KEF Reference 3-2 Speakers

Description

The Model Three.2 is a large, four-way floorstanding speaker from KEF’s 1990s Reference range. It uses a twin coupled-cavity bass system and a separate midrange, lower-midrange, and tweeter, rather than the Uni-Q array found in later Reference designs. The “.2” revision added a switchable boundary-compensation feature to reduce bass output when the speakers are placed near walls or in smaller rooms.

The Model Three.2 is designed for substantial rooms and can produce high output. KEF’s specifications list 91 dB sensitivity, a 4-ohm nominal impedance, and a recommended amplifier range of 50–300 watts. While its sensitivity is relatively high, the 4-ohm load means amplifier capability still matters; owners in forum discussions recommend using quality amplification with adequate current reserves. Those comments are user experiences rather than formal test results.

The speaker’s two 200 mm bass drivers work in a coupled-cavity enclosure, while two 160 mm units cover lower and upper midrange duties, and a 25 mm tweeter handles treble. The stated frequency response is 40 Hz–20 kHz (±3 dB), so the design is intended to deliver full-range sound without requiring a subwoofer for ordinary music listening. Its boundary-compensation control is useful for placement flexibility, but it should be set according to the room and speaker position, rather than left engaged or disengaged by default.

Professional review coverage specifically of the Model Three.2 is limited. To avoid misattributing quotes from a different KEF model, the quotes below are owner comments from discussions of the older Model Three and Three.2. One Reference Model Three owner described them as “a VERY good speaker,” while another said the Three.2s “sound so lovely.” A separate owner reported that the speakers “thrive on quality amps with decent power reserves.” These are personal impressions, not controlled review findings, but they convey the model’s strong reputation among some owners and the importance they place on suitable amplification.

At roughly 35 kg each and more than a metre tall, the Model Three.2 is a serious piece of vintage hi-fi equipment.

• Type: Four-way, floorstanding loudspeaker
• Enclosure: Twin coupled-cavity bass system
• Bass drivers: 2 × 200 mm B200
• Lower-midrange driver: 160 mm B160
• Midrange driver: 160 mm B160
• Tweeter: 25 mm NT25
• Frequency response: 40 Hz–20 kHz (±3 dB), at 2 m on reference axis
• Sensitivity: 91 dB (2.83 V/1 m, anechoic)
• Nominal impedance: 4 ohms
• Recommended amplifier power: 50–300 W
• Maximum output: 115 dB on programme peaks under typical listening conditions
• Dimensions (H × W × D): 1137 × 275 × 340 mm
• Weight: 35 kg each