KEF KC62 Subwoofer Review
The new KEF KC62 Uni-CoreTM subwoofer makes the bass to the extreme, allowing you to fully enjoy the exciting entertainment sound effects, which will completely transform the enjoyment in your home. This innovative technology is an indispensable part of home audio, and now it is equipped with a pleasing design. In the past, if you wanted to have a deep and strong bass performance, you had to rely on a considerable subwoofer. Still, thanks to the new Uni-Core technology, KEF successfully developed a beautiful design and excellent sound.
KEF engineers have developed this patented brand-new technology with excellent engineering skills and creativity, which can accurately reproduce the recording’s original sound and create extremely powerful bass effects for music and movies, just like being in a magnificent scene. KEF KC62 subwoofer breaks the limit and creates a new realm of entertainment. We can sit at home and feel the live sound effects of being in a movie theater or concert.
2021 is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of KEF. Since its establishment, the company has been committed to researching and developing world-leading acoustic technology, bringing the best quality products to the market, providing excellent sound effects, and recreating the original sound’s charm. KEF’s current product series is the culmination of KEF’s 60 years of hard work and effort to let every music lover indulge in the highest auditory enjoyment and appreciation of music art.
About KEF
KEF was founded in 1961 by the former head of the Engineering and Technology Department of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Raymond Cooke (1925 – 1995). Its headquarters was initially established in a military barracks in the Kent Engineering Foundry, UK. Since its establishment half a century, KEF has been committed to acoustic innovation, providing excellent sound effects to reproduce the charm of the original sound.
The development of the revolutionary Uni-Q coaxial standard unit technology to the successful development of LS50 wireless speakers demonstrated that KEF had re-established a new standard for wireless speakers. KEF has a forward-looking and creative spirit and successfully combines its coexisting characteristics of design pursuit and top engineering research and development. KEF never compromises and insists on providing the most realistic and high-resolution auditory experience for music lovers.
Design and Function
The arc-shaped speaker made of molded aluminum alloy is the perfect crystallization of appearance and functionality, allowing strength and beauty to coexist. The exquisite design KC62 can be integrated into various decoration types, and it is available in black and white. The slim cabinet can create a delicate and powerful bass effect, from deep thunder to short and crisp bass, smooth and natural sound. KEF once again brings the perfect design with sound and color with the KC62 subwoofer. With KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers, people can be intoxicated by the bass shock effect of vocal music, just like the experience of going to the cinema, being in the game scene, or in the latest popular drama.
The KC62 subwoofer not only has a new compact design but also shows impressive depth and stunning accuracy. This is attributed to the revolutionary Uni-Core technology, which brings a new engineering technology to the subwoofer. The resonance cancellation function of KEF KC62 continues to subvert the traditional sound effect of subwoofers. The uni-Core design brings extremely incredible bass performance with extremely small size, which is the essence of KC62 innovation.
Same Performance Everywhere
KC62 has a wide range of connections, compatible with any music system. The line output equipped with a high-pass filter (HPF) can provide extraordinary fine adjustment. Together with KEF SmartConnect, the connection becomes easier.
If you want to play wireless subwoofer, KEF KC62 has a KW1 TX/RX system module, a wireless subwoofer transmission module. One is the receiver, and the other is the transmitter. The receiver does not need electricity. It only needs to be plugged into the back panel of KC62 to use. KEF KW1 subwoofer wireless connector solves the trouble of connecting cables for music lovers.
The exquisite and delicate design of KC62 does not require complicated installations. Thanks to the five preset Room Placement Equalisation functions, it can be easily integrated into any environment or listening space. Whether you want to place it in a room, wall, corner space, or bookcase, Can get the same superb sound performance. The 5 Preset EQ Mode depends on where you put the subwoofer in the room. After it is turned on, it will compensate according to the placement position’s frequency characteristics to make the low-frequency linear performance better.
Technological Breakthrough Highlights
Innovative Uni-Core technology saves space. Compared with the same size’s traditional resonant cancellation design, the unit’s amplitude can be significantly amplified, so although the size is smaller, the sound output and bass effect can be better. Uni-Core technology enables the subwoofer to bring a more beautiful and profound bass effect with ultra-fine volume, the sound effect is more dynamic, and the pitch is better.
What is a Uni-Core Driver?
The two woofers are both active. Not one of them is passive, but two are active. Generally speaking, some similar manufacturers make two woofers back to back. It is usually a good practice to glue them together or use the box’s brackets to support them. But there is a problem with this approach. The two units are long-stroke woofers, so the length is quite large. The magnet also has a specific thickness, so there is no way to thin the two woofers.
