News

KEF Introduces Next-Generation Motorised In-Ceiling Loudspeaker (11/7/2005)

The Ci 3-80QT Automatically Positions Itself to Project Sound Directly at Listeners

For a home theater to transform movies into an immersive viewer experience, all of its highly variable elements must converge to seamlessly engage the senses. KEF's new Ci 3-80QT envelopes its audience with realistic movie sound while its exclusive design maintains the utmost decorative subtlety. The Ci 3-80QT is the only in-ceiling speaker that automatically extends down from its flush-mounted position to directly project sound toward listeners. In addition to motorized positioning, the speaker uses KEF's own Uni-Q(R) driver to create a widely dispersed and lifelike soundstage. With the introduction of the Ci 3-80QT, KEF gives home entertainment system installers the power to design a virtually invisible home theater that truly rivals the performance of free-standing speakers.

"Homeowners love in-ceiling speakers because they can be installed with virtually no impact on the surrounding dˇcor, but by nature in-ceiling speakers are challenged at projecting sound directly at the audience," said Alec Chanin, president of KEF America. "The Ci 3-80QT's motorized loudspeaker overcomes this by tilting the entire driver array down from the ceiling and toward seats, and it does this automatically when the system is activated. This speaker creates the robust performance of a free-standing or bookshelf speaker without altering a home's interior. It's the perfect solution for someone who wants their audio system to stand out through its sound rather than its looks."

In addition to the advantages of a motorized tilting mount, KEF's Ci 3-80QT produces exceptionally wide dispersion through its patented Uni-Q(R) driver. This array is based on over 45 years of audio engineering and uses technologies implemented by NASA. Uni-Q(R) places its aluminum dome tweeter in the acoustic center of a mid-bass cone, resulting in a near-perfect, single-point-source driver. This configuration ensures both drivers' frequency ranges are delivered in-phase and in precise focus, providing the wider dispersion that ensures all listeners throughout the room enjoy optimal sound quality, including those outside of the typical "sweet spot." The Uni-Q(R) array also offers distinct "vocal intelligibility," bringing crisp transparency to all dialogue - whether whispered or shouted - even when it is competing with ambient noise.

The Ci 3-80QT comes in a soft white finish, which can be painted to match virtually any setting. It will be available to KEF dealers in mid September. MSRP is $499.99 each.

www.kefamerica.com