KEF Owners Thread - Page 11

Hey guys, I just picked up the XQ2C since it's on sale. I have the KEF XQ3's and need some stands for them. I had them on a shelf before, but have changed setups. Will the XQ1 stands work for them? I've tried searching AVS for +kef +xq +stand but haven't come up with anything useful.

Thanks!

I just got word that my iQ1's and iQ3's arrived at my work this morning. Too bad I'm not there today to pick them up, I'm excited to get them home and try them out in my HT and with my new Sonos system.

We have the Reference 203/2's and a 202/2c set up in one of our demo rooms with the Krell Showcase gear and they sound nice. Unfortunately that room is the worst sounding demo room and hasn't been acoustically treated yet. We'll be adding (if I have my way) a pair of Ci9000ACE's for side surrounds and possibly the Ci200.2QT's for rear surrounds, if we can figure out a way to keep the full ceiling height door from smashing into them when they are in the lowered position.

Yes, I think they did used to make a stand that was specific for the XQ3. It was, of course, shorter than the XQ1 stand. But the XQ3s were discontinued a while back, so it will probably be very difficult to find XQ3 stands, now. Certainly, the XQ1 stands would "work", as the XQ1 and XQ3 footprints are identical, however it might place the XQ3s a bit higher than you may prefer. The XQ3s are NOT light bookshelf speakers. In fact, they're quite heavy as well as tall and a bit awkward as far as bookshelf speakers go, so they may be a little less stable on the taller XQ1 stands than they would be on their proper, corresponding stands.

Since they are heavy, tall, and a bit awkward for bookshelf speakers, I can understand your wanting the proper stand for them. However, unless the cost is no object, you really don't need the relatively expensive KEF stands. Any sturdy speaker stands could be used, particularly those that can be "weighted" with sand or lead. You may be able to find a good stand, of the correct height for the XQ3s, for considerably less $$$.

ENJOY!

Are you going to be using a corresponding center channel speaker with them?

Thanks siva. Yea, I knew about the height difference, which was one of my concerns.. especially with the XQ3's being so heavy. I'll try and find the spec's of the old stands and find something comparable.

Some small end tables might work very well. Some short stools might also work very well. Or some solid stands like one might use to display a piece of sculpture or pottery. Check around stores like TARGET, Cost Plus/World Market, or Pier One for some household items that might work even better (and cost considerably less) than speaker stands.

Yes they are identical they come in silver and black... EXACT SAME SPEAKER

I guess I'm not adding much to the discussion, but I wanted to say that I'm thoroughly impressed with the 3005's. Anyone considering a satellite speaker system should have these at the top of their list.

Vabch22, On my xq1s, I am using the Sanus stand NF24 (natural foundation 24") with the Sanus SFKEF top plate. I believe that the xq3s are the same depth and width as the xq1s (about 9"wide x12" deep -- just a lot taller and heavier, no?), so the top plate might work for the xq3s are well. The original size of the xq3 stand is about 16.5"; the closest in the natural foundation series to that size is NF18, though there may be other series that Sanus makes that also fits their SFKEF top plate -- that plate is the key, because it fits the oddish shape of the xqs perfectly.

This might be an option for you too, assuming the Sanus stand can support the added weight of the xq3.

I purchased my stands and top plates directly from Sanus:

http://proav.sanus.com/cgi-bin/web_s...id=6259859_935

(the different NF series are listed on top, the SFKEF top plate is at the bottom of the page)

Here's a photo of the plate:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Top_Plate.html


Good luck,
Marjorie

Wow, thanks for posting that. I didn't even know such a creature existed. I'm surprised SANUS makes such a specific item. How in the world did you discover that?

I presume the KEF-specific top-plate just simply replaces the standard top-plate, correct? What are all the extra holes for? Connecting it to different model stands?

Hi

I am going to buy my first set-up for HT and music. I made my mind on Kef speakers (iQ7 fronts, iQ3 rear, iQ6c as center, PSW2500 as sw) after auditioning several options, like Dali and Jamo. The set-up I auditioned was on stereo on Denon ampli but I think was enough to decide, Kef was much more open and clear.

