The 50th anniversary of the legendary KEF loudspeakers saw the introduction of the R Series of floor-standing and bookshelf speakers along with a redesign for the all time popular Q Series. The R Series comes in nine models and incorporates most of the advanced reproduction technologies that have earned KEF the respect of audiophiles all over the world. Available in Piano Black, Rosewood and Walnut real wood veneer cabinets, the R Series uses the computerised crossovers and the vented magnet technology that made the Blade speakers and the Q and XQ Series such great products.
Features
The 28 cm two-way R100s and the 38.5 cm three-way R300s are the standmounts. The R500, R700 and R900 are floorstanders. They come with pairs of 5.25 in, 6 in, and 8 in bass drivers respectively, and stand at over a meter in height. The 53 cm wide R200c and the 63 cm wide R600c are the center speakers that use 5.25 in and 6.5 in bass drivers respectively. The three-way dipole surround speaker is the R800ds. The twin driver subwoofer is the R400 which delivers a 500W punch from its 35 cm cube shape with an aluminum belt.
The speakers use the revolutionary Uni-Q technology that allows the tweeters to be located on the voice coils of the bass drivers. This gives the high and middle frequencies the same apparent point source, the magic behind the wildly popular Blade series of speakers. The Tangerine Waveguide technology is used to assist in cleaner horizontal spread of the higher frequencies. The advanced decoupled aluminum chassis and damping panels help to preserve the clarity of the audio and prevent it from being transmitted to the cabinet in the form of vibrations.
High points
The single point source technology makes the sound fill even large sized rooms while giving the impression that all of the sound is emanating from a single location. You will feel that the performer or the band is right in front of you at a specific point. The computerised crossovers allow each driver to fine tune its level so that the response is flatter and smoother. The proprietary Tangerine Waveguide technology helps increase the spatial dispersion of higher frequencies and adds to the natural intricacies of the output. It also helps prevent the ugly dispersion changes that take place above the crossover frequencies. The twin drivers of the R400 along with the use of internal air volume dynamics give it a robust presence that is distinctly different from the thumping effect that most of the other class D amplification subwoofers produce.
Low points
It is too early to tell if there will be too many things to dislike about these otherwise perfect speakers. However, the price is obviously going to make a few people think twice. The R Series is strictly for the hardcore audiophile with a deep wallet, and many of them might just opt for the equally impressive but more reasonably priced Q series. It is officially positioned between the XQ Series and the Reference speakers, yet all it appears to offer is the same technology and power as the Q or the XQ series with nothing more obviously different than sleeker looks.
Price: Ranges from $1299 to $2,499.99 depending on the type and model.
