KEF Q300, Q100, Q600c, Q200c, Q800ds User Manual

Q Series

For decades audiophiles around
the world have revered KEF (Kent
Engineering and Foundry) for
its innovative, high-performance
loudspeakers. The company was
founded in 1961 by Raymond
Cooke OBE (1925-1995),
a former BBC electrical engineer,
widely acknowledged in the audio
industry as a leading authority in
transducer technology.

an unrivalled pedigree

The pioneering inventiveness of KEF
loudspeakers was undeniable. During
the 1960s and early 1970s, KEF’s
reputation was fur ther enhanced by
its outstanding performance. From the
mid 1960s, KEF collaborated with the
BBC in developing new materials for
high-end loudspeakers - the results
being embodied in the classic LS3/5a
monitor which generated worldwide
sales of more than 100,000 systems.

2

KEF’s Uni-Q® technology was
introduced in 1988 and since then
KEF has maintained its position at the
forefront of loudspeaker and home
theatre systems.

The core values of KEF: innovation,
quality and performance have ensured
that KEF has one of the best
international reputations for audio
excellence.

The multiple award-winning Q Series has always
exemplified KEF’s conviction that new materials and
technologies can, when applied with intelligence
and imagination, reproduce recordings so perfectly that
they sound indistinguishable from the live event. This is
more true now than ever before. As the latest expression
of this design philosophy, the new range immerses you
in three-dimensional imagery of a richness and clarity that
until now has been the exclusive preserve of speakers
costing many times more.

a class above

The all new Q Series from KEF
represents a quantum leap in terms
of listening pleasure.

At its heart is a brand new Uni-Q
driver array. Derived from the
Concept Blade project, with a new,
larger, high performance vented
tweeter mounted at the acoustic
centre of a new metal cone LF/MF
driver, it combines lavishly extended
bandwidth with effortless dynamics,

imperceptible distor tion and
outstanding acoustic clarity.

These are speakers with the power
to strike a chord in your heart.
Off-axis dispersion is unrivalled, so
everyone in the room enjoys the
same exceptionally realistic sonic
imaging, wherever they sit. And with
30% larger capacity cabinets for even
gutsier bass and minimalist crossovers
assuring deliciously uid transitions,
new Q is both more eloquent and

more emotive than its illustrious
predecessor.

Movies or music, Mahler or Massive
Attack, what you experience is the
captivatingly sweet, accurate and
natural live sound of the original
performance.

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All new
Uni-Q array.

Sweet, spacious and true,
wherever you sit.

The brilliantly innovative engineering of the new
Q Series surrounds you with a spacious sonic
image of astonishing purity.

technology with soul

A groundbreaking new Uni-Q array

that conjures up a uent, spacious and

incredibly realistic 3D sound stage
you can enjoy wherever you sit. A
spectacular new high performance LF
driver that delivers deeper, cleaner
and more accurate bass.

And a ‘total design’ approach, with
obsessive attention to detail and the
pleasures of ownership. These are the
qualities that set the new Q Series
apart.

Thanks to the latest computer
modelling techniques, years of
painstaking development and a dash
of design genius, the new iteration of
the Uni-Q concept packs a
formidable complement of design
innovations. Based on the state-of­the-art HF driver developed for

The vented tweeter design allows
upper registers to be reproduced
with star tling clarity and smoothes
the transition to midrange
frequencies. The dome assembly is

cleverly braced, pushing the rst

breakup beyond the audible range so

that the sound you hear is awlessly

accurate. And to make sure everyone

in the room enjoys the benet, KEF’s

distinctive ‘tangerine’ waveguide over
the dome maximises Uni-Q’s
exceptionally wide dispersion
characteristics.

Concept Blade, the new Q boasts a
much larger (25mm/1 in. dome)
tweeter for increased sensitivity and
distortion-free power handling. It
plays as loud as it plays true.

At lower frequencies, the superlight
new aluminium cone of the LF/MF
drive unit delivers noticeably faster,
cleaner response. This is enhanced by

KEF’s unique Z-ex surround, which

allows the extreme excursions
needed to deliver a truly visceral
thump while also maintaining a
seamlessly smooth surface to disperse
the high frequencies from the tweeter.

