KEF Universal Wireless System (Black)

by KEF

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 15.8 x 5.8 inches ; 7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000U6XE7U
• Item model number: UNIVERSAL WIRELESS
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,350 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Now Any Speakers Can Be Cable-Free

Why aren’t wireless speakers commonplace? The problem is ensuring a reliable signal that’s free from interference in homes full of potentially conflicting devices. The risk of signal interference exists because the only broadcast space available for wireless systems is the 2.4GHz frequency, the same one used by Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, digital cordless phones and even microwave ovens. Because it’s such a widely used frequency, it has been difficult to create wireless speaker systems that can operate free from signal interference.

KEF has developed a remarkable solution that combines signal transmission, reception and processing technologies that at last makes high-performing wireless speakers a reality: the KEF Wireless System. Superb signal reliability is delivered with CD-quality sound that is a match for even the most demanding audio systems. Set-up is simple and you can locate your speakers almost anywhere in the room. The KEF Wireless System is compatible with the full range of KEF speakers, but can also be used with most other speaker brands. If the problem of hiding lengthy cables has restricted where you put your loudspeakers, now you’re free.

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Place your speakers virutally anywhere in the room

Surround Sound--Minus the Cables

Revolutionary Technology

In order to achieve full-bodied sound reproduction, KEF developed a leading edge 2.4GHz wireless transmission technology that uses the most advanced error protection and sophisticated 'intelligent' adaptive frequency hopping to ensure an interference-free signal. Transmission is not affected by devices like microwave ovens, mobile phones, digital cordless telephones or wireless LAN routers, but you still get the superior sound quality demanded by true audiophiles with no mutes, dropout or loss of bonding.

The narrow signal band used is sufficient for high-quality audio transmission, yet perfect for finding a path through the congested environment of a home filled with potentially conflicting devices. This narrow band is a feature of High Fidelity Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (HFADPCM), and along with advanced error correction technology, ensures an exceptionally robust delivery of CD-quality audio between the transmitter and receivers.

Advanced technology creates CD-quality sound--wirelessly

The KEF Wireless System detects other transmitters in the 2.4GHz frequency, such as cordless phones, Wi-Fi routers and microwave ovens and ‘hops’ out of the way of potentially conflicting signals. With this Advanced Adaptive Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (AAFHSS) technology, a processor constantly monitors several channels at a time and continually switches to the strongest available to ensure a constantly pure signal. It’s all done in milliseconds, so you don’t even notice it. Nothing gets in the way of your enjoyment of pure, clean audio.

Free yourself from speaker wires

Use Your Existing Speakers Wirelessly

The KEF Wireless System is an ideal add-on for any existing rear surround sound speaker set-up--regardless of the brand--and can also be used for stereo speakers in a hi-fi system where hiding cables is an inconvenience, especially when the amplifier is some distance from the speakers. You can enjoy the convenience of a cable-free solution with no loss of signal and the sound quality you expect from KEF.

Set-Up is a Snap

It is, of course, essential that even the most high-performing technology is free from complicated set-up and operating procedures. So KEF has made sure you’ll be up and running in minutes thanks to simple connections and power delivery to the transmitter and receiver units through discreet adaptors. Just connect a receiver to each speaker and partner the transmitter with your amplifier to make wires across your floor a thing of the past.

Once in use, you can forget about the technology because automated signal processing means there are no buttons or dials to get in the way of enjoying great sound.

Locate Speakers Anywhere

You can locate your speakers virtually anywhere you want to in the room while still receiving remarkable sound with exceptional clarity and noteworthy lack of extraneous interference. You can even move your speakers around whenever you want, such as hiding them safely away during parties, because you don’t have to maintain a line of sight between transmitter and speakers.

Product Description

KEF is delighted to announce the introduction of an outstanding wireless system delivering a high-quality solution to speaker cable wiring problems. The KEF Universal Wireless System is an ideal add-on for any existing rear surround sound speaker set-up (regardless of the brand) and can also be used for stereo speakers in a hi-fi system where hiding cables is an inconvenience, especially when the amplifier is some distance from the speakers. Users can locate the speakers virtually anywhere they want to in the room whilst still receiving remarkable CD quality sound with exceptional clarity and remarkable lack of extraneous interference.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Work essentially as expected, but might not be worth the price, July 22, 2009

By 

Just a guy (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: KEF Universal Wireless System (Black) (Electronics)

(What's this?)

The technical specs on these are already available all over the place, so I won't repeat them here. Instead, I'll give a pro and con review:

Pro:

1) Size - There are three units and each is small enough not to be a big problem to hide.

2) Set up - There is really not much to do. I was up and running in under 10 minutes. The main part attaches to your receiver speaker terminals and an AC plug. The other ends attach to each speaker and to an AC adapter (each needs its own AC plug - three in all).

3) Audio quality - Both a plus and a minus. When it works, the audio is very clear and does not really sound any different than a wired system would. HOWEVER, see my comment under the con section.

Con:

1) Interference - My baby monitor interfears with this system. I know it says it does some fancy type of frequency jumping, but the Garco monitor creates interference if it is too close to the speaker ends of the system.

2) Audio quality - This is a high end (and very expensive) system. It figures that those purchasing it will have equally high end systems. Remember how much you paid for those high end amps? None of that power is used to power the remote speakers. Instead you have an overtaxed 50 watt (I think) amp on the speaker end. For 90% of surround applications this is probably fine, but real audio nerds will not be happy with the result. Of course, would an audio nerd really ever use a wireless system? The lack of amplifier power is even more apparent if you try to use this to power a second set of main speakers. Using a McIntosh amp and mid-range Boston Acoustics speakers (VS240) the clipping was evident.

