The KEF Ci160.2cs is a 160mm in-ceiling speaker from KEF's Ci-C series, combining shallow installation depth with the performance credentials of KEF's patented Uni-Q driver technology. Designed for custom installation projects where ceiling depth is restricted, the Ci160.2cs places a 16mm aluminium dome tweeter at the acoustic centre of a 160mm (6.5-inch) bass/midrange cone. This coincident point-source arrangement — the defining feature of all Uni-Q speakers — ensures that high and low frequencies radiate from precisely the same point, producing a wide, even dispersion pattern across the room rather than the narrowing sweet spot associated with conventionally arranged two-way designs.
Ci-C Series: Shallow Depth Architecture
The .2 designation within KEF's Ci range signifies the second-generation shallow-depth construction, enabling installation into ceiling voids as tight as 84.5mm. This makes the Ci160.2cs well-suited to timber-frame and plasterboard constructions where services or structural elements restrict the available cavity depth behind the flush-mount baffle. The square bezel is 238 x 238mm and integrates unobtrusively into standard ceiling tile grids, while the cutout of 194 x 194mm accommodates the driver basket.
Uni-Q Driver Technology
KEF's Uni-Q array brings the tweeter to the acoustic centre of the woofer cone, effectively making the entire driver assembly behave as a single point source. At a crossover frequency of 2.5kHz, the Ci160.2cs transitions smoothly between bass/midrange and high-frequency reproduction, maintaining the wide 110-degree dispersion that characterises the Uni-Q design. Sensitivity is rated at 89dB (2.83V/1m) and the nominal impedance is 8 ohms, making the speaker straightforward to drive from any standard multi-room or home cinema amplifier system capable of delivering between 10W and 100W per channel.
Installation and Finishing
KEF's dog-leg mounting system grips ceiling material between 3mm and 30mm thick, securing the speaker from the front face without requiring rear access during installation. The magnetic grille attaches and removes cleanly, and its surface can be painted to match the ceiling colour using standard emulsion paint, leaving the speaker effectively invisible once dressed. The Ci160.2cs carries an IP64 weather-resistance rating, qualifying it for use in bathrooms, covered outdoor areas, and other humid environments where standard speaker drivers would deteriorate over time.