SpeakerTalk

[meeuwnie]

Hi, I own two pairs of KEF reference 101's. They're both later editions in black. I had to open one up recently after some tweeter problems and noticed that the loudspeaker-cabinet had no dampening-material on the inside (only the usual white fluffy foam) and also the crossover-unit was no longer placed in a concealed box as with earlier models.

I assume that KEF altered the inner-design out of economic reasons but did it actually influence the sound quality? Did anyone on this forum have a chance to compare earlier models with the later ones?

Greetings from the Netherlands
and a happy New Year!

[ColinR]

Funny my late walnut veneered pair has panel damping, perhaps it's down to the colour.

There is no difference in sound quality or quantity i.m.h.o. between early crocodile clip and later binding post versions.
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[proffski]

[ColinR]

[proffski]

[meeuwnie]

Hereby, some photos of the inner cabinet, foam and filter.

[proffski]

Interesting, thank you for sharing. Who forgot the panel damping in the factory and where were QC?
_________________
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

[meeuwnie]

I got curious and opened up another cabinet from the other pair that i have and this one doesn't have any ded-sheet either.
So it looks like KEF did't accidentally forgot to apply the ded-sheets.

Funny, i bought both sets on the internet separately. I got one pair from Ebay-Germany and one year later a second pair in the Netherlands and now noticed that the serial-numbers are quite close 11835AB and 11881AB.
They're very close relatives.
...so there still might be a slight chance that the same quality-controller had a day off when these four were manufactured.

[proffski]

When I saw for the first time the inside of 104 it had by the look of it original damping panels about twice as thick as in the ones I bought for myself later (104aB) and the seen in subsequent KEF loudspeakers.

I was so disapponted! Was the 1st one I saw a one off? Also if I remember correctly they were not so hard as the Ded-sheet.
Perhaps some of the KEF Old Timers may be able to throw some light on this?
I have never ventured inside a 101 yet...
_________________
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

[pdwhelan]

[proffski]