KEF invented a topology in which the two units are mounted on the same assembly. Both units share the same magnet system. Then, the two voice coils are of different diameters, and the middle is isolated. A smaller space can be used to achieve a unit configuration that would otherwise require a lot of space. This design can reduce the volume of the entire speaker by one-third. There is no compromise in the performance of the two units at the same time. Besides, since the two units are assembled back to back, their vibrations will cancel each other, and the output gain can be increased by 6dB. So they can make it so small. But it can have low potential and can open up the sound pressure. Look at its volume. The height is only 24.6 cm, the width is 25.6 cm, and the depth is 24.8 cm, which is the size of a football.
The P-Flex patent can effectively resist the sound pressure generated in the sound while breaking the traditional suspension edge design’s sensitivity limitation. The design is inspired by Japanese origami art. It adopts a unique folding design to resist internal air pressure. It can accurately reproduce music without thickening the hanging edge. Make the bass extension deeper and produce a more precise and delicate performance. This content is originated from hifireport.com.
Sensitive Distortion Control Technology is a sensorless dynamic feedback system that can assist in correcting all possible minor abnormal conditions. It detects and corrects any non-linear distortion by measuring the current in the voice coil to produce more accurate bass performance. This new method can reduce the signal, amplifier, and unit’s mutual influence, significantly reducing distortion.
Another element behind creating a better performance for KC62 is the well-known KEF Music Integrity Engine. It is a series of DSP (digital sound processor) calculations designed for KEF products, including iBX (intelligent bass extension technology) and continuous SmartLimiter that analyzes music and prevents sound breaks. Ingeniously combine and use these technologies to achieve the best integration relationship between each component. In simple terms, this technology uses DSP compensation plus Current Feedback to reduce total harmonic distortion by up to 75%.
The last piece of the puzzle behind the ultimate performance is the audio amplifier, which KC62 is proud of. Its dual drive unit is driven by a specially designed 1,000W RMS (2 X 500W) Class D amplifier, which provides excellent control and generates instant explosive power when needed, allowing you to enjoy the experience when watching action movie explosion scenes.
Sound Performance
I used KEF LS50 Wireless II with KEF KC62 to form a two-channel system. I adjusted the KC62 EQ mode to ROOM mode to test the movie. At this time, the KC62 became full of muscles. The sound was not only rough and bold but also very heavy. The low-frequency energy and strength were suddenly enhanced a lot, and it felt a little wild.
When watching a disaster film like “2012”, KEF62 can easily create a full low frequency in the space of 30 square meters, and the sense of envelopment is good. Especially when restoring the sound effects of ground subsidence and building collapse fragments, it is very shocking. And the performance is very relaxed. The transient response speed is also good, and the sound with a certain impact in the loose sound sounds quite good. And there will be no distortion, let alone obvious dynamic compression.
In “Terminator 2018”, KEF 62 can also create loud low-frequency effects when the aircraft flies over the sky. When the Terminator robot shoots and kills the hero, the low-frequency impact of the machine gun is quite strong and impactful, and it can feel the low-frequency movement from the front of the screen to the listening position, which is exciting.
Conclusion
KEF KC62 Subwoofer is a compact and powerful subwoofer. The design of KC62 can enhance the sound effect of the home space and match different home designs. Its deep, thick, precise, and delicate bass performance will make you feel like you are in your favorite music, movies, and games. KEF engineers combined superior technology and creativity to successfully develop the revolutionary Uni-Core™ technology, equipped with a 6.5-inch resonance cancellation dual unit and a unique 1,000W RMS Class D amplifier. The KC62, which is only the size of a football, provides amazing control and instant explosive power. It is a subwoofer that is definitely worth buying.
KEF KC62 Subwoofer Specs
- Model: KC62
- Design: Uni-Core Force Cancellation
- Drive units: 2 x 6.5 in.
- Frequency response: 11Hz – 200Hz
- Max output: 105dB
- Amplifier type: Built-in Class-D
- Amplifier power: 1000W RMS (2 x 500W RMS)
- Variable low pass filter: 40Hz – 140Hz, LFE
- Input: RCA Phono sockets, Speaker level inputs
- Line output: RCA phono sockets
- Line output high pass filter: 40Hz – 120Hz, Bypass
- Power requirements: 100 – 240V ~50/60Hz
- Power consumption: 1000W
- Weight: 14kg (30.9lbs)
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 246 x 256 x 248 mm/(9.68 x 10.07 x 9.76 in.)
