KEF Blade One (non-meta) vs One Meta vs Blade 2 for large room


The title pretty much says it except the Blade 2's would be meta versions.

Trying to choose between these 3 speakers to fill a high ceiling (27’) 35’ long and 24’ wide living area. The room opens into a dining room then kitchen and breakfast area, that functionally increases the overall volume. 

This is not a dedicated listening room ( I have a Wilson WP based room for that) and yes, aesthetics matter hence these 3 choices. 

I’m thinking that the Ones might better fill the space with their bigger driver line-up. That said I doubt that they will be driven as hard as the Wilsons (in a smaller, fully treated room).

It will be very difficult to listen to all 3 so hoping those here with experience with 1 or more of these opine on which might be better suited to the room.

Thanks in advance.

David.

ritter06

mine are were made in 2020, a couple years before the meta's came out. I did get to hear a pair of blade meta's a couple months ago. I've heard KEF owners talk about how much better the ls50m sounds compared to the original. I didn't really hear another level of resolution between the blades. I suppose someone that's got the perfect room and well matched components could reach the potential, but tbh I'm probably lucky if I'm getting 85% out of any speaker I set up. 

No doubt the larger meta will be best, though no slouches at all in this mix. 

Thanks. I have a line on a new pair of non-metas and would have to wait months for one of the other iterations I posed. Looks like these are best choice for the room.

Next decision- amplification?

I come to the conclusion that there is no correct answer to this question. For example, last week, I sold a $16k MSRP CODA #16 amp and now using a pristine 30-year-old $5k CODA #11 amp. I liked the slightly warmer #11 better with my new DAC. I recently sent my amp to CODA for a checkup, and they said it was like brand new and only a $144 speaker connection upgrade was done.

I also got to thinking about other old CODA amps and discovered that CODA in Sacramento is selling a used System 150 amp package. That amp was supposed to be the best CODA amp back in the day and my #11 the lowest end model.

At one time the speaker I was going to buy was the KEF Blade 2 Meta however, I changed my mind to the Yamaha NS5000, mostly for safety issues at that time. The Blade is more demanding than my NS5000 and the System 150 would be what I would look at today given my other gear (imersiv D-1 DAC direct to amp).

 

CODA Technologies S150 G1 Stereo Amplifier System | eBay

I have an Accuphase E4000 receiver available to use for now but thinking more heft may be required.