KEF KHT 2005.2

With a new version of the best small speaker package in the world, KEF has upped the stakes once again in the AV arena

Occasionally a product comes along that rewrites the rules. KEF's KHT 2005 surround sound speaker system was just such an item. Before the £800 multichannel marvel appeared, all affordable surround sound speaker packages were, to be frank, rubbish. The eggs - as they soon became known thanks to their innovative curvaceous design - changed all that, and proved you could have a stylish surround system that sounded great and didn't require a second mortgage.

However, nothing lasts forever, and in the fast-paced world of home cinema, the 2005 system was long overdue for an update. So say hello to the 2005.2, which costs the same as its predecessor.

On the surface, the tweaks to the system look minimal, and from a distance it's hard to tell the new version apart from the original. Subtle changes have been made to the drive units and configuration of the satellites, but most of the work has gone into improving the subwoofer, which was the weakest link in the original package.

The 2005.2 is a cinch to set up - you can get away with just plonking the satellites roughly where you think they should go and playing around with the volume of the sub until it sounds okay. Sadly, many people will do just that, but it's only with some tweaking that the system really begins to sing. It's worth buying a sound-pressure-level meter (from £25) to make sure speaker levels are set correctly, and you should also make use of the set-up menu on your multichannel receiver. But above all, you should tweak the 2005.2's brand new bass box - subtle changes to the crossover, level and phase controls lead to a much more integrated sound - and then you'll really be able to hear what all the fuss is about.

Movies are delivered with a power and passion you wouldn't think possible from the small size of the satellites. The thuds and cracks of Minority Report have a satisfying depth and agility, and when properly set up,the front three speakers make for a wonderfully coherent sound stage.

Spider-Man's impressive rear effects are delivered with aplomb by the rear pair, and the whole sound is well balanced from front to back - a benefit of using the same drive units throughout the system. It's equally assured with subtler fare too, and the tension in Insomnia is delivered with panache. Console gamers should also take note, because Splinter Cell on the Xbox becomes even more immersive with these KEFs delivering the Dolby Digital soundtrack.

MUSIC MAESTRO?

Of the three elements that the modern surround sound enthusiast demands from their speakers, music is the least impressive point of the KEF system's triangle. DVD-Audio discs, such as The Flaming Lips' Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, sound little different in Advanced Resolution or Dolby Digital. DVD-Video music discs are well served, though, with Nick Cave's God Is In The House rendered with clarity and atmosphere. Listening to stereo CDs via a Dolby Pro Logic II-capable amplifier produces an interesting party mode as well, but while you can listen to plain stereo in 2.1 configuration, we feel even this impressive system doesn't satisfy compared to full-sized speakers.

KEF has managed to touch up a past master and actually make the reproduction better than the original. This system won't inspire hordes of hi-fi buffs to rush out to buy one, but for most, this is as high-end as you'll ever need to get.

Posted by T3 Online on 2007-10-31