Enthusiasts looking to use in-ceiling speakers for LCR applications quickly discover one glaring problem; the sound almost always seems to come from above the listeners—not from in front of them. Not good. Happily, the British firm KEF has come up with an innovative solution in the form of its new Ci3-80QT motorized in-ceiling LCR speaker. When the system is powered up, Ci3-80QT automatically swivels downward from the ceiling to aim directly toward the listening area. Later, when the system is shut down, the speaker automatically retracts back up into a recessed, flush-mount bay in the ceiling. Finally, the front channels sound like they’re in front of the listener, not “beamed-in� from above. Clever, no? The Ci3-80QT uses KEF’s signature Uni-Q drive units for sound KEF says “truly rivals the performance of free-standing speakers.�

Along with Ci3-80QT comes t KEF’s equally innovative CiFDT in-wall surround/dipole speaker. You might think the notion of mounting a dipole speaker in a wall just doesn’t compute, and normally it wouldn’t, but once again KEF’s motorized driver technology comes into play. When the system is powered up, a dipolar, flat-panel, high frequency panel “automatically extends outward to evenly deliver surround effects throughout the entire room.� So, even though the CiFDT is an in-wall speaker, listeners enjoy the spacious sound for which freestanding dipolar surround speakers are famous.

Both the Ci3-80QT and CiFDT are priced at $499.99 each.

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