for your rig. Revel F226be and Kef Reference 1 are two of the best high-end fidelity speakers that provide the “fullest” surround sound. Whether you’re an audiophile seeking to elevate your listening experience or simply looking to invest in the best possible speakers, understanding the differences between the Revel F226BE and KEF Reference 1 is crucial.
Revel F226BE Vs KEF Reference 1 [Comparison & Which One Is Better?]
When compared to Revel F226BE Vs KEF Reference 1. The Revel F226BE is overall the better speaker for most ears, and mostly for the person who wants a full-sounding enveloping listening experience.
The Revel F226BE and KEF Reference 1 are both high-end speakers that produce fantastic sound but they do appeal to slightly different tastes. The Revel F226BE, a floor-standing speaker, offers impressive bass depth and a broader soundstage due to its larger size and dual 6.5-inch woofers. That makes it perfect for those who like big room sound and hard-hitting lows, especially in bigger rooms.
But then again, the KEF Reference 1 is an audiophile-grade bookshelf speaker with a Uni-Q driver array that has a very defined and accurate soundstage with amazing clarity, especially in the mids and highs. KEF’s smaller design is good for smaller rooms or for those who like to keep things minimal yet sonically sound.
Difference Between Revel F226BE Vs KEF Reference 1 For Home Theater
The Revel F226BE and the KEF Reference 1 are two speakers that excel in the home theater, but for different reasons, and therefore would be perfect for different applications and audiophiles. The Revel F226BE is a floor-standing speaker that is used for that powerful room-filling sound with plenty of good bass and a wide soundstage. This makes it very suitable for home theater atmospheres where it can adequately reproduce dynamic movie soundtracks and thumping low frequencies, without the need for reinforcement from a subwoofer.
The KEF Reference 1, on the other hand, is a more expensive bookshelf speaker, but its smaller size and more precise, clear sound (especially in the mid and upper ranges) is immediately apparent. KEF’s Uni-Q driver array provides accurate sound imaging, which is very good at reproducing the subtle details and placing the sound effects correctly in a smaller to medium-sized home theater room.
KEF Reference 1 Meta Review & Measurements
The KEF Reference 1 Meta is a sophisticated bookshelf speaker that uses KEF’s Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) to drastically improve its sound. MAT soaks up 99% of the “junk” sound waves that are behind the tweeter, this allows for a much more clear, undistorted sound.
They utilize this technology along with KEF’s patented Uni-Q driver array, which produces very accurate and transparent sound, which is great for the audiophile who desires high fidelity.
Design and Build
It still keeps KEF’s style of elegant and modern design and it comes in High-Gloss White/Blue, Black/Grey, and Walnut/Silver. It has a bass reflex cabinet and rear-firing ports so it has a deep, controlled bass. These ports are of varying lengths to tune the bass response to the room, allowing the low end to drop down to 40Hz or 37Hz.
Performance and Measurements
The Reference 1 Meta has a very low sensitivity rating of 85dB and an impedance that drops to a low of 3. 2 ohms so it needs a very powerful amplifier to drive it. The speaker is bi-wireable/bi-ampable, so that leaves room for some experimentation with setup, and possibly improvement in soundstage and dynamic range. However, to get the best performance out of the KEF Reference 1 Meta, it is advised to use high-quality amplifiers, such as those that have great current delivery and low distortion to deal with the speaker’s challenging impedance load.
Measurements
The KEF Reference 1 measures 17.3 x 8.1 x 16.9 inches (440 x 205 x 430mm) and is slightly heavier at 40.1 pounds (18.2kg). The speaker excels in technical performance when tested, displaying minimal distortion over its frequency range and accurate imaging. Its clearest MAT use however keeps things clear even when the volume is up and its bass extension is pretty deep for a bookshelf speaker but placement in the room is everything.
Revel Performa F228 BE Speaker Review
The Revel Performa F228Be is a high-end floor-standing speaker known for its classy sound and also for its ability to perform well over so many frequencies. It has a 1-inch beryllium tweeter, a 5 and 1/4-inch midrange driver, and 2 8-inch woofers all in a very sturdy, and well-finished cabinet. The speaker has a very wide range, with dynamic and crispness, and it has very good treble and bass control. Speaker also has a very large soundstage with great imaging so all the instruments and vocals are clear and in their position.
The F228Be is special in that it has a very detailed and natural high-frequency response due to the beryllium tweeter, which has great extension but never gets harsh. The bass response is nice and tight, not boomy like most bass-reflex designs, and clear and musical. It sounds clear without distortion even when it is turned up very loud so it works well in big rooms and with all types of music. It has the capability of bi-wire and bi-amp, for those audiophiles who like to.
Where Are KEF Reference Speakers Made?
KEF Reference loudspeakers are manufactured in the United Kingdom at the KEF factory in Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom. Where KEF engineers carefully craft their Reference flagship series, utilizing the most advanced technology and methodology to deliver unique sonic bliss to the refined auditory canals of the audiophile and professional.
How Big Is The KEF Reference 1?
The KEF Reference 1 is a small bookshelf speaker, but it is quite large compared to others in its class. The speaker measures:
- Height: 17.7 inches (450 mm)
- Width: 8.3 inches (210 mm)
- Depth: 16.3 inches (412 mm)
- Weight: Approximately 40.1 pounds (18.2 kg) each
Even though it is much smaller than the other floor-standing ones, it is the Reference 1 and has the Uni-Q driver array and the Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) so it should sound pretty good.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Revel F226BE Vs KEF Reference 1 are both terrific high-end speakers, but for very different reasons. It is the Revel F226Be and it is a very large floor-standing speaker, that thing is a beast has a huge sound and can fill the room with some very deep bass, that thing would be ideal for a large room, or even better for a home theater setup.
But the KEF Reference 1 is a bookshelf speaker that would appeal to the audiophiles who like precise imaging and clarity, in a smaller room that is. It does come down to whether you want a lot of “bassy” surroundings or more defined detail when listening to music.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the No 1 brand in speaker?
There are some good speaker companies out there Bose great audio and great innovation, Sonos awesome multi-room systems, JBL very popular because they make very durable weatherproof speakers, and of course, Sony is not bad at anything.
What are KEF speakers known for?
KEF speakers have a Uni-Q driver array and Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) that lets them do true sound staging and make a clear, high-fidelity sound.
What power does a KEF reference 1 need?
The KEF Reference 1 is a speaker that operates most efficiently when connected to an amplifier with a power output of anywhere from 50 to 200 watts per channel. It is not as sensitive so a good, high-quality amplifier must be matched with it to have good sound.
What is the sensitivity of KEF reference 1?
The KEF Reference 1 has a sensitivity rating of 85 dB (2.83V/1m), which is relatively low. This implies that it takes more power to make it produce louder volumes than speakers with higher sensitivity ratings.
