Capitalizing on profitable analysis and vital enhancements demonstrated by the KEF LS50 Meta audio system, the British hifi model has formally launched the most recent updates to their high-end loudspeaker choices – Blade and The Reference. The 2 ranges have been up to date with KEF’s newest acoustic improvements, together with a brand new, high-end twelfth Technology Uni-Q with Metamaterial Absorption Expertise (MAT). The Blade Meta and Reference Meta loudspeakers at the moment are out there.
As promised by the corporate in its sixtieth Anniversary announcement, KEF launched the Blade Meta and The Reference Meta up to date high-end loudspeaker fashions, adopting a number of the most cutting-edge improvements launched just lately. These two ranges reveal how KEF’s method to innovation and design is ready to ship a superior listening expertise, described as “correct, lifelike, and completely partaking.”
“Blade is about perfecting a ground-breaking idea to please folks with the last word listening expertise, with the philosophy of innovating in pursuit of essentially the most correct and lifelike sound. The Reference, one of many business’s longest standing and revered ranges, mirrors the KEF story. From the pioneering use of computer systems in 1973, The Reference has all the time guided how KEF redefines the benchmark, demanding awe and reverence within the hearts – and ears – of many a distinguished audiophile,” says the corporate to characterize these two essential KEF fashions.
Each the Blade and The Reference audio system are nonetheless hand-assembled in Maidstone, England with every pair painstakingly put collectively by a grasp craftsmen. Every pair is then examined to match inside 0.5dB of one another and the laboratory-maintained line customary, making certain that what leaves the manufacturing unit matches what KEF’s engineers have designed.
The brand new fashions profit from the corporate’s sturdy dedication to R&D utilizing laptop simulation and evaluation instruments which have resulted in essential breakthroughs. The newest variations of Blade and The Reference profit from KEF’s model new, high-end twelfth Technology Uni-Q, Metamaterial Absorption Expertise (MAT) and fully redesigned crossovers. KEF says this newest era of Uni-Q is “merely the best but produced.”
A ground-up design together with a novel method to decoupling, state-of-the-art motor programs and a slew of different new options ensures that the brand new Uni-Q drivers reproduce sounds with utmost readability. Just like the LS50 Meta, the built-in MAT know-how absorbs 99% of undesirable sound and eliminates the ensuing distortion, offering a extra pure acoustic efficiency. A results of joint growth with the Acoustic Metamaterials Group, MAT breaks fully new floor in loudspeaker design utilizing specifically developed buildings that exhibit new, fascinating properties which might be merely not present in naturally occurring substances.
For each loudspeaker collection, the crossover has additionally been totally reworked with new, low distortion parts with a watch to making sure sign integrity. With Blade, additional work has been carried out to reinforce the advantages of the unique Single Obvious Supply driver association, the defining know-how of this distinctive vary. Single Obvious Supply extends the long-lasting Uni-Q driver array, the constructing block of the KEF signature sound, by intently following the acoustic splendid of a degree supply. This makes Blade extremely coherent throughout all audible frequencies.
One other profit ensuing from this association derives from the positioning of the bass drivers, braced in opposition to one another, cancelling out damaging vibrations that may in any other case excite the cupboard. The sculptural design of the Blade is knowledgeable by each know-how and acoustics. The light entrance radius tapers gracefully from high to backside and from entrance to rear, and presents no discontinuity to mar sound readability.
The Reference vary now advantages from an enormous, vented magnet meeting, paired with an enormous aluminum voice coil and a stiff, but cleverly damped alloy cone, making certain prolonged low-end efficiency. As KEF describes, because of this enchancment, the standmount Reference 1 stands its floor in opposition to many floorstanding audio system.
While primarily based on a extra conventional cupboard design, The Reference audio system now additionally profit from KEF’s newest improvements. Surrounding the twelfth Technology Uni-Q sits Shadow Flare – a specifically profiled trim ring that reduces the destructive results of diffraction, permitting Uni-Q to ship a wider and extra correct soundstage. Constrained Layer Damping and tuned inner chambering tackles the problems of vibration and standing waves respectively. And the adjustable versatile ports reduces port resonances while additionally permitting for superb tuning primarily based on the place the speaker is positioned within the listening room.
The Blade vary is headlined by the commanding Blade One Meta ($35,000/pair), with Blade Two Meta ($28,000/pair) fitted to smaller listening environments. Each can be found in 4 customary, and 4 particular order finishes. For individuals who actually need to elevate their possession of Blade, KEF may even offer customized finishes, with orders beginning in June 2022.
The KEF Reference vary contains two floorstanding fashions (Reference 5 – $22,000/pair, Reference 3 – $15,000/pair), a standmount (Reference 1 – $9,000/pair) and two LCR fashions (Reference 4 – $8,000/every, Reference 2 – $6,000/every). The redesign of the Reference 2 and Reference 4 makes them splendid to be used as LCR audio system, creating extra prospects for nice sound for these with customized cabinetry or designing for a house theatre. All audio system will likely be out there in three customary finishes, and two particular order finishes.
Additionally out there is the brand-new S-RF1 Ground Stand ($1,200 /pair), a devoted stand for Reference 1 that includes bolting factors and cable administration. The S-RF1 stand is accessible in each Carbon Black and Mineral White.
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