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An element of loudspeaker design is
the ability to produce sound which is
as close as possible to the original
source. Distortion is the main factor
that impacts upon the quality of the
sound reproduced.
A distortion below 2% is considered
excellent. The KEF 3000 series
performs within a 0.3-0.8% band,
considerably better than this
benchmark. See the distortion chart
3
right, which shows the distortion measurements of the KEF 3000 series (green line) against its
predecessor, the award winning KHT2005.2 series (red line).
‘Sit anywhere’ Uni-Q Technology
KEF's patented Uni-Q driver configuration
uses aerospace technology to mount the
tweeter in the acoustic centre of the
bass/midrange cone. This allows
both to act as a single focused
source that disperses the sound
image evenly throughout the
room, so you experience the same
3D effects wherever you sit.
The all-new Uni-Q driver array
of the 3000 series has been
comprehensively engineered for even
cleaner response.
The midrange cone now produces smoother
sound thanks to radial reinforcing ribs
for more ‘piston-like’ behaviour
1
,
and its rubber surround has been
re-profiled to deliver superior
bass extension.
The images left show scans from
KEF’s Laser Doppler Vibrometer
2
illustrating how speaker cones
deform in normal operation.
The difference is plain to see, the KEF 3000
series suffers less break-up and hence
produces cleaner sound.
Typical loudspeaker
cone
KEF home theatre
3000 series cone
Grilles
The grilles on the centre and satellite
speakers are held in position by magnets,
giving a high quality, tactile feel, and because
it’s a closed loop magnet system, they won’t
interfere with your TV or any other nearby
electronic equipment. Very KEF - a typically
ingenious touch.
The Technology
1 A piston-like motion of a speaker cone, with less deformation and break-up produces cleaner, less distorted sound.
2 The KEF Laser Doppler Vibrometer is a scanning laser device that measures the precise diffraction of light from a moving device (in this
case the midrange speaker cone). Using this technique very small vibrations, normally invisible to the naked eye, can be recorded,
amplified and then viewed on a computer. (Measurement taken at 1500Hz).
3 Distortion measured at 90dB.
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
100 200 500 11K 2K 5K 10K
Frequency [Hz] Frequency [Hz]
KHT2005.2 satellite distortion
KEF 3000 series satellite distortion
[%] Amplitude, Distortion (2nd + 3rd harmonics)
Stands
The standard elliptical shelf
stands (supplied with each
satellite and centre speaker
double up as unobtrusive wall
brackets, and allow your
satellites to be stably
oriented in any direction. The
elegantly simple optional floor
stands (right) complement
the satellite speakers in
both form and function.
Finishes
When you're buying audiophile quality sound,
you want your system to look the part.
The 3000 series comes in a choice of High
Gloss Black or High Gloss Silver finishes;
whichever you choose, you'll find that the
surface reflections echo the distinctively
smooth contours of the enclosures.
If you think the look makes a statement,
wait till you hear the sound.
Sealed Suspension Technology
KEF’s unique new Sealed Suspension
Technology – SST
TM
(patent applied
for) dramatically improves sound
quality at higher volumes as it
provides the most effective seal of
the gap between the moving mid-range cone
and tweeter (see diagram).
“Improving upon the already near perfect
design wasn’t easy. We had to make a rubber
seal that was light enough to move with a
speaker without affecting the sound, it’s a
genuine innovation.”
KEF Research Engineer, Jack Oclee-Brown.