3) Wires - It should be obvious that a trully wireless system is really impossible. Each unit has a speaker wire hook-up and a dedicated AC adapter (although they aren't the massive brick type.)

4) Auto power? - Just a note that these are always on. It would be nice if they could sense a signal and turn themselves on and off (standby). I have no idea how much power these draw when off, but I imagine it isn't much.

5) Price - At the price point these are placed, I'm just not sure they really are worth it. For the same amount of money (or less) you could probably have an electrician fish some speaker wires for you.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wireless Perfection, at a Price - Make sure you need this!!!, July 25, 2009

By 

Tarun Chachra "Tarun Chachra" (Hillsborough, NJ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: KEF Universal Wireless System (Black) (Electronics)

(What's this?)

I am sure at this point you have researched a wireless speaker technology and that is what has brought you to this review. For anyone looking at this item you must understand what you are buying before diving into the expense of such a product. Other reviewers have already stated that these are quite expensive and that you can probably run wiring for a lot less. I agree...which is why my review will be 4/5 stars. That being said here is how I tested this item and my experiences there after.

Box Includes: One transmitter, two receivers, power adapters, and documentation.

I am a big fan of Denon receivers and own two of them...one high end (avr-4308) and one mid level for our family room (avr-689). Both of my receivers have Audyssey, which is a sound shaping mechanism that balances your speakers to your room and makes the sound as real as possible. Basically, you attach a microphone to your receiver and start the audyssey software which instructs you to move the mic at regular intervals around your room. In this process the speaker size, levels, and frequencies are all adjusted.

Dolby Digital 5.1 systems all require speakers that run at approximately 100w per channel. Most 5.1 receivers provide this kind of power, which is not a requirement but a recommendation. So how does a wireless device pass this kind of power to your speakers and how does it sound?

I connected the KEF system first to my two rear surround speakers in the family room. I ran Audyssey when the kids and wife were out..since it needs to be quiet time. MUCH to my surprise the speakers were detected properly...the same as they were when hard wired. Audyssey then proceeded to adjust the levels and had to raise them about +1-+2 to get more sound out...but THATS IT. Not bad if you ask me....for wireless. My better half loved the fact that wires were now gone...but hated that there were two receivers behind the speakers that needed power. So yes, its wireless...to a degree.

Second, the ultimate test, I connected the KEF to the front left and right channels and proceeded to connect the receivers to a pair of outdoor speakers in the back yard...there is a window that overlooks the back so wireless interference and range were not too much of a challenge. I did not do any calibration...I simply wanted some music outside from our receiver. VOILA..it worked and it worked VERY VERY well. The speakers sounded as good as they did with a wired connection. Again a SOLID product.

Now then, what about the 2.4ghz frequency and other wireless devices? Simply put we have a lot more wi-fi around our televisions then we used to. Between video game consoles, media streaming devices, etc. They all run at the same frequency and thus there has to be an issue... Answer: NO - no interference what so ever. We were still able to use our Apple TV and or Roku to view content over wi-fi signals. Our laptops worked the same, 5 bars, and there was not even a hint of lag with these things running.

The KEF is a solid product and is a bit on the expensive side. Make sure you need the technology before spending your hard earned dollars. Wiring will generally cost you a lot less but the convenience of having a product like this is priceless. I have rated it at 4 stars, simply due to cost...which will make it prohibitive to certain people that need a simple technology like this.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Interference, No Complaints, August 6, 2009

By 

Shelley Gammon "Geek" (Kaufman, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: KEF Universal Wireless System (Black) (Electronics)

(What's this?)

I am a geek of the highest order. Well, other geeks might challenge me to a death cage battle on that claim - but suffice to say, I'm sufficiently geek-worthy. I've got an 802.11n WiFi network at home that is hidden (non-broadcasting) and only allows specific MAC addresses in. I've got an iPhone and I'm using Airport Express Base Stations through the house for AirTunes. I then use AirFoil to utilize them for Pandora and other non iTunes audio through the house... and every time I pop something in the Microwave for 30 seconds, I lose audio for 10 minutes while the WiFi network recovers from the interference. I've had to change channels a few times (not that there's a lot of wiggle room w/ the broad spectrum overlap on only 11 channels/bands) due to WiFi interference from my neighbors' 802.11g and 802.11n networks and 5.8GHz wireless phones. The only thing I'm fairly certain I'm not dealing with nearby is a Tesla Coil!

That being said, this KEF Wireless Speaker System does what it claims to do - you can set this up to your TV (or stereo, XBOX, whatever you've got that has audio) and even with the microwave going, your bluetooth headset in your ear, your iPhone going off and your WiFi network going at it, no audio is dropped when piped through this system. Using a revolutionary technology they call High Fidelity Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (HFADPCM), they bypass interference on these fairly unregulated radio bands by looking for specific signals, comparing the difference and ignoring the signals not coming from the KEF system.

While the Microwave still messes w/ my WiFi system, the KEF system did not interfere w/ my WiFi and nothing I threw at it seemed to make the KEF system blink, even for a second.

Old-timey wireless speaker systems simply will not stand up to the demands of today's technology that permeates not only our own homes, but our neighbors' homes as well. There is an ever-increasing build up of radio transmissions in every modern home - from cell phones, WiFi, the coming WiMax, Bluetooth, and even a simple 1000 Watt shielded (supposedly) Microwave Oven... KEF lives up to the hype and lets you listen to audio all around you without having to drape wires along the baseboards or climb in the attic and drop lines between the walls. That alone makes it worth the price.