KEF SPEAKERS
In 1961, the ingenious Raymond Cooke founded KEF, leveraging his BBC-honed engineering skills after five years at Wharfedale. Originating in Tovil, Maidstone, the name KEF represents Kent Engineering and Foundry, a legacy maintained at the Maidstone site, where product development, acoustical technology research, and crafting signature products persist. KEF pioneered computer integration in loudspeaker design and measurement, marking a paradigm shift globally. The groundbreaking Uni-Q, a coincident source speaker driver introduced in 1988, continues its evolutionary journey, remaining a staple in KEF’s speaker lineup. Notably, KEF spearheads the HiFi industry by deploying Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) to quell unwanted sound from speaker drivers.
Accumulating an impressive repertoire, KEF boasts over 300 awards, 150 patents, and two Queen’s Awards for Export Achievement. Their commitment to innovation extends to academic contributions, with over 50 published papers.
The inaugural K1 monitor, KEF’s maiden speaker, showcased Raymond Cooke’s avant-garde drive unit technology and BBC-inspired engineering prowess. While not a KEF creation, the iconic BBC LS3/5A monitors famously incorporated the company’s drive units. Furthering this legacy, KEF introduced products like the Chorale and original Coda, echoing the spirit of the BBC monitor.
