KEF CODA W - PAIR

The KEF Coda W active speakers combine power and precision thanks to the Uni-Q driver, Class D amplification, and Bluetooth 5.4 streaming. Elegantly designed, they feature HDMI ARC, USB-C, and RCA inputs for total versatility.

KEF Coda W – The Evolution of Contemporary Active Hi-Fi

For over sixty years, KEF has set the standard in high-fidelity audio. Its history is marked by a constant pursuit of acoustic excellence and the pursuit of pure, natural sound, capable of conveying the authentic emotion of music. The KEF Coda W, an active wireless bookshelf speaker that combines the latest technological sophistication with the historic legacy of the legendary Coda series, continues this long tradition.

Originally created with the aim of making high-fidelity audio accessible to a wider audience, the Coda line has always embodied the pioneering spirit of the British brand. The new KEF Coda W revisits and renews that principle, translating it into a contemporary form: a complete active system capable of delivering audiophile-grade performance in a compact, elegant, and modern package.

Every element of the design demonstrates KEF's philosophy: the meticulous acoustic design, the precision engineering, and the pursuit of coherent and immersive sound. This speaker is the result of decades of experience, technological development, and a passion for sonic realism.

At the heart of the KEF Coda W is the renowned 12th-generation Uni-Q® driver, a technology that represents one of KEF's pinnacles in natural sound reproduction. This system, the fruit of countless hours of research and acoustic simulations, achieves uniform dispersion, a linear response, and tonal accuracy rarely found in speakers of its class.

This is not simply a wireless speaker, but a synthesis of acoustics and design, capable of reinterpreting the very concept of home listening.

KEF's approach remains true to its original principle: every component, every construction detail, is aimed at a single goal: maximum sonic transparency. And the Coda W is its new ambassador.

The technological heart: the 12th-generation Uni-Q® system

The acoustic engine of the KEF Coda W is the 12th-generation Uni-Q® driver, an architecture that has defined KEF sound for over thirty years. In this system, the 25 mm aluminum tweeter is placed precisely at the acoustic center of the 130 mm magnesium-aluminum alloy mid-bass cone. This arrangement creates a single source point, from which every sound frequency propagates coherently, as happens in nature.

The result is an incredibly stable and lifelike sound image, even when the listener moves laterally or is off-axis. The effect is a wide, three-dimensional soundstage, where each instrument maintains its position and timbre with unmistakable clarity.

KEF's design philosophy is founded on the idea that music reproduction should be as natural as possible, and this principle translates into every component of the Coda W. The mechanical precision of the magnet assembly, the tweeter's ventilation, the rigidity of the cone, and the digital control of the amplification work together to eliminate distortion and achieve impeccable dynamic response.

Each speaker is equipped with two Class D amplifiers, 70 watts for low frequencies and 30 watts for high frequencies, for a total of 200 watts of system power. This bi-amplified configuration optimizes the performance of each driver, ensuring controlled, energetic, and coherent reproduction.

The digital processing section integrates the Music Integrity Engine® (MIE), a suite of proprietary algorithms that KEF developed to maximize signal integrity. The MIE analyzes and adapts acoustic behavior in real time, ensuring that every component of the speaker operates in perfect synergy. The result is a more precise, more detailed sound, with elegantly controlled low frequencies.

The KEF Coda W's listening experience is distinguished by its ability to combine power and refinement. Low frequencies are solid but never intrusive, mids are natural and open, and highs are defined without harshness. Every nuance is rendered with balance and depth, in a soundstage that seems to originate from a much larger system.

Throughout this, KEF has maintained obsessive attention to temporal coherence and acoustic phase, parameters often overlooked but crucial to achieving authentic realism. The result is a sense of physical presence, as if the music were materializing in space.

Throughout all this, KEF has maintained obsessive attention to temporal coherence and acoustic phase, parameters often overlooked but essential for achieving authentic realism. The result is a sense of physical presence, as if the music were materializing in space.

