Perhaps what some have been waiting for...

[RoA]

I hope they won't put these god awful silver chrome trim rings on the next actives.

Reeks of 80's car design and ultra cheap budget boxes (on an otherwise good looking speaker).

 

[davidf]

I hope they won't put these god awful silver chrome trim rings on the next actives.

Reeks of 80's car design and ultra cheap budget boxes (on an otherwise good looking speaker).

Silver trim rings?

 

[plastic penguin]

Heck, are they still going??

Yep. Still in the same premises down the alleyway.

 

[Al ears]

Yep. Still in the same premises down the alleyway.

Been a good while since I last visited.

 

[plastic penguin]

Been a good while since I last visited.

Still pretty much unchanged. The interior has been upgraded over the years

 

[RoA]

Silver trim rings?

 

[Jasonovich]

View attachment 10055

It's kind of alright, some people might like it, probably better without. The go-faster silver trims cheapens the brand, reminding me of those generic active desktop monitors that come with remote, Bluetooth and control buttons at the side.

 

[RoA]

Indeed but they can’t please everyone.

 

[Dave_]

Better than the tacky gold bolts on the AE1s

 

[AEJim]

A lot depends on tastes, both personal and regional, we have to cater to worldwide markets. The gold bolts were on our 90's Signature AE1 models which also had the high gloss lacquer. Black M4 bolts are cheap and easy enough to acquire if someone wants to swap them out (one of the reasons the gold isn't on the inner tweeter bolts - if those are removed without care the tweeter will most likely be damaged).

Part of the reason for the chromed rings on the Active is because when you have everything flush fitting there's a tolerance and if the trim is recessed at all the veneer edge shows a lot more obviously on a flat trim, it's a good break in the surfaces which makes that less visible. It also brightens a potentially flat looking area, adds some interest and visually enlarges the relatively small drive unit so it balances better with the size of the cabinet. Lot's of factors aside from just a "naff" bit of bling. 😉

Different options fare better or worse on different finishes too, can never please everyone. 🙂

 

[davidf]

View attachment 10055

I thought you were referring to the 40th Anniversary...

The trim rings go with the logo, and it's surprising how much a subtle trim ring like those can add to the look of a speaker, compared to the large things on the original KEF R Series. Always looks better in the flesh too.

 

[RoA]

A lot depends on tastes, both personal and regional, we have to cater to worldwide markets. The gold bolts were on our 90's Signature AE1 models which also had the high gloss lacquer. Black M4 bolts are cheap and easy enough to acquire if someone wants to swap them out (one of the reasons the gold isn't on the inner tweeter bolts - if those are removed without care the tweeter will most likely be damaged).

Part of the reason for the chromed rings on the Active is because when you have everything flush fitting there's a tolerance and if the trim is recessed at all the veneer edge shows a lot more obviously on a flat trim, it's a good break in the surfaces which makes that less visible. It also brightens a potentially flat looking area, adds some interest and visually enlarges the relatively small drive unit so it balances better with the size of the cabinet. Lot's of factors aside from just a "naff" bit of bling. 😉

Different options fare better or worse on different finishes too, can never please everyone. 🙂

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Understand. For this reader a matt black trim ring would certainly look nicer (and make the driver unit look larger).

 

[AEJim]

Understand. For this reader a matt black trim ring would certainly look nicer (and make the driver unit look larger).

I kind of like both options in different ways, happy with either really. Taste is personal though - I don't particularly like black wheels on cars, to me they make the whole wheel/tyre/arch area look nondescript and often like it's trying too hard to be "gangsta". But then I like the white letter tyres on old muscle cars so what do I know! 😀

 

[Jasonovich]

A lot depends on tastes, both personal and regional, we have to cater to worldwide markets. The gold bolts were on our 90's Signature AE1 models which also had the high gloss lacquer. Black M4 bolts are cheap and easy enough to acquire if someone wants to swap them out (one of the reasons the gold isn't on the inner tweeter bolts - if those are removed without care the tweeter will most likely be damaged).

Part of the reason for the chromed rings on the Active is because when you have everything flush fitting there's a tolerance and if the trim is recessed at all the veneer edge shows a lot more obviously on a flat trim, it's a good break in the surfaces which makes that less visible. It also brightens a potentially flat looking area, adds some interest and visually enlarges the relatively small drive unit so it balances better with the size of the cabinet. Lot's of factors aside from just a "naff" bit of bling. 😉

Different options fare better or worse on different finishes too, can never please everyone. 🙂

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It is subtle but doesn't distract from the structural design integrity, the speakers are beautiful to look at.

The silver trim, makes it pop out a little, without the trim, it becomes recessed and less shouty.
With or without, it isn't a deal breaker and is a matter of personal taste.
Hmmm, it'll be nice to see the Signature AE1 with AMT pseudo ribbon tweeters, this will certainly ruffle a few feathers! ....OK getting ahead of myself! 🙂