Sound
Contents
We let the KEF CI4100QL THX play for over a week before we started listening seriously. This because we got a new pair from GP Acoustics; the importer of KEF. After a week, the difference is obvious. Especially in the bass; looser, more dynamic… Pay attention to that as a buyer.
It amazes us how great these KEFs play. We are used to a nice couple in our CI / AV setup. The DALI’s play very big and yet precise. A very interesting, hi-fi-worthy all-rounder. These KEFs know how to get to us. And if we look at the price: 1/6th of the Phantoms… well, then you’ve got a good buy!
Solving power
What immediately strikes us is the absence of this speaker. KEF probably knows how to achieve this with uni-q technology. The speaker is constructed with five units, where one unit is actually two: the tweeter is in the middle of the midrange driver. KEF’s renowned Uni-Q technology.
The other three are for the low. So we’re talking about a three-way speaker. These units must together cover 55 Hz – 28 kHz. We have measured – see next page – and see that 28 kHz is a bit enthusiastic. Anyway… that could also be due to the damping of our space.
Subje
The KEF CI4100QL is not a fullrange speaker. 55 Hz is achievable – we also measure back – but we really recommend a subwoofer for a full experience. Especially at films or live concerts. That’s the big difference with the – gigantic – DALI Phantom 280S. It goes deeper, which means that a subwoofer is not necessarily necessary.
However, what KEF does very pleasantly – besides disappearing into the environment – is vocals. They stand like a house and have a nice body. We also don’t hear any hardness or sharpness anywhere. Very handsome. Especially in this class.
