Well, it's finally here - the most keenly awaited product of the year is upon us!

The brand-new KHT3005 is based on KEF's best selling product of all time, the multi award-winning, hugely popular KHT2005. Before going on to talk about the 3005, it's important to pause for a minute and consider just how awesomely successful the 2005 has been over the last 4 years. It has sold in absolutely vast quantities - we are just one of KEF's dealers, but in a good month we have been known to get through 65 systems. Multiply this by KEF's huge dealer base and you can see why most of KEF's turnover in recent times has been generated by just one product. The combination of cute looks, sophisticated styling, high quality die-cast enclosures and fabulous sound quality have made the 2005 totally irresistible to a growing number of consumers, who refuse to have a collection of ugly wooden boxes in their lounges .The 2005s (or 'eggs' as they became affectionately known) have endeared themselves to customers and reviewers the world over, achieving near iconic status - in short, they have become something of a legend.

So how can you improve on perfection?

Well, the first thing to say is that the 3005s are not a replacement for the 2005s. KEF have cleverly repositioned the 2005s at £599 (or less, if you buy them in one of our Hot Deals!), immediately creating massive new demand for the product. This means that the 'Legend of the Eggs' continues, leaving the way clear for KEF to pitch the 3005s much higher, into the all-important £1000 category, i.e. £200 more than the 2005s originally cost. At first, this makes the 3005s look rather expensive, but in reality they are something of a bargain, being a much more sophisticated product than the 2005s. It's also worth remembering that the 3005s original launch price was actually set at £1200. However, insider information tells me that the big guns at KEF decided to cut their profit margin in order to hit the ultra competitive, sub-£1000 category. Certainly, when you look at the individual prices of the 3005 speakers, it all starts to make sense. The subwoofer has an RRP of £500, the satellites are £250 a pair and the centre would be £200, if it could be bought on it's own. You don't have to be Carol Vorderman to work out that this all adds up £1200, not the £999 that the 3005s are selling for. This is great news for consumers, because they are getting an awful lot of kit for the money, not only when compared to the 2005s, but also when compared to the competition. Quite frankly, in our opinion, the 3005s are streets ahead of anything up to nearly twice their price!

Here's what makes the 3005s so good:

• The height and width of each 3005 satellite is pretty much identical to a 2005's (resulting in a very discrete package) but the 3005's internal cabinet volume is over 50% greater. How come? Simple, each satellite is 1.5 inches deeper than its baby brother, resulting in a huge increase in cubic capacity. This, combined with the new, larger rear port arrangement, results in a massive increase in bass output. So, the 3005s look just as cute as the 2005s, because your eye doesn't see the increase in depth, but they sound like a much bigger unit altogether - very clever!
  
  
• The magnetically shielded sub has been completely redesigned. Gone is the 'old school' 14 inch wooden cube - replaced by a new super sleek design, using an active 10 inch bass driver, driven by an onboard 250 watt digital amp, in conjunction with an additional 10 inch ABR (Auxiliary Bass Radiator). I find the sub particularly interesting, because it looks fantastic, can be sited either vertically or horizontally, takes up virtually no space at all, yet sounds absolutely phenomenal. I really don't understand how something this small can be so powerful, but I think it's got something to do with the fact that digital amplifiers are much less bulky than their analogue counterparts, so nearly all of the sub's inner enclosure benefits the drivers, rather than being 'wasted' on housing electronics. What's more, I can't understand how it manages to produce the most seamless bass I've ever heard on any sub / sat package, but I can tell you for sure that it most definitely does. In the demonstration room, this sub simply doesn't exist - it is as if you are listening to a couple of big floorstanders. Quite astonishing and totally unique at this price point - something you won't believe until you've experienced it for yourself!
  NB - This unit is now available separately (the perfect upgrade for KHT2005.2 customers!) - click here for details.
  
  
• The sub is now incredibly easy to set up - all the fiddling and faffing with multi-dials etc has gone out of the window. What's more it has thermal and over-current protection, for ultra-reliable performance.
  
  
• The drive units on the satellites have been completely redesigned. The aluminium domed tweeter looks similar to the 2005, but the midrange unit itself is completely different. For a start, the diameter of the driver is half an inch larger, which doesn't sound much, but actually equates to a 27% increase in surface area. On top of that, the driver now also sports radial stiffening (oooh err Missus!), as well as an improved magnet system and an all-new sealed suspension, bridging the gap between the midrange driver and the tweeter. The result is a near perfect sound balance, with just the right amount of warmth, plus that all-important top-end KHT sparkle. In conjunction with the subwoofer, the effect is superb - the bass is deep and powerful, yet rhythmic, whilst the mid and top give a perfect rendition on all music and movie sources.
  
  
• The centre speaker is now a three diver unit - this is a massive improvement and greatly enhances the way the 3005s handle dialogue. However, it can still be wall mounted and looks great under a plasma or LCD. Everything is crystal clear, with no 'suck-out' in the middle (you have to remember that on many sub / sat systems, a jet flying from left to right across the screen sounds like it has turned into a hairdryer in the middle!).
  NB - This unit is now available separately (the perfect upgrade for KHT2005.2 customers!) - click here for details.
  
  
• The (optional) floor stands are much more robust than their 2005 equivalents. - the cable still goes up the middle, but they are much more ridgid, and have a sleek 'space age' look.
  
  
• The satellites are available in a stunning new gloss black finish, as well as the stylish gloss silver - what ever colour TV you've got, these speakers will make a lovely match.
  
  
• The little KEF logo on the top of the sub glows with a purple light - well I like it!!