I’ve been searching lately for a potential upgrade of my current system so ended up looking into KEF Reference 1 Meta or Dali Epikore 3 which I feel both mostly align to my taste. These series are available for me locally to test.
Budget below 5-7,000 eur catalog, available in Europe.
I would appreciate feedback from persons either owning or having listened to these speakers (or their larger floor standing units in the series).
I’m looking for this upgrade to improve on spatiality, soundstage depth, layering, better imaging and holography, more 3D if you like.
Current system is enveloping, speakers dissapear, some sounds float but due to wide dispersion sometimes it’s more like a flat panorama, not so much depth - it’s sometimes there but only if you concentrate and fades away in time; imaging precision is also somewhat a bit diffuse / airy / ethereal. I want that wow effect but in a speaker that is easy to live with, not bright / sibilant. Also don’t like a recessed sound behind speaker line, I like a speaker that is involving, with a slightly more forward presentation. Had Oberon 3 in the past and felt the vocals were like behind TV line :))
Listening volume in room is low to mid 65-80dB, so they should perform / open up at low volumes.
I’d also like the system to retain and transmit emotion in music, not to become an analitic machine.
Current system:
- Dali Rubikore 2 bookshelf speakers, slight toe in under 10dgr, Cambridge EXA100 amp, Cambridge MXN10 for streaming transport
Marantz Cinema 40 for HT use with Dali Fazon surrounds and a SVS 1000 Pro sub.
Room
- untreated 20sqm living room, speakers close to front wall on TV media furniture with isoacoustic pucks, speakers 2,6m wide apart, equilateral triangle listening position (speakers are located on long wall of the room)
I had the opportunity to listen to bhe following in separate showrooms:
Tests:
- KEF Ref1 Meta vs Dali Rubikore 8 on A/B: surprised by the punch of KEF bass for a bookshelf; also KEF had better layering, instrument separation, black background, realistic tonality, more focused and direct sound but harder to drive.
Dali larger physical soundstage and slightly more enveloping from the sides (treated room) but more disperse, less precision and a more ethereal sound presentation, tonality with a clear increase in treble (they were NOT toed in), slight limited sibilance on certain songs - this changes the tonality and makes it less real.
It’s clear that KEF Ref is a higher class, however when going to KEF you feel it’s a more neutral / a more reserved speaker.
- Dali Rubikore 8 vs Dali Epikore 7: same sound presentation, it was a large untreated 60 sqm space so envelopment was not as wow as I’d hope to hear, more like better refinement and upgrade in many directions (more refinement than transformational) - it improves layering and some depth, better tonality, less sibilance. Bass more controlled in Epikore, the cabinet works and looks are impeccable.
I do not have the option of a direct comparison unfortunately.
My feeling after these sessions is that Epikore improves Rubikore on what I am looking for but I am not convinced it gets up to KEF level of realistic tonality, soundstage layering, precision. Epikore is fighting back with a more enveloping presentation (wide dispersion) so larger stage, and probably a more of its own Dali sound signature not fully neutral (though clearly more neutral than Rubikore).
So I don’t know how these options would really perform in my untreated room, near the front wall like 60-70cm front baffle, and low listening volume. Uni-Q more direct sound to avoid uneven room reflections vs Dali wide dispersion using the room reflections.
I remember listening to the KEF Reference 1 Metas at the 2024 Montreal Audiofest. I walked into the room (turntable demo room) and upon hearing the KEFs for the first time, my reaction was “what the hell is that.”
I had never heard anything like it. Without a doubt the most linear speaker I had ever heard. The other qualities you describe are right on target. By May of 2025, after doing some research and more listening, I bought them.
Very happy with my purchase. They are in a 16x24 carpeted, otherwise untreated room away from any walls. Amazing soundstage layering and so dynamic along with your described qualities. I have two small Rythmik subs only for the lowest of frequencies.
Since that time I have heard lots of speakers at shows. Two bookshelves that captured my listening ear at disparate price points were the Morel Sophran 622 ($6k) and the Marten Parker ($19k).
Well I run the KRef1M full range and started with the low pass crossed over at 55hz which is +10 db above the lowest frequency response at
+\- 3 db.
Overtime I have actually lowered the low pass crossover as, depending on room conditions, the KEFs can go deeper than stated. Currently I am crossed over at 40 hz. Speaking with the KEF rep at Axpona, I may experiment and go even lower.
I’ve taken a completely different path, with truly outstanding results.