Connections and versatility: the digital heart of the KEF Coda W

The KEF Coda W is a speaker that lives in the present, with an eye to the future. It is designed to adapt naturally to any source, be it an analog turntable, a television, or a high-resolution computer. This versatility is made possible by a comprehensive package and flawless technological integration. At the heart of the connectivity section is Bluetooth® 5.4 compatibility, which supports the aptX Adaptive™ and aptX Lossless™ codecs. This implementation enables low-latency, CD-quality transmission, with a resolution of up to 16-bit/44.1 kHz. This means that even in wireless mode, the Coda W is capable of delivering crystal-clear, stable, and dynamic sound, without audible compression.

But it's not just a Bluetooth solution. KEF designed the Coda W as a true multifunctional audio hub. It features an HDMI ARC input, allowing direct connection to your TV and remote control volume. This integration transforms the system into a refined stereo soundbar, capable of delivering soundtracks and dialogue with realism and depth. The USB-C input allows connection to a computer or notebook, supporting files up to 24-bit/192 kHz, for high-resolution playback of lossless recordings and studio masters. There's also a digital optical input, ideal for CD players, consoles, or external players, and a pair of RCA (LINE) and RCA (PHONO) inputs.

The built-in phono preamplifier makes the KEF Coda W ready for vinyl listening, without the need for additional components. This feature demonstrates KEF's desire to combine analog tradition with modern convenience. For turntables with a built-in preamplifier, a LINE mode is available, bypassing the phono stage. Furthermore, the Coda W features a dedicated subwoofer output, designed for those who want to expand the low-frequency response. KEF offers the option of connecting the subwoofer wired or via the KW1 kit, which enables a low-latency, high-quality wireless connection, eliminating any positioning constraints.

Convenience is evident in the details: a 3-meter C-Link connection cable is included as standard, but can be replaced with an optional 8-meter cable for maximum layout freedom. Everything is designed for a clean, tidy, and consistent setup, without sacrificing superior performance. This synergy of technologies makes the KEF Coda W a speaker suitable for any context: from a desktop setup to a main living room, from a small music studio to a home theater system. Its hybrid nature between tradition and innovation makes it a complete solution for those seeking uncompromising flexibility.

Design, interface, and aesthetic philosophy: timeless elegance

The KEF Coda W is not only a technical object, but also a furnishing element designed to integrate discreetly and distinctively into any environment. Its aesthetic is the result of a balance between rigor and refinement, with clean lines and smooth surfaces that express minimalism and solidity.

Every visual detail is designed to convey a sense of balance. The compact proportions—with dimensions of 285 x 168 x 268 mm for each speaker—allow for harmonious integration into different spaces, while the robust, damped construction reduces unwanted vibrations, contributing to a neutral and precise acoustic performance. KEF offers the Coda W in four carefully crafted finishes: Nickel Grey, Moss Green, Midnight Blue, and Dark Titanium. Each hue has been selected to integrate naturally with different furnishing styles, from modern to classic, from minimalist to sophisticated.

The overall impression is that of a timeless product, an object that transcends trends rather than follows them, capable of coexisting with both high-tech and a more intimate, warm environment.

Every aesthetic element also serves an acoustic function. The rounded edges and the front design help minimize diffractions, while the stiffened internal structure ensures maximum stability.

For those seeking a more flexible placement, KEF offers the optional SQ1 stands, which allow for optimal height adjustment and isolation from surfaces. These stands not only complement the system's aesthetics, but also enhance its performance, elevating the drivers to the ideal level for near- and mid-field listening. The Coda W is designed to blend into its surroundings, not dominate them. Its discreet presence, combined with the elegance of its finishes, transforms it into a high-profile piece of furniture, capable of blending aesthetics and functionality into a single, coherent visual language.

The KEF Coda W was designed to offer an intuitive, fluid, and modern user experience. The top panel features a series of touch controls for immediate management of the main functions: power, volume adjustment, input selection, and Bluetooth pairing. The button layout is designed for natural, hassle-free use.

To complement this simplicity, KEF offers the KEF Connect app, which allows complete control of the system from a smartphone or tablet. Through the app, you can choose EQ presets, manage firmware updates, change acoustic settings, and centrally access all functions.

