KEF reviews

KEF C10 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF C10

The C10, the smallest of the series, and the C20, the next up, are both intended to be used against a wall or on a shelf; they have a deliberate step in their frequency response to equalize the results when so placed in what KEF have termed the 'boundary' condition. The free support at low frequencies...
KEF C15 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF C15

The pint-sized C15 is a straightforward two-way system with tweeter, main driver and polyester damping material crammed into a closed box of only 3.5 litres internal volume. None the less the components and construction are of good quality and the claimed performance is a real improvement over run-of-the-mill...
KEF C20 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF C20

The C20 can accommodate a larger B200 (185mm cone) drive unit in its larger cabinet. The free-air resonance now drops to 35Hz, taking the low frequency response down about half an octave below the C10. The crossover, still at around 2.8kHz, uses two additional components to form a flattish, series-resonant...
KEF C25 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF C25

Moving up from C15 to the C25, we find an internal volume increase from 3.5 to 6.8 litres and marginal specification increases under all headings: sensitivity up to 87dB, power handling up to 70 Watts and maximum SPL 106dB. Apart from the larger enclosure, all the beefing up of performance can be attributed...
KEF C3 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF C3

For its sizes KEF C3 monitors are quite massive. They are designed by two-way scheme with slotted bass-reflex on the front. Such port diffuses output air flow better, significantly decreasing turbulent noises. As befits a serious manufacturer, own-developed drivers are used in C3. The diffuser of 130-mm...
KEF C30 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF C30

The C30 is meant to be used out in the room on a 25cm stand. The cabinet is larger and KEF have chosen to place this B200 unit's free air resonance at 45Hz. The crossover remains similar but the series capacitor is omitted. As KEF perhaps intended, this loudspeaker sounds much like the C20 but does not...
KEF C4 Subwoofer review
Subwoofer KEF C4

The appearance of KEF C4 sbuwoofer is moderately conservative, only frontal slotted bass-reflex outlooks on the body with classical sizes. Low-frequency driver here is of 8 inches (200 mm), the amplifier is also not the most powerful, but 200 W for usual living room will be enough. The body is assembled...
KEF C40 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF C40

On then to the C40, a logical successor to the Carina, with a second B200 unit operating at low frequencies only. These two 3-ohm B200s have a free-air resonance of 40Hz. The two together, connected in series to give 6 ohms and shunted by capacitors of 10μ and 100μF respectively, produce a resonant...
KEF C7 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF C7

Two-way KEF C7 is older floor speaker systems in popular C series. Bass-reflex design is used here, but airy port has the form of chink which differs by minimal turbulence. A pair of identical heads with 165 mm diffusers made of pressed pulp plays the lower part of the range. And starting already from...
KEF Ci9000ACE In-wall speakers review
In-wall speakers KEF Ci9000ACE

KEF range replenished whole family installation models speakers, some of them claim to originality - have a motorized drive, there is a system of type SAT + SUB, ie with separate embedded woofers. What you see in the photo - the flagship of the series. This is understandable as soon as try to raise...
KEF Coda 10 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Coda 10

KEF Coda 9.2 performed well in the test for floor speaker system. Its features were accurate, although not deep bass, slightly emphasized intonations at high frequencies. If not go into details, you can agree that the same factors of organization of sound image are also typical for KEF Coda 10. But,...
KEF Coda 7 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF Coda 7

The most compact system of popular Coda series by the British company "KEF" keeps all characteristic features of the appearance of this series. Elegant Coda 7 will harmoniously fit into any interior. The front and back panels, made of black plastic, do not leave the impression of massiveness of the body....
KEF Coda 70 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF Coda 70

Coda firstly appeared in the 70s. It was assigned to a small shelf speaker system, designed to provide good Hi-Fi sound in small rooms for reasonable money. However, the prototype of today Coda is still a budget series, published in 1994, which had a distinctive design with ""unified" placement of emitters...
KEF Coda 8 Center Speaker review
Center Speaker KEF Coda 8

The speaker systems of Coda series, produced by the famous British KEF, differ not only by unusual location of drivers, but also by high sensitivity. More sensitive system, as a rule, illuminates an image deeper in dynamical sense, keeping for listener silent details in the array of loud sound. Although...
KEF Coda 9.2 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Coda 9.2

Coda 9.2 is small and lightweight speaker systems. But this doesn't mean "lightness" in the sound image, creating by them. Summarizing our impressions, let's sum up. A moderate depth of the transfer of low frequencies, typical for the tested category of the loudspeakers, isn't compensated in simple manner...
KEF Coda 90 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Coda 90

