Jordan O'BrienKEF is constantly refreshing its state of the art listening room at its headquarters in Kent, although the most recent addition has seen Dolby Atmos added to the mix.
For those unaware, Dolby Atmos is a 3D sound system meant to increase realism when watching a film.
Sound can be reproduced both in the vertical and horizontal space so viewers can feel like they’re actually inside the movie.
With Dolby Atmos any sound can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. It can be placed and moved anywhere; including overhead.
KEF’s 7.2.4 AV system installed in the listening room is made up of KEF’s Ci200RR-THX in-ceiling speakers for the height channels, the Ci3160RL-THX in-wall speakers for the surround channels and is supported with the Ci3160RLb-THX in-wall subwoofer.
A powerful Class-D Dual 250WPC amp, the KEF KASA500 is used to deliver the bass from the KEF Ci subwoofers.
An ONKYO TX-NR3030 is used to drive the entire system, with an Epson TW9200 projector and Chord Company HDMI Active Silver Plus cables.
KEF’s Ci Series has been designed for rooms with limited space or for clients who wish to hide their speakers; as the KEF listening room measures 7.3 meters by 4.6 meters it is suited to the company’s THX in-wall speakers.
These models all provide the all-important vertical sound dimension that is imperative to a Dolby Atmos setup.
The KEF R50 speaker module has also been developed allowing users to enjoy the 3D sound image that Dolby Atmos creates.
Designed to sit above freestanding or wall-mounted home theatre satellite speakers, the R50 is angled specifically to radiate the sound upwards to envelope viewers in a multidimensional soundscape.
The development and support of Dolby Atmos enabled speakers hasn’t gone unnoticed with KEF being honoured with a special award from Dolby in appreciation of KEF’s ‘Leadership in Introducing Dolby Atmos for the Home’.
KEF distributor, AWE Europe has also chosen models from KEF’s Ci Series for their own high-end Dolby Atmos cinema room.
Showcasing a real-world example of an integrated smart home, the 7.5.4 Dolby Atmos surround sound system is made up of KEF’s in-wall and in-ceiling Ci Series speakers including the Ci200RR-THX in-ceiling speakers for the front and rear height channels along with the in-wall Ci3160RL-THX speakers and Ci3160RLb-THX in-wall subwoofers.
Installers wanting to try out the KEF Dolby Atmos system for themselves can do so by booking a visit to the AWE showroom.