KEF Introduces a Motorized In-Wall Surround Speaker That Truly Stands Out

MARLBORO, NJ — July 1, 2005 — The most exciting home theater experience relies on an audio system’s ability to completely surround the audience with realistic sound effects. The engineers at KEF made this the core design concept behind the new Ci FDT Motorized Rear/Dipole Surround Loudspeaker, the latest addition to the company’s Ci Series of custom installation products. This ingenious in-wall loudspeaker lies flush within the wall when not in use, and features a motorized, flat-panel, high frequency driver that automatically extends outward to evenly deliver surround effects throughout the entire room. The Ci FDT’s combination of genuinely unobtrusive installation and advanced audio engineering creates a highly immersive film experience with performance well beyond that of stationary in-wall speakers.

“In-wall surround speakers are the perfect solution for many decor-conscious homeowners because they virtually disappear within any interior style, but often there’s a sacrifice in accuracy due to their static position,” said Alec Chanin, president of KEF America. “While the Ci FDT resembles other in-wall speakers at first glance, when activated, it becomes clear that this speaker’s look and sound is unlike any other on the market. Because our proprietary flat-panel driver fully extends from the wall, it is able to envelope the entire audience with uniform surround sound effects. This results in a deep and stable soundstage that heightens the movie’s realism for each listener, and makes the home theater’s performance truly breathtaking.”

The Ci FDT represents KEF’s success in advancing the application of surround sound, combining true, audiophile precision with the aesthetic versatility of an in-wall speaker. The Ci FDT’s high-frequency driver uses KEF’s proprietary, flat-panel array, which produces clear and robust sound using a design slim enough to maintain full mobility between its active and inactive positions. When the audio system is turned on, the high-frequency driver automatically moves to stand perpendicular to the wall. Its natural-dipole design further broadens the exceptional sound dispersion achieved by this position, filling the entire room with lifelike surround effects, including seats outside of the typical “sweet spot.”

Balancing the high-frequency driver’s performance is a 5″ bass/midrange cone that brings warmth and richness to the entire ambient soundfield. When the system is turned off, the flat-panel driver automatically returns to its flush-to-the-wall position.

As the newest addition to KEF’s acclaimed Custom Installation series, the Ci FDT is built for seamless integration, not only within any home but also within an installer’s palette of audio/video tools. In addition to its unobtrusive, flush-to-wall mounting, the speaker’s neutral-colored bezel and grille can be painted to perfectly match its surroundings. The speaker has also undergone rigorous testing at every stage of manufacture to ensure reliable performance with the variety of high-end sources, components, and systems favored by custom installers.

The Ci FDT will be available to KEF dealers in mid September. MSRP is $499.99 each.

About KEF Audio

KEF was founded in 1961 by an electrical engineer named Raymond Cooke in a Nissen Hut on the premises of a metal working operation called Kent Engineering & Foundry (hence KEF), on the banks of the River Medway, near Maidstone in Kent. From the beginning KEF was destined to become a company with a flair for uniqueness and innovation in engineering, design and materials. The four cornerstones of KEF’s success over 45 years are Quality, Honesty, Dedication and Innovation.

The company is professional from top to bottom. Still occupying the same river-bank site in Kent, the company services export markets throughout the world, manufacturing high performance speakers for home cinema, hi-fi and custom installation applications. KEF firmly and passionately remains true to its proprietary, proven technologies such as Uni-Q and ACE. It is these characteristics, traditions and above all sound quality that have ensured that KEF’s reputation for audio excellence is among the finest in the world.

About KEF America, Inc.

KEF America is the wholly owned subsidiary of KEF Audio, an award winning British manufacturer of quality, audiophile-standard speakers and home theater systems. Headquartered in Marlboro, New Jersey, KEF America has built the KEF brand by offering loyal North American audiophiles a stream of innovative speakers and components unmatched in the industry. Many KEF products have won awards from both sides of the Atlantic, as KEF is a brand name long associated with quality and technical innovation.

For additional information about KEF America and its award-winning products, please visit www.kefamerica.com.

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