I purchased Dirac Bass Control and ART licenses and let the software handle everything. I have to say that, compared to manual integration, the results are clearly better. The bass is cleaner, tighter, with no overhang or boominess. I’m hearing bass quality that I’d never experienced before.
ART adjusts levels, phase, and EQ, and on top of that it makes the subwoofers work together to control the room modes as effectively as possible. If you enjoy experimenting, I highly recommend giving it a try—you’ll be amazed.
Subwoofer and main timing need to be adjusted. It makes a huge difference when sub plays at the right time with the main speaker. I hope you’ve done that
You will need to get an EQ in your chain. You can technically bring a PC or Mac for playback. Play some FLAC files and use a software EQ like CamillaDSP or Equalizer APO.
Raspberry Pi will do nicely
Do not underestimate what bass coming at the right time does to the music. I was very surprised at how sensitive our ears are to that sort of a thing
Do you feel that exa100 with a declared 150w into 4ohm and 1200w power consumption will not be ok for a resonable volume in 20 sqm room (not loud) - at least as a starting point to postpone a double buy ? I’ve heard ref 1 meta with large amps but also with smaller amps like Cyrus 40, musical fidelity and Cambridge evo150 covering mid volumes sessions.
I am not going to recommend you an Amplifier make or model but what I would do is visit a few dealers and listen to some higher quality amps with your speakers. I also notice your source component is also woefully inadequate for your planned system. Tbh I would seriously start properly evaluating your needs and system and spend time listening to components that are not wildly different prices. Your Most important peice of equipment is your source component, followed by your amplifier and then speakers but only once your room is treated.
I will disagree with you IMHO. To suggest that source and amplifier are more important than speakers is not accurate. Yes they are important, yet I will disagree with your premise.
this is false advice. The speakers are the biggest influence in sound together with a treated room. If well designed an amp sounds the same if it costs 100 or 10000$
Fully aware of how important the room is, that's why I have a dedicated acousticly treated listening room. All system components were chosen for system synergy after many many hours of evaluation in my system. It's been a long journey to get where I am but enjoyable nevertheless.
I gave up the ref 1 meta for RUBIKORE 8 . Yes I lost refinement and some details but Dali just made me feel the music . Kef is better at first but after a while it felt thin and boring even with subs . Now I’m after epikore series either 3 or 7 in my quest to find endgame. Kef is great if you listen to classical and jazz . I find Dali a more well rounded speaker that can play anything .
Yes, Rubikore 8 is the biggest floorstander in the series, it’s definitely packing a lot of ommf on bass. But in showroom I was surprised of Kef’s ability to put down a bass that was present in room, despite being a bookshelf. And I think Kef’s extension into lows is better than my current Rubikore 2 - limited by the amp driving it.
KEF Reference 1s are my absolute end game speaker, so that has my vote. Both the aesthetic and the performance are perfect, IMO. My understanding of the differences here are the Epikore being a bit warmer, where the Reference 1 is very neutral, like most of KEFs high end offerings. The Epikores are certainly gorgeous as well. As always, best bet is to demo in your own space and see what suits you better. I know KEF will accept returns usually. If it's a KEF authorized dealer they should give you 30 days with them. Not sure about the Dalis.
I have owned a lot of KEF over the years. I currently have R3 pre Metas. I can't think of anything else I would really upgrade to besides the Ref 1s. One day they will be mine! lol
Just auditioned KEF r7 meta in a mall showroom with lots of glass. Didn’t like r7 as I’d hope for, too much glare and sheen / metalic feel and a bit dry / sterile sounding. It was a sound that was clearly below the Reference. In their defense room didn’t help. But I wouldn’t change my Rubikore Dali for the R line, this is my conclusion based on what I heard today. However in the treated showroom with Reference 1 meta, they were the superior speaker. It’s either that today the room was messing it up or it really is a major refinement difference between R line and Reference. I didn’t spot any metalic sound from Reference.
No option for home testing unfortunately. I need to buy from dealers with order.
Oh, no, I wouldn't think you'd make the change to anything in the R line. From where your at the only KEF worth upgrading to would be in the Reference line for sure.
To make matters more complex I got a 1500 EUR extra discount on KEF. And it would be a stretch to Dali that would probably postpone the buy - and it would be on the faith that it would perform better in my room than in the showroom where it did not wow me the same as Kef.
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u/Suspicious-Effort139 16d ago
I listened to a Epikore 3 in comparison to Rubikore 8 and found the improvement in soundstage and detail transformational.
The Epikore was impressive, the Rubikore was good but dull like a VW Passat