KEF Reference 4c Manual

KEF Speaker Reference 4c

Read below 📖 the manual in Italian for KEF Reference 4c (4 pages) in the Speaker category. This guide has been helpful for 12 people and has been rated 4.5 stars on average by 2 users

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Now with Metamaterial Absorption Technology

The Reference has continually set the benchmark for loudspeakers since its launch in 1973. The perfect

reproduction of recorded sound is what The Reference has always stood for. Pioneering the use of digital

technologies to achieve the highest audio accuracy, every pair of The Reference series can be matched within

half a decibel to the laboratory-maintained reference standard. Exact pair matching delivers perfect stereo

reproduction, so these revolutionary speakers won acclaim for the superior acoustic precision. Hence the

method became the name: The Reference.

Since the first generation, The Reference has been continuously enhanced by new innovations and

technological developments. In the latest evolution, The Reference incorporates our latest innovation:

Metamaterial Absorption Technology1 (MAT™) and continues to be the supreme expression of KEF’s

philosophy, where advanced engineering meets inspired design.

The Reference are loudspeakers for serious audiophiles who aspire to the perfect enjoyment of music and

movies. Whether used in a traditional two-channel HiFi or a multi-channel home theatre, listeners will be able

to experience the realistic, immersive sound with breath-taking dynamics, and levels of accuracy that reveal

details never noticed before.

A class apart

The Reference range encompasses two three-way floorstanding speakers, a formidable three-way

standmount speaker, and two three-way centre speakers that can be used as Left-Centre-Right (LCR)

speakers. The Reference combines phenomenal high-fidelity performance with complete multi-channel

versatility.

And now new technological advances make The Reference range even more impressive. At the heart of The

Reference range now sits a bespoke 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT driver array. This new addition truly

puts The Reference range in a class of its own.

Revolutionary sound absorption with MAT™

A truly revolutionary tool in the KEF acoustic armoury, Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) is a highly

complex maze-like structure, where each of the intricate channels efficiently absorbs a specific frequency.

When combined, the channels act as an acoustic black hole, absorbing 99% of the unwanted sound that

comes from the rear of the tweeter, eliminating the resulting distortion and providing a purer, more natural

acoustic performance.

A result of joint development with the Acoustic Metamaterials Group, using MAT breaks completely new

ground in loudspeaker design, and once again demonstrates KEF’s unrelenting passion for developing new

technologies to improve your listening experience. Metamaterials are specially developed structures that

use existing materials in such a way that they exhibit new, desirable properties that are simply not found in

naturally occurring substances.

12th Generation Uni-Q with MAT™ delivers

The 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT in The Reference is a bespoke driver array engineered to deliver pristine

performance across this exceptional range of loudspeakers. It’s the result of decades of accumulated in-house

knowledge and the application of cutting-edge simulation and analysis tools. The developments are many and

all play a part in The Reference’s pristine performance.

As a starting point, KEF engineers re-engineered the tweeter gap damper to maximise the space at the back

of the tweeter for the new metamaterial absorber. Optimising the cavity shape and strategically placing two

rings of porous material effectively tame the resonances and imperfections, thus greatly improving detail and

clarity.

A new ultra-low distortion midrange motor design uses a copper ring embedded into the motor gap to

minimise inductance and variation of inductance with coil position. This lowers the midrange THD and

reduces thermal compression, leading to improved efficiency.

The Uni-Q driver array is fully decoupled to prevent unwanted vibrations from muddying the sound. A new

flexible decoupling chassis is designed to reduce vibration and remove coloration. It ensures that any vibration

generated by the mid and high-frequency motor system is not transmitted to the loudspeaker cabinet.

THE REFERENCE

HiFi Speakers

1 Metamaterial Absorption Technology is a joint development with Acoustic Metamaterials Group.

Summary of features

• Metamaterial Absorption Technology eliminates

99% of high-frequency distortion for pure, natural

sound

• Bespoke 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT driver

array for exceptional acoustic accuracy

• Enhanced crossover design fine-tuned the signal

path for maximum clarity

• Optimised cabinet design for best acoustic

performance

• Five models: Reference 1 Meta, Reference 3 Meta,

Reference 5 Meta, Reference 2 Meta, Reference 4

Meta

• Available in 5 finishes

• With mounting inserts to secure on KEF S-RF1

Floor Stand (available as separate item)

• The Reference Series Grille set for each model is

available as separate item

A new driver surround is designed to allow longer excursion without causing diffraction and extending the

frequency range of the mid-frequency. Plus, the contours of the dome, midrange horn and surround are all

computer-optimised to ensure a perfectly smooth transition to the cabinet.

KEF’s patented tangerine waveguide technology manages the airflow to recreate the wide, even spread of a

natural sound field, dispersing the astonishingly pure high-frequency imaging throughout the room.

The result of these innovations and developments is that this bespoke 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT

offers a sound that is more transparent and life-like than previously possible.

Reference quality bass

High and mid-range frequencies are only part of the story though, and The Reference is also blessed with

clean, rich, highly articulate bass. That’s because The Reference’s 165mm (6.5 inch) low frequency driver

perfectly complements the new 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT driver array. Smart engineering and

meticulous attention to design detail enables the bass to blend seamlessly with the immaculate midrange

and treble response.

