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KEF Owners Thread - Page 69

post #2041 of 6020
2/18/09 at 1:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pmrowley View Post

To echo other's statements, the top post is feeding the Uni-Q array, both tweeter and midrange. The bottom post only feeds the LF driver.

Yeah, this was news to me. Thanks to you both for clearing that up for me. As I said, this surprised me because with my XQ5s, the UniQ's tweeter and the hypertweeter are what are fed off the HF posts. The UniQ's cone is fed off the LF posts along with the low-frequency drivers. I have always assumed that the 3-way iQ speakers, since they have an identical UniQ driver as the 2-way iQs, behaved similarly and the tweeter, just like it is in the 2-way iQs, would still be the only thing fed by the HF posts. Interesting.
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post #2042 of 6020
2/18/09 at 1:19pm
Well, now you have me wondering, whether I'm hearing things, lol.

Guess I'll pull the bridges off mine and REALLY take a close look on what's going on there. I'll report back.

(Plus, it gives me an excuse to make some nicer bridge cables with some spare 14-gauge wires, instead of those annoying needle-like ends that constantly slip out of the posts on the bridge wires that KEF provides.)
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post #2043 of 6020
2/18/09 at 2:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pmrowley View Post

Well, now you have me wondering, whether I'm hearing things, lol.

Guess I'll pull the bridges off mine and REALLY take a close look on what's going on there. I'll report back.

No, you are correct. At least according to the technician that responded to rajesh.raheja. The HF posts are apparently connected to the entire UniQ driver.
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post #2044 of 6020
2/19/09 at 6:43am
I keep wondering if it might be a phase problem. My Q7's had the same muffled sound. I reran my Yamaha's YPAO and it showed my fronts being out of phase. I checked the wiring 10 times before deciding to change red with black, and see: there were my highs again.

So my wiring might be wrong, but the sound is great now.
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post #2045 of 6020
2/19/09 at 11:04am
Could very well be so. Nice thing about having Audyssey on your receiver; it instantly tells you if you're running reverse-polarity.

Those iQ5s should be singing; not muffled in any way. Rajesh, perhaps try going back to single-wire, instead of bi-wired, and reinstall the bridge wires between the posts? That'll at least rule out a problem with the speakers.

-P
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post #2046 of 6020
2/19/09 at 11:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Antwerphotel View Post

I keep wondering if it might be a phase problem. My Q7's had the same muffled sound. I reran my Yamaha's YPAO and it showed my fronts being out of phase. I checked the wiring 10 times before deciding to change red with black, and see: there were my highs again.

Do you mean you changed the wiring inside the speaker? Or just the speaker cable's polarity? If you mean the speaker cable's polarity, did you simply flip it on only one speaker? Or both front speakers? Are your speakers bi-wired? If so, what did you flip? Whichever it is, flipping the phase like that shouldn't affect the highs.

I have seen people claim that their autoCAL/EQ program incorrectly reports the phase with their KEF speakers, before. And certain other speaker brands, too. I think that there is something about the KEF crossover that can produce this result in certain environments. Prior to changing the wiring, when you ran YPAO, did it report that the front speakers were out of phase with one another or that they were both out of phase with the rest of the speakers? After altering the wiring, did you rerun YPAO and did it then report the phasing to be correct?
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post #2047 of 6020
2/19/09 at 8:13pm
I'm thinking of getting 3 iQ3 for my front and am wondering if anyone bought an extra for themselves in the recent selloff?

Thanks,

Rick
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post #2048 of 6020
2/19/09 at 8:55pm
And I'd like to know if anyone has a pr. of iQ1's in dark apple they'd like to 'off'.
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post #2049 of 6020
2/20/09 at 3:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sivadselim View Post

Do you mean you changed the wiring inside the speaker? Or just the speaker cable's polarity? If you mean the speaker cable's polarity, did you simply flip it on only one speaker? Or both front speakers? Are your speakers bi-wired? If so, what did you flip? Whichever it is, flipping the phase like that shouldn't affect the highs.

I just changed the speaker cable's polarity. On both front speakers. They're not bi-wired. And yes, it did affect the highs.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sivadselim View Post

I have seen people claim that their autoCAL/EQ program incorrectly reports the phase with their KEF speakers, before. And certain other speaker brands, too. I think that there is something about the KEF crossover that can produce this result in certain environments. Prior to changing the wiring, when you ran YPAO, did it report that the front speakers were out of phase with one another or that they were both out of phase with the rest of the speakers? After altering the wiring, did you rerun YPAO and did it then report the phasing to be correct?

