Kef KHT5105 review

Even before we’d got everything out of the box, it was clear that Kef’s KHT1505 5.1 speaker system is something special. Each satellite is packaged in a scratch-proof cloth bag, which is useful for storing or transporting them, but with stunning looks you’ll definitely want to keep them on display.

Each one can be positioned either vertically or horizontally, and wall-mounting brackets are included in the box, so you have plenty of options when it comes to installation. There aren’t any cables included in the box, but because they all use regular speaker wire you’ll be able to buy the correct length to suit your setup. The two mid-range drivers and a tweeter in each satellite bode well for an even frequency response.

Indeed, in our movie test, high frequencies were incredibly clear. Breaking glass in particular had a satisfying crunch. Cymbals and hi-hats in Casino Royale’s orchestral score felt slightly too sharp but we were able to rein it in to acceptable levels using the equaliser on our reference amplifier.

The cube-shaped subwoofer feels seriously sturdy, although that’s to be expected from something that weighs 12kg. As well as a volume knob, a second dial on the back lets you control a low-pass filter (LPF) to get the best possible bass response from your films. It’s best to perform this kind of bass management on the amplifier but we still welcome the option to perform it here for use with older amps with limited bass management functions.

Bass had real presence in both music and films, with enough rumble to shake the other equipment we had in our test chamber. Despite the cacophony, we could still make out precise details from the satellites, which were never overwhelmed by the subwoofer.

The KHT1505 is undeniably a fantastic speaker system. Both the subwoofer and satellites are well built, look great and sound fantastic. However, we don’t think sound quality is significantly better than the superb Teufel Consono 35 speakers, which cost little more than half the price. Unless the superior styling is of great importance, you could save money and still enjoy brilliant audio with a Teufel set.