SpeakerTalk

qguy · Intermediate Contributor 75+ Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 85

Due to the large size of the KEF 105.2, I was thinking of changing them to bookshelves or slim floorstanders, Not wanting to go to audio shops for fear of hearing something that would embarass my KEF, I finally bit the bug and went out to the audio stores. I listened to some models ranging from 300 USD to 800 USD Ushers and Dali brands. OH boy, my 25 year old KEF 105.2 is totally out of their league....their little league that is Smile

. Anyways next weekend another session with floorstanding models from Accoustic Energy - the Evo 3

Gary · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:25 am Post subject:

Ahhhh, it's always fun to audition other speakers.

I listened to a pair of silver, 300 pound speakers once. They were unimpressive.

Then the guy told me they were $30,000.00 Canadian.

O M G ! ! !

HOW MUCH?!?!?!?
_________________
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
-- Charles M. Schulz (as Charlie Brown)

Parts · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 2:39 pm Post subject:

I have done quite a bit of listening to other speakers myself,
I think most of todays speakers are designed with what the manufacturer thinks is best, with forward treble and presence for instance.
I have not heard many modern neutral speakers, the old ways of having a neutral sound throughout the frequency range now seem to have been replaced with speakers that are either good in the treble,mid or bass with silly money needed to get the best intregation of all three with any sort of neutral coherant and even frequency responce.

I think the old BBC/Kef ways produced some excellent quality monitors, and these old boys are still very capable.
A basic service and rewire, and good support, is all they need to fight off the competition, sadly we cannot shrink them though.

I myself like Martin logans and the Big tannoys and ATC, but also like Full range which the above can lack.

Steve

proffski · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:32 pm Post subject:

You are oh so right here!

I cannot find the obsession these days with speakers which beam "accurate"? Treble and mid frequencies at you like a sonic laser with no bass. I'd rather compromise for a little colouration or whatever just to get the missing octaves. The rot started with the dreadful Celestion SL6!

Only today I helped resuscitate a pair of Wilmslow KEF CS7?!? For a home cinema enthusiast. I had frorgotten how good they can sound! Even in home theatre. They sure kept up with the rest which was sadly not KEF based, must take some pictures next visit.

qguy · Intermediate Contributor 75+ Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 85

Funny you mentioned the SL6.. I love those babies (actually the Sl 6si)

[quote="proffski"]You are oh so right here!

I cannot find the obsession these days with speakers which beam "accurate"? Treble and mid frequencies at you like a sonic laser with no bass. I'd rather compromise for a little colouration or whatever just to get the missing octaves. The rot started with the dreadful Celestion SL6!

proffski · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:53 pm Post subject:

When I bought the 1st generation Philips 1st CD player it was auditioned with the SL6 or whatever at the end of the chain. They sounded real bad!
I bought the player anyway and connected it to my just finished KEF/Decca Ribbon TLs. What followed was sheer bliss. I then rang Audio T to tell them as to what I thought of the Celestion Strangle Boxes. Strange world...

Gary · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 2:32 am Post subject:

qguy · Intermediate Contributor 75+ Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 85

I listened to the Acoustic Energy Aelite 2 (it was 100 USD over budget) and this is something that I could live with, there are tradeoff as the Aelite 2 is a bookshelves but it was one of the few loudpeakers that I actually listened to the whole song...I did not bother to listen to the AELITE 3, floorstanders with 2 6.5 inch woofers, 5.5 mids and tweets, as there were twice the price of the Aelite 2 (argh.. those should really sing)