KEF Owners Thread - Page 7

I've not seen the black, but I was told that the cabinets are done by a piano finisher. They should look fantastic. I'm getting the 205/2s in walnut... SJ

First off don't do the AVR-987 bad idea.... basically junky guts. And if you can hold out for the AVR-2808 it has A TON of new features that will really be useful... i can send you a .PDF of all the new features on the new receivers if you would like.

What difference do you notice in the sound quality between these two lines of speakers?

[quote=mlazoff]It's good to hear feedback about accessories4less since they seem to have the best prices on the Web.This is my first post, and I so appreciate this forum. I own a pair of XQ5s, driven by NAD T763, and I am looking to upgrade my center (currently q6c) and surrounds (currently 2003 eggs). The center would be XQ2c and the surrounds XQ1s, I suppose. I'd love to hear what others are using./QUOTE]

Can you tell me how you like the XQ5's, and how they compared to other models that you considered? I have a set of Q7's for my main speakers, and I wonder how much of an improvement in sound quality I'd get. This is in a home theater system with a sub, so I'm not that concerning with deep bass extension.

How did the 3806 works with these? I have the older Q series (Q7's, Q6c, Q1's), and I'm wondering how much an improvment I'd get with the Xq series.

I think I will wait for the AVR 2808 for my receiver.

For owners of the KHT 3005 system, is it true that they do not accept banana plugs? And are the stands anything special or can they be duplicated or be replaced by a different set quite easily?

Thanks

Also any suggestions for type of speaker wire and sub cable? thanks

I have a few questions about the iQ series. I am looking at the iQ9 for my main front speakers. The iQ6c for my center speaker. The iQ8ds for my side surrounds. The iQ1s for the rears. My question is if I am running 170 watts threw all channels wouldnt I be pushing the center and surrounds to much? I have seen on Dolbys web page that you should have the same speakers all the way around to be ideal. I am looking at upgrading my receiver to DD+ and DTS-HD and DD-HD later this year. Should I be looking at all iQ9s all the way around except for the center speaker?

Junky guts? It's identical to the 2807 except for the remote and slight cosmetic changes.

For owners of the KHT 3005 system, is it true that they do not accept banana plugs? And are the stands anything special or can they be duplicated or be replaced by a different set quite easily?

Thanks

If they're like my Q-Compacts, just remove the plastic piece in the top of the post. EU regulations don't allow use of dual bananas, because they're the same size and spacing as their power outlets.

Hey everyone i am back, just went up to GA. for my Grandparents 5oth anniversary, i got the last pair of XQ1's in graphite... The XQ's are going away to be replaced most likely by XQ series 2. But i got a great deal, and in return can give someone a great deal on these gorgeous speakers.... Always did like the XQ's, you got a lil taste of Reference for a lot cheaper price!

I don't know about others, but I've had enough of your sales pitches.

Hi

Does anyone else have KEF Q70's? I like the design because it minimized floor bounce.

All the Best

Sorry all i was doing, is just saying i had some nice XQ's for a good deal... i apologize if it bothered ya... I didn't mean it in bad way

pal1982,

Do you have any info or links to info about the XQ series 2?

Just curious.

No infor on the new XQ series 2's as of yet... once i know i will let you all know what i find out.

Need a recommendation on center channel and rear speakers - currently have a pair of 105/3 and moving them into home theater setup, thanks

See if you can pick up a used KEF 100 or 200C (center channel speaker). They should be matched quite nicely with your setup. I had a pair of 104/2s that I used a KEF 100 as the center channel. Worked great for my setup. SJ

I'd go for even if you can get a XQ2C... would make an awesome center as well... i was a way under estimated center! Good Luck!

