KEF Hi-Fi Speakers: Six Decades in the Pursuit of Sonic Perfection
A Journey of Audio Innovation
This month, we’re taking a closer look at one of today’s foremost audio companies: KEF. If you know anything about audio, you may already be familiar with the KEF name and some of its hi-fi speakers. But you may not know too much about what sets them apart from the rest.
KEF has been both a revolutionary and evolutionary brand. Signature design elements like the Uni-Q driver design have undergirded almost every KEF speaker since the 1980s, but the company's innovations did not stop there. Stay with us below as we discuss the history of KEF and how it shapes their present-day products—from ultra hi-fi speakers like the Blade to their uber-modern wireless lineup—and why KEF should be on the shortlist of any Park City, UT, audiophile.
SEE ALSO: 4 Music Sources to Enjoy on Your High-End Audio System
The History of KEF
KEF, short for Kent Engineering & Foundry, began in 1961 as a result of the visionary efforts of Raymond Cooke. With a mission to create audio products that transcend conventional limits, Cooke established KEF as a brand dedicated to delivering uncompromising sound quality. In its early years, KEF quickly gained recognition for pushing the boundaries of audio technology. One of its groundbreaking achievements was the development of the KEF K1, the world's first full-range loudspeaker. This remarkable innovation revolutionized the audio landscape and positioned KEF as a pioneer in the industry.
Raymond Cooke's relentless pursuit of perfection fueled the company's drive to excel further. Under his guidance, KEF introduced numerous advancements that garnered widespread acclaim. Notably, Cooke's brilliance led to the creation of the iconic B139 bass driver, which incorporated an innovative magnet system for enhanced low-frequency reproduction.
The Foundational Uni-Q
One of KEF's most significant breakthroughs came in the form of the Uni-Q driver technology. By coaxially aligning the tweeter and midrange driver in a concentric arrangement, Uni-Q drivers eliminated phase and time alignment issues, ensuring a coherent and uniform sound dispersion throughout the listening area. This revolutionary design allowed music to be enjoyed with remarkable accuracy and spatial imaging, enlarging the listening "sweet spot" for a wider yet accurate soundstage. First appearing in 1988, Uni-Q is a building block of all of KEF's modern high-end speakers.
More Bass, Less Space
As you likely know, with well-designed subwoofers in general, the bigger the driver and cabinet, the deeper the bass. Since the late 1980s, KEF has obsessed over technologies to create more bass performance without creating huge boxes and speakers. In 2005, KEF revealed ACE (Acoustic Compliance Enhancement), which enabled the same bass performance of a speaker twice the size. This innovation played an important role in the Muon, one of the most artful and impressive hi-fi speakers on the market.
Other bass innovations have found their way into the company's acclaimed Kube series and the diminutive KC62. The KC62 features KEF's Uni-Core system, which features the state-of-the-art usage of force-canceling drivers in small cabinets.
Neverending Innovation
KEF innovation has only accelerated in its seventh decade. The latest innovation, Metamaterial Absorption Technology, is becoming a part of all their high-end lines—stay tuned for more on this in next month's blog. Aside from this, KEF has embraced today's wireless and digital technology, creating groundbreaking all-in-one audio speakers like the LS50 and LS60 Wireless, redefining what an audio system can be.
Stay tuned to this space for more about KEF. To learn more about KEF audio speakers or see them in our showroom, contact Show & Tell AV Solutions today—we would love to help you!