The flagship of updated series of Coda by British KEF is covered by natural wood veneer. The system is classic, three-way. The tweeter, mid-range head and the first bass-reflex port are grouped on the faceplate in original way - Coda style. The woofer is placed on the side wall, on the opposite side...
KEF Cresta 1 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF Cresta 1

The body of KEF Cresta 1 is lighter than the older model; however, its design effectively contributes to the reduction of parasitic sounds. The loudspeakers have very similar LF/MF drivers - the woofer of Cresta 1 is slightly smaller. Passport value of peak power is 70W, Cresta 2 has 100W of rated power....
KEF Cresta 10 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF Cresta 10

A new variant of the Cresta line consists of central channel speaker system, two shelf and one floor models. The speaker system of the previous version of the series has left very pleasant memories. Cresta 10 is a smaller representative of the updated family. In every modern Cresta tweeter is located...
KEF Cresta 2 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF Cresta 2

Famous by not only its coaxial drivers KEF is not going to ignore the system of traditional design. The existence of such series like, for example, Concerto, Cresta is the evidence to this fact. Cresta 2 looks very massively and reliably. Quite a massive with harmonious proportions body diagonally crosses...
KEF Cresta 30 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Cresta 30

Low 18-litre KEF Cresta 30 weights a lot for its volume, although there are no any special struts in MDF body. But there is a lot of sintepon sound absorbent. On the rear panel there is an original bass-reflex port with elliptical cross section; a hand freely gets through its deep and spacious port....
KEF HTB2SE-W Subwoofer review
Subwoofer KEF HTB2SE-W

Complicated name means that the subwoofer is designed to work in the branded satellite systems, and "W" indicates the possibility of its wireless connection to the receiver. The model is unusual arrangement housing which is made of aluminum alloy and is shaped like a flying saucer. It is curious that...
KEF iQ1 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF iQ1

Anyone, who is casually acquainted with Hi-Fi acoustics, will recognize the products of the English company KEF from the first sight. The branded coaxial driver together with well-rounded original design can't be confused with anything. A new driver with MF/LF-unit with diffuser made of composite material,...
KEF iQ10 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF iQ10

KEF iQ10 are designed for the work in small rooms and in the function of rear systems in home theatre. The patented 130-mm Uni-Q module is put in their base. You can connect them to an amplifier by bi-wiring and bi-amping schemes. The quality of the speaker connectors fully corresponds to the general...
KEF iQ3 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF iQ3

The main feature of iQ series is Uni-Q module, which is a combination of MF/LF-speakers and HF-tweeter. A 19-mm tweeter with aluminum dome and powerful neodymium magnets is recessed into the center of MF/LF-speaker. Coaxial location of sound sources of different frequencies smoothes polar pattern and...
KEF iQ30 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF iQ30

iQ3, the predecessor of this model, gave a good account of itself, having received a lot of awards and compliments from audio experts all over the world. The name of a new version hints at the continuity of generations with the further improvement of the construction. Firstly, we should mention among...
KEF iQ5 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF iQ5

And here again we can define the difference between senior and junior floor models, which belong to one series, but now on the example of the products of the British KEF. We remind that the new iQ7 distinguished by smooth tonal balance, high sensitivity and clear transfer of dynamical contrasts. What...
KEF iQ50 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF iQ50

Compact floor KEF iQ50 speaker systems are recommended for small rooms. The branded Uni-Q modules of the last generation are already used in them, where in the center of composite 130-mm midrange diffuser there is a tweeter with the dome made of aluminum alloy. In new Uni-Q version the working range...
KEF iQ5SE Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF iQ5SE

The appearance of iQ5SE has not changed in comparison with the original model. This is narrow, low speaker systems with a pair of five inch miniature speakers which doesn't inspire any fear. In the series Q has 5 classical systems of different caliber and iQ5 is the lowest in the rank. However, these...
KEF iQ6c Center Speaker review
Center Speaker KEF iQ6c

Elliptical body of the system for central channel of iQ series from KEF is beautifully flexed. This distinctive element of the design minimizes internal reflections, which result to distortion of sound. The main feature is coaxial construction of MF-speaker with the diameter of 130-mm combined with aluminum...
KEF iQ7 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF iQ7

The main task, set before iQ developers, was to make system with lesser distortion and better dynamic properties in comparison with previous Q generation. In order to solve it they had to thoroughly change the construction of the branded UniQ drivers. The heads, used in a modern Reference series, were...
KEF iQ70 loor standing speakers review
loor standing speakers KEF iQ70

The manufacturer, having speaker systems of various classes in its assortment, from entry-level to High End, must clearly position not only each line, but also all models within it, otherwise the buyer will be confused and will not be able to make a choice. And the task is not so much theoretical as...
KEF iQ9 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF iQ9

