KEF Updates Blade and Reference Speakers

The British company KEF has announced major updates to its Blade and Reference series acoustics. Among the many innovations at KEF, MAT metamaterial absorption technologies (jointly developed with Acoustic Metamaterials Group) with a system of channels of complex geometry were highlighted.

Both series still use proprietary Uni-Q drivers, but for the 12th generation. All of these speakers are assembled by hand at KEF's production facility in Maidstone, Kent, UK.

The name of the “Reference” series has become even more justified - according to KEF, each pair of these speakers is matched with a reference sample with an accuracy of half a decibel. The cabinets of the upgraded series systems are designed using finite element analysis. Now the Reference includes two options for floorstanding speakers, bookshelf speakers and two three-way universal center channel systems that can also serve as satellites.

The Reference's design is made up of a combination of three cabinet finishes and five speaker cone colors: matte walnut/silver, glossy white/blue, glossy white/champagne, glossy black/grey and glossy black/copper.

Blade's flagship floorstanders use proprietary Single Apparent Source technology, which combines the sound of spaced speakers. The patented Tangerine waveguide system controls the airflow.

As part of the floorstanders, Uni-Q drivers complement four Revolutionary Sound Blade woofers with massive ventilated magnets and aluminum voice coils and cones. Two pairs of WBT connectors allow you to use bi-wiring or bi-amping connections.