SPECIAL: KEF and Arcam days at Cinemike – impressions of the event, information on important products

October 31, 2022 (Carsten Rampacher)

On October 22nd took place at Cinemake in Simmerath a KEF/Arcam event with current product highlights took place – the response was great, we have attached some impressions for you.

Blade Two Meta and LS60

Of course, the Blade Two Meta was also demonstrated – a high-end loudspeaker that was also able to set standards in our test.

Especially the demonstration with the Blade Two Meta was met with enthusiasm. The exceptional sound converter, which is available from EUR 26,000 per pair, combines numerous KEF-exclusive technologies and is also equipped in the current generation with the ingenious mega-absorption material, which further optimizes the quality of the acoustic performance.

Explanations from the experts: Thomas Restel from KEF was also on site

Crafting the Blade by hand in Maidstone

Single apparatus source technology, the KEF-typical Uni-Q chassis and masterly craftsmanship are further focal points of the box manufactured at the headquarters in Maidstone/GB.

Michael Schiffers from Cinemike and Thomas Restel from KEF left no question from the interested audience unanswered

What is there for the 6,999 EUR cost LS60 accept? The largest and most innovative KEF wireless model with a full 700W/speaker and a unique power amp technology: While particularly efficient Class D power amps supply the mid and low frequency range, very sensitively tuned Class AB analog power amps are used for high-frequency reproduction. Technologies such as UniCore, Single Apparant Source, the latest Uni-Q coaxial chassis or the use of Meta Absportions material ensure an exceptional position.

The W2 wireless platform, which is also used in the LSX II and LS50 Wireless 2 models, stands for maximum streaming flexibility. Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and compatibility with MQA files are just a few key points. Numerous sound settings can also be made in the KEF Connect app, which are carefully monitored and managed by KEF’s Musical Integrity Engine. The flexible connection section also offers HDMI eARC, among other things.

Both boxes can of course be purchased from Cinemike, here is the link to the Blade Two, LS60 follows from Cinemike:

There is also a lot of information about the LS50 directly from KEF:

The KEF R-Series could also be seen – and more importantly, heard.

KEF R-Series multi-channel set connected to a modern Arcam AV receiver

For example, a KEF R-Series set was demonstrated on a new Arcam AVR. All current Arcam AVR models (AVR11, AVR21, AVR31) as well as the AV preamplifier AV40 support 8K@60 Hz, HDCD 2.3 and, in addition to Dolby Vision and HDR10, the dynamic HDR10+ is also supported on the connection side.

Arcam AVR31

Other features, many of which are already familiar from the previous generation, are decoders for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro-3D and IMAX Enhanced. Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast are also part of the equipment such as a WLAN module and Bluetooth including aptX HD. The new devices are also compatible with Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon.

The R series is a good friend. The current edition was presented in September 2018. At that time there were 1,043 individual changes, which resulted in a completely new, highly developed speaker series that was 100 percent fair in terms of price for technology and workmanship/material quality. R-Series features include:

A lot of effort has gone into the KEF R series

  • Damped tweeter tube
  • Tangerine wave guide
  • High-midrange gap sealing/damping
  • Optimized midrange geometry with a new rubber surround
  • Ventilated and milled midrange magnet
  • Optimized trim ring from the REFERENCE series
  • Optimized woofer geometry and suspension
  • Ventilated woofer magnet
  • Optimized woofer and UNI-Q cabinets
  • Rubber-damped internal chassis braces
  • Flexible bass reflex tubes
  • Optimized positioning of the bass reflex port
  • Crossover design inspired by the REFERENCE series
  • Elegant, slim proportions
  • Drivers perfectly matched to the design concept
  • Acoustically optimized front panel made of 13 layers

The excellent price/performance ratio, the exclusive look and the innovative technology have made the current generation of the R series a real success story. There are also numerous links to the R series, which we would like to refer to here:

During a visit to Simmerath a few years ago, we had plenty of time to get to know the R series

2022: R series at Cinemike

The KEF R-Series models are:

  • Floorstanding speakers R11: 5,000 euros/pair
  • Floorstanding speakers R7: 3,200 euros/pair
  • Floorstanding speakers R5: 2,600 euros/pair
  • Bookshelf speakers R3: 1,800 euros/pair
  • Center speaker R2c: 1,000 euros (single)
  • Dolby Atmos speakers R8a: 1,000 EUR (pair)

All in all, the interest in the R series is unbroken, as the presentation at Cinemike showed again and again.

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tags: ArcamcinemakeKEF

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