KEF ci250RRM-THX In-ceiling Speaker Review

[Marin]

Out of curiosity, why don't they install drop-ceilings? Squeezing in more floors? I'm in Aus with a recent build (2016) with concrete ceilings, but I also have a — like — 2" drop ceiling with enough room for anything.

It's not an easy answer.
We are now Europe, but 85% of the apartments we live in were built during communism and those were very low construction standards.
No expense was spared on concrete and quality, but no insulation whatsoever.
My apartment has 2 bedroom's,but a small where we day stay.So I had to tear down the balcony to make room for the floorstanders.
How do you mean sqvize more space.
My ceiling is 2.40 cm. and if I install a 20 cm ceiling, I'm left with 2 and 20.
Too little, and I already have ventilation and the chimney (fireplace) is not functioning.

 

[jhaider]

Yes, but their sound is at an angle

Where do you see asymmetry in the pattern? I just see rising axial FR, which leads to flat sound power. That can work pretty well if you know the axial response will be squelched - this was explained to me in the 1990s by Andrew Jones, perhaps ironically in the context of KEF KAR 160Q car audio speakers, which were designed to be used low in car doors and had rising axial response. However, IMO in the home context there is no such guarantee. So IMO the standard flattish and smooth on axis and smooth off axis such that the power response is smoothly declining to some extent is a better approach.

 

[kawauso]

Don't know. Still looks way too present. I mean the TV alone is kinda acceptable. A simple rectangle shape. But the speakers are optically way too intrusive. Loud, if you will. Centers are the worst, as they have no counterpart. I absolutely love the minimalistic style of this room but the speakers would be the first thing I would rip out and or hide.

Some people just can’t stand having visible speakers and want to completely hide them. But it’s a shame because KEF’s THX in-wall speakers have such a sleek and sexy design.

 

[smile nya]

Yes, I saw your solutions on your website, how you installed speakers in the window frame. And a woofer above the fireplace.
I looked for it in the pictures but couldn't find it even though it says you lit that area?
Well accomplished

Could you please give me a link to an article about this amazing arrangement?

 

[MaxBuck]

For what this thing is, it's hard to imagine one could find anything better. Another tour de force from KEF.

 

[Marin]

Could you please give me a link to an article about this amazing arrangement?

Look "Madrona digital"

 

[Marin]

Is the mid cone back essentially open, other than the white foam? I don't see a full enclosure there. Or maybe that foam is solid, like polystyrene, doing double duty of sealing the mid and filling a cavity space that would otherwise cause resonance?

Yes middle driver is suspended in the air above woofer and reflection are crazy as you can see on the phase.

 

[Timcognito]

If one uses these in classic LCR configuration and each goes down to 20 Hz, would that negate the need for subwoofers. As any distortion below 20 could not be detected and EQ could be used below 20Hz. Eliminating two subs at $1000 each would mean a $5500 LCR cost and possibly negating floor space and location issues. Seems plausible but beyond my expertise? Three 2pi radiators vs two boxes.

 

[bachatero]

Sad that this costs $2500 because this is like the bare minimum for good sound quality in a ceiling speaker

 

[Timcognito]

Well these tested great for $1000

KEF Ci200RR-THX In-ceiling/In-Wall Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the KEF Ci200RR-THX in-ceiling/in-wall speaker. It was kindly sent to me by a member and costs US $999.99. Speaker has a luxurious feeling rubberized paint outside of the driver. Alas, as you see, it is a dust magnet. Fortunately you would cover the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[kyuu]

If one uses these in classic LCR configuration and each goes down to 20 Hz, would that negate the need for subwoofers. As any distortion below 20 could not be detected and EQ could be used below 20Hz. Eliminating two subs at $1000 each would mean a $5500 LCR cost and possibly negating floor space and location issues. Seems plausible but beyond my expertise? Three 2pi radiators vs two boxes.

I think the design axis of 45 degrees makes this a little iffy for center channel use.

 

[Timcognito]

I think the design axis of 45 degrees makes this a little iffy for center channel use.

Okay two 2pi transducers that go to 20 Hz and no subs (2) at $1k ea and no floor space issues -> $3k total for L&R channels $5k vs $7k plus other chanels

 

[Audionaut]

It can produce a much louder sound than my LS50 Meta! That's amazing!

No, that's physics.
Significantly more diaphragm area and stroke result in a much higher displacement volume.
In addition, the small Uni Q driver is relieved of low frequency tasks and can therefore emit cleaner mid-range sound with a more undistorted and higher level.

 

[Hart]

Interesting woofer configuration. The white material surrounding the tweeter/midrange and over the woofer surround seems to limit the space the woofer can play through. Obviously works but seems like a narrow slot to operate the woofer out of.

 

[Audionaut]

seems to limit the space the woofer can play through

A controlled leak

 

[voodooless]

Interesting woofer configuration. The white material surrounding the tweeter/midrange and over the woofer surround seems to limit the space the woofer can play through. Obviously works but seems like a narrow slot to operate the woofer out of.

The bass frequencies play through the melamine foam. It only dampens the higher frequencies of the midrange, making sure there are little diffraction effects.

 

[Marin]

Žalosno je što ovo košta 2500 dolara jer je ovo kao minimum za dobru kvalitetu zvuka u stropnom zvučniku

Minimum?

 

[nathan]

I use what may be called the baby brother to these - the Kef Ci200R-THX (also reviewed by Amir - Amir's Review of Ci200R-THX).

Quite a bit less expensive and a fantastic ceiling speaker to go with the rest of my Kef setup. The ci250RRM-THX takes it to a whole new level by comparison. As others have mentioned, it's actually priced very competitively considering what it is and the likely relatively low sales volume. Yet another great speaker by Kef!

Well these tested great for $1000

KEF Ci200RR-THX In-ceiling/In-Wall Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the KEF Ci200RR-THX in-ceiling/in-wall speaker. It was kindly sent to me by a member and costs US $999.99. Speaker has a luxurious feeling rubberized paint outside of the driver. Alas, as you see, it is a dust magnet. Fortunately you would cover the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Yeah I'd probably opt for these at less than half the price. Similar output in the range needed for a bass managed system. The $1500 savings per speaker could be put towards more subs!

I think the design axis of 45 degrees makes this a little iffy for center channel use.

Agree 100% if using it one axis. But using it in the wall ABOVE a large screen...... you might almost be in the sweet spot, again.

Of course, KEF makes similar speakers with appropriate on axis response characteristics as well, so one might use one of those OTHER KEF speakers for the center if putting it directly on axis (like behind an acoustically transparent screen).

 

[staticV3]

If we take 45° as reference axis like intended, then the e.g. -6dB line would be further off-axis (with a +x dB "hot" center of course).

Can Klippel plot it like this?

Here's what the directivity looks like if we plot it relative to 45° (KEF reference axis):


F3 about ±55-60°
F6 about ±60-70°

Way smoother overall since it's no longer plotted relative to the choppy 0° response..

 

[MEGB1262]

Hi there,

for a first listening impression it would be sufficient to mount the chassis in a large open baffle

as stands for the baffle with the cutout for the speaker you can use two C-clamps mounted on the bottom side

there are some newer DIY German K + T magazine articles with Quadral ceiling chassis used in open baffles

so far - so good, Stefano