I am asking you guys for some advices about the other components, like the universal player and receiver. I have the option of Denon (same dealer as the Kef) but I have an oppinion that Denon is more HT than music, and I would like to have more musical receiver.

After reading here and there I think of Marantz DV6001 as universal player and Harman Kardon AVR 645 or Nad T754. Do you recommend such receivers? Do you think it will be more advisable to add also a power aplifier such as Nad C272 or Rotel RB1070 for the front speakers? I have a budget of max 1500EUR for the ampling part

Thanks in advance

I don't that this is true. I have KEF Q7's as my main speakers in my HT system, with a Denon 3805 receiver. I have been very happy with the sound quality I am getting with this receiver when I listen to music (classical, jazz). There is nothing I've noticed in the 3805's sound that makes it better for home theater than for music. Obviously, not all Denon equipment will sound the same, but I think you should try out any electronics you buy with your system, making sure you can return it if you don't like what you hear.

Concerning a universal player, a few online dealers are selling the discontinued Denon 3910 for under $600 US. This is an excellent price for a topflight piece of equipment.

Thanks for the quick reply!

Unfortunately here (Bucharest, Romania) I don't have to many options, I will only be able to listen for some other receivers but not on Kef speakers, in different locations. About return policy...there is no such option

I liked the sound on Denon stereo amply, even I thought it was a bit cold, and I would like to benefit from your experience with other set-ups

I said the same thing, I would have never found something like that. I think the top plate would work, though sadly the stands only support up to 25 lbs. The XQ3's are 32 lbs each. Right now there on some end tables from Target (good suggestion btw) until I find a stand.. if I do.

And thanks for the info mlazoff! I have to run to Lowe's to get some brackets to mount the XQ2 on a shelf. The damn thing is huge.

I've been looking for 5.1 speaker system and ended up getting the KEF KHT2005.2 at Circuit City and the price was excellent. I hopefully would be installing these over the weekend. Compare to everything else on the store these were, for me the winner. I preferred them over the 3005 package. I'll be connecting these to a HK AVR320 receiver, but eventually I would like to get a new digital receivers. Any recommendations for under $500 digital receiver?

You could always stay HK and get a 247. You chose the 2005s over the 3005s? I'm guessing the price difference was the deciding factor, yes?

Oh, I bet they would work fine. SANUS has to cover their butt, legally, so they set the max. at 25lbs., which, almost certainly, is well below what the stands is probably capable of supporting. The 25lb. limit also probably isn't just the stand's maximum support limit, but also probably has something to do with the safe weight regarding the stand toppling over. Since you'll need a shorter stand for those XQ3s, being top-heavy isn't as much of a concern.

And, based upon the picture of the base plate, it looks like it will work with a variety of their stands, so maybe another stand would be more appropriate.

Frankly, I wouldn't worry about the difference between 25lbs. and 32lbs., if you wanted to use those stands/baseplate.

I have a pair of black Qcompacts as front speakers and same size center (Q2?) in a HT setup. I am trying to get matching surrounds. Qcompacts are not sold anymore and I think new iQ1's are the same. Can anyone comment on their differences, look and performance? Thanks.

I enjoyed reading everyones comments today and I own apair of C-35s from KEF. They are by far the best single 7" speakers I have ever heard. I got the pair for $15(quite a steal) So don't stop looking at the oldre model's,they are still great

You are correct; the iQ1 is the comparable speaker to the old Qcompact. I have never directly compared any of the Q series speakers to the new iQ series speakers. Because each of those, the Qcompact and iQ1, is the smallest speaker offering in each series, I would expect the difference in sound to be less than the difference might be between any of the other comparable, but larger, speakers in each series. The speakers are very similar, although not identical, cosmetically, and since they are so small, the difference is probably also less pronounced than the difference between the comparable, but larger, speakers in both series.

You may want to look on Ebay or for an audio discounter who still has the Qcompacts in stock. I occasionally see new Qcompacts being sold on Ebay. You may also want to check at audiogon.com. If you really want to match your current Q series speakers, you may actually find it easier to find a pair of the slightly larger 6.5" driver Q1s (or maybe even a higher speaker in the series, like the 6.5" driver Q3 towers, 5.25" dual-driver Q4 towers, or 6.5" dual-driver Q5 towers), in which case you could move your current Qcompacts to surround duty.

Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much about mixing the new iQ1s, which you would probably want to use as fronts, with your current Q series speakers. You may not have a choice.

If you do web searches, you may get lucky and find soemone who still stocks the Qs. For example, HERE is a dealer who may still have some.

Yes.


That's because they want to sell you something more expensive. If your current receiver otherwise fits your needs (number of inputs and outputs, bass management, etc.) spend your money on something more productive.

It'll run them...but I'ld want to give them more power. More power will give them more bass and can improve clarity lower end clarity as well. I wouldn't give them less than 75W but the closer to 150 the better. The Onkyo gives them 90W at best...probably a good bit less seeing how receiver rarely give out what they're rated to output

However, if you ARE driving it so aggressively that you ARE inducing clipping, then, yes, this is one of the most common ways that people damage their speakers.





As DS-21 said, if your current receiver is meeting your needs and you are NOT driving it to clipping, then your current receiver should suffice. An increase in power from 90w to 130w is really not that much, unless of course you just want to be able to say that your dick is a little bit bigger.

hi I have a kef 3005 and denon avr 4306

what crossover should i use?

and should i choose large or small?

thanks

What is the low-end frequency response of the satellite speakers? And how about the center? Do the instructions say anything about what crossover to use?

3005 Specifications





Those are most definitely SMALL speakers.

I just installed a pair of IQ7's up front with an IQ6C center with IQ1's in back for the surround sound. For my sub, I purchased an SVS 20-39 PC-Plus (about $900). My amp is a Pioneer VSX-1016TXV (about $450).

I am not an audiophile but I have played music all my life. I played in a rock band in my younger life and for the past few years have been performing in two symphony orchestras playing the cello. I've never been able to spend much on an entertainment system. I know that this is sort of on the bottom end but I am extremely happy with the system.

I've played the system without the sub and for television and even low volume music, the KEF's perform quite nicely by themselves. They have what I consider a nice response across the frequency range. Violins and celli as well as the brass sound very close to the real instruments. When I add in the sub, the package is very well rounded out for more agressive music and home theater. Sitting in the sweet spot and cranking up the bass just above what any sane person would set, I can imagine myself in the midst of the orchestra during a performance.

I would have liked to put the larger surround speakers in back, but I don't have the room for them. The IQ1's seem to hold their own just fine with a good 5.1 DVD.

I looked long and hard for a nice set of moderately priced speakers. I not only had to like the sound, but I wanted something that looked distinctive and was attractive. All of the other manufacturers in this price range seem to be stuck in the old world of making boxes and cubes. These are beautiful. I chose the maple veneers since they seem make the room lighter. They are very attractive next to my HD TV and stainless steel cabinet.

The sound is great. My husband is on cloud nine. He has spent the weekend trying to break the windows. He's very proud of me

Michelle

Congratulations on your new system! It is NOT bottom-end; don't you say that! It's a great mid-level system.





The iQ1s will work great as surrounds.





Since your husband is gone, can I come over and hang out a bit?

Don't use the xq1 stands with the xq3's. I have the XQ3's and had them with the XQ1 stands; theXQ3 stands are much better, the xq1 stands had a very lean bass and midrange, they were too tall.

Does anyone know what the MSRP of the Kef Reference 201/2's are? I can't find it anywhere!

And now a moment of silence.

My KEF C65s -- which I bought 20 years ago, my first foray into HiFi -- finally died. Actually, it's the second time they've died. The first time a woofer blew out and KEF replaced it under warranty. This time I lost a woofer on one speaker and a tweeter on the other. (I had loaned them to a friend who played them too loud at a party.) Needless to say, the warranty has expired.

Now they are on their way to HiFi Heaven.

I will miss you, oh KEFs, with your sweet highs and your smooth sound. Although you could become boomy if I backed you up against the wall, you always told the truth -- never exaggerated nor understated. We had an honest relationship.

And you have left a legacy. You turned me on to good sound and for that I am forever grateful. I hope that your successors, a pair of Reference 201s, will have as long and purposeful life as you had.

Farewell, my KEFs.