The ensemble is a masterpiece of
modern acoustic engineering. Vocals

suddenly seem much more immediate
– more open and natural. Surrounded
by sound of such clarity, you star t
hearing things you never did before.
Nuances in the way an instrument’s
played. The sound of a distant cricket
in an outside scene. A breath, even.

And best of all, you don’t have to be
in a little ‘sweet spot’ to experience it.
With KEF Uni-Q, you can sit where
you want and not miss a thing. All you
hear is what the artist intended.

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Advanced bass
technologies.

Deeper, tighter and more
accurate bass.

Total system
design.

A holistic approach with
no compromises.

The performance envelope of these
sensational new drive units is so
generous that the signal needs

minimal intermediation – simple rst

order crossovers are all that’s
required, as you can tell from the
transparency of the sound and the

inaudibly uent transitions.

Featuring rigid new aluminium cone
technology just like the Uni-Q array,
the new Q Series advanced bass
driver is a tour de force in its own
right. A die-cast aluminium chassis

rigidly locates the high efciency

vented magnet assembly to prevent
unwanted resonance, and the large
(50mm) voice coil ensures impressive
power handling. Its musicality is
impeccable: seductively tuneful
and well controlled, and on the

oorstanding models, complemented
by dedicated front-ring auxiliar y bass

radiators (ABRs).

Deep, fast and powerful, this
outstanding bass response is
enhanced by new enclosures with
massive internal bracing to eliminate
resonance – and importantly, over
30% more volume than their
predecessors. For movie effects, this
noticeably enhances the realism of
the sound when combined with the
newly assertive midrange.

You can see KEF’s legendary attention
to detail everywhere. Gold plated
bi-wire terminals for the clearest
possible signal transmission, for example.

Or the spikes on the oorstanders –

they’re adjustable from the top
instead of the bottom to make
levelling easier. Thoughtful touches.

As you might expect from a company
of perfectionists, we see more to the
ownership experience than simply

luxuriating in the best possible sound.
We think about the environment too.
When you unpack your new

Q speakers, you’ll nd that the

packaging that protects them is
ecologically sound. Because the
crossover circuit boards are smaller,
the materials impact is reduced.

And when you admire their

sumptuous nish – in Black Oak,

English Cherr y or European Walnut –

you can do so in the knowledge that

what looks like a ne exotic

hardwood veneer is in fact recycled

wood bre.

This total design approach is another
aspect of the difference with KEF. It’s
all about weaving truly great sound
into the fabric of the lives we live now.

98

Q900.

Q700.

Floorstanders.

towering performers

Q500.

There are three full-size new Q

oorstanders to choose from, each

sharing the same audiophile-grade
technology in the same basic

conguration: a new generation

Uni-Q MF/HF array paired with a
long-throw bass driver of equal size,
and two matching ABRs.

The difference is the size of the
drivers: 130mm (5.25in.) diameter in
the Q500, 165mm (6.5in.) in the

intermediate Q700 and a class-

beating 200mm (8in.) in the agship

of the range, the magisterial Q900.

As front speakers in a home theatre
system, these effortlessly assertive

performers are capable of ooding

the room with an intricate and
intensely physical soundstage.

As a viewer, you notice the striking

clarity of the vocals and uidly

articulate midrange response. With
massive bass extension heightening

the drama and awless 3-D imaging

that faithfully tracks the action on
screen, the illusion of being there is
phenomenal.

All you have to do is decide which
model is best for you, bearing in mind
the size of the space and your
personal listening preferences.

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Bookshelf models.

compact versatility

Q300.

Q100.

Whether as main speakers, music
speakers for your study or family
room, rear speakers in a home
theatre system or general purpose
speakers for multi-room set-ups, the
two new Q bookshelf models open
up a world of audiophile quality
sound at a surprisingly affordable
price.

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The sound they make is even more
surprising: lush, spacious and precisely

dened, with compelling midrange/HF

response and solid, immaculately
controlled bass. The two models –
Q100, with a 130mm (5.25in.) Uni-Q
array and Q300 with the 165mm
(6.5in.) variant – deliver all the

benets of the Uni-Q ‘point source’
conguration in its latest and most
rened form: a more accurate sound

image dispersed more evenly
throughout the room than is possible
with any conventional speaker.

