KEF intros two new THX architectural speakers for high-performance home cinema

KEF has expanded its Extreme Home Theatre range with two new architectural loudspeakers, the Ci5120QLM-THX and Ci3120QLM-THX. Suitable for media rooms and dedicated theatres, the models bring technologies from the brand’s upper-tier offerings into a compact, discreet form factor.

Both speakers are built around KEF’s 12th-generation Uni-Q driver array, which positions the tweeter at the acoustic centre of the midrange cone to create a single point source. This approach is designed to ensure consistent coverage across the listening area, a useful attribute in multi-seat rooms. The inclusion of Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), a complex structure that absorbs unwanted energy behind the tweeter, is intended to reduce high-frequency distortion and improve treble clarity. Bass duties are handled by purpose-designed 120mm long-throw drivers, with the Ci5120QLM-THX carrying four units and the Ci3120QLM-THX two.

The new models also incorporate KEF’s Flexible Decoupling Chassis to limit cabinet-borne vibration, alongside a revised tweeter gap damper to manage resonance. A three-way system topology with optimised crossovers allows each driver to operate within its most efficient band, contributing to detail retrieval and overall system control.

Both speakers have THX certification: the Ci5120QLM-THX meeting the Ultra standard for large rooms, and the Ci3120QLM-THX earning Select status for medium-sized spaces. KEF claims compliance with benchmarks for output, frequency response and distortion.

Designed with discretion in mind, the units feature an Ultra-Thin Bezel and a paintable magnetic grille to blend with interior finishes. An IP64 rating provides protection against dust and splashes, widening the range of installation scenarios.

The Ci3120QLM-THX is priced at £1,100 per piece. The Ci5120QLM-THX is £1,400 per piece.