British audio brand KEF, has announced the launch of its brand new R Series loudspeaker range. With many technological innovations and design improvements, the new R Series draws on acoustic developments originally achieved in KEF’s flagship Reference Series. No fewer than 1043 individual changes have been made for the new R Series.

The latest, 12th generation of KEF’s Uni-Q driver is at the heart of the new range. As well as a redesigned motor system to improve the midrange, the area between the two drivers has been completely reimagined. The design of Uni-Q necessitates a narrow gap between the drivers, which can be excited by sound waves at certain frequencies. The new structure and damping system eliminates these resonances. The Uni-Q Driver array’s role as a waveguide is further expanded by KEF’s ‘Shadow Flare’ trim ring design. The Shadow Flare is designed to reduce the diffraction effects that inevitably come from having a speaker with edges. KEF has also re-worked the low-frequency drivers to improve performance with smaller drivers than previously used enabling the cabinets to be slimmer.

The new bass drivers have greater excursion, as well as an improved low-distortion motor and a new, higher-rigidity cone. The new R Series also utilises an internal bracing system called Constrained Layer Damping. Originally developed for the LS50, the system uses internal braces which connect to the cabinet panels via a lossy interface to dissipate unwanted vibrations. Other innovations to be included in the design of the new R Series is the flexible port design and a completely redesigned, suede-like, microfibre grille design which utilises 1801 precision-cut holes for each driver.

The new R Series consists of the R11, R7 and R5 floorstanders, the R3 standmount,the R2c centre speaker and the R8a Dolby Atmos-compatible speakers. All the loudspeakers in the range come in three contemporary finishes: Black Gloss, White Gloss and Walnut. Suggested Retail Prices: R11: £4,000 per pair, R7: £2,600 per pair, R5: £2,000 per pair, R3: £1,300 per pair, R2c: £850, R8a: £800 per pair. Available in November 2018.

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