Reference Series 2

Reference is a term used (and abused) by many loudspeaker companies but owned by only one: KEF.

When the laboratories at KEF develop a new loudspeaker, they build a prototype as near to perfect as possible. This then becomes ‘The Reference’ to which every production loudspeaker must exactly conform.

As you might expect of KEF, this standard is constantly being refined in the light of our continuing research. The Reference Series ~ Two is the result: a family of loudspeakers with all the virtues that brought the original world-wide acclaim, and a host of improvements to set a new benchmark for the modern audiophile.

Each pair of KEF Reference loudspeakers is hand assembled by one highly skilled craftsman whose personal responsibility it is to make sure that every aspect of their work matches ‘The Reference’ to a tolerance of just 0.5 decibels. It’s a skill that takes time and infinite patience. But once you hear the results, we’re sure you’ll agree that it’s time well spent.

If you've ever struggled to decipher a public address system, you’ll know what happens to sound that comes from more than one source; it loses clarity and definition.

That’s why in every KEF Reference Series~Two loudspeaker, the high frequency driver is tucked neatly away in the exact acoustic centre of the mid-range cone to create a single point source.

To achieve this remarkable engineering feat, KEF drew upon NASA space technology. The high frequency magnet is made from neodymium, a rare earth material ten times more powerful than the usual ferrite. This allowed us to make the tweeter small enough to mount in this unique configuration.

The acoustic benefits are undeniable. Conventional loudspeakers deliver true high-fidelity performance only in one small area of the room - the ‘ sweet spot’. Fine if you listen to music with your head in one position - but if, like most people, you like to sit in different places, and want great sound for more than one person at a time, you'll be gratified to hear that KEF Uni-Q® effectively turns the entire room into a ‘sweet spot’.

However, don’t bother looking for this technology in any other loudspeaker - it’s protected by a string of patents.

Reference: the standard by which others are measured or judged; the basis for evaluation or assessment; criterion. (see point of reference ) 2. a source of information or facts to which others refer.

The Technology

Uni-Q
Uni-Q is acknowledged as one of the great breakthroughs of modern high-end loudspeaker design. Using aerospace materials, KEF engineers developed a high performance high-frequency driver small enough to mount at the acoustic centre of the mid-range cone, allowing both to act as a single point source - the ideal for any speaker. This has the effect of creating a well-defined and spacious soundstage over a large area, as opposed to a small ‘ sweet spot’. This unique configuration allows everyone in the room to enjoy the outstanding performance of which Reference S e r i e s ~ Two is capable - and with identical directivity over such a wide listening, freedom of positioning is virtually unlimited.

Coupled cavity
A sophisticated KEF concept where by the bass drivers are mounted internally, firing towards dedicated sub-enclosures within the cabinet. The primary energy comes from the rear of the diaphragms into a plenum chamber, and vent into the room via a contoured output port. Combining the efficiency of a reflex enclosure with the linearity of a sealed cabinet design, this configuration requires only modest amplification to deliver a superbly extended bass response.

Interports
Both the dedicated low frequency sub-enclosures built into the cabinet of each Model Three ~ Two and Model Four~Two speaker are connected to the central plenum chamber via internal interports. By eliminating any fractional delay that might otherwise occur with twin bass drivers, this refinement ensures that the sound emerging from the output port is perfectly even.

The Reference
Though the enjoyment of recorded sound is a subjective experience, the acoustic performance of a speaker can be objectively measured with minute accuracy. It is this principle which has always been the hallmark of the Reference Series concept: to use the most advanced available technology to ensure that every single production loudspeaker matches as closely as possible the response characteristics of the perfected prototype.

The Components

High order crossovers
With the addition of advanced polypropylene capacitors, KEF's computer pair-matched Reference Series ~ Two crossovers have been further refined to deliver even flatter response.

Force cancelling rods
KEF's ingenious force cancelling rod yokes together the internal bass drivers back to back, with the effect of neutralising opposing vibrations befo re they can enter the cabinet and excite panel resonances that can so easily spoil listening pleasure.

Oxygen - free copper leads
Hand - soldered OFC wiring is used throughout, with different gauges selected for each driver to ensure optimum signal transfer.

Gold plated solid brass feet
Reversible and adjustable spikes are fitted to give excellent results on any floor surface.

Furniture quality MDF cabinets
For superior acoustic performance, rigidity and long term dimensional stability, Reference Series ~ Two cabinets are precision manufactured from dense MDF using KEF's own internal bracing system. To look as special as they sound, cabinets are then radius edged and finished in a selection of carefully matched hardwood veneers.

Gold plated bi-wireable terminal panel.
Allows upgradeability through bi-wiring and bi-amping configurations.