Kii have described their new Kii Three loudspeaker system as a “Brilliant mix of cutting-edge amplification and DSP that delivers the full-frequency dynamics of a large high-end floor stander from a super-discreet active system”.

This is a big claim from a small speaker, Kii told us more about their new, bijou Kii Three, they say it is: “an innovative and coherent union of discreet DSP, D/A conversion and power amplification channels, individually calibrated for a total of six drivers firing to the front, side and rear, but working together to throw the sound in the forward direction only. In this way Kii Three system, having the physical dimension (WxHxD) of just 20x40x40cm, is able largely to eliminate the negative impact of the room on low to mid frequencies and reproduce the acoustical scale, timing and dynamics of a large audiophile floor-standing speaker system”.

The Kii Three system deploys proprietary Active Wave Focusing filters, which allow specially positioned drive units (a front-firing 1″ wave-guided tweeter and 5″ midrange, 2 x side-firing and 2 x rear-firing 6.5″ woofers) to create a time-aligned wave front that is only emitted forward and behaves as though it came from the midrange driver. The DSP operates like a directional cardioid microphone in reverse, eliminating all backward radiation from the driver system.  It is also responsible for keeping the drive units within their safe operating range by adjusting the AWF filters.

The amplification comprises 6 x 250W Ncore power amplifiers (one for each driver) arranged on twin three-channel boards installed in the side panels of the Kii Three. For this implementation Bruno Putzeys’ Ncore class D technology has been enhanced with a combined voltage/current control loop. There is an XLR input (selectable analogue L/R or AES/EBU digital audio signals). All digital inputs are up-sampled and re-clocked using Kii’s own jitter rejection algorithm. The connector panel also features twin Kiilink RJ45 input/outputs (CAT cable included) for connecting other Kii products or the ‘Slave’ Kii Three when the stereo digital AES/EBU is used.

A sixteen position (free / wall / corner) Boundary switch allows the Kii Three’s DSP to compensate for room positioning and a ‘Contour’ control selects from fourteen preset EQ curves (+ flat-position). The Kii CONTROL preamp/USB Interface allows a Kii Three pair to perform as a complete playback system combining touch-control of input selection, lossless volume control, power, finer EQ calibration and preset memories with the facility for a further three digital inputs: Coax SPDIF, Optical TOSLINK and USB (up to PCM 24/384kHz and DSD64/DSD128 on USB). The Kii Control connects (and is powered) through a single CAT cable (included) and menu navigation is aided by an integrated OLED display. The main system functions such as volume, source and mute can be remote controlled via IR Remote (RC5 type or Apple Remote).

At 70 cm tall and of RAL-9005 black powder-coated high quality steel, the custom stands are sand-fillable. The Kii Three is available in two standard colour schemes: High Gloss White and Graphite Satin Metallic. Any custom colour in a choice of high gloss, matt or metallic finishes can be ordered at a surcharge. The brushed aluminium driver panels are anodized in RAL-9005 black to match the stands.

Typical retail prices inc. VAT:

Kii THREE stereo system (2 x Kii Three active speakers with Kii CONTROL)

Standard colours: £12,480.00

Kii THREE stereo system (2 x Kii Three active speakers with Kii CONTROL)

Custom colours: £13,480.00