I have seen a lot of those claims too, especially with the Yamaha. YPAO kept giving me a phase warning on both my fronts. The advice you usually get is to just ignore the phase warning, after you've checked the wiring. Which I did, over and over, and I was still unhappy. Until I got a bit adventurous and changed polarity. That sounded much better straight away.

After that I ran YPAO again, which now showed both my fronts being in phase, and my speakers now sound like I expected them to sound.
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post #2050 of 6020
2/20/09 at 10:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Antwerphotel View Post

I just changed the speaker cable's polarity. On both front speakers. They're not bi-wired. And yes, it did affect the highs.

So, you changed the polarity of both speakers relative to the other speakers and the sub(s). This would not affect the highs. It would affect the low-end. And only of the system as a whole. If you run just the 2 front speakers, full-range, and flip the polarity of both speakers, they will still sound absolutely identical. If you reran EQ after flipping the 2 front speakers' polarity, then the highs, obviously, might be affected.




Quote:
Originally Posted by Antwerphotel View Post

I have seen a lot of those claims too, especially with the Yamaha. YPAO kept giving me a phase warning on both my fronts. The advice you usually get is to just ignore the phase warning, after you've checked the wiring. Which I did, over and over, and I was still unhappy. Until I got a bit adventurous and changed polarity. That sounded much better straight away.

After that I ran YPAO again, which now showed both my fronts being in phase, and my speakers now sound like I expected them to sound.

If it were me, I would have left them wired the way they were initially wired. As you point out, you checked it several times and everything was up to snuff. The speakers WERE properly wired in phase. But it wasn't me. It was you. If YOU think it sounds better now, that is all that really matters.
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post #2051 of 6020
2/20/09 at 3:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sivadselim View Post

If it were me, I would have left them wired the way they were initially wired.

And you would have lived with the muffled sound and the lack of highs. I'm only telling you what I did to change that. Believe it or not.
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post #2052 of 6020
2/21/09 at 11:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rick240 View Post

I'm thinking of getting 3 iQ3 for my front and am wondering if anyone bought an extra for themselves in the recent selloff?

Thanks,

Rick

How about the other way around? If I bought two pairs of iQ3 would anyone be interested in a single?

If so, PM me please and thanks.

EDIT: I can get these for less than a4l is currently selling.
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post #2053 of 6020
2/21/09 at 1:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rick240 View Post

How about the other way around? If I bought two pairs of iQ3 would anyone be interested in a single?

If so, PM me please and thanks.

Keep trying. I suspect you can find a taker (or giver). Did you read back into the thread and PM folks who might be candidates?
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post #2054 of 6020
2/21/09 at 9:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sivadselim View Post

Keep trying. I suspect you can find a taker (or giver). Did you read back into the thread and PM folks who might be candidates?

Good idea, I've now sent off a couple of PMs.

But several of the people who looked like they were considering have moved on.

I'm just holding back until I find someone, I don't want to be trying to sell both an iQ2 and an iQ3 if I bought two pairs.
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post #2055 of 6020
2/23/09 at 8:45am
Hi everyone, newby here

I currently have a KEF set up in my living room (Iq3's up front, 6000 center, and in cieling rears). I absolutely LOVE the KEF sound. Its amazing the sound quality and power that comes of of these little speakers.

Well, I am currently building a home theater (about 14' x 18') and decided I want to get KEF's for my speakers. I must admit, I am not very good technically and things like 2-way and 3-way, etc. really confuse me. I'm not sure exactly what I need and where.

I have been pricing speakers and trying to find info on-line and that is how I came across this forum, and this thread in particular (I plan on sticking around for a while...great forum) and I am ready to place my order on my speakers but I'd like to get the advice from the experts here. Here is what I am thinking

Two IQ7's for the front R&L
IQ6C for the Center
and for the rears I am torn between the IQ3's or the IQ8DS.

I will be using my 12" Valedyne for my sub

Can anyone please direct me if I have the right idea for the fronts and center? Any advice would be helpful. I have considered getting one IQ3 for the Center instead of the IQ6C since it would be far less money, thoughts on that? Would the IQ6C be much better? Is there anyway to hook up two IQ3's for my center?

As far as the rears go, I love the IQ3's I have, but I would really like a speaker I can hang on the wall so the IQ8DS is intreging. Will these speakers be OK? If so, which would be reccomended?