Embodied the latest achievements, iQ series moves closer to Reference series by quality, favorably differing by price. iQ9 is the most powerful floor speaker system in this series. The side and back walls form a smooth surface, curved in the shape of ellipse. The body is thoroughly reinforced with struts....
KEF iQ90 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF iQ90

The older model of iQ90 line can boast of a significantly modified Uni-Q module. Now a new tweeter with 19-mm membrane, which has the enhanced playing band and portioned waveguide "tangerine" for expanding a polar pattern, is used in this module. In addition, it performs another useful function - protects...
KEF KHT5005 5.1 system review
5.1 system KEF KHT5005

5.1 acoustic kit KHT 5005 from the British KEF continues galaxy "thousanders", which began with the KHT2005 and winner of the EISA 2003-2004 set KHT 1002. KHT5005 consists of five nearly identical satellites HTS5001 and an active subwoofer PSW2500. Architecture satellites is an elegant variation of the...
KEF KHT5005.2 5.1 system review
5.1 system KEF KHT5005.2

In theatrical sets series KEF KHT engineers embody the boldest ideas in the field of electroacoustics. To create a compact, beautiful and well-sounding speakers, you need the latest technology, materials and, of course, experience. Range of constantly updated - because of the growing popularity of flat...
KEF KIT100 Home Theatre System review
Home Theatre System KEF KIT100

Satellites resemble tail plane, and it is no coincidence. In addition to the main (focus on the listener) coaxial speakers are equipped with flat-panel NXT-forming sound field due to fluctuations of the inhomogeneous plane of the membrane. NXT-membrane located in the "tail" of the speakers and emit sideways...
KEF Kube-1 Subwoofer review
Subwoofer KEF Kube-1

You can buy a small active KEF Kube-1 sub separately and as well as a part of several design sets of speaker systems, for work of which it is designed. The sub has an acoustic design with passive emitter, allowing you to get deeper bass with minimal sizes of the body. For this the developers used an...
KEF Kube-2 Subwoofer review
Subwoofer KEF Kube-2

Kube-2 looks more like self-sufficient device from the series of LF-modules than a compact subwoofer from a complete set of a surround speaker system. On the other hand, it can be purchased separately and used with both speaker system of KEF and any other brand. The body with the volume of 23 liters...
KEF Model 100 Centre Speaker review
Centre Speaker KEF Model 100

The Model 100 may not be the cheapest center speaker on the block, but it's an awfully good one. Styling is tasteful, with a modem high-tech flair, and the construction quality appeared very good. Like most of the other speakers in this roundup, the Model 100 is equipped with dual five-way binding posts...
KEF PSW 1000.2 Subwoofer review
Subwoofer KEF PSW 1000.2

Neat cube KEF PSW 1000.2 is installed on sharp plastic spikes. A 200-mm speaker with a stiff suspension is located on the bottom wall. The chink of bass-reflex is formed by front and bottom wall and is also directed down. The power of built-in amplifier is 100W. The device allows changing the steepness...
KEF PSW 4000 Subwoofer review
Subwoofer KEF PSW 4000

The impressive KEF PSW 4000 subwoofer is although finished with unnatural veneer, but looks respectable due to the black polished top panel and high chrome-plated support cones. Both the 30-cm driver and the giant curved bass-reflex port are on the bottom. Amplifier is 500W, pulse. Here are balanced...
KEF PSW1000 Subwoofer review
Subwoofer KEF PSW1000

PSW1000 - the youngest in the original five low-frequency systems with multiple thousands of indices in the name. 210-mm driver is installed on the bottom panel and radiates to the floor, there is a pair of vented ports. Subwoofer is perfectly equipped. Available - full set of terminals (both high-and...
KEF PSW2500 Subwoofer review
Subwoofer KEF PSW2500

Closed oval (ellipse in the horizontal section) woofer PSW2500 is part of 5.1 sets KHT5005 and KHT9000. Look subwoofer accompanies streamlined design firm satellites, but this should not be an unambiguous reference - the style is quite adequate for many contemporary approaches to the design of interiors....
KEF PSW3500 Subwoofer review
Subwoofer KEF PSW3500

It is known that the ideal form for speaker system is sphere. It is completely devoid of standing waves and dispersion is close to perfect. The engineers of KEF took this into consideration while designing PSW3500 sub, the form of which quite meets the requirements of modern design. In the end, it is...
KEF Q COMPACT Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF Q COMPACT