The Reference’s bass driver also benefits from a massive, vented magnet assembly, a large aluminium voice

coil and an exceptionally light and stiff alloy cone. As a result of all these technologies volume, dynamics and

power handling are superb.

Engineered to be flexible

The speakers in The Reference range are also welcomingly undemanding in terms of positioning, and are

easy to fine-tune for your listening area by using KEF’s innovative Flexible Port Technology, which can

reduce port resonance. There are two options of port tubes, allowing users to modify the sound to suit their

room. Plus, the flare and profile of each port has been calculated by computational fluid dynamics to avoid

turbulent air noise that might colour the sound, another part of the complex jigsaw that is The Reference’s

breath-taking performance.

Total attention to detail

Every speaker in The Reference range exudes the sense of sheer quality that comes from being hand-built by

KEF’s master craftsmen in Maidstone, Kent, UK. They are designed to be acoustically exceptional, attractive

to look at, and each speaker is meticulously built to KEF’s exceptional standards.

All the cabinets are designed using finite element analysis to determine the ideal shape and bracing

geometry to minimise secondary radiation from the sides, with Constrained Layer Damping applied to turn

what little vibration is left into heat.

Furthermore, the expertly engineered cabinets are finished in a sumptuous high-gloss or richly detailed, pair-

matched wood veneers to complement the strikingly distinctive front baffle, which is designed to eliminate

anomalies caused by diffraction. Five finishes are available, a combination of three cabinet finishes and five

drive unit colours: Satin Walnut/Silver, High-Gloss White/Blue, High-Gloss White/Champagne, High-Gloss

Black/Grey, High-Gloss Black/Copper.

Satin Walnut/

Silver

High-Gloss White/

Blue

High-Gloss White/

Champagne

High-Gloss Black/

Grey

High-Gloss Black/

Copper

Model REFERENCE 1 Meta REFERENCE 3 Meta REFERENCE 5 Meta

Design Three-way bass ref lex Three-way bass ref lex Three-way bass ref lex

Drive units Uni-Q driver array:

HF: 25 mm (1 in.) aluminium dome

with MAT

MF: 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone

Bass units:

LF: 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium

cone

Uni-Q driver array:

HF: 25 mm (1 in.) aluminium dome

with MAT

MF: 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone

Bass units:

LF: 2 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium

cone

Uni-Q driver array:

HF: 25 mm (1 in.) aluminium dome

with MAT

MF: 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone

Bass units:

LF: 4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium

cone

Frequency range free eld (-6dB) Short port: 40 Hz - 45 kHz

Long port: 37 Hz - 45 kHz

Short port: 38 Hz - 45 kHz

Long port: 35 Hz - 45 kHz

Short port: 35 Hz - 45 kHz

Long port: 32 Hz - 45 kHz

Frequency range typical

in room bass response (-6dB)

30 Hz 28 Hz 25 Hz

Frequency response (±3dB) 45 Hz – 35 kHz 43 Hz – 35 kHz 40 Hz – 35 kHz

Crossover frequency 450 Hz, 2.1 kHz 450 Hz, 2.1 kHz 450 Hz, 2.1 kHz

Amplif ier requirements 50 - 200 W 50 - 300 W 50 - 400 W

Sensit ivity (2.83V/ 1m) 85 dB 86 dB 88 dB

Harmonic distort ion

2nd & 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)

<0.5% 40 Hz – 100 kHz

<0.2% 200 Hz – 2 kHz

<0.1% 2 kHz - 20 kHz

<0.5% 40 Hz – 100 kHz

<0.2% 200 Hz – 2 kHz

<0.1% 2 kHz - 20 kHz

<0.5% 40 Hz – 100 kHz

<0.2% 200 Hz – 2 kHz

<0.1% 2 kHz - 20 kHz

Maximum output (peak sound

pressure level at 1m with pink

noise)

111 dB 113.5 dB 116 dB

Impedance 4 (min. 3.2 ) 4 (min. 3.2 ) 4 (min. 3.2 )

Weight 18.2 kg (40.1 lbs.) 51.3 kg (113.1 lbs.) 60.2 kg (132.7 lbs.)

Dimensions (H x W x D)

(with grille and terminal)

440 x 205 x 422 mm

(17.3 x 8.1 x 16.6 in.)

1155 x 205 x 462 mm

(45.5 x 8.1 x 18.2 in.)

1350 x 205 x 462 mm

(53.1 x 8.1 x 18.2 in.)

Dimensions (H x W x D)

(with grille, terminal & plinth)

N/A 1207 x 323 x 467 mm

(47.5 x 12.7 x 18.4 in.)

1402 x 323 x 467 mm

(55.2 x 12.7 x 18.4 in.)

Standard nishes San Walnut/Silver, High-Gloss White/Blue, High-Gloss White/Champagne, High-Gloss Black/Grey,

High-Gloss Black/Copper

Specifications

Product Specifications

Brand:	KEF
Category:	Speaker
Model:	Reference 4c

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