The software communicates with the Music Integrity Engine, allowing you to adapt the sound response based on speaker placement or listening preferences. It's a coherent ecosystem, uniting hardware and software in a single platform, with the goal of simplifying the listening experience without sacrificing quality.

In a world dominated by technological complexity, KEF has chosen a minimalist approach: few, yet intelligent, controls; a clean, yet functional design; a simple, yet stable connection. The philosophy is to put listening back at the center of the experience, eliminating any barrier between the user and the music.

Behind the KEF Coda W's ease of use lies a sophisticated engineering structure. Digital signal management, inter-channel balancing, and the amplifiers' thermal and dynamic protection are automated to ensure consistent performance over time and an above-average lifespan. Every element, from the power supply circuit to the DSP module, has been calibrated to work in harmony, ensuring stability, efficiency, and sonic precision even after hours of continuous operation.

The result is a system that feels immediate, yet encompasses a level of technical complexity worthy of the finest Hi-Fi systems. The KEF Coda W is intelligent yet discreet; powerful yet controlled; innovative yet faithful to the brand's original philosophy.

The new concept of home high fidelity

The KEF Coda W represents the perfect blend of tradition and innovation, acoustic rigor and the ease of wireless. It is a speaker designed to complement everyday life with professional-level sound, yet with the simplicity and immediacy that the present demands. The system combines the sophistication of a complete Hi-Fi system with the convenience of an active, connected architecture. No external amplifiers or complex wiring are needed: everything is integrated, calibrated, and ready to deliver maximum sound quality in any context.

KEF's philosophy is clear: to offer authentic sound experiences, capable of conveying the beauty of music without filters. The Coda W is the fruit of this vision, a symbol of the company's ability to reinterpret its heritage in a modern key. Its clear, immersive sound, combined with top-notch construction, demonstrates that Hi-Fi can be both sophisticated and accessible, technologically advanced yet humanly simple.

Like every great KEF product, the Coda W is born from a balance between acoustic science and the art of sound, between design and passion. It is the spiritual heir to a long tradition and the starting point for a new generation of home listening. The Coda W does more than simply play music: it transforms it into an experience. Every note, every breath, every silence is rendered with a fidelity that goes beyond the technical, entering the emotional dimension of listening.

KEF has once again demonstrated how technology, when guided by a clear vision, can give life to objects that transcend their function, becoming instruments of beauty, culture, and acoustic pleasure. KEF Coda W is, ultimately, the symbol of a new way of understanding high-fidelity audio: a bridge between past and future, between matter and sound, between precision and emotion.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model: Coda W

Drive units Uni-Q Driver Array:

HF: 25 mm aluminium dome

LF/MF: 130 mm magnesium/aluminium alloy cone

Frequency range (-6dB): 38 Hz – 20 kHz

Depends on EQ settings

Frequency response (±3dB): 41 Hz – 20 kHz

Depends on EQ settings

Amplifier output power (per speaker): LF: 70W HF: 30W

Amplifier class (per speaker): LF: Class D HF: Class D

Max SPL (measured at 1m): 102 dB

Wireless streaming features: Bluetooth 5.4, aptX Adaptive™, aptX Lossless™

Source resolution:

Optical up to 96kHz/24bit

USB Type-C up to 192kHz/24bit

HDMI up to 1.411 Mbps PCM

Depends on source resolution

Interspeaker connection: Wired: all sources resampled to 96kHz/24bit PCM

Dimensions (HWD per speaker): 285 x 168 x 268 mm

Weight (per set): 11.3 kg

Power input: 100 – 240VAC 50/60Hz

Power consumption: 200W (operating power) / <0.5W (standby power)

Primary speaker inputs: HDMI ARC, Optical, USB Type-C, RCA (LINE), RCA (PHONO), USB Type-C (interspeaker)

Secondary speaker inputs: USB Type-C (interspeaker)

Outputs: RCA Subwoofer output, USB Type-C (interspeaker), USB Type-C (5V DC)