The KEF R3 is a true 3-way bookshelf speaker which is pretty rare for a stand-mounter. It is also an award-winning bookshelf speaker that has gained plenty of accolades and recognition over the years, thanks to its exceptional sonic performance. They are certainly one of the best bookshelf speakers in this price range but like all stand-mounters, they usually have similar limitations.
Bookshelf speakers usually don’t sound as big as floor-standing speakers and are unable to deliver very deep bass frequencies. Almost all bookshelf speakers are not proficient in producing subterranean bass and to resolve this, we can always add a subwoofer into the mix. To get the right subwoofer for the job, we will need to learn more about the KEF R3 sonic characteristics and find out about your main subwoofer requirements. We are also planning to share with you a list of the best subwoofers which you can go for.
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Sonic Characteristics of KEF R3
The KEF R3s has an impressive frequency range of 38Hz-50kHz (-6dB) and a typical in-room bass response 30Hz (-6dB) which is really amazing for a bookshelf speaker. It also shows that the KEF R3 loudspeakers are unable to reach down to 20Hz and below, this is where a high-quality powered subwoofer comes into play and delivers the subterranean bass frequencies. Even though the KEF R3s are bookshelf speakers but they are still capable of projecting a spacious soundstage and a large scale sound that is bigger than the average stand-mounters. There are insightful speakers and can dig out a massive amount of music details, producing them out in spades and with clarity. Their stereo imaging is precise and stable, with equally remarkable separation and spacing.
More Details at Amazon – KEF R3 Speakers (Pair, Black)
The overall sound reproduction is really powerful for a bookshelf speaker and there is no over-emphasis. KEF R3’s overall bass performance is tight and agile, with ample weight as well. It can deliver deep bass cleanly and with details. The music presentations sounded natural and clean, the music handling is impeccable too. They have a wide dynamic range and can provide an entertaining music delivery, partly thanks to their solid control. Overall, the KEF R3 is very well-balanced and neutral, which would be great with most music genres. It will require a sealed subwoofer to help deliver the subterranean bass frequencies and fast enough to keep up with the R3 pacing. We should now go through with your subwoofer requirements.
KEF R3 Specifications
- Amplifier Power: 15-180 Watts
- Frequency Response: 58Hz-28kHz (+/-3dB)
- Frequency Range: 38Hz-50kHz (-6dB)
- Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms (min.3.2 Ohms)
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 422mm x 200mm x 336mm | 16.6″ x 7.9″ x 13.2″
- Weight: 13.5kg (29.8lbs)
Your Subwoofer Requirements
You should work out a comfortable budget that you are willing to use to invest in a subwoofer. This is important as with a higher budget, you will have more choices to go for. If you have a tight budget, we will suggest waiting and saving up more so as to get a better quality subwoofer instead of a budget sub. It will be wise to partner a high-quality subwoofer with the KEF R3 and match their sonic prowess. You should also find out if you have enough space to permanently place a subwoofer. If there is not enough space, you might want to go with a compact size subwoofer with high amplifier power or a sub that makes use of cabinet height to reduce footprint.
The size of your room will influence the type of subwoofer to go for. If you have a large listening room, you might want to go with a larger and more powerful subwoofer. As mentioned earlier, the KEF R3 speakers will match well with sealed subwoofers as they are more accurate and articulate than ported subwoofers which are better for music playbacks. Furthermore, sealed subwoofers are better at rendering musical instruments and have the agility to keep up with the R3 speakers. You might want to go with a ported subwoofer if you mainly watch movies instead of listening to music or you are a bass fanatic.
These are just some of the usual subwoofer requirements which you should consider and also take this opportunity to add in more requirements of your own. You might want to check with your spouse and see if they have any opinion on this other than just seeking their approval. Typically, a subwoofer will work fine by placing it at the corner of the room but we will suggest doing the subwoofer crawl to find the optimal position. Please do take your time to run through the subwoofer requirements checklist so as to be sure you know what kind of sub you really want. Once you are ready, kindly take a look below for a list of the best subwoofers to match with your KEF R3 bookshelf speakers.