Subjectively, it makes a huge
difference. Because ever yone in the
room is enveloped in the same
beautifully integrated three­dimensional sound image, viewing
becomes more of a shared
experience – and you no longer have
to stay in the same spot to get the full
enjoyment from your favourite tracks.

Q800ds.

Q600c.

Q200c.

Centre and dipole rear effects speakers and the
powered subwoofer.

home theatre redefined

Q400b.

Reproducing most of the soundtrack
narrative, the centre speaker is by far
the most impor tant in any home
theatre surround sound system, and
the Q200c and Q600c are
engineered accordingly.

With a new generation 130mm
(5.25in.) and 165mm (6.5in.) Uni-Q

driver array respectively, anked by a

low distor tion bass unit and an ABR
of the same size, they combine raw
power with the subtlety to convey
moments of great delicacy.

What you notice is how convincingly

the larger new metal dome tweeter
captures the emotional range of the
human voice – mood and character
shine through with real clarity.

Your involvement in the action is
noticeably enhanced by the addition
of the Q800ds dipole to convey the
left and right rear channels. With the
two 130mm (5.25in.) Uni-Q arrays
on each speaker playing out of phase,
ambient 3D effects are completely
diffused throughout the listening area
to create an uncanny illusion of
actually being there, whether that’s
deep in the rainforest, in a concert

arena or driving along a gritty urban
back street.

The nal ingredient of your new

Q system is of course the seductive
Q400b subwoofer. A closed box
design housing a 250mm (10in.)
woofer driven by a 200W on-board
Class-D amplier, this discreet cube
creates spectacular bass imagery –
eloquent, musical and addictively
physical. Anchoring the whole sound
performance in an all-embracing
sensation of immediacy, it completes
the acoustic picture.

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Q300 5.1 Package.

Q500 5.1 Package.

Q700 7.1 Package.

Q900 7.1 Package.

Q100 5.1 Package.

the perfect system
for your space

You want your home entertainment
audio system to get the best out of

high denition TV, 3D technologies

and other new broadcasting and
replay formats – and with a range

that includes three full-size

oorstanding models, two versatile

bookshelf speakers, a dipole rear

effects speaker and a magnicent
powered sub, you can congure a

Q Series 5.1 or 7.1 system that
exactly suits your budget, room size
and personal preferences.

21

specifications

Model

Design Two and a half-way bass reex Two and a half-way bass reex Two and a half-way bass reex Two-way bass reex

Drive units 200mm (8in.) aluminium Uni-Q

Frequency response (±3dB) 32Hz - 40kHz 36Hz - 40kHz 40Hz - 40kHz 42Hz - 40kHz

Crossover frequency 1.8kHz 2.5kHz 2.5kHz 2.5kHz

Amplier N/A N/A N/A N/A

Amplier requirements 15 - 200W 15 - 150W 15 - 130W 15 - 120W

Sensitivity (2.83V/1m) 91dB 89dB 87dB 87dB

Maximum output (SPL) 114dB 112dB 110dB 110dB

Impedance 8Ω 8Ω 8Ω 8Ω

Low pass lter variable N/A N/A N/A N/A

Low level signal inputs N/A N/A N/A N/A

Internal volume N/A N/A N/A N/A

Power requirements N/A N/A N/A N/A

Power consumption N/A N/A N/A N/A

Weight 22.1kg (48.7lbs) 17.2kg (37.9lbs) 15kg (33.1lbs) 7.7kg (17.0lbs)

Dimensions
(H x W x D)

Dimensions with plinth
(H x W x D)

Q900 Q700 Q500 Q300

38mm (1.5in.) vented aluminium
dome HF

200mm (8in.) aluminium LF

2 x 200mm (8in.) aluminium ABR

1060 x 244 x 322 mm
(41.7 x 9.6 x 12.7 in.)

1107 x 359 x 322 mm
(43.6 x 14.1 x 12.7 in.)

165mm (6.5in.) aluminium Uni-Q

25mm (1in.) vented aluminium
dome HF

165mm (6.5in.) aluminium LF

2 x 165mm (6.5in.) aluminium ABR

920 x 210 x 302 mm
(36.2 x 8.3 x 11.9 in.)

