KEF Updates Blade and Reference Speakers
The British company KEF announced serious updates to its Blade and Reference series speakers. Among the many innovations, KEF highlighted the MAT metamaterials absorption technology (a joint development with Acoustic Metamaterials Group) with a system of channels of complex geometry.
12th generation Uni-Q driver
Both series still use proprietary Uni-Q drivers, but now of the 12th generation. All these loudspeakers are hand-assembled at the KEF production facility in Maidstone, Kent, UK.
The name of the Reference Series has become even more justified – KEF assures that each pair of these speakers is matched to the reference sample to an accuracy of half a decibel. The cabinets of the upgraded series were designed using finite element analysis. The Reference line-up now includes two versions of floor-standing speakers, bookshelf speakers and two three-way universal center channel systems, which can also serve as satellites.
The KEF Reference design is a combination of three cabinet finishes and five speaker cone colors: matte walnut/silver, glossy white/blue, glossy white/champagne, glossy black/gray, and glossy black/copper.
Single Apparent Source technology
KEF Blade flagship floor-standing speakers use proprietary Single Apparent Source technology, combining the sound of dispersed speakers. The patented Tangerine waveguide system controls airflow.
Revolutionary Sound Blade low-frequency drivers
As part of the floor-standing drivers Uni-Q complemented four Revolutionary Sound Blade bass drivers with massive vented magnets and aluminum voice coils and cones. Two pairs of WBT connectors allow for bi-wiring or bi-amping connections as well.
The cost of new speakers has not yet been announced.
