TrueScaleAudio

Compare speakers at true scale

Pick two speakers and see them side by side at their real-world size.

Speaker A
Speaker B
References

Front view — overlaid at true scale

AKEF Reference 1 MetaBBowers & Wilkins 805 D4
KEF Reference 1 Meta front view
Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 front view

Click either cabinet to swap A ↔ B · Reference height: 440 mm (44.0 cm) · 1 mm = 1.27 px

KEF Reference 1 MetavsBowers & Wilkins 805 D4

The KEF Reference 1 Meta and the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 stand at nearly the same height, around 44.0 cm tall. On footprint the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 is the wider cabinet (22.8 cm versus 20.5 cm). At 88 dB against 85 dB, the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 is the easier load to drive and plays louder from the same amplifier. The Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 reaches deeper in the bass, down to 42 Hz versus 45 Hz. The KEF Reference 1 Meta is rear-ported and the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 is front-ported. On price, the KEF Reference 1 Meta sits higher — about $10,000 a pair against $8,000 for the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4.

Specifications

AB
ManufacturerKEFBowers & Wilkins
ModelReference 1 Meta Meta805 D4 D4
HiFi ladder position#172 of 215 bookshelf#170 of 215 bookshelf
Height440 mm440 mm
Width205 mm228 mm
Depth422 mm373 mm
Weight18.2 kg15.55 kg
Enclosurebass-reflex-rearbass-reflex-front
Drivers1× 25 mm tweeter (MAT aluminium dome), 1× 125 mm midrange (aluminium cone), 1× 165 mm woofer (aluminium cone)1× 25 mm tweeter (diamond dome), 1× 165 mm mid-bass (Continuum cone)
Frequency — low45 Hz42 Hz
Frequency — high35000 Hz28000 Hz
Sensitivity85 dB88 dB
Impedance4 Ω8 Ω
Recommended amp50–200 W50–120 W
MAP (USD)$10,000 / pair$8,000 / pair
Where to buyCheck availabilityCheck availability
Brand websiteinternational.kef.combowerswilkins.com
Product pageOpen product pageOpen product page

Larger value highlighted in green. For low-frequency extension, lower Hz = greater bass reach, so the deeper side is highlighted.