The KEF Ci160TS belongs to KEF's Ci T Series of architectural in-ceiling speakers, a range engineered for installations where mounting depth is severely restricted. The Ci T Series takes the acoustic philosophy behind KEF's broader Ci range and reconfigures it for spaces where conventional architectural speakers cannot fit: high-rise apartments with shallow ceiling voids, commercial spaces with structural constraints, and residential installations where aesthetic discretion demands the lowest possible profile. The Ci160TS is the square-fronted variant in the Ci T Series, sharing its driver technology with the round Ci160TR but suited to installations where a square aperture is preferred or required.
Uni-Q Driver and Tangerine Waveguide
At the heart of the Ci160TS is a 115mm (4.5-inch) dual-layer bass/midrange driver paired with a 25mm (1-inch) dome tweeter, arranged as KEF's proprietary Uni-Q coincident point source array. In this configuration the tweeter is positioned at the acoustic centre of the bass driver, meaning both high and low frequencies originate from precisely the same point in space. This eliminates the off-axis colouration and poor stereo imaging that affect conventional two-driver designs where the tweeter and woofer are physically separated. The result is consistent tonal balance across a wide listening area without the listener needing to sit on axis with the speaker.
The tweeter incorporates KEF's Tangerine Waveguide, a precision-shaped diffractor that controls high-frequency dispersion and contributes to smooth, even coverage across the room. Combined with the Uni-Q array, the waveguide helps the Ci160TS serve a wide area with each unit, which has practical value in larger rooms or commercial installations where minimising speaker count is important.
Ultra-Thin Profile and IP64 Rating
The defining characteristic of the Ci T Series is its exceptional shallowness. The Ci160TS requires a mounting depth of less than 36mm from the ceiling surface, making it compatible with ceiling voids where conventional architectural speakers cannot be accommodated. The overall depth of the unit behind the ceiling line is just 41mm. This is achieved through a specially developed ultra-low-profile bass unit that maintains acceptable bass extension despite its minimal depth, with KEF specifying a frequency response of 110Hz to 24kHz within plus or minus 6dB in an open-backed installation.
The Ci160TS carries an IP64 environmental rating, meaning it is protected against dust ingress and against water splashing from any direction. This makes it suitable for installation in bathrooms, kitchens, covered outdoor areas, and other environments where conventional in-ceiling speakers would be inappropriate. The external dimensions are 222.8mm square with a 194mm square cutout required. Ceiling thickness can range from 9mm to 26mm. KEF offers an optional rough-in frame (RIF160S) and an optional rear enclosure (RNC160S) for applications where these are needed.