Technology Review - KEF Kit 100

Surround-sound speaker systems are fantastic. Having sound all around as you watch a DVD really adds to the experience. Anyone who has watched Master & Commander or Return of the King on a decent surround-sound system will know how much decent audio can add to the movie-watching event. But there's a problem - wires. If you've got wooden floors, an unconvinced partner or just don't fancy wires trailing around your lounge then what can you do to get great sound?

Enter KEF Audio with their gorgeous KEF instant theatre (KIT) - a system that promises surround-sound from only two speakers. Yes, this DVD system offers 5.1 digital surround sound from two front speakers and a subwoofer. So how do they do it and how does it sound? Well, here's the science bit. The two speakers use what KEF call "NXT® flat panel technology". Essentially what this does is recreate the true surround-sound effect by "beaming" the sound off walls. Simply angle the speakers inward and the side-panels do their job.

This is all good in theory of course, but thankfully the practice is even better - these speakers sound fabulous. The ominous clank of the AT-ATs in The Empire Strikes Back was fully realised by the powerful woofer, while dialogue remained audible and distinctive above the Hoth battle sounds. We tried some CDs too, which were similarly impressive, if a little bass-heavy in places. A quick fiddle in the settings sorted this out though.

As well as sounding good, the system looks good too. The picture from the DVD player is crisp and clean and looks good on any half-decent TV. The player itself is pleasingly heavy and the whole package has a classy feeling.

And don't think all this audio/visual joy is hard to set up. Simply plug in some obvious leads and insert a DVD or CD and away you go. You will need to spend a few minutes positioning the speakers to get the proper surround effects though, and the optional speaker stands are highly recommended both for sound and aesthetic reasons.

Overall the KEF Kit 100 is a mightily impressive piece of kit. While the surround sound isn't quite as good as a wired set-up, the looks and convenience of having only two speakers more than outweigh this. Easy to set up and offering classy sound and vision, the KEF Kit 100 comes highly recommended.

Greg Howson