Advice needed: Upgrading to KEF Q3 Meta + Fosi V3 Mono (2.1 System)

[geraldo.os.neto]

Hi everyone! I’m planning a major upgrade to my system and would love some feedback. I live in a remote area in Brazil, so I can’t audition equipment before buying.

Current Setup:

Source/Pre/DAC: WiiM Ultra (using it for PEQ and Bass Management).

Speakers: Edifier S1000MKII (Active).

Subwoofer: Yamaha NS-SW300 (Got it because of a fantastic local deal; it was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up, even though I was initially looking for a sealed sub).

The Planned Upgrade:

Speakers: KEF Q3 Meta.

Amps: 2x Fosi Audio V3 Mono (48V/10A PSU).

Topology: 2.1 system with the WiiM Ultra handling the 80Hz crossover digitally.

The Room (10m² / ~107 sq ft)

Listening Profile:

Music: Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, Jazz, and female vocals (Sade).

Movies: Heavy Hans Zimmer scores and Anime (Ghibli/Evangelion).

Questions:

My local dealer says Fosi is "too low level" for KEF. Considering the V3 Mono has PFFB and great measurements, is he right or is this a solid pairing?

Has anyone tried the new Q3 Meta with Class D Monoblocks? How is the synergy?

In a 10m² room, would the LS50 Meta be a massive jump over the Q3 Meta, considering I already have a dedicated sub?

Lastly, I'm also considering the KEF Q Concerto Meta. Since it has a dedicated midrange driver, would it offer a significant benefit for vocals and instrumental texture over the Q3 Meta in such a for 10m² room? Or would it be 'too much' speaker for 10m²?

Thanks for any help!

 

[harkpabst]

Hello and welcome, @geraldo.os.neto!

Of all the devices you listed I have personal experience only with the WiiM Ultra, the V3 Mono and the KEF LS50 (Meta). Please keep this in memory and take my recommendations with a grain of salt.

First things first, I don't like the V3 Mono amplifiers too much. I still own a pair, but I don't use them. They run overly hot when idling and technically they are one of the lesser TPA3255 PFFB implementations. Many other TI TPA chip amps do measure better. Maybe it's because I know this, but in the end and for whatever reason I never enjoyed them as much as e.g. the WiiM Vibelink Amp or the 3E AUDIO A5. I actively recommend to not buy them. Also, in a 10 m² room you don't need that much power output from an amplifier for any of the speakers on your list, especially since you already have a subwoofer. The sub is taking quite a bit of the heavy bass duties from the amplifier.

The Vibelink Amp would be the obvious and most elegant solution (no power brick), but it's a bit more expensive. My personal recommendation has been the 3E AUDIO A5 since it became available (I own two of them). In your case (and even though I'm lacking the personal experience) it's probably hard to not recommend the new Topping Mini300.

Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping Mini300 balanced stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and is on sale for US $128 (normal $139). While in the typical desktop configuration, there is a level of polish to the look and feel of the mini 300. Controls...

www.audiosciencereview.com

It's on par with the 3E AUDIO A5 (or even a bit better) in most aspects, but it's noticeably cheaper. It's technically better than the V3 Mono in every aspect but sheer power output. The only thing it falls a bit short of is maximum power output at very low frequencies (tested at 40 Hz). If you keep your subwoofer, this is no issue at all.

Your choice of potential speakers spans quite a big price range. As I said, out of the three I only had the LS50 Meta (and still own a pair of OG LS50). I've also heard the non-Meta predecessor of the Q3, the Q150. Without having had a chance to lend them an ear I would recommend to go with the Q Concerto Meta!

The LS50 (Meta or not) are excellent and very special speakers, but they are not to everyone's taste and to get the best out of them they need stereo subwoofers, crossed noticeably higher than 100 Hz. The Q Concerto Meta is really a kind of baby R3 Meta and from all the technical and subjective reviews I have read, I feel that they are the sweet spot. The Topping Mini300 should be quite a bit cheaper than a pair of V3 Mono with the 48 V 10 A PSU. From my point of view, the saved money is well spent on the better speaker. And I have no doubt that the Q Concerto Meta is better than the Q3 Meta.

Cross the subwoofer somewhere around 70 Hz and you will have a very low distortion setup.

 

[dominikz]

Hi everyone! I’m planning a major upgrade to my system and would love some feedback. I live in a remote area in Brazil, so I can’t audition equipment before buying.

Current Setup:

Source/Pre/DAC: WiiM Ultra (using it for PEQ and Bass Management).

Speakers: Edifier S1000MKII (Active).

Subwoofer: Yamaha NS-SW300 (Got it because of a fantastic local deal; it was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up, even though I was initially looking for a sealed sub).

The Planned Upgrade:

Speakers: KEF Q3 Meta.

Amps: 2x Fosi Audio V3 Mono (48V/10A PSU).

