KEF, one of Britain’s best known and longest established brands, was

founded back in the 1960s. The initials stand for Kent Engineering Foundries, and the company headquarters is still based in Maidstone, even though it is now owned by Chinese interests and has its main manufacturing base in China.

In recent years, the company has enjoyed particular success with the compact egg-shaped KHT satellites that are aimed primarily at the home cinema sector. Yet the brand has also continued to make a major contribution to the stereo hi-fi scene, its most successful hi-fi ranges being its upmarket Reference and ‘budget-plus’ Q-series models.

KEF's patented Uni-Q technology is acknowledged as one of the great breakthroughs of modern high-end loudspeaker design. By mounting the tweeter at the exact acoustic centre of the mid-range cone, both act as a single point source - the ultimate objective of any speaker. It has the effect of creating a detailed sound stage throughout the room, as opposed to the narrow 'sweet spot' you get with conventional speakers. As a result, you have almost unlimited freedom of positioning.

KEF products can be found worldwide and mostly are carried by certified KEF dealers. To find a certified dealer in your area check the KEF website, www.kef.com. Online KEF products can often be found at www.vanns.com.