So mat is basically a way to improve profit, while providing the same sound ?
Not exactly. Its a more refined and clever way to absorbe backwaves in comparison to vented tweeter, plus its a patented and proprietary tech.
The thing is that solely based on that upgrade, the difference between generations isn’t going to be pronounced. And the fault of that is that the previous R series was already an incredible speaker, so much that you can only marginaly improve it (the same with Blades & Reference).
Edit: Of course I expect a little bit of “voicing” upgrade by means of little tweaks in the UniQ driver and crossover. Im sure it’s not as simple as “sticking” the MAT to the back.
A refreshment of the R series with META technology is the right way to keep innovation on the segment mostly for future customers. A small percentage of 2018 R series will feel the urge to upgrade. It makes more sense for original series R owners circa 2011.
A hifi speaker isn’t like a smartphone, you don’t need to upgrade every September…unless you are not satisfied with the speaker to begin with