Home Review KEF CI4100QL THX in-wall speaker

Review KEF CI4100QL THX in-wall speaker

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Pros

  • Sounds nice
  • Compact
  • Easy to build in
  • Price

Cons

  • Sub is needed for complete experience
  • Distortion in the low frequencies

Price: € 500

Build quality
Installation
Sound
Price
KEF CI4100 THX

Intro

Contents

It’s fascinating to look at the audio market. There are roughly four segments: traditional hi-fi, portable hi-fi, compact hi-fi and custom install hi-fi. The traditional hi-fi will certainly continue to exist, but is just a niche. Large systems to get the ultimate audio experience is first and foremost for the happy few and also requires a space that makes that possible. Portable audio speaks for itself. Compact hi-fi means all-in-one systems. And that market is growing… fast. Just like… Custom install. Right. CI. Cursing in church? I Didn’t think so. Custom Install systems are very good these days. Very, very good. We are testing an affordable system from KEF: the CI4100QL THX. In the Alpha way. So with installation and measurement..

There are enthusiasts who like to put large speakers in the living room. We certainly belong to that group. Speakers can be beautiful. And the free placement of speakers has a positive effect on imaging. You usually get more depth in the stereo image. However, free placement also has disadvantages; the manufacturer of the speaker does not know exactly how to place the speaker. So there are uncertain factors in the production of a loudspeaker.

And here there is an advantage: it is certain how the speaker is placed – or mounted – namely in the wall. A manufacturer can therefore take these factors directly into account when developing the loudspeaker. And that has a positive influence on the radiation and frequency response at the listening position.

KEF

KEF is one of the bigger players in the custom installation market. They say they have a majority stake in the naval industry. So boats. Or rather, yachts. The reason is that KEF is one of the few players that has a built-in speaker that can withstand these difficult conditions perfectly. Think salt, sun, moisture… something that speakers usually can’t handle very well.

But we’re not that interested in this industry. Alpha Audio is not so concerned with sea air. But with living rooms or listening rooms. In short: we are testing a model that feels more at home in the living room. The CI4100QL THX. An in-wall speaker of 500 euros. (each).

Type test
Single Test
Speaker class
Monitor - bookshelf
Speaker type
Dynamic
Speaker system
Bass reflex
Signal control
Passive

Winkels met Kef

Sint-Antoniusstraat 15
2300 Turnhout, BE
Joseph Bensstraat 21
1180 Ukkel, BE
Bredabaan 1031
B-2930 Brasschaat, BE
Pelikaanstraat 126
2018 Antwerpen, BE
Laat 29A
1811EB Alkmaar, NL
Schoenmakersstraat 19
6041EX Roermond, NL
Grotestraat 23
5931 CS Tegelen, NL
St. Ceciliastraat 28
5038 HA Tilburg, NL
Geldropseweg 105
5611 SE Eindhoven, NL
Breestraat 146-148
2311CX Leiden, Zuid Holland, NL
Hermesweg 2
3741 GP Baarn, Utrecht, NL
Steenstraat 54
6828 CM Arnhem, Gelderland, NL
St.-Katelijnevest 53
2000 Antwerpen, BE
Beethovenstraat 9-b
1077 HL Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NL