The Article
R Series loudspeakers revamped by KEF
7th September 2018
KEF has announced the launch of its new R Series. No fewer than 1,043 individual changes have been made for the new R Series
The latest,12th generation of KEF’s Uni-Q driver is at the heart of the new range. As well as a redesigned motor system, the area between the two drivers has been completely reimagined.
The design of Uni-Q necessitates a narrow gap between the drivers, which can be excited by sound waves at certain frequencies. The new structure and damping system “…eliminates these resonances, resulting in an even more smooth, transparent and detailed treble performance than ever before,” said the company.
The Uni-Q Driver array’s role as a waveguide is further expanded by KEF’s ‘Shadow Flare’ trim ring design.
For the new R Series, KEF has completely re-worked the low-frequency drivers. The new bass drivers have greater excursion, as well as an improved motor and a new cone.
The new R Series also utilises a new internal bracing system called Constrained Layer Damping. Originally developed for the LS50, the system uses internal braces which connect to the cabinet panels via a lossy interface (as opposed to being fixed rigidly).
All the ports in the R Series speakers are “precisely positioned” and flexible walls, which prevent, “…longitudinal resonances from colouring the midrange,” said the company.
A suede-like, microfibre grille design, utilises 1801 precision-cut holes for each driver.
The new R Series consists of the R11, R7 and R5 floorstanders, the R3 standmount, the R2c centre speaker and the R8a Dolby Atmos-compatible speakers.
All the loudspeakers in the range come in three contemporary finishes: Black Gloss, White Gloss and Walnut.
Available from this month, Prices are:
R11: £4,000 per pair
R7: £2,600 per pair
R5: £2,000 per pair
R3: £1,300 per pair
R2c: £850
R8a: £800 per pair
To learn more, click www.kef.com
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Hi, I recently bought a pair of the walnut R5’s to partner my Naim Atom, though not a cheap combo (£4000.00 combined) they compliment each other so well and out perform many systems costing several thousands more!!, if anyone is looking a simple one box solution I cannot recommend this set up enough, truly stunning.
Good stuff – thanks for the update Damien. Appreciate you taking the time to report this.
Hi, hope you might be able to assist? I fancy a pair of Keff R3s and wonder how they might perform with the new Sonos amp?
All my music is streamed.
Would appreciate your thoughts. I see lots of reviews on either one or the other, but never anything comparing components of a complete system.
Hi John – the Sonos offers great lifestyle features and is a solid streaming system but I think the KEF speakers would be an overkill. In hi-fi terms, the Sonos is ok, it does the job and is decent but I wouldnt go further than something like this: https://theaudiophileman.com/3020i-q-acoustics-speakers-review/
Many thanks Paul, will take a look.
Hi Paul, was wondering if the Marantz pm7000n will make a good pairing with the R7’s?
Hi Chris and yes, that should be fine.
Thanks Paul! I did get the R7’s and the pm7000n. Now I’m choosing between the Rega P3 and the Rega P6 with the Ania cartridge and Rega Fono MC. Would love your opinion on which turntable to get.
Hi Chris, the P6 would be the obvious choice.
I forgot to mention that the Rega P3 will come with the Elys cartridge.
Hi Paul, which amplifier would you recommand with KEF R5 with a 2500 eur budget?
Mainly listen to Spotify but I aslo have a vynil turntable
I like the Parasound Halo.
Hi, sorry this is not completely on point. But I’m looking for some expert opinion on the KEFs,
I’m hoping you can give me some guidance on a speaker project I‚Äôm building. I have four B&W LF00507 (Rohacell Diamond Nautilus series) CT8 LR bass units (whole speaker specs are -6dB at 23Hz and 40kHz 93dB spl (2.83V, 1m) (mf/hf) 8Œ© (minimum 4Œ©) and would like to build some really nice speakers for a HiFi stereo sound (mostly streamed but with phono analogue) that can also be the optional L&R of a simple 5 way theatre system. The power amp is a Carver Sunfire TGA 5400, it gives 400 Watts per channel into 8Œ© or 800 Watts per channel into 4 Œ©. I still have the B&W CT8XO 2 external active crossovers for each of the whole units, but nothing else is left from those two original CT8 LR speaker cases (not a happy tale!). As an aside, Is it possible to re-use these active crossovers for the new speakers?
To the question. I was wondering if I can match them with 5” KEF 12th gen uni-q two way MF/HF drivers from the Reference Meta series? The idea is to keep the original MF/HF crossover from KEF, but have a new XO built to match them with the B&W LF drivers. Should point out the KEFs are native 4Ω and the B&W are 8Ω but can deal with 4Ω. The amp can do both. The room space is sloping from single to double height and 12m X 7m
I will build the enclosures to respect the necessary dimensions, rigidity and insulation for the original closed unit box of the B&W. I want to keep the size down so the design is based around Magico Mini design from stacked CNC cut Birch ply anechoic slices, with a slightly curved Corian™ front baffle for minimum resonance. I’m planning on keeping the KEF shadow flare trim to keep the throw of the R series. I have good quality cabling with Neutrik connectors for the interconnects , so I was thinking of using 4 pole Neutrik connectors to bi-wire them with minimal hassle. I ‘m hoping that will give a real presence and detail, and to do justice to the quality of the amp and bass units without spending £10k on parts. What do you reckon?
Thanks for your time. Really look forward to any constructive comments you may have or alternative ideas for the MF/HF drivers.
Thanks for asking Pete but your question is way over my head in terms of the technical qualifications I would need to advise you properly and with authority. I can just about open a bottle of milk so advising you on crossover use et al is quite beyond me, I’m afraid. I would advise seeking out a self-build forum. Possibly on Facebook? Asking such a question to people who are in a similar position to yourself would seem to me to be the best course. Sorry I couldn’t help further.