KEF have not updated The Reference or Blade loudspeakers for a number of years but all of that is changing in 2022. The KEF Blade has definitely made more than a few appearances over the past five years at Hi-Fi events around the globe and its striking industrial design isn’t just for show.
The two high-end KEF speaker ranges have been updated with KEF’s latest acoustic innovations, including a new, high-end 12th generation Uni-Q with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT™).
Priced from $9,000 to $35,000 a pair, customers with deep pockets may be drawn to KEF’s new lines for their unique style and color options in addition to their sound quality. Others competing in the five figure ballpark include Theory Audio’s On-Wall Speaker System and well as the PS Audio aspen FR30, among many more.
The Reference Series are designed for both 2-channel and home theater systems; two of the 4 models can be used in a LCR scenario.
Both the Blade and The Reference are still hand-assembled in Maidstone, England, with each pair assembled by an individual master craftsmen. Each pair is then tested to match within 0.5dB of each other and the laboratory-maintained line standard, ensuring that what leaves the factory matches what KEF’s engineers have designed.
The LSX and LS50 models are manufactured and assembled in China which enables KEF to keep both loudspeaker ranges affordable.
Revolutionary Technology
KEFs latest entry in the 12th Generation of Uni-Q is a ground-up design including a new approach to decoupling, and a state-of-the-art motor system.
For both series, the crossover has been fully reworked with new, low distortion components with an eye to ensuring signal integrity. With Blade, further work has been carried out to enhance the benefits of Single Apparent Source, the defining technology of this unique range.
Blade
At the heart of Blade lies the Single Apparent Source technology.This technology expands the benefits of Uni-Q across all frequencies by closely following the acoustic ideal of a point source. This makes Blade incredibly coherent across all audible frequencies.
Another key to Blade’s clean sound signature is also thanks to Single Apparent Source. The positioning of the bass drivers allows them to be braced against each other, cancelling out damaging vibrations that would excite the cabinet.
Blade’s sculptural design is informed by both technology and acoustics. The gentle front radius tapers gracefully from top to bottom and from front to rear, and presents no discontinuity to mar sound clarity.
The Reference
The Reference boasts a massive, vented magnet assembly paired with a huge aluminum voice coil and a stiff, damped alloy cone ensures The Reference is fully capable of achieving pipe-organ low end response and dynamics.
Whilst a more traditional outward form, The Reference is anything but. The rectilinear cabinet design hides several features – many pioneered by KEF.
Surrounding the 12th Generation Uni-Q sits Shadow Flare – a specially profiled trim ring that reduces the negative effects of diffraction, allowing Uni-Q to deliver a beautifully wide and accurate soundstage. Constrained Layer Damping and tuned internal chambering tackles the issues of vibration and standing waves respectively.
The adjustable flexible ports reduces port resonances whilst also allowing for fine tuning based on where the speaker is placed in the listening room
Models and Finishes
The Blade range is headlined by the commanding Blade One, with Blade Two suited for smaller listening environments.
Both are available in four standard finishes (Piano Black / Grey, Arctic White / Champagne, Charcoal Grey / Bronze, Frosted Blue / Blue) and four special order finishes (Piano Black/ Copper, Frosted Blue/Bronze, Charcoal Grey/Red, Racing Red/Grey).
For those who really want to elevate their ownership of Blade, KEF will also be offering custom finishes, with orders starting in June 2022.
The Reference range caters for any requirement, with two floorstanding models (Reference 5, Reference 3), a standmount (Reference 1) and two LCR models (Reference 4, Reference 2).
The redesign of the Reference 2 and Reference 4 makes them ideal for use as LCR speakers, creating more possibilities for great sound for those with custom cabinetry or designing for a home theater
All will be available in three standard finishes (Satin Walnut/Silver, High-Gloss White Champagne, High-Gloss Black/Grey) and two special order finishes (High-Gloss White/Blue, High-Gloss Black/Copper).
Price & Availability
Available June 2022.
- Blade One Meta: $35,000 / pair
- Blade Two Meta: $28,000 / pair
- Reference 5 Meta: $22,000 / pair
- Reference 3 Meta: $15,000 / pair
- Reference 1 Meta: $9,000 / pair
- Reference 4 Meta: $8,000 / each
- Reference 2 Meta: $6,000 / each
- S-RF1 Floor Stand: $1,200 / pair
For more information: https://us.kef.com
Related reading: Amazon Music HD Streams Into KEF LS50 Wireless II Speakers
GordM
March 4, 2022 at 1:49 am
I just recently purchased a pair of R3s, which series is all new as well, BTW. I plunked them down on top of my MartinLogan subs and recalibrated the ARC room correction and happiness ensued. I had walked past the KEFs on display at hi-fi boutiques for years until I finally decided to give the new R7s a listen one day and I was blown away. I balked a little at the $6,000.00 CAD price but the dealer rec’d that, since I had a pair of powered subs, that I should consider the R3s. He was not wrong. Last weekend I tested them with the subs disconnected for the first time and noted that the bottom end was actually quite impressive indeed for a small, passive loudspeaker.