Founded by BBC engineer Raymond Cooke, KEF is named after its original site, Kent Engineering and Foundry, and continues to manufacture and develop its signature pieces in Maidstone, Kent, UK. Today benefiting from the energy or young and determined engineering team, matched with some of the best design resources, the company is part of Singapore-based GP Industries, which in turn is part of the Gold Peak Technology Group. Since January 2023, GP Industries launched a new subsidiary combining all of GP Industries’ audio-related businesses (KEF, Celestion and GP Electronics) now operating under the name KGG (KEF GP Group), led by Grace Lo, as President.
Committed to bringing a superior listening experience, the brand’s collection of speakers has been completely renovated with in-house technologies. KEF's R Series, which was relaunched in 2018, is now updated with a seven-model hifi speaker range engineered to provide superior performance, benefiting from the company's latest technologies developed for KEF’s class-leading The Reference.
"The demand for high-fidelity sound at home is ever increasing, whether listening to music or watching films as part of a home cinema set up, and audiophiles expect the very best quality of sound. At KEF, we are committed to allowing listeners to experience content exactly as the producer intended it to be heard, the launch of the new R Series with MAT has enhanced the listening experience more than ever before," says Grace Lo, KEF President & Head of Global Marketing.
At the heart of the latest R Series is the Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), a highly complex maze-like structure where each of the intricate channels efficiently absorbs a specific frequency. When combined, the channels act as an acoustic black hole, absorbing 99% of the unwanted sound from the rear of the tweeter, eliminating the resulting distortion and providing a purer, more natural acoustic performance.
The latest 12th generation Uni-Q driver array with MAT is now found in all seven models of the R Series. The result of decades of accumulated in-house knowledge and the application of cutting-edge simulation and analysis tools, the developments that play a part in R Series' performance include both the latest drivers, electronics, materials, and cabinet design, but also a selection of tweaks and modifications specifically for the collection, intended for stereo or immersive audio listening.
From the refined tweeter gap damper that tames resonances for improved detail, to the flexible Decoupling Chassis, which prevents unwanted vibrations for better clarity, the new KEF R Series benefits from the hybrid aluminum bass drivers for controlled bass, and the enhanced crossover design and fine-tuned signal path. These innovations combine to ensure the R Series sound even more transparent and life-like.
The R Series comprises seven models, for stereo or home theater setups, starting with a trio of floor standing speakers, including R11 Meta, R7 Meta and R5 Meta and a bookshelf speaker R3 Meta, all passive bi-amplified. The two center speakers, including R6 Meta and R2 Meta, which can also be used in LCR configurations, deliver dialog clarity to the home theater experience in different room sizes. Identically sized Uni-Q arrays are deployed on the centre speakers and all other models in the series. This creates a consistent sound character, ensuring that the focus is entirely on the content and not the equipment around the room.
If users want to experience immersive Dolby Atmos sound, the R8 Meta surround speaker is an ideal addition to the system. It can be either wall-mounted or placed on top of another R Series loudspeaker for upfiring configurations. The addition of any of KEF’s subwoofers will complete the whole cinematic experience.
The understated design aesthetic of the KEF R Series is complemented by carefully selected color options for traditional or modern interiors. Each model in the R Series comes in a choice of Black Gloss, White Gloss, and Walnut finishes. Two models also have their own signature finish options: the Titanium Gloss Special Edition for R7 Meta, and the Indigo Gloss Special Edition for R3 Meta. The R3 Meta bookshelf also features threaded insets that allow the speaker to be mounted securely onto the top of the KEF S3 Floor Stands, which also boast integrated cable management and a mass-loadable column.
www.kef.com
