KEF Owners Thread - Page 6

100% correct.

All modern solid-state amplifiers should have no sound of their own.

Makes me wonder if you guys have heard music out of really good amps on an AB type switch with more run of the mill amps.

Can you show me a receiver that delivers 200+ watts/channel into 7 channels (or even 2 channels) with the cleanliness that a separate amplifier(s) can?

And what about pre-amp/processors?

I do AB test all day long with people. Please do not confuse people with this statement as I am sure you have not done a true AB comparison. There is a difference in amps. To really hear the difference you need a good source and good speakers. If you are ever in my area dftkell come and see me and I will let you listen for yourself.

New XQ1 owner here. Love them! I thought they sounded better than the B&W 705s. The B&W were a little better on the low mids but seemed to distort a little. Just do a search online and you can find them for almost half their retail price! Looks like they are making way for a new line.

Here's a quote from the Audiocritic.com in an amplifier review:

"I repeat, for the nth time, that all amplifiers having high input impedance, low output impedance, flat frequency response, low distortion, and low noise floor sound exactly the same when operated at matched levels and not clipped. (Those who are unable to stomach this simple truth, proved over and over again in double-blind listening tests, should stick with Stereophile.)"

One of the keys to doing an A/B test is that the levels have to be matched. If they are not matched...even one is even slightly off...they will sound different because one is louder. Most A/B tests aren't properly done.

I'm not trying to confuse people. I was actually agreeing with a previous poster in this thread.

If an an amplifier has high input impedance, low output impedance, flat frequency response, low distortion, and low noise floor sound it should have no sound of it's own.

Practically every modern, well-engineered amplifier meets these requirements.

You should check out this article amoung other articles/reviews on the site:

http://theaudiocritic.com/blog/index...Id=36&blogId=1

Isn't this the KEF speaker thread?

My original post was a response in regards to a statement made here about power amplifiers being a commodity. (Not receivers.)

And now, back to KEF speakers...

Yep, even vaunted driver manufacturer SEAS has a bit of measurable distortion in their T18RE coax driver. Still, if you look at Vance Dickason's LSDC, you'll see a center channel design very similar in concept (less the physical time alignment offered by the Uni-Q's) to the iQ6's. Basically, it's a center M-T array (vertically aligned) with two mid-woofers flanking, only firing at 20 degree angles towards the left and right of the listening space. He considered this the ideal CC.

KEF and Linn have always been two of my favorite HIFI companies. I still kick myself for selling my Linn Sondek turntable. What initially sold me on the LP12 was listening to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture cannon fire through a pair of KEF 104.2's IIRC. Like others have said, the bottom end didn't rattle my teeth, but damn, what bandwidth was reproducible sounded very convincing.

It's worth adding that the typical KEF speaker design takes the amp out of the equation even more than most speaker designs, because KEF tends to design for a very flat impedance curve. So anyone who thinks that amps make a difference on KEF speakers is either deluded or using something with flea power that's constantly overdriving itself.

Well, call me deluded then.... I could tell the subtle differences between various high end amps on the new Reference 205/2s which I just purchased. SJ

This is one of those topics that I normally don't let myself get into, but you will hear the difference. I will leave it alone now.

Next we can discuss speaker cables?

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

Just kidding...sorry, I had too.

Is there a thread for the 3005 series?

Not a separate thread that I know of.

Did you "search" the forum?

ya I didn't find anything, wish there was

i started a thread about the kef 3005 series... kinda. I wanted to know if they were any good and here is what resulted http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...php?p=10477266

just to get confirmation: I ordered a pair of kef reference 205/2 together with anthem a2 / A5. will that perform well? I was listening to the former 205 and they sounded really outstanding.

I also just ordered the new KEF 205/2s. They sound fanstastic. Never heard them with the Anthem before, so I can not comment. Did you listen to the new 205/2s? I believe they sound better than the previous models (which were great)... SJ

Man, I'm jealous!

Just out of curiosity, what are you guys paying for the new 205/2s?

$11K (retail)

My 104/2s lasted 20 years before I just upgraded to the new 205/2s. SJ

I was listening to the the new 203, and those were already outstanding...so I thought that for a couple of more bucks the 205/2 will be the ones... (I paid around Sfr 15k / $12k over here in switzerland). Besides the sound the design is superbe IMHO (I will get them in shiny black, hotter than hot...)

I just sold a pair for $9900 and i would sell for the same again. Very limited quantities though.

Oh, and if any are interested i do a monthly newsletter all about high end audio and video that goes out to customers, its free and its real informational. Just email me with your info. Sending out the May Issue on the 15th.

Hi everyone, I am one of those who sit back and try to digest all the info without intruding. But hopefully you can help me save some time with some directed advice.

I am for all intents and purposes a virgin to audio video. Just purchased a house and am setting up a media room primarily for watching movies via a 1080p plasma.

I saw heard the kef kht3500 at circuit city and was very impressed. I have decided to use these for my theater surround sound.

I do not plan on breaking any windows or having pictures come loose from the walls. So my question is what would be an adequate Receiver for me to purchase? Any of your suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks you so much for all the info so far and your help with this decision.

tufferd--- Go with the Arcam AVR250 you'll love it, guarenteed!!

The Arcam AVR250 is a nice receiver but it's overkill for the KEF KHT 3005 package.

You will get perfectly good sound by spending half that, or even less.

You can look at Outlaw audio, Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha etc.

I think Onkyo has a new lineup of receivers coming out that support HDMI 1.3. Might be worth investigating and waiting a few weeks for.

I sill like the Arcam, you get some amazing sound from those little sats, plus it allows you some headroom for later, however if its outta your budget the Denon 2807, or 3806 is awesome as well!

Thanks for your responses. What is the difference between the DENON AVR 2807 and the AVR 987? Any material differences?

Is it worth waiting for the 2808 with HDMI1.3 capabilities? thanks

Hey guys, should I do the Polk RTi6s $200 for the pair or the iQ3s for $25 more as my front left and right speakers? I would like to do floorstanders but I have this media wall that will only fit speakers that are 28" high inside. Would you think if I get iQ9s and stick them outside the media wall, they would look stupid? Thanks