New KEF Home Theatre Speakers

New Dedicated Speaker Delivers Enhanced Dialogue Intelligibility

KEF, the British-born producer of audiophile-grade home theater speakers has used its European-inspired approach in the development of the latest KEF Home Theatre speaker line. As part of the new KHT 3000 Series 5.1 home cinema system, the HTC3001 dedicated center channel speaker has taken sound in a new direction delivering distinct "vocal intelligibility," or crisp transparency to all dialogue—whether whispered or shouted—even when competing with ambient noise in your room or the soundtrack’s blasting guns and explosions.

Unlike rival systems which simply utilize one of the satellite speakers turned on its side, KEF engineered the HTC3001 independently, realizing that up to 60 percent of the sound you hear from your home theater come through the center channel speaker. The result? Amazingly clear dialogue and perfect timber for both video and audio reproduction. A thoroughly sensible British take on a well-known issue.

Just like the satellite speakers in the system, the center channel features KEF’s signature Uni-Q driver array. This is the only configuration that uses a tweeter mounted at the acoustic center of the bass/midrange cone to create a single-point source for an exceptional broad frequency range. Dialogue is no longer lost, quiet passages can be heard and voices are not buried beneath the action. Everyone in the room has a great seat, wherever they sit. In addition to the unique, large 4.5-inch Uni-Q driver, this center channel speaker incorporates two 3-inch bass drivers that allow the speaker to play at robust volume levels.

Alec Chanin, the president of KEF America (and an all-around good guy) told me that “KEF’s traditional attention to detail is evident in our decision to design a separate center channel to complement the system. We designed the HTC3001 to deliver superior vocal intelligibility, the most critical test of any center channel speaker. No other system at this price offers such a beautifully crafted design and untouchable sound performance.”

The centerpiece of this great 5.1 surround sound speaker system also features an all-new sealed suspension system, which eliminates unwanted air noise between woofer and tweeter. The speaker grilles are held in position by magnets, giving a high quality, tactile feel—yet easily removable for those who prefer to use their speakers without grilles in place. As an extra bonus, the speaker is shielded so that it in no way can interfere with televisions or any other nearby electronic equipment.

The KEF Home Theatre 3000 Series 5.1 system delivers the dialogue and sound effects of today’s digital soundtracks, as well as the streamlined look design-conscious consumers demand. Alec tells me that the 3000 series is now available. The full compliment, which you should get as a package for best results, is comprised of 4 satellites, the center channel and a powered KEF subwoofer. Everyone that has heard the system agrees with me that at an MSRP of only $1500 for the entire system, this KEF package is hard to beat.

One of the first stereo systems I bought when I graduated from college was from KEF. I was not disappointed. KEF has yet another award winner on its hands with the 3000 series. I would suggest you check it out at: www.kefamerica.com.

John Lentz