Speakers

KEF Announces Black Friday Deals


As a Canadian, I am often very jealous of the great sales offered to my American friends during Black Friday. Well, don’t colour me green with envy this year! KEF has announced their Black Friday deals on the Q350 bookshelf speakers in both Canada and the US. But act fast if you’re going to snap up a set of $499 (USD) Q350s. They are on sale from November 19-29, 2021. Just note, grills sell separately.

If you are in the market for their higher-end R Series, rejoice. KEF is offering a discount on their entire line of R Series until January 08, 2022. Expect discounts of $400-600 (USD), depending on the model.

KEF Q350 Black Friday Deal

The KEF Q350’s are the large bookshelf speakers from their popular entry-level Q Series and utilize KEF’s Uni-Q concentric driver system. This design places the 1″ driver and waveguide in the center of the 6.5″ aluminum woofer and allows for a more compact design without compromising performance. They are rated +/- 3dB from 63Hz to 28kHz. More than low enough to match well with a subwoofer. They are 87dB sensitive at 8 ohms, so you won’t need anything crazy to drive these. Available in black, white, and walnut, there is a colour match for any decor.

KEF Q350 Bookshelf Speakers
ModelQ350 Bookshelf Speaker
DesignTwo-way bass reflex
Drive UnitsUni-Q driver array:
HF: 25mm (1in.) vented aluminium dome
LF/MF: 165mm (6.50in.) aluminium Uni-Q
Frequency Range Free Field (-6dB)42Hz
Frequency Response (±3dB)63Hz – 28kHz
Crossover Frequency2.5kHz
Amplifier Requirements15-120W
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)87dB
Maximum Output110dB
Nominal Impedance8Ω (min.3.7Ω)
Weight7.6kg (16.8 lbs)
Dimension (H X W X D)358mm (14.09 inches) x 210mm (8.26 inches) x 306mm (12.04 inches)
Dimension (H X W X D) *with Rubber Feet362mm (14.25 inches) x 210mm (8.26 inches) x 306mm (12.04 inches)

R Series Deals

The KEF R Series speakers are the brand’s flagship offering. While not on Black Friday sale, the KEF R Series is offering some serious deals right now. Offered with the same Uni-Q concentric driver system, the KEF R Series R3 bookshelf ($1699/pr – down from $2200) mates the tweeter and waveguide to a 5″ mid-bass driver and adds a 6.5″ woofer, making the R Series an actual 3-way design. It offers a rated frequency response from 58Hz to 28kHz. They are also 87dB sensitive, so still no need for an external amplifier!

ModelR3
DesignThree-way bass reflex
Drive UnitsUni-Q Driver Array:
HF: 25mm (1in.) vented aluminum dome
MF: 125mm (5in.) aluminum cone
Bass Driver:
LF: 165mm (6.5in.) hybrid aluminium
Crossover frequency400Hz, 2.9kHz
Frequency range (-6dB)
Typical in-room bass response (-6dB)
38Hz – 50kHz
30Hz
Frequency response (±3dB)52Hz – 28kHz
Harmonic distortion (90dB, 1m)<0.3% 130Hz – 20kHz
Maximum output110dB
Amplifier power (recommended)15 – 180W
Nominal Impedance8Ω (min.3.2Ω)
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)87dB
Weight *13.5 kg (29.8 lbs.)
Dimension (H x W x D)
with terminal *
422.2 x 199.6 x 335.5 mm
(16.6 x 7.9 x 13.2 in.)
FinishesBlack Gloss / White Gloss / Walnut

Need moar bass? The KEF R Series towers have got you covered. The R5 tower ($1299/ea down from $1650) keeps the same tweeter/mid-bass combo and adds two 5.25″ woofers. The R7 ($1799/ea from $2250) moves to two 6.5″ woofers, and the top of the line R11 ($2399/ea from $3000) adds four 6.5″ woofers.

