While KEF did experiment with a lip, they found that it introduced diffraction without offering any meaningful improvement. Confused about what AV Gear to buy or how to set it up? In fact, Steve’s day job is network administration and accounting. Conclusion If you’re eager to experience the more immersive sound of Dolby Atmos but either can’t or don’t want to go through the hassle of cutting holes in the ceiling of your living space, the KEF R50 Atmos-enabled speakers provide a wonderful alternative. While several companies now offer Atmos-enabled speaker modules, most are designed to complement a specific speaker model in the company’s lineup and would look out of place with most other brands. But for those who are looking for a more discrete approach without sacrificing quality, KEF also makes the R50 Dolby Atmos elevation module ($1,200/pair). No fewer than 1,043 individual changes have been made for the new R Series The latest,12th generation of KEF’s Uni-Q driver is at the heart of the new range. In addition to the KEF R700s, in for review were Elac’s Uni-Fi FS-U5 Slim, Monitor Audio’s Silver 300, and Bowers & Wilkins’ 704 S2 floorstanding loudspeakers. Finishes: Available in Piano black high gloss only. Before going to the hassle and expense of an in-ceiling installation, I would want to know if it’s going to be worth it to me (and my wife) to add Atmos capability to my system. The flexible R8a can be wall mounted or placed on another speaker for Dolby Atmos height. This arrangement has several benefits, chief for this application being controlled directivity. On top of that, it's fairly safe to say that Kef Q100 are more popular speakers, based on their 100+ reviews. If you haven’t been paying much attention to the A/V world lately, it’s fair to say the official unveiling of Dolby Atmos at CEDIA this year has attracted quite a bit of attention. High fidelity and home theater flow through the company’s veins and offer targeted solutions in nearly every direction. Would another pair of Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers in back have added to my movie enjoyment even further? Join our Exclusive Audioholics E-Book Membership Program! In short, it is Dolby’s new object-oriented surround format which makes the jump from 2-dimensional 5.1 and 7.1 formats to 3-dimensional sound. So, I set up the speaker configuration on the Denon, ran the Audyssey calibration, and sat down to listen. The source was a Marantz UD7006 universal player, with a coaxial digital link between the player and the Integra. In order to evaluate the receiver’s performance with Dolby Atmos specifically, KEF graciously agreed to send me a pair of its R50 Dolby Atmos speaker modules ($1,199.99/pair), the subject of this review. KEF has announced the launch of its new R Series. Product review: KEF Q50A Atmos speakers. The KEF R50 has an attractive high-gloss piano black finish and measures just 6.9 inches high by 7.1 wide by 10.2 deep, so I was surprised by the … Priced at $1,200/pair, the KEF R50’s are an example of the latter option, which fires a driver array towards your ceiling, which combined with Dolby’s proprietary DSP magic, creates a virtual height channel. One of the best features of the KEF Q50a Dolby Atmos-enabled speaker is that you can choose how you use them—as a wall-mount height speaker or as a reflected-sound speaker. Its R Series speakers were joined by the R50, an upward-firing Dolby-certified speaker for placing on top of an existing stereo pair (either at the front or back of an array). Well, that’s where KEF comes to the rescue. With twin 8 inch low-frequency drivers positioned perfectly above and below our remarkably sweet and accurate latest generation Uni-Q driver array, the R900 floorstanding speaker ensures a massive sound sure to enliven any room. As well as a redesigned motor system, the area between the two drivers has been completely reimagined. KEF was early out of the blocks with a response. Not a bad idea. The driver array, a two-way concentric design, is taken directly from KEF’s pint-sized R100 bookshelf speakers, although the R50’s feature a sealed enclosure versus the vented box of the R100. Get the Audioholics AV Gear Guide Ebook FREE! The system has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms (4.8 ohm minimum), and a rated sensitivity of 85dB with 2.83V at 1 meter, suggesting that these speakers will need a fair amount of amplification to reach “spirited” levels (say for simulating a low jet flyover). “Let our rigorous testing and reviews be your guidelines to A/V equipment – not marketing slogans”. KEF R500 Floor standing speakers The tiniest floorstander in KEF's latest mid-cost speaker range, its standmounting R300 little brother, so expectations are quite high. Optimised for Q Series home theatre systems the Q50a Dolby Atmos-Enabled Surround Speaker features the latest Uni-Q driver array and advanced technology for serious dynamics and accurate, clean sound. KEF engineers do not believe in compromise, the R5 floorstander is compact and elegant yet it delivers music and movies with ease. I was never able to pinpoint the source of overhead sounds as coming from the KEF speakers, and the timbre of the KEF R50 matched seamlessly with the Monitor Audio speakers. If you are able to meet these requirements, you can put away that drywall saw. The amp used throughout the review was the Parasound Halo A 51, again using only two of its five channels. Today we do KEF R300 review. KEF's new R50 sitting atop their R700 tower speakers. The array is angled at 20 degrees, and features a 1” aluminum dome tweeter nested within a 5.25” aluminum mid/woofer. KEF reviews & products With more than 40 years’ independent reviewing experience you can trust our recommendations and buy with confidence. I set up the speaker configuration on the Denon, ran the Audyssey calibration, and Integra... Earn an affiliate commission Atmos receiver and get ready to enjoy true 3D sound five channels upwards! So, I set up the speaker configuration on the Denon, ran the Audyssey,! 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