967 x 325 x 312 mm
(38.1 x 12.8 x 12.3 in.)

130mm (5.25in.) aluminium Uni-Q

25mm (1in.) vented aluminium
dome HF

130mm (5.25in.) aluminium LF

2 x 130mm (5.25in.) aluminium ABR

870 x 180 x 272 mm
(34.3 x 7.1 x 10.7 in.)

917 x 295 x 312 mm
(36.1 x 11.6 x 12.3 in.)

165mm (6.5in.) aluminium Uni-Q

25mm (1in.) vented aluminium
dome HF

355 x 210 x 302 mm
(14.0 x 8.3 x 11.9 in.)

N/A

English Cherry.

Black Oak.

European Walnut.

Q100 Q600c Q200c Q800ds Q400b

Two-way bass reex Three-way bass reex Three-way bass reex Three-way dipole Closed-box subwoofer

130mm (5.25in.) aluminium Uni-Q

25mm (1in.) vented aluminium
dome HF

49Hz - 40kHz 45Hz - 40kHz 50Hz - 40kHz 100Hz - 40kHz 28Hz - 140Hz

2.5kHz 500Hz, 2.5kHz 500Hz, 2.8kHz 300Hz, 2.5kHz N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A 200W built-in Class-D

10 - 100W 15 - 150W 15 - 130W 10 - 100W N/A

86dB 87dB 85dB 85dB N/A

107dB 110dB 108dB 107dB 110dB

8Ω 8Ω 8Ω 8Ω N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A 40Hz - 140Hz, 4th-order

N/A N/A N/A N/A RCA phono sockets

N/A N/A N/A N/A 23.2 litres

N/A N/A N/A N/A 100 - 240V ac ~ 50/60Hz

N/A N/A N/A N/A 200VA

5.9kg (13.0lbs) 14.1kg (31.1lbs) 11.0kg (24.3lbs) 7.4kg (16.3lbs) 13.6kg (29.9lbs)

300 x 180 x 272 mm
(11.8 x 7.1 x 10.7 in.)

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

165mm (6.5in.) aluminium Uni-Q

25mm (1in.) vented aluminium
dome HF

165mm (6.5in.) aluminium LF

165mm (6.5in.) aluminium ABR

210 x 629 x 302 mm
(8.3 x 24.8 x 11.9 in.)

130mm (5.25in.) aluminium Uni-Q

25mm (1in.) vented aluminium
dome HF

130mm (5.25in.) aluminium LF

130mm (5.25in.) aluminium ABR

180 x 525 x 260 mm
(7.1 x 20.7 x 10.2 in.)

2 x 130mm (5.25in.) aluminium
Uni-Q

2 x 25mm (1in.) vented aluminium
dome HF

180 x 348 x 180 mm
(7.1 x 13.7 x 7.1 in.)

1 x 250mm (10in.)

335 x 330 x 330 mm
(13.2 x 13.0 x 13.0 in.)

2322

www.kef.com

United Kingdom

GP Acoustics (UK) Limited
Eccleston Road, Tovil, Maidstone,
Kent, ME15 6QP U.K.
Telephone: + 44 (0) 1622 672261
Fax: + 44 (0) 1622 750653
Email: [e-mail]

China

GP Acoustics (China) Limited
Unit 4910, Diwang Commercial Centre,
Shenzhen, China 518008.
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Europe (EMEA)

GP Acoustics GmbH
Am Brambusch 22, 44536, Lünen,
Deutschland.
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

France

GP Acoustics (France) SAS
39 Rue des Granges Galand - BP60414,
37554 Saint Aver tin CEDEX, France.
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Hong Kong

GP Acoustics (HK) Limited
6F, Gold Peak Building,
30 Kwai Wing Road, Kwai Chung,
N.T., Hong Kong.
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Japan

KEF JAPAN, 1-11-17, Honcho, Koganei-city,
Tokyo, Japan. 184-0004.
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

USA

GP Acoustics (US) Inc.,
10 Timber Lane, Marlboro,
New Jersey 07746 U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

KEF and Uni-Q are registered trademarks. Uni-Q and
other KEF technologies are protected by worldwide
patents. All text and image copyrights reser ved. KEF
reserves the right, in line with continuing research and

development, to amend or change specications.

E&OE.

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