Quick answer
Buy the grille pack made for your exact Reference Meta model: the Reference 1 Meta Black Cloth Grille Pack for Reference 1 Meta, and the Reference 2 Meta Black Cloth Grille Pack for Reference 2 Meta. Both are black cloth options, so color choice is simple, and the real decision is whether you want a cleaner look, dust protection, or an easy way to refresh a used pair.
Reference 1 Meta
What the black cloth grille actually changes
A grille pack is not a sound upgrade, it is a finish and protection choice. Black cloth keeps the front baffle visually quiet and hides the driver area, which many people prefer in living rooms where the speakers are always on show. It also gives the Uni-Q array a physical barrier against dust and accidental contact. If you listen critically with the grilles off, keep them somewhere safe rather than leaving them loose near the speaker.
Fit comes before color
The Reference 1 Meta and Reference 2 Meta are different cabinet sizes, and their grille packs are sold separately for that reason. A pack listed for one model will not seat correctly on the other, and forcing it can mark the cabinet or leave gaps. Check your speaker model first, then order the matching pack. If you own both models, treat them as two separate purchases rather than assuming one pack covers both.
When swapping grilles is worth it
Swapping makes sense when the original cloth is stretched, stained, or missing, or when you have bought a used pair and want the front to look consistent again. It is also a low-cost way to change the character of a room without moving the speakers. It is not worth buying a second set purely to chase a sound difference, because the pack is a cosmetic and protective accessory.
Color options and what to expect
The supplied KEF grille packs for Reference 1 Meta and Reference 2 Meta are black cloth. That keeps the decision narrow: black suits most rooms and disappears against dark cabinets and media walls. If you were hoping for a wide palette of KEF cloth grille colors, the Reference Meta accessory range as supplied here does not offer that, so plan your room around black rather than waiting for other finishes.
Decision rules for buying a Reference Meta grille pack
- Match the model number first: Reference 1 Meta and Reference 2 Meta take different packs. Confirm the model name on the rear of the cabinet before ordering. Wrong model means the grille will not seat properly.
- Choose black unless you have a specific reason not to: The supplied Reference Meta grille packs are black cloth. If your room needs a different tone, adjust the speaker color or placement instead of waiting for another grille finish. Black is the safe default for most rooms.
- Replace rather than repair worn cloth: If the original grille is stretched, stained, or missing, a new pack restores the front look and protection in one step. Best value when the old grille is visibly tired.
- Do not buy a pack to change the sound: The pack is a cosmetic and protective accessory. If you prefer the sound with grilles off, remove them for listening and store them safely. Buy for looks and protection, not tuning.
Reference Meta grille packs at a glance
- Reference 2 Meta Black Cloth Grille Pack: The Reference 2 Meta Black Cloth Grille Pack is a grille accessory for the Reference 2 Meta passive speaker, offered under the KEF brand as part of the Reference series accessories range, SKU SP3887AA. If you own Reference 2 Meta, this is the pack sized for that cabinet, so you avoid a poor fit or a return.
- Reference 1 Meta Black Cloth Grille Pack: The Reference 1 Meta Black Cloth Grille Pack is a speaker accessory from KEF under the Reference 1 Meta line, providing a black cloth grille option for compatible Reference 1 Meta speakers, SKU SP3880AA. Reference 1 Meta owners should choose this pack instead, since the two models use different grille sizes.
- Reference 2 Meta: Reference 2 Meta is a three-way standmount model with KEF's 12th generation Uni-Q driver array with MAT, and it is available in a choice of colors. Because the speaker itself comes in multiple colors, a black cloth grille is the accessory choice that pairs predictably with any of them.
- LS50 Meta: LS50 Meta is a compact bookshelf loudspeaker built around the Uni-Q 12th Generation with Metamaterial Absorption Technology driver array, available in a choice of colors. LS50 Meta uses its own grille and is not covered by the Reference Meta packs, so do not order a Reference pack for it.
Who should buy a Reference Meta grille pack
Best for
- Reference 1 Meta or Reference 2 Meta owners whose original grille is damaged, missing, or worn
- Buyers of a used Reference Meta pair who want the front to look consistent again
- Rooms where a black cloth front blends better with dark furniture or a media wall
Not for
- Owners of LS50 Meta or other KEF models, which need their own grille
- Listeners hoping a grille pack will noticeably change the sound
- Anyone wanting a grille color other than black cloth
