KEF Q8 Meta (Walnut)

KEF Q8 Meta
2-way surround speaker with Uni-Q driver

With the integrated wall mount, the Q8 Meta can be hung as a high-fidelity surround or rear speaker. Alternatively, it can also be placed on top of another speaker to bring Dolby Atmos sound into the room without requiring special installation. The 13 cm 12th generation Uni-Q driver with MAT™ delivers impressive sound in any home theater.

Revolutionary sound absorption with MAT

The core innovation of the Q series is the integrated Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT)1, a revolutionary breakthrough that allows the latest 12th generation Uni-Q drivers to perform with unprecedented precision and clarity.
MAT is a highly complex, labyrinth-like structure where each of the branched channels efficiently absorbs a specific frequency. Combined, the channels act like an acoustic black hole, absorbing 99% of unwanted sound coming from the back of the tweeter, eliminating resulting distortions, and providing a purer, more natural acoustic performance.

 

Frequency crossover improved through 1000 measurements

A crucial component of the Q series is the more sensitive frequency crossover, which ensures seamless integration of all speaker components. To achieve this, our engineers conducted over 1000 specific measurements for each speaker model in our anechoic chamber in Maidstone, UK, using a special reference microphone setup. Thanks to these extensive on- and off-axis measurements, our team thoroughly understood the acoustic interactions of each model and, with advanced simulations and forward-looking prototyping, achieved a precise crossover design. This meticulous process was first applied during the development of the LS50 Meta and was further refined for the latest Blade, Reference, and R series. This ensures a precise signal path and optimizations for the best possible performance for each speaker model.

 

Shadow Flare for enhanced transparency

Shadow Flare4, derived from the flagship models, represents another improvement for the advanced Q series. This design reduces unwanted reflections at the corners of the speaker cabinets, allowing the 12th generation Uni-Q drivers with MAT to reach their full potential. Shadow Flare is a precisely engineered surface that improves the sound radiation of the Uni-Q drivers. This means the tweeter no longer has a "line of sight" to the cabinet edges. This creates a "shadow zone" where the potential for reflections is highest, reducing their acoustic impact to a negligible level. The improved clarity and reproduction of fine details make listening a truly immersive experience. Subtle nuances like the delicate brush of a jazz brush on a cymbal or the complex overtones of a piano are rendered much more clearly with the Q series.