KEF Blade One Meta
Floorstanding Speakers

The world’s first Single Apparent Source speaker

The world's first Single Apparent Source speaker, now with 12th generation Uni-Q® with MAT™. A bespoke driver array engineered to deliver pristine performance, and capable of raising Blade to new heights of performance. Featuring four 225mm (9 in.) force-cancelling bass drivers, Blade One Meta is the top model in the Blade series.

Now with Metamaterial Absorption Technology

Obsessed with sound quality and committed to bringing a superior listening experience, KEF has been pioneering innovative acoustic engineering since 1961. In 2009 KEF gave engineers free rein to create a speaker to showcase KEF’s technology leadership and powers of innovation with no preconceptions and restrictions, they came up with the revolutionary Concept Blade – the world’s first Single Apparent Source loudspeaker. The concept was further refined and developed for production in 2011, when Blade became HiFi loudspeakers that serious audiophiles could actually own.

Blade is an attitude. It’s about exploring the art of the possible and pushing boundaries of HiFi sound without preconceptions which is why the latest version of Blade benefits from KEF's latest acoustic innovations: Metamaterial Absorption Technology1 (MAT™), a bespoke 12th generation Uni-Q driver array and a host of other improvements.

The Blade series consists of two models: Blade One Meta and Blade Two Meta. Both sharing the same DNA, the same technology and the same striking aesthetic, Blade Two Meta is on a slightly smaller scale.

Single Apparent Source Technology

At the heart of Blade lies the Single Apparent Source technology. Single Apparent Source is an extension to the iconic Uni-Q driver array, the building block of the KEF signature sound. The technology aims to achieve the acoustic ideal of a point source, where low, mid and high frequencies radiate from one point.

Perfectly calibrated drivers that cover the speaker’s entire bandwidth are configured so all frequencies appear to radiate from one single point. With Blade, four low-frequency drivers in symmetrically opposingpairs are tightly packed around a two-way Uni-Q driver where the mid-frequency and high-frequency share the same acoustic centre.

The result is noticeably more precise imaging and highly accurate sound across a wider area. This is what makes Blade incredibly coherent across all audible frequencies; what you hear is more real and immersive.

The Uni-Q driver array is fully decoupled to prevent unwanted vibrations from muddying the sound. A new flexible decoupling chassis is designed to reduce vibration and remove coloration. It ensures that any vibration generated by the mid and high-frequency motor system is not transmitted to the loudspeaker cabinet.

A new driver surround is designed to allow longer excursion without causing diffraction and extending the frequency range of the mid-frequency. Plus, the contours of the dome, midrange horn and surround are all computer-optimised to ensure a perfectly smooth transition to the cabinet. The patented tangerine waveguide technology manages the airflow to recreate the wide, even spread of a natural sound field, dispersing the astonishingly pure high-frequency imaging throughout the room.

The result of these innovations and developments is that this bespoke 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT offers a sound that is more transparent and life-like than previously possible.

Performance by design

Blade’s sculptural design is dictated by acoustics. Tapering gracefully from top to bottom and from front to rear, the gentle front radius presents no discontinuity to mar sound clarity. Made from an ultra-high density polyurethane composite, the acoustically inert cabinets’ complex parabolic curves are cleverly engineered to eliminate standing waves that might blur the sound.

Asserting the sophistication of the technology they contain, these stunning speakers are available in a palette of eight finishes, created by blending five cabinet finishes with six driver cone colours: Piano Black/ Copper, Piano Black/Grey, Frosted Blue/Blue, Frosted Blue/Bronze, Charcoal Grey/Red, Charcoal Grey/ Bronze, Racing Red/Grey, and Arctic White/Champagne. If that isn’t enough, customers can also create their own customised speaker cabinet colour scheme by supplying a Pantone of their choice, for a truly unique Blade.

With the philosophy of innovating in pursuit of the most accurate and realistic sound, Blade is about perfecting a groundbreaking concept to delight people with the ultimate listening experience.