Rare Legendary Kef Reference Model 105 Speakers huge 12" Drivers unbelievable sound stage they dont make speakers like this no more a real Statement piece of hifi

These need no introduction simple

As in 1977 they we're an instant success
And still collected by audiophiles today

No Offers or Time Wasters please


With original grille-covers
With some scuffs at edges etc

In good shape for 50 years old



The KEF Reference 105 earned its "legendary" status because it completely changed how the entire high-end audio industry designed, engineered, and manufactured loudspeakers. Before its release, speaker building was mostly a dark art of trial-and-error; the 105 turned it into an exact, computer-driven science.
Here is exactly why audio historians and audiophiles consider the KEF 105 a true legend:

1. The Birth of Acoustic Time Alignment

The KEF 105 was one of the first commercial loudspeakers to master linear phase and time-arrival synchronization.
• The Problem: In a flat-front speaker, sound from the deeper woofer takes slightly longer to reach your ears than sound from the shallow tweeter. This causes phase smear and ruins the stereo image.
• The 105 Solution: KEF physically stepped the midrange and tweeter backward in relation to the woofer. By aligning the voice coils on a perfect vertical plane, the sound waves from all three drivers reach your ears at the exact same millisecond. This created a holographic, "disappearing speaker" soundstage that amazed reviewers in 1977.

2. Digital Pioneer in an Analog Era

Long before personal computers existed, KEF was the first speaker company to use a digital mainframe computer (a Hewlett-Packard 5451B Fourier Analyzer) to measure audio responses.
• Computer-Matched Pairs: KEF used digital processing to match the left and right speakers of a pair to within 0.5 dB of each other. This level of precise acoustic symmetry was unheard of at the time and is the main reason why the 105 images so vividly.
• Target Function Crossovers: Instead of using generic crossover calculators, KEF programmed computers to map out complex, ultra-precise crossover networks that perfectly compensated for the raw drivers' natural flaws.

3. Abolishing Cabinet Distortion

Most 1970s speakers suffered from "box coloration"—the large wooden cabinet would vibrate, coloring the music. KEF solved this by isolating the drivers:
• The "Dalek" Head: The midrange and tweeter were taken out of the large wooden box entirely and placed inside a highly specialized, heavily damped, cast-synthetic module (the "head").
• Zero Energy Transfer: Because the mid/high head was physically decoupled from the large bass cabinet, the powerful energy of the 12-inch woofer could not shake the delicate tweeter and midrange. This resulted in an incredibly clean, uncolored vocal performance.

4. Industrial Design Icon

The striking visual profile of the KEF 105—affectionately nicknamed the "Dalek" by British audiophiles due to its resemblance to the Doctor Who villains—became an iconic piece of late-70s industrial design. Its aesthetic was dictated strictly by physics, proving that form follows function. It paved the way for other legendary modular high-end speakers, most notably the Wilson Audio WATT/Puppy and B&W's Matrix 801.
Are you looking into the history of other legendary vintage speakers from that era (like the B&W 801 or Quad ESL), or are you trying to figure out if a specific pair of KEF 105s you found retains that legendary sound?
AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more

The KEF Reference is a legendary vintage loudspeaker famous for its radical, two-part modular design and groundbreaking acoustic accuracy.Key Design FeaturesSeparated Enclosures: The midrange and tweeter sit in a distinct, adjustable upper head unit, isolating them from the vibrations of the massive 12-inch bass driver in the lower sealed cabinet.Adjustable Imaging: The upper head rotates and tilts so you can aim the sound directly at your listening position for precise stereo focus.Overload Protection: They feature a built-in LED indicator light on the front baffle that glows if the speaker is pushed dangerously hard.Sound and PerformanceStrengths: Listeners praise their natural midrange, superb detail, deep soundstage, and pinpoint imaging. They excel with classical, jazz, and acoustic tracks.”

Wave bands
- without
Details
Hi-Fi equipment
Power type and voltage
No Power needed
Loudspeaker
3 Loudspeakers
Material
Wooden case
from Radiomuseum.org
Model: Reference Series 105 Series II SP1118 - KEF Electronics; Tovil,
Shape
Console with any shape - in general
Dimensions (WHD)
965 x 415 x 455 mm / 38 x 16.3 x 17.9 inch
Notes
3-way hi-fi floorstanding loudspeakers finished in walnut, teak, rosewood or black ash veneers with black or brown grille fabric. With a 12 inch bextrene coned bass driver, 5 inch B110 midrange unit and 1 inch T52 tweeter.Speakers

Specification
Frequency range 38Hz to 22kHz ±2dB at 2m on design axis
(-10dB at 28Hz and 27kHz)
Directional characteristics Within 1dB of response on design axis
up to 20,000Hz for ±5° vertically
up to 10,000Hz for ±20° horizontally
Maximum output 107dB spl on programme peaks under typical listening conditions
Distortion Second harmonic less than 1% from 50Hz to 20,000Hz
Third harmonic less than 1% from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
Measured at 1m on measuring axis at mean spl of 90dB, anechoic conditions
Enclosures Low frequency enclosure: 70 litres
Mid and high frequency enclosure: 8.5 litres
Nominal impedance 8Ω
Power handling capacity Programme rating 200w
Electronic protection (S-STOP) The system is protected against any continuous or intermittent fault conditions which produce input signals not greater than 70V peak from DC to 50kHz.
Peak level indicator Switchable. LED flashes to indicate input power levels of 50, 60, 80, 100, 125, 160 and 200W.
Listening window indicator LED glows continuously to indicate orientation of head assembly and facilitate alignment of listening window


Net weight (2.2 lb = 1 kg)
36 kg / 79 lb 4.7 oz (79.295 lb)