KEF Ci3160RL-THX

The KEF Ci3160RL-THX is a THX Ultra2 certified in-wall loudspeaker from KEF's Ci-R Series — a range conceived to bring the acoustic performance of KEF's celebrated Reference floorstanding loudspeakers to the architectural demands of custom installation. The Ci3160RL-THX is named after, and directly inspired by, the KEF R Series floorstanding loudspeaker — and it carries that heritage into the wall with complete seriousness of purpose. Where lesser in-wall designs accept the compromises of architectural integration, the Ci3160RL-THX refuses them — delivering a level of sonic authority, tonal accuracy, and dynamic capability that sets a new standard for custom installed loudspeakers.

Uni-Q Driver Array with Tangerine Waveguide

At the heart of the Ci3160RL-THX sits KEF's celebrated Uni-Q driver array — a concentric arrangement placing a 160 mm aluminium cone midrange unit with a vented tweeter at its acoustic centre. This coincident point-source geometry ensures that mid and high-range frequencies radiate from precisely the same point in space, producing a soundstage of exceptional width, depth, and stability from a wall-mounted position. KEF's patented tangerine waveguide manages high-frequency airflow, ensuring even, controlled dispersion throughout the listening room — a quality of particular importance in a fixed-position architectural loudspeaker, where the relationship between speaker and listener cannot be adjusted for optimal toe-in.

Massive Aluminium Baffle

The Ci3160RL-THX is built around a massive precision-machined aluminium baffle — the mechanical foundation of the entire design. This baffle eliminates the resonance and structural vibration that plastic or composite baffles introduce into the signal chain at high output levels, providing the rigidly inert platform that the Uni-Q array and twin bass drivers demand. The result is a loudspeaker whose output is determined entirely by its drivers and crossover — not coloured by the mechanical behaviour of the structure to which they are mounted.

Twin 160 mm Bass Drivers

Flanking the Uni-Q array, two 160 mm aluminium cone bass drivers deliver the low-frequency extension and dynamic headroom that THX Ultra2 certification demands. The twin-driver configuration provides the piston area and motor force necessary to pressurise a large listening room from within the wall — matching the output capability of a freestanding loudspeaker of equivalent driver complement without occupying any floor space. The Ci3160RL-THX supports bi-wire and bi-amplifier connections, allowing those with the appropriate amplification to extract every last degree of performance from the design.

THX Ultra2 Certification

The Ci3160RL-THX carries THX Ultra2 certification — the highest standard of THX certification available for home cinema loudspeakers. THX Ultra2 certification demands that a loudspeaker meet stringent and uncompromising performance criteria across frequency response, output capability, imaging quality, and distortion — criteria derived from the professional studio monitoring environment in which film soundtracks are created and mixed. A THX Ultra2 certified system recreates the tonal balance and dynamic impact of the filmmaker's final mix in the listening room, ensuring that every detail of the soundtrack — from the subtlest ambient detail to the most explosive action sequence — is reproduced with complete fidelity.

Technical Specifications

Who Is It For?

The Ci3160RL-THX is the correct choice for a custom installation home cinema where in-wall front-stage or surround performance at THX Ultra2 standard is required — combining the acoustic authority of a Reference-inspired driver complement with the aesthetic freedom of full architectural integration. It pairs naturally with the KEF Ci4100QL-THX in-ceiling speaker for overhead Dolby Atmos channels, and with the KEF Ci3160RLb-THX in-wall subwoofer for a fully architectural bass solution. For in-ceiling surround channels, the KEF Ci200RS-THX and KEF Ci200RR-THX integrate seamlessly within the same Ci-R Series system. Those requiring the ultimate expression of KEF's custom installation engineering should consider the KEF Ci5160REF-THX.

Buying from Martins Hi-Fi

Martins Hi-Fi has been in Norwich since 1968. Elizabeth Gould runs the business today, and we stock only brands we have heard properly and stand behind.

We can advise on the complete Ci-R Series system design at our Norwich showroom — from speaker selection and amplification through to room planning and installation guidance for custom home cinema projects. When you get in touch, you'll be speaking with Dave, Chris and Tim — experienced specialists who can advise on this product and your whole system.

Contact us at info@martinshifi.co.uk, call 01603 627010, or WhatsApp on 07554 687137. You can read more about how we work on our Why Martins Hi-Fi page. We are at 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY.