Dear Redphu72,
I am a trained theater designer, and in our shop we use the KEF Ref 3 with the Ref 2 center channel, JL Audio Fathom sub, Runco projector with an Audio Pro Maestro Pre/pro and the system sounds fantastic.
We chose the Kef for a number of reasons:
1: They play very loud the Ref 3 with do 114db the Ref 1 will do 112db
2: They are horn loaded with a point source driver. The Kef UniQ design is basically a shallow horn loaded dome tweeter in the center of the midrange driver. This design ensures very wide off axis sound and as they midrange and tweeter eminate from the same place, the sound is very coherent.
3: KEF makes a complete line of HT products from both the Reference, R series and Q series lines as well as THX approved in ceiling speakers which are perfect for ATMOS or side or rear channels.
So it is possible to go with Ref 1 or 3 with a R series Center channel to save money if necessary
They are also very durable howerver, they have service in the USA, Raidho service for drivers would have to come from Europe.
Also The Raidho tweeter has a tendency to be hyper detailed which might be too much of a good thing, and I don't think they make a matching center.
The Kef are dynamic and detailed, with high power handling they are perfect for theater, the Sonus tend to be smooth but lack the punchy clean sound that the KEF's provide.
For all of these reasons, we went with KEF for our reference theater you can see the theater in our store tour:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NPIn3pEmI4
Please give us a call we have designed many theaters, one of our theaters was featured on Rev Run's Rennovation Season Two Secret CInema.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqrxRo0vmf4
You can see the KEF THX in walls and in ceilings in the show.
Dave owner
Audio Doctor NJ
I am a trained theater designer, and in our shop we use the KEF Ref 3 with the Ref 2 center channel, JL Audio Fathom sub, Runco projector with an Audio Pro Maestro Pre/pro and the system sounds fantastic.
We chose the Kef for a number of reasons:
1: They play very loud the Ref 3 with do 114db the Ref 1 will do 112db
2: They are horn loaded with a point source driver. The Kef UniQ design is basically a shallow horn loaded dome tweeter in the center of the midrange driver. This design ensures very wide off axis sound and as they midrange and tweeter eminate from the same place, the sound is very coherent.
3: KEF makes a complete line of HT products from both the Reference, R series and Q series lines as well as THX approved in ceiling speakers which are perfect for ATMOS or side or rear channels.
So it is possible to go with Ref 1 or 3 with a R series Center channel to save money if necessary
They are also very durable howerver, they have service in the USA, Raidho service for drivers would have to come from Europe.
Also The Raidho tweeter has a tendency to be hyper detailed which might be too much of a good thing, and I don't think they make a matching center.
The Kef are dynamic and detailed, with high power handling they are perfect for theater, the Sonus tend to be smooth but lack the punchy clean sound that the KEF's provide.
For all of these reasons, we went with KEF for our reference theater you can see the theater in our store tour:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NPIn3pEmI4
Please give us a call we have designed many theaters, one of our theaters was featured on Rev Run's Rennovation Season Two Secret CInema.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqrxRo0vmf4
You can see the KEF THX in walls and in ceilings in the show.
Dave owner
Audio Doctor NJ