14 DAY TRIAL // I was somehow expecting the unexpected, so to say. I cannot tell for sure if the recent release from England's legendary high-end manufacturer KEF was one thing that definitely had to happen or it was caused by some sort of rant against cheap-a*s systems literally invading the market lately and claiming all sorts of "titles"; in any case, the happy event took place and I guess that I, the iPod fans and KEF fans have serious reasons to rejoice: KEF has released two high-end iPod docking systems with speakers: the PicoForte 1 and 3.
Now, don't even dare think that these two new models are your everyday iPod speakers: we're dealing with KEF's legendary heritage and overwhelming experience transposed from their awesome line of loudspeakers to the tiny units on a tabletop.
Both PicoForte models sport a three-module architecture, a specific sign of audiophile excellence: the proper dock, the amplifier and the loudspeakers. While most other brands would use plastic for such an endeavor, KEF were as straightforward as ever and have chosen die-cast zinc enclosures covered in either sober black or noble white high-gloss finish, for "coolness of touch that is impossible to recreate with synthetic materials".
The PicoForte 1 and 3 from KEF sport a Class D amplifier that can blast a massive power around 50W RMS, most unusual for such diminutive sound systems. Yet the KEF proprietary drivers will handle this blast in perfect conditions and will deliver awesome acoustics in your room or office. The PicoForte 1 runs with LHT 1005.2 loudspeakers, while the 3 version sports KHT 3005 transducers. Even if everything is based on 75mm mid-bass drivers and 15mm tweeters, both models sport a subwoofer output for bass extension, and can be connected to pretty much any signal source via the common 3.5mm jack. The PicoForte even sports an S-Video out for displaying titles, or in the case of video-compatible iPOds, the visual data.
Prices aren't for everyday shopping, but remember we're talking KEF: $350 for the PicoForte 1 and $600 for the PicoForte 3.
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