@kemela

KEF manufactures low distortion high value loudspeakers with a long history of innovation including the Uni-Q driver™ and meta materials

KEF is a leading manufacturer of in-wall and box loudspeakers with a wide global distribution with a philosophy for high fidelity sound reproduction based on generating dynamic, low distortion, wide frequency sound that is faithful to the source without drama, exaggeration or artifice. Products are designed in KEF's UK research facilities, while drivers are manufactured in Asia.

Uni-Q™ Coaxial Driver

The development of powerful neodymium based magnetic materials in the late 1980s (first developed by NASA) allowed tweeter magnets to be small enough to locate the tweeter coaxially within a mid/bass driver rather than next to it. KEF was an early pioneer of coaxial designs as low mid to high frequencies could now originate from one place; a "point source" with a wider even distribution without 'lobing' and a broader "sweet spot". Within the sound stage focus and localization are more precise with greater sense of space around musicians performing in their in their own space.

Meta material technology

Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT™) is a new approach to dealing with the complex issue of the fate of sound eminating from the rear of the UNI-Q™ driver. The idea of Metamaterial Absorption Technology is essentially to prevent the energy from the rear of the driver from undergoing multiple reflections that would otherwise bounce back and spoil how the driver is reacting in response to the signal fed to it. Unwanted energy - particularly if it is resonant in nature (which tends to prolong and amplifiy specific frequencies inducing sound "coloration") - is dissipated by a maze of tuned channels.

Powered Wireless Speakers

KEF's LS series of powered speakers are an excellent solution for those wanting to keep things simple and don't require the upgrade possibility of a sytem built of seaprate components. They ferature built-in mulitple amplifiers, a high resolution DAC with streaming ability and KEF's DSP technology to optimize crossover timing and provide environmental control taking into account speaker placement, room sound characteristics, and listening distance - a little more sophisticated than old school tone controls or parametric equalization.