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Kube 200

A new active low-level equaliser available as an option an designed for use with certain KEF Reference Series loudspeakers. It provides fixed and variable equalisation to suit listening environment, loudspeaker placement and user preferences.

In recent years much of KEF’s product development programme has been directed towards the problems of living with loudspeakers and the difficulties the user has with fitting them into the listening environment in terms of appearance and performance. These developments have been designed to increase the speakers’ versatility and flexibility in use and to provide the user with the means to enhance and optimise their performance. KEF’s KUBE equaliser project is a part of these developments.

KUBE 200 provides fixed equalisation which extends the loudspeaker’s bass response below its normal, unequalised cut-off point. For example, on model 105/3, the bass cut-off is extended from 49 Hz to 20 Hz (-6dB, Q=0.5).

KUBE 200 offers important new features which add to its usefulness and performance. It offers variable low and high frequency equalisation providing more accurate adjustment of the system response than can ordinary tone controls, to better fit the system to the listening room’s acoustic characteristics. The HF Contour control adjusts the high frequency level above 1kHz, while the LF Contour control adjusts the low frequency level below 160Hz, controlling the balance between bass and midrange. Recent research has indicated that room boundary effects on bass response are more complex than hitherto supposed. KUBE 200’s LF Contour control applies equalisation specifically calculated to compensate for the actual effects of room boundaries on the perceived bass response of the speaker.

KUBE 200 contains two sets of equalised outputs which make it easy to use in bi-amplified systems. KUBE 200 has a level control which provides adjustment for one pair of the outputs relative to the other pair, to provide easy compensation for differing amplifier gains and to facilitate LF/HF level matching. Because KUBE-equalised speakers are often used in multi-room systems containing multiple amplifier/speaker systems, KUBE 200 also has a set of direct, unequalised outputs. This allows mixed systems to be set up that contain both KUBE-equalised and ordinary unequalised speakers. These can also be used for connecting surround speakers in an audio/video system.

KUBE 200 is enclosed in an attractive anodised aluminium sleeve with a heavy machined aluminium front panel. High-quality low-noise devices are used throughout. a two-layer circuit board is used, with through-hole plating for improved reliability, and allowing the provision of a low-impedance ground plane.

KUBE 200 has tape recorder input and outputs and a tape monitor switch to provide the monitor function when the KUBE 200 must be connected in the tape monitor loop of a receiver or amplifier. A Bypass EQ switch is provided to allow KUBE 200 to be removed from the signal path when circumstances dictate, or to facilitate comparisons during set up.

To preserve high signal-to-noise ratio, KUBE 200 is powered by a separate outboard power supply, reducing the possibility of electronic interference.

Kube 200 Specifications

Description	Active equaliser providing fixed and variable equalisation.
Controls: LF Contour Centre frequency 160 Hz.	Continuously variable control allowing boost or attenuation over the range +4 to -6 dB.
Controls: HF Contour Centre frequency 1 kHz.	Continuously variable control allowing boost or attenuation over the range +4 to -6 dB.
Tape Monitor	Push button controls tape input/output via rear sockets.
Bypass EQ	Push button bypasses fixed and variable equalisation.
Rear Panel Connection	All signal inputs and outputs via goldplated phono (RCA) sockets. Power in (low voltage AC) via 5-pin DIN connector.
Input Impedance	51 K ohms
Maximum Input Voltage	1.9V rms above 20 Hz; >8V rms above 50 Hz
Maximum Output Voltage	5v rms
Output Impedance	100 ohms
Output Noise Level	6uV A-weighted
Signal-to-noise ratio	104 dBA ref 1Vrms
Distortion	0.005% for 1 V rms input @ 1kHz
Power Supply	23 V AC @ 0.3 A from factory supplied unit.
Weight	1.30Kg 2.87 lb
Dimensions	65(h) x 152(w) x 234(d)mm 2.6(h) x 6.5(w) x 9.2(d) ins