Anyone own KEF Blades - either version? Thoughts?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but at some point didn’t they go from a 3-1/2” Uni-Q driver to a 5”? There may have been that change along the way. I am a very dedicated Magnepan fan, so this is a big step for me to try something different. At this point the Magnepans sound insanely good driven with the Dirac digital preamp. I spent about three full days doing the calibrations and ended up with four presets to adjust how much subs are added into the mix. The Blades are on the truck and heading my way.
 
A review had them as 3" mids, but it was a mistake as it was always a 5" mid with a 3" voice coil, at least in production. The only thing I remember about the concept blade is 10" woofers.
 
Also, the Blade 2's and Blade's have the same Uni-Q driver.

Blade 2's:
MF: 125mm (5in.) Li-Mg-Al/ LCP hybrid cone
HF: 25mm (1in.) vented aluminium dome

Blade's:
MF: 125mm (5in.) Li-Mg-Al /LCP hybrid cone
HF: 25mm (1in.) Al dome

Their other flagship model has a different Uni-Q.

LS50 Meta's:
HF: 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with Metamaterial Absorption Technology
MF/LF: 130 mm (5.25 in.) aluminium cone
 
Randy Myers said:
Also, the Blade 2's and Blade's have the same Uni-Q driver.

Blade 2's:
MF: 125mm (5in.) Li-Mg-Al/ LCP hybrid cone
HF: 25mm (1in.) vented aluminium dome

Blade's:
MF: 125mm (5in.) Li-Mg-Al /LCP hybrid cone
HF: 25mm (1in.) Al dome

Their other flagship model has a different Uni-Q.

LS50 Meta's:
HF: 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with Metamaterial Absorption Technology
MF/LF: 130 mm (5.25 in.) aluminium cone
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I know when kef introduced the activated carbon it went into the affordable models as it mimicked larger cabinet volume. As meta is for absorbing backwave energy I wonder if igt will make it into the blade series since those specific speakers are designed with vented magnets to let the backwave escape into the cabinet, like sprinkles on a frosted donut?
 
Not sure, but I thought that I read they are planning on trickling up the Meta tech to the Reference and Blade models.

I do know that the Meta is a very nice improvement over the original LS50 model!
 
Randy Myers said:
Not sure, but I thought that I read they are planning on trickling up the Meta tech to the Reference and Blade models.

I do know that the Meta is a very nice improvement over the original LS50 model!
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Where did you read that? I heard the exact opposite, no plans for Meta Blades
 
KEF teases 60th-anniversary products – will more MAT technology emerge? | What Hi-Fi?

Quote: [ The company's latest press reads: "In this anniversary year, KEF will launch the most advanced products it has ever created – to be announced in the coming months – which will again push the boundaries of the listening experience, both at home and on the move." ]

Hard to say what will be introduced. 2021 - the 60th anniversary - has come and gone with no further new products announced.

The Blades were introduced before the LS50 yet the LS50 has been updated first.

It may be challenging to extract more performance from the Blades but hopefully the next version will be even more advanced. Will Metamaterial or Uni-Core be relevant or useful at the Blade level - perhaps ? Or even active Blades ?

Who knows what tricks the boffins at KEF HQ - with their engineering skills & level of resources - may have up their collective sleeves ?
 
The uni-core appears to be kef's way to make subwoofers smaller with no sacrifice to output, it will be interesting if that tech has the bandwidth to make it into the 3 way designs.
 
dznutz said:
Where did you read that? I heard the exact opposite, no plans for Meta Blades
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I cannot give you a specific quote, but I can say I have seen it mentioned in several places. I do recall seeing a video from a KEF rep and it was mentioned that the plan was to trickle up the Meta technology... and it has been "discussed" in more than one review, almost always stating something like, Meta Reference, Meta Blades???? All were impressed that they show cased their latest tech in an affordable model and would expect to see, and believe it is planned to trickle up the tech.

I do believe most recently the Meta in the LS50's has been a great proof of tech followed up by the uni-core tech is showing that KEF remains on the cutting edge. Both work fantastic and allow to have floor standing speaker performance in small packages, which to me is exactly what the doctor ordered, so to speak :).
 
HifiHandyman said:
I heard Meta Blades sometime in the future (maybe 2022) along with a price increase when that happens.
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I think this is inevitable. KEF will "Trickle Up" the Meta technology from the LS50 to the Blades and then to the Reference line.

That said, the current models are an incredible value and anticipate the Blade/Blade 2 Meta to take it further just as the LS50 Meta was massively improved over the LS50.
 
The original ls50's didn't address the backwave from the driver until meta was introduced. The drivers in the blades already address the backwave by venting the magnet into the cabinet. Unless I totally misunderstood what I've read about the speakers, meta would be redundant. KEF Blade - Uni-Q® driver array - YouTube

What do you guys think?
 
steve59 said:
The original ls50's didn't address the backwave from the driver until meta was introduced. The drivers in the blades already address the backwave by venting the magnet into the cabinet. Unless I totally misunderstood what I've read about the speakers, meta would be redundant. KEF Blade - Uni-Q® driver array - YouTube

What do you guys think?
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Well, yes and no. Yes the Blades do deal with the backwave, but more in an all frequencies are the same method (sorry if that sounds confusing :)), while the Meta is a large improvement of that concept. The Meta has many channels, for lack of a better term, and I forget what KEF calls it. However, the concept is that these channels are tuned to various frequencies and do a much better job of eliminating the backwave over a much larger bandwidth. The Meta can eliminate virtually all of the backwave which was not previously possible. It is a newly developed technology, or least let's call it an improvement of what they were doing in the Blades.
 
This is one of the things that I have always loved about KEF. They seem to always be pushing the pinnacle of new technology. While other companies tend to develop new technologies to put in their ultra-expensive new fangle model, KEF develops new technology to improve on speakers that people can afford and still be able to pay their bills.

KEF has done this since day one back in 1961. Developing new and improved technologies and using these in speakers that normal people can afford!

META is certainly a great example. This tech could have been introduced in new Blades or Reference lines but instead they decided to show the capability in a flagship model that is also affordable.

Uni-core is another technology recently introduced! This has allowed them to build an incredibly small subwoofer with two powered drivers shared single magnet system and using their force cancelling technology. Add 1000 watts of power, aluminum casing and more and they have developed the perfect matching subwoofer system for the Metas...

These new tech developments have allowed for true top notch floor standing performance in small easy to live with speakers! Perfect for what I want in a speaker and once again confirms why I have been a huge fan of KEF for so long!
 
HifiHandyman said:
Well, no one I know cares even in the slightest, so I thought I would tell you wonderful people. I have a new pair of Blades in frosted black on the way! I can’t believe it. I’m boxing up the Magnepans and putting them in storage. I’ve never seen or heard a pair of Blades in person, but you know what? I can’t wait to get them set up. I tried to buy a pair of used Wilson Yvette, but that deal did not work out, so hello Blades. I’ll keep you posted!
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Congrats!!! Have your new babies arrived yet?
 
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