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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These look awesome. I wonder if there will be a wireless version of the R5. I would love an active floorstander
Hi Tim – if/when I get any more info on these, I’ll be sure to pass it on.
Well, we’ve had a new active speaker from KEF (the LSX), but still no active floorstander : – (
Where is the R5 wireless?
Hi,
Can you recommend an “affordable” amplifier for the KEF R5?
Thanks!
When you say “affordable” what sort of budget are you looking at Filip?
Hi Paul,
A few years ago I bought a pioneer VSX 932, not really good thinking of what i really wanted.
Now i just ordered my KEF R5 speakers. I was thinking around 1000€, I dont know if that exists.
Thank you!
Hi Filip – sorry, I’m not exactly sure what advice you need for your ‚Ǩ1,000. You’ve ordered the KEFs so are you looking for a new receiver or something else?
Hi Paul, I was wrong I meant a receiver, I’m sorry!
Now I have chromecast, spotify,… on the pioneer and that’s a nice feature.
No problem, Filip – just wanted to be sure 🙂 So, a receiver for a ‚Ǩ1,000? Can I ask, what is your main source? Digital? Analogue? If digital, what exactly?
I play mostly Spotify, Vinyls or radio. No CD‚Äôs anymore. Had a lot of them but now I love the sound of vinyl again 🙂
Which is the priority, Filip? Is the digital side the most important or is analogue your primary listening source? This will have a bearing on my advice, you see.
To listen I would say analogue. But I still want to have the possibility to play spotify through the speakers and connect my iPad or cellphone. But for listen quality vinyls. I‚Äôm sorry for the difficulties 🙂
Hi Filip – what you can do is stream Spotify from your iPad, through Bluetooth set within an amplifier and then utilise a separate phono amplifier to retain top sound quality. On that basis a Cyrus One would be ideal as it features Bluetooth. Then you’d need a Rega Fono phono amp: https://www.cyrusaudio.com/products/cyrus-one/.
Hi Paul,
Thanks! I will check if I can find this in Belgium!
Greets Filip
Hi Paul my name is John.I am planning to downsize my music system due to space constraint.Retired and moving to a smaller place.
I currently have Audio Research LS 22 Pre Amp
VTL M125 monoblocks power amps.Rega Rp6 Turntable
KEF 107/2 speakers
CD player
Planning to get KEF LS 50 passive sumiko S9 sub woofer
or Kef R3.Do I need a sub woofer too,?
Bear in mind I am.replacing my KEF 107/2
Regards Thanks.
Hi John – thanks for the question and good luck with the down sizing. Hmmm, there’s a slight essence of wanting to have your cake and eat it here, I reckon 🙂 You’re obviously concerned about losing that lower bass. Personally, I would say no, don’t go the sub route and prepare for less bass because that’s the nature of your speaker replacements. While you will loose lower bass, the sound will remain balanced. The one issue about this set up I have with a sub attached is a possible timing issue where the lower bass drags and bloats the overall presentation. Instead, I’d allow the smaller KEFs to do what they do best and retain their lively, springy, nippy demeanour. Also, don’t forget that smaller rooms need less low frequency stimulation to sound good so you might not miss the bigger speakers as much as you think. Give your new place a demo first without a sub and see what you think.
hi paul!
Sorry for the nubby question i am about to ask. I am new to sound systems but i would love to be finally able to listen to music on a hi definition system. And i am in love with the Kef R5 speakers. I would love to start a system from skretch around these speakers and i am mostly playing from my macbook ( flacs) or iphone. So, the question is : is there a simple yet powerful way to stream my music from my iphone to the speakers? like a cyrus one but with amp integrated? i would love to have just one source in between my iphone and the speakers. really thank you for the time to answer me back. cheers.
Hi ion and thanks for the question. If you like Cyrus then the Cyrus ONE HD would be ideal as it features Bluetooth. You can stream from your phone to the Cyrus and then through your KEF speakers: https://www.cyrusaudio.com/products/cyrus-one-hd/
Hi Paul. Thank you very much for your quick answer. I have seen that you recommended the Cyrus in an earlier comment together with Rega Fono phono amp and i was wondering if just Cyrus One HD is enough. Dos it have amp built in?
Thank you again for the answer.
Hi ion – indeed it does, as long as you use a MM cartridge. Check out this link, scroll down a bit and the phono bit is seen on the rear image, top centre: https://www.cyrusaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/CYRUS-PIG-ONE-HD-v0.3.pdf