ModelR5
DesignThree-way bass reflex
Drive UnitsUni-Q Driver Array:
HF: 25mm (1in.) vented aluminum dome
MF: 125mm (5in.) aluminum cone
Bass Driver:
LF: 2 x 130mm (5.25in.) hybrid aluminium
Crossover frequency400Hz, 2.9kHz
Frequency range (-6dB)
Typical in-room bass response (-6dB)
38Hz – 50kHz
29Hz
Frequency response (±3dB)58Hz – 28kHz
Harmonic distortion (90dB, 1m)<
Maximum output110dB
Amplifier power (recommended)15 – 200W
Nominal Impedance8Ω (min.3.2Ω)
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)87dB
Weight *27.3 kg (60.2 lbs.)
Dimension (H x W x D)
with terminal *
1025 x 175 x 343.5 mm
(40.4 x 6.9 x 13.5 in.)
Dimension (H x W x D)
with terminal with Plinth *
1071.4 x 271.6 x 343.5 mm
(42.2 x 10.7 x 13.5 in.)
FinishesBlack Gloss / White Gloss / Walnut
ModelR7
DesignThree-way bass reflex
Drive UnitsUni-Q Driver Array:
HF: 25mm (1in.) vented aluminium dome
MF: 125mm (5in.) aluminium cone
Bass Driver:
LF: 2 x 165mm (6.5in.) hybrid aluminium
Crossover frequency400Hz, 2.9kHz
Frequency range (-6dB)
Typical in-room bass response (-6dB)
33Hz – 50kHz
27Hz
Frequency response (±3dB)48Hz – 28kHz
Harmonic distortion (90dB, 1m)<0.3% 100Hz – 20kHz
Maximum output110dB
Amplifier power (recommended)15 – 250W
Nominal Impedance8Ω (min.3.2Ω)
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)88dB
Weight *31.4 kg (69.2 lbs.)
Dimension (H x W x D)
with terminal *
1062 x 200 x 383.5 mm
(41.8 x 7.9 x 15.1 in.)
Dimension (H x W x D)
with terminal with Plinth *
1108.9 x 310.6 x 383.5 mm
(43.7 x 12.2 x 15.1 in.)
FinishesBlack Gloss / White Gloss / Walnut
ModelR11
DesignThree-way bass reflex
Drive UnitsUni-Q Driver Array:
HF: 25mm (1in.) vented aluminium dome
MF: 125mm (5in.) aluminium cone
Bass Driver:
LF: 4 x 165mm (6.5in.) hybrid aluminium
Crossover frequency400Hz, 2.9kHz
Frequency range (-6dB)
Typical in-room bass response (-6dB)
30Hz – 50kHz
26Hz
Frequency response (±3dB)46Hz – 28kHz
Harmonic distortion (90dB, 1m)<0.3% 0.3% 120Hz – 20kHz
Maximum output113dB
Amplifier power (recommended)15 – 300W
Nominal Impedance8Ω (min.3.2Ω)
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)90dB
Weight *37.7 kg (83.1 lbs.)
Dimension (H x W x D)
with terminal *
1249 x 200 x 383.5 mm
(49.2 x 7.9 x 15.1 in.)
Dimension (H x W x D)
with terminal with Plinth *
1295.5 x 310.6 x 383.5 mm
(51 x 12.2 x 15.1 in.)
FinishesBlack Gloss / White Gloss / Walnut

Need a center speaker? Well, the R2c center channel ($999 discounted from $1300) keeps the 1″ tweeter and waveguide mated to a 5″ mid-bass woofer, plus they add a pair of 5.25″ woofers.

ModelR2c
DesignThree-way closed box
Drive UnitsUni-Q Driver Array:
HF: 25mm (1in.) vented aluminium dome
MF: 125mm (5in.) aluminium cone
Bass Driver:
LF: 2 x 130mm (5.25in.) hybrid aluminium
Crossover frequency400Hz, 2.9kHz
Frequency range (-6dB)
Typical in-room bass response (-6dB)
64Hz – 50kHz
49Hz
Frequency response (±3dB)74Hz – 28kHz
Harmonic distortion (90dB, 1m)<0.3% 120Hz – 20kHz
Maximum output110dB
Amplifier power (recommended)15 – 200W
Nominal Impedance8Ω (min.3.2Ω)
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)87dB
Weight *16.9 kg (37.3 lbs.)
Dimension (H x W x D)
with terminal *
175 x 550 x 308.5 mm
(6.9 x 21.7 x 12.1 in.)
FinishesBlack Gloss / White Gloss / Walnut

All speakers in the KEF R Series come in gloss white, gloss black, and walnut.

Performance

As I mentioned earlier, the KEF Q350’s and R Series speakers all have average sensitivity. So pretty much any AVR will power these well. While the KEF R Series tower speakers will dip reasonably low, you will want to add a solid subwoofer (or two) for home theater. KEF is known for its neutral and flat frequency response. This neutrality means that your music will sound great and your dialogue crisp. If you like a more treble-forward speaker, KEF is not for you.

Our Take

Black Friday is a great time to snag some fantastic deals on AV gear, and KEF makes some great gear! If you are in the market for a new pair of bookshelf speakers or are looking to upgrade to a more high-end setup, the Black Friday sale at KEF might be right down your alley. While the KEF R Series is not a budget choice, their Q Series is a solid choice for those looking to balance budget, appearance, and performance. Check out their Black Friday deals here.


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