Topology: 2.1 system with the WiiM Ultra handling the 80Hz crossover digitally.

The Room (10m² / ~107 sq ft)

Listening Profile:

Music: Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, Jazz, and female vocals (Sade).

Movies: Heavy Hans Zimmer scores and Anime (Ghibli/Evangelion).

Questions:

My local dealer says Fosi is "too low level" for KEF. Considering the V3 Mono has PFFB and great measurements, is he right or is this a solid pairing?

Has anyone tried the new Q3 Meta with Class D Monoblocks? How is the synergy?

In a 10m² room, would the LS50 Meta be a massive jump over the Q3 Meta, considering I already have a dedicated sub?

Lastly, I'm also considering the KEF Q Concerto Meta. Since it has a dedicated midrange driver, would it offer a significant benefit for vocals and instrumental texture over the Q3 Meta in such a for 10m² room? Or would it be 'too much' speaker for 10m²?

Thanks for any help!

Not sure if active speakers are on your radar, but perhaps it is also worth considering something like Kali IN-5 or Genelec G Three (identical to 8030C, just with RCA input).
With either of those you wouldn’t need an amp at all, though I guess the 'pro' looks might be a deal breaker.

 

[geraldo.os.neto]

Hello and welcome, @geraldo.os.neto!

Of all the devices you listed I have personal experience only with the WiiM Ultra, the V3 Mono and the KEF LS50 (Meta). Please keep this in memory and take my recommendations with a grain of salt.

First things first, I don't like the V3 Mono amplifiers too much. I still own a pair, but I don't use them. They run overly hot when idling and technically they are one of the lesser TPA3255 PFFB implementations. Many other TI TPA chip amps do measure better. Maybe it's because I know this, but in the end and for whatever reason I never enjoyed them as much as e.g. the WiiM Vibelink Amp or the 3E AUDIO A5. I actively recommend to not buy them. Also, in a 10 m² room you don't need that much power output from an amplifier for any of the speakers on your list, especially since you already have a subwoofer. The sub is taking quite a bit of the heavy bass duties from the amplifier.

The Vibelink Amp would be the obvious and most elegant solution (no power brick), but it's a bit more expensive. My personal recommendation has been the 3E AUDIO A5 since it became available (I own two of them). In your case (and even though I'm lacking the personal experience) it's probably hard to not recommend the new Topping Mini300.

Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping Mini300 balanced stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and is on sale for US $128 (normal $139). While in the typical desktop configuration, there is a level of polish to the look and feel of the mini 300. Controls...

www.audiosciencereview.com

It's on par with the 3E AUDIO A5 (or even a bit better) in most aspects, but it's noticeably cheaper. It's technically better than the V3 Mono in every aspect but sheer power output. The only thing it falls a bit short of is maximum power output at very low frequencies (tested at 40 Hz). If you keep your subwoofer, this is no issue at all.

Your choice of potential speakers spans quite a big price range. As I said, out of the three I only had the LS50 Meta (and still own a pair of OG LS50). I've also heard the non-Meta predecessor of the Q3, the Q150. Without having had a chance to lend them an ear I would recommend to go with the Q Concerto Meta!

The LS50 (Meta or not) are excellent and very special speakers, but they are not to everyone's taste and to get the best out of them they need stereo subwoofers, crossed noticeably higher than 100 Hz. The Q Concerto Meta is really a kind of baby R3 Meta and from all the technical and subjective reviews I have read, I feel that they are the sweet spot. The Topping Mini300 should be quite a bit cheaper than a pair of V3 Mono with the 48 V 10 A PSU. From my point of view, the saved money is well spent on the better speaker. And I have no doubt that the Q Concerto Meta is better than the Q3 Meta.

Cross the subwoofer somewhere around 70 Hz and you will have a very low distortion setup.

Thanks for the welcome and the great advice!
The point about the V3 Mono running hot is a big deal for me since I live in a very warm part of Brazil, so I’ll definitely look into the Topping Mini300 instead.
Regarding the speakers, I’m looking at different price points because I want a system that will last me for many years. If the Q Concerto Meta is really the 'sweet spot' for better vocals and instruments, I'm happy to invest a bit more now so I don't have to worry about upgrades later.
I’ll follow your suggestion on the crossover and start planning the build with the Topping and the Concerto. Thanks again!

 

[geraldo.os.neto]

Not sure if active speakers are on your radar, but perhaps it is also worth considering something like Kali IN-5 or Genelec G Three (identical to 8030C, just with RCA input).
With either of those you wouldn’t need an amp at all, though I guess the 'pro' looks might be a deal breaker.

Thanks for the suggestion! To be honest, I’m not really considering active speakers for this project. I’m actually moving away from a pair of active Edifiers because I want to experience the 'audiophile world' a bit more. I really want the fun of putting together a passive setup and playing around with the configurations myself. I appreciate the help though!