KEF is ready to rock the new week with a new collection of speakers. The company just announced several new models for its Custom Installation (Ci) Series of in-ceiling and in-wall loudspeakers.
These new speakers are designed for the custom installation crowd, with both square and rectangle models available. Each of the new Ci models has a new Ultra Thin Bezel (UTB) design. That UTB design includes magnetic grilles, making it easy to blend one of the Ci speakers into almost any home's decor. That way, you can have speakers just about anywhere, without sacrificing space or the design.
Besides using magnets on the grilles, KEF says that each one also has a special grille treatment, so the speakers can be used in moist or humid environments. This makes the Ci series perfect for bathrooms, backyards, boats, or anywhere else water and/or weather may be a factor.
Select "Q" speakers will also have KEF's patented Uni-Q driver array. This exclusive places the tweeter in the acoustic center of the woofer, combining the two as a single powerhouse of focused sound -- which the company says is then dispersed widely and evenly throughout the room. Another feature is the "tangerine" waveguide, which boasts greater dispersion and driver protection.
"From legendary products like the Reference series to recent innovations like KEF Blade, KEF has long been recognized as one of the leaders in developing superior audio products," said David Kroll, Ci product manager at KEF. "Keeping in line with that same commitment to providing the world with the best in high performance audio, we have incorporated over 50 years of research and design into making our Ci Series one of the best architectural loudspeaker solutions on the market. With unobtrusive design and KEF's renowned audio quality, installers can feel confident knowing the Ci Series will deliver aesthetically and acoustically."
All of the new Ci models will be sold separately (not in pairs). This includes a total of four new rectangle models. First up is the Ci160CL, which has a 6.5-inch LF drive unit and a 0.75-inch HF drive unit for $249.99. The Ci160QL bumps up the price to $324.99, with a 6.5-inch LF drive and a 0.75-inch HF unit. For something slightly larger, the Ci200CL and Ci200QL each have an 8-inch LF drive unit and a 1-inch HD drive. These models are priced at $274.99 and $349.99, respectively.
If you're more of a square speaker fan, there are seven new Ci options. The Ci100QS has a 4-inch LF drive unit and a 0.75-inch HF drive, for $219.99. Both the Ci130CS and the Ci130QS each have a 5.25-inch LF drive unit and a 0.75-inch HF driver. The Ci130CS is priced at $179.99, with the Ci130QS listed with an MSRP of $249.99.
Another three speakers feature a 6.5-inch LF drive unit and a 0.75-inch HF driver. The Ci160CS features an MSRP of $249.99, with the Ci160QS priced at $299.99. KEF says it is still determining the price on the Ci160CSds dipole.
Last in the new lineup is the square Ci200QS. Featuring an 8-inch LF driver and a 1-inch HD drive unit, this model is priced at $349.99 each.
KEF says that select models of the new Ci Series are available now. Expect the rest to be released sometime between now and the end of spring 2012.
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