I'd go for even if you can get a XQ2C... would make an awesome center as well... it was a way under estimated center! Good Luck!

hey guys i have the iQ7's for my fronts and the iQ6c as my center going to add 2 more iQ7's and the kef 2500 sub this oct for my birthday. and looking at the new onkyo receivers to replace my 602, thinking of the 705 or the 805. i want to bi-amp the fronts for when i listen to my classical cd's. i was looking at the 7's in the rear as well for when i listen to some of my sacd's. but i love my speakers. i heard some klipsch speakers as well as the kefs and well the kefs had a much more natural sound to them.

iQ's vs XQ's

I have purchased the XQ1s (can be found for a bargan now on the internet, ~$800). I have them hooked up to a standard sony reciever, not the greatest but ok (getting a new one soon, arcam or rotel). I have listened to the iQs (bookshelfs) in a store with a similar receiver driving them.

Compairison
Highs: XQ is much better. The hyper tweeter makes a big difference. Much more pronounced highs than the IQ.

Lows: Both lack lows. The XQ goes a little lower as the drivers are a little beefier but you will need a sub with these. You also need a much better amplifier as they can dip to 3.2 ohms from a nominal of 8 ohms. I moved my XQ1s to my better denon amp in a different room and they sounded much punchier with better bass, so I recommend a decent amp for these.

Imaging: Hard to say on the iQ as it was in a noisier environment, but the XQ sounds great! Classical music, from symphony to solo piano, sounds outstanding! Vocals also sound very clean and distinct.

Quality: Just by looking at them both the XQ1's really have a better build quality than the iQ's. They are much heavier (bigger drivers) and the cabinets (i got the white ones) of the XQs are much nicer than the iQs.

Overall: I guess you get what you pay for. But good deals now as you can get $1300 speakers for ~$800 for the XQs and much much less for the iQs.

Has anyone ever heard the XQ5's and how they compare to the iQ9 or the preceding Q7/Q11?

I had the pleasure of listening to the KEF Reference Series 207 (I believe which is their flagship speaker) at the HES Show in NYC a couple of weeks back and thought they sounded fantastic. More than held its own against some of the other elitist type demo's going on there. They need to do more marketing on the higher end IMO. P.S. I don't deal KEF nor have any immediate plans to, but just thought I'd pass along my thoughts.

They need to do more marketing, period.
They're great speakers.

I am going stereo to 5.1 and so I'm adding two rear speakers. I like the look of the IQ9 but have not heard them. I did hear the Monitor Audio RS8 at $1399 at pair, and they sound nice. Over $1,600 with tax and shipping. Then I got hot for the IQ9 just based on how they look and what people say about them. Available for $1198 total. Then I read about the XQ5 and I like the way they look even more. They are available in the wilds of Montana for $1800 per pair and you don't even have to drive vans there to get them. People seem to really like them, including in this thread. The hyper-tweeter on top seems to make a big difference. Bowers and Wilkins has one on top of their stand mounted 805S speakers at $2500 per pair. I'd sure love to hear a comparison of the B-W 805S against the KEF XQ5. So now I am "decided" on the XQ5s. Please will any owners weigh in here on how they sound. Someone was selling a pair of the "graphite" ones (shiney black) on Audiogon and they look beautiful. I'd buy the matching KEF XQ2C center channel speaker at the same time. It seems expensive at MSRP $1199.80, but you can find it in Montana too for a "mere" $699.80. Vans will be involved in that purchase too, but not by you driving them. I have mighty Allison Ones as front mains, now $5,300 per pair. I'll drive all this with either an Emotiva pre-pro and power amp, or the upcoming Onkyo Tx-NR905 receiver. So let's hear from you XQ5 owners and XQ2C owners. I'm at least 50% music, especially the utterly fantastic, stunning fidelity Aix Records DVD-As www.aixrecords.com. Buy some and hear your system's true abilities for the very first time. Aix DVD-As aren't just a little better. They are stunningly better. You'll be smiling and ordering more fast!

That's the tweeter atop the B&Ws, not a hypertweeter.

My advice regarding the XQ speakers you're asking about is to listen to them and see what you think.

If they elect to promote them, prices will go up.

Are you sure? If KEF is trying to sell products that they don't promote, they won't sell many and their manufacturing cost per unit will be higher. Not only that, their dealer network is quite scarce in some areas of the US compared to their competitors (B&W, Paradigm). For example, they list only 3 dealers in all of Ohio, and 2 out of the 3 are system installers (maybe the third is, too--I'm not sure).