Thanks in advance everyone, I appreciate it!

I am ready to pull the trigger on my purchase but I want to make sure I make the right decision.
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post #2056 of 6020
2/23/09 at 12:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick0725 View Post

My new system blows the KEF system away. The KEF speakers are better suited for music listening in my opinion. The KEF surround systems are not at the top of many user's wish list for HT sound.

OK. What is your point? Have you heard the more current KEF speaker offerings or not? Because they sound considerably different from the 104.2s, nowadays. How did you conclude that "KEF surround systems are not at the top of many user's wish list for HT sound"? Again, what is the point of your post?

I think that I can speak for all the KEF owners: we are glad that you like your new speakers. Go enjoy them. Happy listening.

Anything else?
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post #2057 of 6020
2/23/09 at 1:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KCshaner View Post

Hi everyone, newby here

I currently have a KEF set up in my living room (Iq3's up front, 6000 center, and in cieling rears). I absolutely LOVE the KEF sound. Its amazing the sound quality and power that comes of of these little speakers.

Well, I am currently building a home theater (about 14' x 18') and decided I want to get KEF's for my speakers. I must admit, I am not very good technically and things like 2-way and 3-way, etc. really confuse me. I'm not sure exactly what I need and where.

I have been pricing speakers and trying to find info on-line and that is how I came across this forum, and this thread in particular (I plan on sticking around for a while...great forum) and I am ready to place my order on my speakers but I'd like to get the advice from the experts here. Here is what I am thinking

Two IQ7's for the front R&L
IQ6C for the Center
and for the rears I am torn between the IQ3's or the IQ8DS.

I will be using my 12" Valedyne for my sub

Can anyone please direct me if I have the right idea for the fronts and center? Any advice would be helpful. I have considered getting one IQ3 for the Center instead of the IQ6C since it would be far less money, thoughts on that? Would the IQ6C be much better? Is there anyway to hook up two IQ3's for my center?

As far as the rears go, I love the IQ3's I have, but I would really like a speaker I can hang on the wall so the IQ8DS is intreging. Will these speakers be OK? If so, which would be reccomended?

Thanks in advance everyone, I appreciate it!

I am ready to pull the trigger on my purchase but I want to make sure I make the right decision.

I can only speak from experience with my IQ6c; I love it. The addition of the two ported bass drivers add significantly to the low-end on this speaker, lets the Uni-Q array handle the high tones, resulting in a cleaner sound overall.

However, I can't make a comparison with the IQ3, as I have all 3-way KEFs towers. (iQ9 up front, iQ7 on sides, iQ5 in back.) I don't think the IQ3 in the center would stand up to a pair of IQ7s in the front; remember that the center channel carries most of the load in a movie, so you really don't want to skimp. The iQ6c is more expensive than the iQ3 for a reason: it has 2 extra speakers in the cabinet! Your Velodyne will handle the REALLY low stuff, but you really want the center channel to be handling from about 80Hz and up, which the iQ6c does with aplomb.

Cheers,
-P
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post #2058 of 6020
2/23/09 at 2:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KCshaner View Post

Hi everyone, newby here

I currently have a KEF set up in my living room (Iq3's up front, 6000 center, and in cieling rears). I absolutely LOVE the KEF sound. Its amazing the sound quality and power that comes of of these little speakers.

Well, I am currently building a home theater (about 14' x 18') and decided I want to get KEF's for my speakers. I must admit, I am not very good technically and things like 2-way and 3-way, etc. really confuse me. I'm not sure exactly what I need and where.

I have been pricing speakers and trying to find info on-line and that is how I came across this forum, and this thread in particular (I plan on sticking around for a while...great forum) and I am ready to place my order on my speakers but I'd like to get the advice from the experts here. Here is what I am thinking

Two IQ7's for the front R&L
IQ6C for the Center
and for the rears I am torn between the IQ3's or the IQ8DS.

I will be using my 12" Valedyne for my sub

Can anyone please direct me if I have the right idea for the fronts and center? Any advice would be helpful. I have considered getting one IQ3 for the Center instead of the IQ6C since it would be far less money, thoughts on that? Would the IQ6C be much better? Is there anyway to hook up two IQ3's for my center?

As far as the rears go, I love the IQ3's I have, but I would really like a speaker I can hang on the wall so the IQ8DS is intreging. Will these speakers be OK? If so, which would be reccomended?