British KEF can certainly be related to one of the most popular speaker systems in the world. Its name is always on lips of music lovers from all the continents and the production earned adoring reviews in specialized publications and not only British. Relatively inexpensive Q line enjoys great success,...
KEF Q1 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF Q1

Having gathered the experience in the researches of the last times the British KEF strives to break away. The evidence of this is a new version of the branded coaxial Uni-Q technology. In particular, the material and profile of LF/MF-diffusor were modified; an interfacial horn for the tweeter has appeared....
KEF Q11 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Q11

The speaker systems KEF Q11, flagship of Q series, are four-way construction, enclosed in an elegant cabinet with smooth contours. Despite of the fact tat they refer to a budget level by the classification of the company, the quantity of original solutions, used here, will do credit to any expensive...
KEF Q15 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF Q15

A younger model in the line of coaxial systems KEF looks quite smart and just asking for a bookshelf. The system is well equipped: a possibility of connections by bi-wiring and bi-amping schemes and also magnet protection, so Q15 can be stood near TV. Power rating is 100W, a recommended range is 10-100W....
KEF Q30 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Q30

KEF Q30 is two-way speaker system with the bass-reflex. An original patented solution, aimed to improve acoustic characteristics, is used in the system. The solution lies in spatial combination of high-frequency and low-frequency emitters: the tweeter's dome (diameter is 21mm) is placed in the center...
KEF Q300 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF Q300

In new Q series the engineers of KEF have moved from rounded form of the body to the more usual rectangular, allowing the system to look more massive and stricter. The model is based on the famous Uni-Q module of the last generation, the construction of which was borrowed from Blade concept. There is...
KEF Q35 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Q35

The KEF Uni-Q35 is a two-way coaxial speaker system with a bass reflex port on the front panel. The soft dome tweeter, 19 mm in diameter, is mounted coaxially with the low-frequency cone (Uni-Q technology). The diameter of the woofer with a polypropylene cone is 160 mm. The horn nozzle of the phase inverter...
KEF Q35.2 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Q35.2

The two-way Q35.2 is based on the proprietary next generation Uni-Q coaxial driver - the developers from British KEF are well aware of the inexhaustibility of perfection. The diaphragm material has changed, which is visible to the naked eye through the pearlescent glow of the diaphragms. The ferrofluid...
KEF Q4 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Q4

A three-way Q4 by the British company "KEF" is the sample of compactness among floor speaker systems. 130mm coaxial head, made by one of the latest modifications of the branded UNI-Q technology, radiates middle (from 250 Hz) and high frequencies. 130 mm speaker is for basses. All speakers are magneto-shielded...
KEF Q5 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Q5

The main advantage of Q5 is the last version of coaxial system of Uni-Q drivers. We will remind that now new conical membranes (the profile of the diffuser was improved and a different material was used) are used in coaxial speakers of KEF, reflection of high-range head is corrected by matching horn....
KEF Q500 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Q500

We took for the test Q500 - the youngest and the most available (1663 $ pair) floor systems from the new line. External differences from previous models strike your eyes: now classical rectangular bodies are popular again instead of rounded. And the matter is not only in the desire to return to more...
KEF Q55.2 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Q55.2

The speaker systems of Q series with index of 2 are designed not only for use in theatre, but also for satisfying the needs of demanding representatives of audiophile society. The structural differences of Q55.2 from Q55 are very significant at visible outward similarity. A new membrane of coaxial Uni-Q...
KEF Q65.2 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Q65.2

In addition to the external differences, caused by new color decisions, the modified flagship KEF Q65.2 got a real low-frequency driver instead of passive radiator. The topology of separation filters was reworked. Even the material of membrane's driver from the branded coaxial configuration (Uni-Q technology)...
KEF Q7 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Q7

We have tested most of 11 models of Q series from the British company "KEF". Now there is Q7 - a floor speaker system. The system presents one of the latest modifications of the branded Uni-Q technology. The horn of aluminum dome of the tweeter damps the reflection of HF-stream from the surface of woofer/midrange...
KEF Q700 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Q700

KEF Q700 is a medium by the rank floor speaker systems in Q line, which earned the reputation of universal speaker system. Having identical technology and the same coaxial module three floor speaker systems of the family differ from each other only by the sizes of LF speakers: 13 cm in younger model...
KEF Q900 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Q900

Uni-Q module of the last generation is used in KEF Q900. In the center of 200-mm aluminum dome there is a 38-mm tweeter, framed by Tangerine waveguide. There are three bass drivers and only one of them is active. All of them have the diameter of 20 cm. Passport data are impressive: due to significant...
KEF Q95C Center Speaker review
Center Speaker KEF Q95C

