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roberte
Intermediate Contributor 50+
Joined: 20 Sep 2006
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 Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:21 pm Post subject: What should be my next pair of Kefs? |
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The Coda IIs I bought new in the 80's and still have.
The Kefkit3s I've had around 4 years and still enjoy on a daily basis.
Now I feel like adding to the brood so am looking for suggestions.
If anything I'm looking for a more generous sound with the sort of ease in the bass that I (rightly or wrongly) associate with big bass drivers - which points in the direction of the B300 and therefore the 105.2 - or does it? |
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Lee in Montreal
Senior Contributor 200+
Joined: 22 Aug 2009
Posts: 231
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| Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject: Re: What should be my next pair of Kefs? |
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| roberte wrote: | | If anything I'm looking for a more generous sound with the sort of ease in the bass that I (rightly or wrongly) associate with big bass drivers - which points in the direction of the B300 and therefore the 105.2 - or does it? |
I have Calindas, Cantatas and 105/2. The 105/2 is by far the best sounding speakers. if you like bass, they are the ones. But make sure you also have a good amp to go with them. I went thru several power amps and now enjoys an upgraded Quad 405. You want a high current amp with good bass control. Interestingly, the 105/2 doesn't have the usual generous upper bass that hides the lack of deep bass as found in most speakers, it concentrates on the lower octaves and it sounds so good. Basically, it offers the bass you feel, not the bass you hear. They are great speakers, and be aware that they might need a full recap as they are 25 years old, at least.
Did I mention that I also use a Kef Kube 200 to cover the dampening of my listening room (concrete floor, thin carpeting, walls with ony one layer of Gyproc - so high energy absorbance)? I iunderstand the heresy of using a Kube on a 105/2, but hey, it works for me. Also, my preamp is set flat with no tonal correction.
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Current line up
2 sets basic Kef 104/2
2 sets bi-wire Kef 104/2
Plenty of KEF components for a few fun builds |
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roberte
Intermediate Contributor 50+
Joined: 20 Sep 2006
Posts: 51
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| Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for that - should just add some clarification though:
bass isn't really the big thing for me, getting the mids and upper end is actually more important but what I am finding is that having generous bass to underpin everything is something that I would appreciate.
I actually favour the sound of many of the big box BBC type speakers: Spendor BC1, Rogers LS7, Harbeth Compact 7 - but with more to the bottom end. |
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proffski
Über Contributor 1000+
Joined: 22 Aug 2003
Posts: 1297
Location: Tewkesbury UK
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| Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:23 pm Post subject: Re: What should be my next pair of Kefs? |
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WOW!
Thank you so much for sharing, I had waves of lovely nostalgia wash over me. What a beautiful sight!
I agree about the amplifier, must not be current delivery shy!
Best wishes, Andy. 
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I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a
man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-Winston Churchill |
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speakerguru
Über Contributor 1000+
Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Posts: 1192
Location: Green Hut, Tovil
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| Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:48 am Post subject: |
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| Model 4 gets my vote. |
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proffski
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Joined: 22 Aug 2003
Posts: 1297
Location: Tewkesbury UK
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| Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:55 am Post subject: |
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| speakerguru wrote: | | Model 4 gets my vote. |
If the font of knowledge  means the Reference 4 then I'll second that!
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I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a
man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-Winston Churchill |
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roberte
Intermediate Contributor 50+
Joined: 20 Sep 2006
Posts: 51
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| Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 1:06 pm Post subject: do you mean this: |
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proffski
Über Contributor 1000+
Joined: 22 Aug 2003
Posts: 1297
Location: Tewkesbury UK
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| Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: do you mean this: |
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| roberte wrote: | |
I had a pair of these on loan for a year, together with a Krell to drive them.
Still recovering! 
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I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a
man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-Winston Churchill |
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roberte
Intermediate Contributor 50+
Joined: 20 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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Does anyone have a view on the (it seems to me anyway) increasing complexity of Kefs over the years?
Going from a three-drivers-in-a-box Concerto to a three-drivers-in-three-boxes-105.2 to is-that-five-or-six-drivers-and-a-coupled-cavity-Ref4, did all the extra stuff bring real benefits in the average home system? |
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proffski
Über Contributor 1000+
Joined: 22 Aug 2003
Posts: 1297
Location: Tewkesbury UK
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| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 12:22 pm Post subject: |
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| roberte wrote: | Does anyone have a view on the (it seems to me anyway) increasing complexity of Kefs over the years?
Going from a three-drivers-in-a-box Concerto to a three-drivers-in-three-boxes-105.2 to is-that-five-or-six-drivers-and-a-coupled-cavity-Ref4, did all the extra stuff bring real benefits in the average home system? |
As much as I admire the new KEFs they seem to have lost much of their lucidity, the top of the range reference series are almighty and awesome.
Yet, coming home to older KEFs is like coming home in the winter to a hearty pea & ham soup, reassuring.
Whereas the new KEFs would be like one of my Chilli concoctions, awesome but not beguiling and inviting... Rather in your face!
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I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a
man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-Winston Churchill |
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allanson
Site Admin
Joined: 22 Apr 2003
Posts: 55
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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| proffski wrote: | | Rather in your face! |
This maybe describes a good proportion of new speakers and not just KEF.
I think I call it "without soul" without knowing really what I mean. Perhaps your pea and ham soup description was better.
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geoffwood
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Joined: 24 Sep 2009
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Location: Wellington, New Zealand
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| Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:18 am Post subject: |
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I think "with less colouration" is more accurate a term.
geoff |
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proffski
Über Contributor 1000+
Joined: 22 Aug 2003
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Location: Tewkesbury UK
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| Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:35 am Post subject: |
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| geoffwood wrote: | | I think "with less colouration" is more accurate a term. geoff |
That could well be the part of it.
But... I also find so called modern 'Mini Monitors' as little more than projectors of ultrasonic razor blades with the dispersion of a laser beam and no bass.
If as some examples the LS35a and Spendor BC1s had colouration then bring it on... (I know that the BC1 did not use KEF units).
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I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a
man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-Winston Churchill |
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allanson
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Joined: 22 Apr 2003
Posts: 55
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| Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:20 pm Post subject: Agreed |
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Yes one man's colouration is another man's ideal
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geoffwood
Intermediate Contributor 25+
Joined: 24 Sep 2009
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Location: Wellington, New Zealand
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| Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:52 pm Post subject: |
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I disagree. It is possible to be largely objective in these matters, not totally subjective.
And yes, ADAMs, Genelecs, JBLs, etc can sound like wasps stinging you in the ear.
geoff |
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