When it comes to high-fidelity audio systems, two renowned brands often stand out: KEF and Bowers & Wilkins (B&W). Both companies have established themselves as industry leaders, consistently pushing the boundaries of sound reproduction. In this article, we delve into a comparison between two of their flagship offerings: KEF Reference 1 Meta and B&W 805 D4. These bookshelf speakers represent the epitome of audio engineering and cater to discerning audiophiles seeking exceptional performance. Let’s explore the features, technologies, and sonic signatures of these speakers to determine which one reigns supreme.
KEF Reference 1 Meta
The KEF Reference 1 Meta is a formidable bookshelf speaker that showcases the brand’s unwavering commitment to audio excellence. With its sleek design and meticulous craftsmanship, the Reference 1 Meta delivers a visually striking presence in any room. Equipped with a Uni-Q driver array, consisting of a 5.25-inch midrange driver and a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter placed concentrically, this speaker achieves an incredibly coherent and precise soundstage.
The Uni-Q driver array’s point source design ensures exceptional dispersion characteristics and a wide sweet spot, allowing the listener to experience a lifelike soundstage with remarkable accuracy and imaging. KEF has incorporated its Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) into the Reference 1 Meta, which significantly reduces unwanted resonances and coloration, resulting in a cleaner, more transparent sound.
The Reference 1 Meta boasts an impressive frequency response of 40Hz to 45kHz, capturing an extensive range of audio frequencies with impressive clarity and detail. The speaker’s robust cabinet construction and advanced bracing further minimize resonances, allowing the drivers to operate with minimal interference. The Reference 1 Meta also includes an array of connectivity options, ensuring compatibility with a variety of audio sources.
Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4
The Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 is a testament to B&W’s legacy of audio excellence. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the 805 D4 is a visually stunning bookshelf speaker that exudes elegance. It features a solid-body tweeter-on-top design, which separates the tweeter from the main enclosure, reducing unwanted resonance and diffraction effects.
At the heart of the 805 D4 lies B&W’s Carbon Dome tweeter, which utilizes a carbon-coated aluminum dome for improved rigidity and enhanced breakup control. This tweeter, combined with a 6.5-inch Continuum cone midrange driver, delivers exceptional transparency, detail, and dynamics. The 805 D4’s advanced crossover design ensures seamless integration between the drivers, resulting in a cohesive and natural soundstage.
With a frequency response of 34Hz to 33kHz, the 805 D4 captures an impressive breadth of audio frequencies, reproducing both delicate nuances and deep bass with precision. B&W has paid meticulous attention to the cabinet construction, utilizing high-density fiberboard and strategic bracing to minimize unwanted resonances and optimize driver performance.
Comparison and Conclusion
Both the KEF Reference 1 Meta and B&W 805 D4 exemplify the pinnacle of audio engineering, offering exceptional sound reproduction and craftsmanship. While they share some similarities, each speaker has its unique strengths.
The KEF Reference 1 Meta’s Uni-Q driver array and Metamaterial Absorption Technology deliver an immersive soundstage, remarkable coherence, and transparent audio reproduction. Its sleek design and extensive frequency response make it a compelling choice for audiophiles seeking accuracy and clarity.
On the other hand, the B&W 805 D4’s solid-body tweeter-on-top design and Carbon Dome tweeter contribute to its exceptional transparency, detail, and dynamics. With its refined cabinet construction and advanced crossover design, it offers a cohesive and natural soundstage, capturing the nuances of the music with finesse.
When comparing the two speakers, it’s important to consider personal preferences and the intended listening environment. The KEF Reference 1 Meta excels in delivering a wide sweet spot and precise imaging, making it ideal for critical listening in a well-treated room. Its MAT technology further enhances its sonic performance, providing a clean and transparent sound.
Meanwhile, the B&W 805 D4’s emphasis on detail and dynamics, along with its solid-body tweeter-on-top design, makes it well-suited for audiophiles who appreciate a more dynamic and engaging sound signature. It shines in smaller listening spaces or when placed on a bookshelf, where its compact size and elegant aesthetics are a perfect fit.
Ultimately, both the KEF Reference 1 Meta and B&W 805 D4 represent the pinnacle of their respective brands’ audio expertise. They offer distinct sonic characteristics and cater to different listening preferences. It’s recommended to audition both speakers in person, preferably with music genres and recordings that resonate with your personal taste, to determine which one resonates with you the most.
It’s worth noting that factors such as amplification, room acoustics, and speaker placement can significantly impact the performance of these speakers. To extract the best performance from either the KEF Reference 1 Meta or B&W 805 D4, careful attention should be paid to these aspects.
In conclusion, the KEF Reference 1 Meta and B&W 805 D4 are exceptional bookshelf speakers that showcase the craftsmanship and dedication to audio excellence of their respective brands. Whether you prioritize accuracy and coherence or dynamics and engagement, both speakers offer remarkable performance that will delight even the most discerning audiophiles. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and the specific requirements of your listening environment.