KEF Ci160QS In-Ceiling Speaker (Single)

The KEF Ci160QS is a premium in-ceiling loudspeaker from KEF’s Ci Series of architectural speakers. Designed for flush-mount ceiling installations where a square baffle is preferred, it employs KEF’s patented Uni-Q driver array — a coincident point-source design that places the 19mm aluminium dome tweeter at the acoustic centre of the 160mm bass/midrange cone. This arrangement means high and low frequencies radiate from the same point, eliminating the acoustic lobing and phase anomalies common to conventional two-way designs and delivering consistent tonal balance across a wide listening area.

Uni-Q Driver Array & Tangerine Waveguide

At the heart of the Ci160QS is the Uni-Q driver, which provides KEF’s signature “sit-anywhere” sound. The vented aluminium dome tweeter is coupled with a Tangerine Waveguide — a proprietary dispersion element engineered to enhance high-frequency distribution across a 125-degree coverage angle. This wide, even dispersion is particularly valuable in ceiling-mounted applications, where the listening position is typically offset from the speaker axis. The result is smooth, consistent coverage across the room with fewer speakers required to fill the space.

Construction & Installation

The Ci160QS features an Ultra-Thin Bezel (UTB) design, with an ABS surround engineered to be as slim as possible — less than 5mm in width — while maintaining the structural rigidity needed for secure ceiling mounting. The speaker is constructed using weather-resistant components and treated with a UV-protective powder-coated finish, making it suitable for demanding commercial environments such as hotels, conference centres, and restaurants as well as domestic installations. It carries IP64 certification, confirming protection against splashing water on assembly components.

A magnetic grille attaches securely via a powerful magnetic circuit and can be painted to match any ceiling décor. Connection is via gold-plated spring-loaded binding posts mounted on the rear of the speaker. The open-back design requires a cut-out of 194 × 194mm and a mounting depth of 91mm, fitting neatly into standard ceiling voids.

Where It Fits

The Ci160QS sits within KEF’s Ci Q Series of architectural speakers. The “Q” designation denotes the Uni-Q driver, while “160” refers to the 160mm woofer diameter and “S” indicates the square baffle format. For installations requiring a round baffle, KEF offers the Ci160QR, which uses the same driver complement in a circular frame. Smaller rooms or lower-power applications may be served by the Ci130QS (130mm woofer, square) or Ci130QR (130mm, round).