OTHER TECH

Since the front panel has only eight tiny buttons for basic disc-loading and transport functions, the remote control is essential for operation. Fortunately, it's well designed, with keys of different shapes and sizes and a logical layout.

As noted, setup was quick and easy. But there is one potential source of setup trouble: The DVD/tuner's component-video output is disabled out of the box. To enable it, you must use the composite- or S-video output to access the onscreen setup menu. A fail-safe screen asks you to confirm your component-video setting, since enabling this output will disable the composite- and S-video outputs. The same confirmation screen appears when you select progressive-scan mode for the component output - the interlaced mode is disabled; you can't just switch back and forth.

The default audio setting is All Purpose, which is the one you'll want to keep. Before reading the manual, I selected (logically, I thought) the Movie option. But that defeated Dolby Digital/DTS decoding and invoked Dolby Pro Logic II instead! By contrast, the All Purpose setting automatically switches to Dolby Digital or DTSwhen it detects either of them in the source material. Anything else, according to the manual, "will be played in a configuration of Pro Logic II chosen by KEF Audio for optimum reproduction of analog source material." If you want to record from the system's Record/Multiroom output on the rear of the subwoofer, you need to select stereo mode. Finally, there's a Matrix setting to create pseudo surround from mono sources.

Key Features • Simulates 5.1-channel surround sound from two speakers and a subwoofer • Plays DVDs and CD-R/RWs, including discs with MP3 or WMA files • AM/FM stereo tuner • Automatically selects Dolby Digital or DTS decoding, or Dolby Pro Logic II processing for other material • inputs 2 composite/S-video; optical and 3 coaxial digital audio, 3 analog stereo • outputs composite-, component-, and S-video; optical digital audio, analog stereo audio (on rear of sub)

Achieving a believable surround sound effect with the KIT100 system requires following the speaker-placement diagrams in the manual as closely as possible. According to KEF, the speakers must be relatively close to the wall behind them and close enough to the side walls to bounce the surround-channel sound radiating from the NXT panels back to the listening position. KEF suggests a height of 30 inches, making the optional floor stands ($200 a pair) a good investment. You also have to experiment a bit with the distance between the listener and the speakers to get the best possible result.

Since KEF is one of the oldest English speaker companies, I chose a very English movie, Nicholas Nickleby, based on the book by Charles Dickens, to evaluate the Instant Theatre's performance. Director Douglas McGrath created an evocative montage of the sounds of 19th-century England. Admittedly, the DVD lacks explosions, high-speed chases - the fastest involves a horse-drawn carriage clattering on cobblestones - and other sonic sensationalism. At the same time, it was a treasure trove of quick, sharp sounds: those carriage-wheels on cobblestones, chains and other metallic objects clanging, fabrics swooshing, knives and forks pinging china, and crystal goblets clinking. Add to that dozens of interesting voices, and this movie demands realistic performance from speakers, which the KEF KIT100 system delivered.