KEF E305 surround speaker system due in shops in April

On the way in April is the new KEF E305 surround-sound speaker system, the latest version of the company's famous 'egg' sub/sat design, which will sell for £900.

Like previous systems dating back to the original KHT2005, launched in 2000, it uses a set of satellite speakers in their distinctive ovoid housings together with an active subwoofer, and can be expanded from a 5.1-channel set-up with the addition of extra E301 speakers.

MORE: KEF E305 review now online

The speakers use the latest version of the company's Uni-Q drive unit, which mounts the tweeter in the centre of the mid/bass drive unit: in this version the 19mm tweeter is vented to prevent the build up of pressure behind the dome, causing distortion, and mounted in the company's 'tangerine' waveguide to even out dispersion and increase sensitivity/

The 11.5cm midrange cone is made from aluminium, and designed to operate rigidly across the entire vocal range for accurate reproduction of dialogue.

It's mounted with KEF's Z-flex surround to allow full excursion without edges likely to affect the tweeter's output, and has an undercut magnet motor to create a symmetrical magnetic field for better transparency and less midrange distortion.

Reinforced with internal ribbing, the cabinets are damped using technology derived from the KEF LS-50, are designed to minimise scattering of the driver output by the front baffle, and have an integral stand/wall-bracket.

The satellites are designed for smooth integration with the KEF E-2 active subwoofer, creating the impression of full-range speakers according to KEF, and uses a long-throw 20cm bass unit driven by a 250W Class-D amplifier, in a sealed box for fast, punchy bass down to a claimed 33Hz.

The E-2 enclosure also borrows from the design of the Award-winning LS-50 speakers.

Available in black or white, the KEF E-305 system will be in the shops at the end of April.

Written by Andrew Everard

Follow whathifi.com on Twitter

Join us on Facebook

Andrew has written about audio and video products for the past 20+ years, and been a consumer journalist for more than 30 years, starting his career on camera magazines. Andrew has contributed to titles including What Hi-Fi?, GramophoneJazzwise and Hi-Fi CriticHi-Fi News & Record Review and Hi-Fi Choice. I’ve also written for a number of non-specialist and overseas magazines.

Latest in Speakers
HomePod OS
An Apple HomePod with a screen might arrive this year after all
Elac Debut 3.0 DB53 standmount speakers
Elac Debut 3.0 DB53
KEF LS50 Wireless II streaming speaker system on a desk next to the the Technics SC-CX700
4 things Technics needs to do to beat KEF’s LS50 Wireless II hi-fi system and one area where it’s better
Elipson Planet L Performance speakers
These Planet-shaped speakers promise "exceptionally pure sound" with an out-of-this-world design
Bowers & Wilkins Radiohead The Bends event
I heard my favourite Radiohead album on the B&W speakers used to record it – and now I love it even more
JBL Flip 7 in white finish held in hand against backdrop of orange JBL beanie bags
JBL Flip 7 vs Flip 6: what's the difference between these two Bluetooth speakers?
Latest in News
Sony WF-C710N earbuds lined up in different finishes
They’re official! Sony finally takes the wraps off its WF-C710N budget wireless earbuds
A flower on a TV screen with a gem in the middle.
TCL's new Mini LED TV range comes with huge brightness gains, reduced blooming and souped-up sound
Sony WH-1000XM4 on a table with a plant
Some of our favourite-ever five-star wireless headphones have plummeted to nearly half price – £172 off!
RCA Roku TV 24-inch (RK24HF1) small TV
My favourite kitchen TV has dropped to under £100 for Amazon Spring Deal Days
Sony XR-48A90K
Amazon has slashed the price of this five-star Sony OLED, but we have found an even better deal
Fiio FX17 in-ear headphones
Fiio's flagship in-ear headphones are packed full of drivers to put your music in pole position