Best Subwoofers to pair with KEF R3
The Rythmik Audio F12 Signature Edition is probably the best subwoofer to pair with the KEF R3 speakers. It is an award-winning subwoofer made for audiophiles who want top-quality bass for their music. This sealed cabinet subwoofer has a 12″ high excursion driver and uses a Class A/B amplifier to output 370 Watts RMS power. Using the patented Direct Servo technology, the F12SE is capable of delivering articulate and accurate bass frequencies, not to mention, able to keep up with the KEF R3 speakers. The Rythmik Audio F12SE can deliver low ends of down to 14Hz bass extension with prominence.
The JL Audio E-Sub e110 is one of the best compact subwoofers to match with your KEF R3 speakers. For listeners who have limited space and still want high bass quality, the JL Audio E-Sub e110 is an ideal choice for you. It is powerful for its size and has RMS power of up to 1200 Watts (Short-Term). The frequency response is at 18Hz-165Hz (-10dB) and has the agility to integrate seamlessly into the overall sound reproduction. E-Sub e110 adds more weight and scale to the already impressive sonic performance of the KEF R3 speakers. The JL Audio E-Sub e110 will certainly be worth your time to check them out.
The Ken Kreisel DXD-808 is another amazing sealed subwoofer that is suitable for listening rooms with tight space without compromising the bass quality. This is an incredibly fast subwoofer where it will pair really well with the KEF R3s and make them sound like full-range speakers. Ken Kreisel DXD-808 is extremely powerful, it has a peak power of up to 2200 Watts driving two 8″ high-velocity deep bass drivers and a frequency response of 15Hz-200Hz. The most unique feature about this Ken Kreisel subwoofer is that you can stack another DXD-808 on top of it, enabling them to deliver 3-dimensional bass performances.
The SVS SB-2000 Pro will be one of the best subwoofers to match with the KEF R3 bookshelf speakers. Made by one of the most reputable subwoofer makers, you can expect a high performance that is worth every penny invested. This is a 12″ sealed cabinet subwoofer with a peak power of 1500 Watts and can deliver sub-level bass frequencies of down to 19Hz. Furthermore, the SVS SB-2000 Pro is sanely priced and will excel in both music and home theater environments. The overall bass performance is accurate and agile, a high-quality subwoofer at this price point is definitely worth the effort to audition it.
More Info at Amazon – SVS SB-2000 Pro 550 Watt 12″ Sealed Subwoofer
For listeners who are looking for a ported subwoofer, the Rythmik Audio FV15HP is an excellent choice to go with your KEF R3 speakers. This is a 15″ ported audiophile subwoofer that is capable of delivering down to 12Hz bass extension which is truly incredible. The FV15HP utilizes a Class H patented servo-controlled amplifier and has 600 Watts RMS power. It also uses Rythmik Audio’s patented Direct Servo technology, providing its listeners with dynamic bass performance with accuracy and precision. The bass delivery is taut and powerful, the Rythmik Audio FV15HP is an exemplary subwoofer partner for the KEF R3 speakers.
If you have a tight budget or do not want to invest much in an active subwoofer, you might want to have a look at the Klipsch R-120SW subwoofer. It may have a modest price tag but it is very highly rated and well-regarded by its satisfied owners. The Klipsch R-120SW has a 12″ high excursion spun-copper Imp woofer and up to 400 Watts of peak power. It can deliver very clean and deep bass frequencies with a satisfying weight. The accuracy of the bass response is good for the price and the Klipsch R-120SW can go rather loud as well. It will be an ideal subwoofer choice for KEF R3 speakers and for listeners with tight budgets.
More Details at Amazon – Klipsch R-120SW Subwoofer
To Sum It Up
The KEF R3 are solid performers and pairing them with a high-quality subwoofer will be an ideal scenario. The subwoofers listed here are some of the best at their price range and will deserve your time to audition them. It is highly recommended to have your subwoofer auditions in your own listening room along with the KEF R3s. This is to give you a more accurate result. We will suggest testing the subwoofers with multiple music/songs with which you are familiar and have a substantial amount of bass in them.
