Manufacturer wants top spot back

KEF is trying to recapture the audiophile “high ground” with its new Reference Series, and if the KEF Reference 205/2 ($11,000) is any indication, they are very serious about doing it.

Indeed, KEF’s founder, Raymond Cooke, would be proud. The 205/2 uses a terrific new Uni-Q driver that does the work of the two previous tweeters in the original 205 and provides a more coherent, extended, and “sweet” high end response. As in previous Uni-Qs, the tweeter is mounted at the center of the midrange cone so the outputs of these two units are time aligned, yet in the new Reference Series, both the tweeter and the midrange driver have been significantly improved. Female voice was just beautiful with no hint of excess sibilance yet with lots of fine inner detail. Imaging was precise and the soundstage was broad and deep. You won’t hear any sluggish or bloated bass on this speaker and coherence is very good.

The 205/2 should also integrate better into more home environments as it doesn’t have the supertweeter mounted on the top of the cabinet and the “fit and finish” of this speaker is outstanding. It is hand built in England, available in a choice of high gloss woods, and includes a unique “customer care kit” in a separate, nicely finished box, including the 205/2’s feet, a wrench, a level, wire jumpers, a boundary compensation circuit and more. It’s a nice touch. - Jim Hannon

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