Thanks in advance everyone, I appreciate it!

I am ready to pull the trigger on my purchase but I want to make sure I make the right decision.

Based upon your post, I am assuming that you cannot accommodate a 3rd iQ7 for your center. In this case, I think the iQ6c is a better option than an iQ3.

Regarding the iQ8DSs versus the iQ3s, there is big difference and which you use would depend upon your philosophy of what surround speakers should "do". Personally, I am not a fan of surround-specific speakers, at all. (I can elaborate if you would like, but I will tell you up front that my viewpoint is definitely biased. And I am not able to play the devil's advocate for surround-specific speakers too well.) I do not know if you have noticed, but KEF has dropped the surround-specific speakers from their iQ line-up.

That they are front-ported and include port bungs port-bungs makes the iQ3s amenable to wall-mounting. There are several posts within this thread regarding wall-mounting them and the hardware available for doing so.


Using 2 speakers as a center speaker is NOT kosher. Not only does it present impedance concerns but, more importantly, it creates unwanted and unnecessary acoustic anomalies. Just as you use one speaker for every other channel, so should you for the center channel.


I would not wait too long to make your purchase, btw, as these close-out iQs will probably not be available for too much longer.


Quote:
Originally Posted by pmrowley View Post

The iQ6c is more expensive than the iQ3 for a reason: it has 2 extra speakers in the cabinet!

Well..........

More likely the reason that it is more expensive is because it is a needed niche product that they know they can sell at a premium.
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post #2059 of 6020
2/23/09 at 2:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sivadselim View Post


Well..........

More likely the reason that it is more expensive is because it is a needed niche product that they know they can sell at a premium.

Now that's just being cynical...
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post #2060 of 6020
2/23/09 at 7:29pm
For a pair of iQ3 fronts, what would be a better centre speaker, another iQ3 or an iQ6?
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post #2061 of 6020
2/23/09 at 9:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rick240 View Post

For a pair of iQ3 fronts, what would be a better centre speaker, another iQ3 or an iQ6?

I would suggest getting the IQ6 even though it has slightly smaller mid range drivers their cone area is three times what the iQ3 is. As far as home theater is concerned the center channel speaker is the most important getting 70+% of the overall information in a movie.
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post #2062 of 6020
2/23/09 at 9:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rick240 View Post

For a pair of iQ3 fronts, what would be a better centre speaker, another iQ3 or an iQ6?

I am surprised you are asking this, rick240.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Axxis Audio John View Post

I would suggest getting the IQ6 even though it has slightly smaller mid range drivers their cone area is three times what the iQ3 is. As far as home theater is concerned the center channel speaker is the most important getting 70+% of the overall information in a movie.

A 3rd iQ3, which would provide a perfectly matched front soundstage, would be the best option. There is nothing special about the info encoded in the center channel. It is just like any other channel's info. If an iQ3 will work fine as a L/R speaker, then it will work just fine as a speaker for reproducing the center channel's info.
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post #2063 of 6020
2/24/09 at 4:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sivadselim View Post

I am surprised you are asking this, rick240.

A 3rd iQ3, which would provide a perfectly matched front soundstage, would be the best option. There is nothing special about the info encoded in the center channel. It is just like any other channel's info. If an iQ3 will work fine as a L/R speaker, then it will work just fine as a speaker for reproducing the center channel's info.

Based on everything I had thought I'd learned, I was surprised I asked too
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post #2064 of 6020
2/24/09 at 10:29am
Hello KEF owners -

I am looking at some of the closeouts on KEF speakers at Vanns, and trying to create possible combinations for my somewhat low-budget home theater set up. The room my speakers are going in is 19x12, and the speakers will be powered by a Denon 1909.

My main question to you is, would the iQ5 towers be a good match with the iQ2c center channel? I cannot find any information on KEF's website about these older models, so I don't know what would pair well together. I just want to make sure that the center would not be overpowered by the towers in this case.

For my rear surround, I am thinking about either the iQ8ds, or else using surrounds from another brand that I think would match well. I am trying to spend under $750 on the 5.0 setup, and I will add a sub at a later time.

Or, I could get the iQ1 bookshelf speakers for my surrounds, from a4l.
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post #2065 of 6020
2/24/09 at 12:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by heebdawg16 View Post

Hello KEF owners -

I am looking at some of the closeouts on KEF speakers at Vanns, and trying to create possible combinations for my somewhat low-budget home theater set up. The room my speakers are going in is 19x12, and the speakers will be powered by a Denon 1909.