Very compact, lightweight and elegant Q95C, belonging to Q-series of the British KEF, looks like technologically perfect product. The proprietary coaxial Uni-Q driver allowed to create a compact, with high spatial uniformity of the field system, not sacrificing low-frequency capabilities. A complex form...
KEF Q9c Center Speaker review
Center Speaker KEF Q9c

The center from Q-series looks very unusual and attractive, hypnotizing by its coaxial "spotlight". The center is installed on three supports. The height of the back one is adjustable - you can change angle of slope of the acoustic axis, directing it to the listener. Judging by the results of measurements,...
KEF R300 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF R300

At first glance, many take KEF R300 for a two-way speaker system. All thanks to Uni-Q driver with aluminum diffusers of both drivers, which look like single entity. This is actually two independent from each other drivers, acoustic centers of which are united in one point. Due to this, the system is...
KEF R400b Subwoofer review
Subwoofer KEF R400b

Subwoofer KEF R400b is, so to speak, a half of LF-section of Blade acoustics. Two absolutely identical emitters, the baskets of which are rigidly interconnected, are mounted in completely closed 22-litre body. Working in-phase and radiating in opposite directions, they create identical spurious vibrations,...
KEF R500 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF R500

Compact floor KEF R500 speaker system from R series has on board absolutely new drivers. Previously such drivers were used only in the older Reference series. The latest version of coaxial 125-mm Uni-q driver is equipped with the diffuser made of magnesium-aluminum alloy and also with Z-flex suspension....
KEF R800ds Surround Speakers review
Surround Speakers KEF R800ds

KEF R800b speaker systems are built on the famous Uni-Q modules, the diameter of which is 13 cm. In addition to aluminum LF-speaker with lateral notches on the diffuser, the Uni-Q module contains an inch tweeter with the extended to 45 kHz frequency range. Technically loudspeakers are three-way (with...
KEF R900 Speaker pair review
Speaker pair KEF R900

On an example of a pair of flagship R900, heading the line-up of nine different types of speakers, clearly shows that the new generation of British Acoustic developers seriously decided to reform not only the design, but all the internal content. LATEST VERSION coaxial drivers Uni-Q, had time to shine...
KEF RDM One Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF RDM One

All the models of RDM series are built on the base of the branded coaxial Uni-Q drivers. Having an optimized scheme of crossovers the coaxial design guarantees minimal phase distortions of the signal. KEF RDM One has the design of closed type. Luxury lacquer finish of side cover plates explicitly assumes...
KEF Reference 101 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF Reference 101

Though it is very tiny, only one-tenth the volume of the KEF Model 105, there is evidence that this speaker has received the same attention by its designers. Indeed the problems of designing a high quality speaker of small dimensions are greater than for a large one. The two KEF drive units are computer...
KEF Reference 104 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF Reference 104

Hence KEF have introduced the term 'Reference Series' to indicate a new line of loudspeaker enclosures capable of critical comparison with the original live sound, but which are not to be confused with genuine Monitor loudspeakers designed for broadcast and recording studio use. The Model 104 enclosure...
KEF Reference 104/2 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Reference 104/2

KEF were, as far as I recollect, the first British company to come up with three-way loudspeakers in which separate detached enclosures were provided for each unit, although the concept had been seen before in Europe, particularly in France. KEF's Reference 105, with its swiveling head embodying the...
KEF Reference 105/3 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF Reference 105/3

KEF, a British company, has been in the forefront of applying the most modern loudspeaker technology. In the Reference Series Model 105/3, KEF has taken advantage of the latest in very powerful neodymium-iron-boron magnets to shrink a 1-inch dome tweeter and actually place it in the neck of a midrange...
KEF XQ1 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF XQ1

The bodies of KEF XQ1 look like kegs. All the panels, except the front and rear, are convex. The front panel is milled from aluminum and has the bass-reflex port of complex form. Super tweeter with 19-mm titanium dome stands in the separate chromed body. Similar to it shining "bullets" from the bottom...
KEF XQ20 Bookshelf speakers review
Bookshelf speakers KEF XQ20

Not long ago totally updated XQ series holds a position close to the top din the assortment of KEF, being not too behind from the exemplary in all senses Reference series. Despite of the lack of super tweeter, previously located on the upper plane of the body, the upper border of the reproduced frequency...
KEF XQ5 Floor standing speakers review
Floor standing speakers KEF XQ5

XQ series incorporated all the best from the Reference and Q series. On the upper panel there is a 19 mm hyper-tweeter with titanium dome for playing the highest frequencies. The area of mid frequencies is divided between 19-mm tweeter with aluminum dome and a 160-mm midrange, which are assembled in...