Anyone heard of a KEF electrostatic speaker ?

RobWells · 25th November 2006, 11:47 PM

Hi Guys,

Was talking to a chap today who has KEF electrostatics, Active speakers. Meant for the pro market.

Anyone have any data on them ? I can't find anything on the web.

Cheers,

Rob.

BrianL · 28th November 2006, 04:13 AM

I've never heard of an electrostatic speaker from KEF; don't think they ever made one. If so, doubtful it would be for the pro market. Don't recall them ever making an active speaker either.

B&W at one time made a hybrid with ESL tweeter and cone woofer; that was circa 1970 and was not active.

AndrewJ · 28th November 2006, 05:02 PM

KEF never made an electrostatic speaker, but we did make an active speaker, the KM1, which was designed for the BBC as a high level monitor speaker.

Andrew

pinkmouse · 28th November 2006, 05:16 PM

Hmm, a Kef employee. Maybe I should abuse my power and sinbin you for not giving me that job a couple of weeks ago!

AndrewJ · 29th November 2006, 04:59 PM

Al,
I should say "ex KEF" employee. I was there in the great days from '83-'94.
Now I'm across the pond, designing for TAD.
So you can't blame me '

Andrew

pinkmouse · 29th November 2006, 05:55 PM

Rats. Got any jobs going at TAD?

RobWells · 29th November 2006, 06:30 PM

Thanks for the info AndrewJ. I'll do a search on them. I must get back to this guy and find out what he really has

Rob.

Ron E · 30th November 2006, 12:34 AM

Maybe KLH?

Never heard of a pro electrostat, though. Sounds like BS. Electrostats don't do what the pro's need.

gbadal · 12th December 2006, 01:59 AM

Electrostatic Sound Systems of Sacramento Ca. produced some
hybrid speaker systems in the early 1970's that incorporated
electrostatic screens (RTR) along with Kef 110 and 139 drivers
for the bass and mid-range. If my memory serves me right Kef
had a fire at their plant and the resulting shipment problems
influenced Electrostatic Sound Systems to morph into ESS w/
the Heil drivers. I still have a pair of their Transtatic 1's although
I have tweaked the crossovers and enhanced the vibration
control of the enclosure.They still sound pretty good for a 35
year old system especially the electrostatic highs.

gbadal

Brian Beck · 14th December 2006, 12:31 AM

I remember seeing and hearing those original ESS electrostatic systems before the Heil tweeter came along. Can you post a picture of yours for nostalgia’s sake?

25th November 2006, 11:47 PM	#1
RobWells diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: UK	Anyone heard of a KEF electrostatic speaker ? Hi Guys, Was talking to a chap today who has KEF electrostatics, Active speakers. Meant for the pro market. Anyone have any data on them ? I can't find anything on the web. Cheers, Rob.

28th November 2006, 04:13 AM	#2
BrianL diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: USA	I've never heard of an electrostatic speaker from KEF; don't think they ever made one. If so, doubtful it would be for the pro market. Don't recall them ever making an active speaker either. B&W at one time made a hybrid with ESL tweeter and cone woofer; that was circa 1970 and was not active. __________________ bel

28th November 2006, 05:16 PM	#4
pinkmouse diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chatham, England	Hmm, a Kef employee. Maybe I should abuse my power and sinbin you for not giving me that job a couple of weeks ago! __________________ Al I conceive of nothing, in religion, science or philosophy, that is more than the proper thing to wear, for a while. Charles Fort

29th November 2006, 05:55 PM	#6
pinkmouse diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chatham, England	Rats. Got any jobs going at TAD? __________________ Al I conceive of nothing, in religion, science or philosophy, that is more than the proper thing to wear, for a while. Charles Fort

30th November 2006, 12:34 AM	#8
Ron E diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: USA, MN	Maybe KLH? Never heard of a pro electrostat, though. Sounds like BS. Electrostats don't do what the pro's need. __________________ Our species needs, and deserves, a citizenry with minds wide awake and a basic understanding of how the world works. --Carl Sagan Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge. --Carl Sagan


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28th November 2006, 05:02 PM	#3
AndrewJ diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2001	KEF never made an electrostatic speaker, but we did make an active speaker, the KM1, which was designed for the BBC as a high level monitor speaker. Andrew

29th November 2006, 04:59 PM	#5
AndrewJ diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2001	Al, I should say "ex KEF" employee. I was there in the great days from '83-'94. Now I'm across the pond, designing for TAD. So you can't blame me ' Andrew

29th November 2006, 06:30 PM	#7
RobWells diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: UK	Thanks for the info AndrewJ. I'll do a search on them. I must get back to this guy and find out what he really has Rob.

12th December 2006, 01:59 AM	#9
gbadal diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ca.	Electrostatic Sound Systems of Sacramento Ca. produced some hybrid speaker systems in the early 1970's that incorporated electrostatic screens (RTR) along with Kef 110 and 139 drivers for the bass and mid-range. If my memory serves me right Kef had a fire at their plant and the resulting shipment problems influenced Electrostatic Sound Systems to morph into ESS w/ the Heil drivers. I still have a pair of their Transtatic 1's although I have tweaked the crossovers and enhanced the vibration control of the enclosure.They still sound pretty good for a 35 year old system especially the electrostatic highs. gbadal

14th December 2006, 12:31 AM	#10
Brian Beck diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida, USA	I remember seeing and hearing those original ESS electrostatic systems before the Heil tweeter came along. Can you post a picture of yours for nostalgia’s sake? __________________ Brian

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