My main question to you is, would the iQ5 towers be a good match with the iQ2c center channel? I cannot find any information on KEF's website about these older models, so I don't know what would pair well together. I just want to make sure that the center would not be overpowered by the towers in this case.

For my rear surround, I am thinking about either the iQ8ds, or else using surrounds from another brand that I think would match well. I am trying to spend under $750 on the 5.0 setup, and I will add a sub at a later time.

Or, I could get the iQ1 bookshelf speakers for my surrounds, from a4l.

I would only pair the iQ2c with IQ1 speakers in the front. The iQ5 has the extra bass driver, and would match the iQ6c. The iQ5s would definitely overpower an iQ2c with its single driver, imho.

-P
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post #2066 of 6020
2/24/09 at 1:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pmrowley View Post

I would only pair the iQ2c with IQ1 speakers in the front. The iQ5 has the extra bass driver, and would match the iQ6c. The iQ5s would definitely overpower an iQ2c with its single driver, imho.

-P

Agreed!
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post #2067 of 6020
2/24/09 at 3:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rajesh.raheja View Post


Happy with my purchase, I ordered a pair of IQ5 floor standers for my fronts, delegating the IQ1s as rear surrounds. My expectation was to have the same amount of detail on the highs and even lower lows. Though they came from the same retailer - Vanns - and were new (packed), out of the box, they sound muffled and lacking any detail. When hearing in 5-channel mode, the sounds of cymbals, guitars etc are very detailed on the IQ1s and the same sound literally can't be heard on the front IQ5s.


Thanks
Raj

Hey all, I can see(hear) where Raj is coming from. Except between iQ3s vs iQ7s. I have been messing around with room placements, etc, but I am pretty sure I prefer the iQ3s. It is my belief that they offer more detail, and a smoother sound.

I am trying to figure out why.... I read something about not having enough power, but I really think it has something to do with the "classic" bookshelf vs tower argument (or 2-way vs 3-way). I am no expert, but I am thinking it has something to do with the integration of the extra crossover.

Don't get me wrong, the iQ7s sound fine, but I am partial to my iQ3s for music.

As far as home theater application, I can see where the iQ7s would be better for a "fuller" experience.
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post #2068 of 6020
2/24/09 at 4:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rick240 View Post

For a pair of iQ3 fronts, what would be a better centre speaker, another iQ3 or an iQ6?

You can't lose using three iQ3s across the front. (assuming you can get rid of the extra). i have never heard any of the centers(iQ2 or iQ6), so I can't comment on the difference, but having 3 of the same across the front is ideal.

Right now I am in the process of setting up two separate systems. One system has is 5.1 with all iQ3s.

Presently, the second system consists of two iQ7s in the front with an iQ3 in the center. This system also sound great, and I do not have any complaints with the iQ3 keeping up with the iQ7s.

I do plan switching the iQ3 in the center with a iQ7 in the near future. This will give me a system with 3 iQ7s across the front.

After I do this, I will report back on the difference between the systems. (a.) three - iQ3s (b.) two iQ7s with a iQ3 center, and (c.) three iQ7s.

Since, I have had my KEFs(almost a year), I have been using a phantom center until recently. Up to this point, here is what I have learned.

For Home theater applications, a center channel is a must. I went from 4.1 to 5.1. I never missed anything when running phatom, but adding the center channel gives you a dramatic upgrade.

Secondly, for music applications, I prefer not to use the center channel. I will either go stereo mode or 4.1, or even 4.0.

Those are just some of thoughts, remember everyone has different tastes. For this reason, they provide menus at restaurants!!!
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post #2069 of 6020
2/24/09 at 8:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by carolinablues View Post

I do plan switching the iQ3 in the center with a iQ7 in the near future. This will give me a system with 3 iQ7s across the front.

How soon?? Will you be selling the extra iQ3? I am still trying to decide, buy 2 and try to find a single, buy 4 and try to sell a single.
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post #2070 of 6020
2/24/09 at 9:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rick240 View Post

For a pair of iQ3 fronts, what would be a better centre speaker, another iQ3 or an iQ6?

Lets back track a second, what are you more into 2 channels music or 5 channel, 7 channel? The reason I ask is if you like 2 channel I would recommend more cash in the front mains and less in the center.

I know I fully respect a 5 channel systems for movies, but I want to rock sometimes
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