KEF Owners Thread - Page 184

I'm not sure there's much difference between 5" and 5.25". I wonder if the baskets are different.

However, note that a 6.5" concentric with a bigger/stouter tweeter wouldn't have the same problem. That's why the Q900 doesn't have the same midrange mushroom cloud pattern. (See Stereophile's measurements.) It has a much stouter tweeter, and crosses it lower. KEF can and has in the past done the same with a 6.5" concentric. See, e.g., polar measurements of the Ref 201/2, or the old Andrew Jones-era Ref Four. Stereophile has measured both. Likewise, my old 12" Tannoy Dual Concentrics didn't have the problem. The reason was that the tweeter was a compression-loaded unit that played down to ~1.4kHz. (Also, the pattern was narrower than on a modern Uni-Q, which means the woofer could play up higher before the tweeter needed to come in to match the woofer's pattern.)

This particular 6.5" concentric (the Q300/Q700 driver) uses what might be the same tweet as the smaller one, and a crossover point too high to allow a directivity match. So the tweeter has a broader pattern at the base of its passband than the woofer, what I call a "midrange mushroom cloud" pattern.

Note that I've not measured the Q300's polar reponse, but in listening to them I clearly heard the, "hi-fi" tells of speakers with midrange pattern discontinuities. The Q100 and Q900 do not. Perhaps smart marketing by KEF, because the Q300's do sound more like standard 7" 2-ways from lesser makers than they sound like KEF's best stuff.)
Edited by DS-21 - 11/19/12 at 6:17am

I'd love to see if AJ at SoundField Audio could do a passive version of the SAM 1. But take the Q100 Uni-Q and mate it with a smaller, passive mid-woofer. Maybe a 5.25" mid-woofer. That way, you could have a smaller cabinet than the SAM 1, but still have a speaker that could be crossed over at 80hz.... Or maybe not, I'm not a speaker designer, but I'd be very interested in one like that.

Thanks again for your time

Think your are spot on here

As the kef dealer is very far from me i have to buy them based on opinions from others, but i leaning more and more to the R500, and to do it worse for myself you have R900:rolleyes: and as you say floorstander is floorstander. I have used floorstanders for many many years and like it alot, but i am sure both the LS50 and R300 is a very good bookshelf speakers

I think he does have a passive variant with two 6.5" woofers, but it's in the same width cabinet.

But it's certainly theoretically possible to do what you're suggesting. And IMO a good idea.

Is it possible to link to that review?

/Evert

The LS50 is very intriguing. I just can't get past the looks of that hideous color of the cone. I know, trivial but damn, it's ugly. Wish it would have been silver like on the classy looking R series...

Thinks this is the magazine review and not online review;)

Anyone by any chance listned to both the LS50's and DefTech SM55's?

/Evert

I'd be very, very interested a smaller cabinet with a Uni-Q and single 5.25" or 6.5" woofer from SoundField, especially if he could make it smaller (shorter) than R300!

Not yet, though I presume it will be on their website at some point in the near future. Then I'm sure someone will link to it in this thread.

So that maybe it could fit into something like this:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=302-701

I had R300s and they are very good imo and they can play without sub just fine, but R500s are a notable step up, imo again.
My story with KEF was R300s, Q900s, R500. I actually had R300s and Q900 side by side for a while, picked the Q900s but after a while I started missing certain things from the R300s (very distinct clean sound, more punch in the bass), so switched to R500s. Then I had Q900s A/B with R500s for a couple of weeks. I still think that Q900 was the most accurate of the bunch but there is something special about the R series.
Maybe I'll get LS50s for bedroom. I wouldn't be surprised if LS50 in a few years will cost used same as they do now new. So might get it as an investment:). With all the good reviews they get people will still want them after anniversary is over.

p.s. the favorite thing about R series though is the tweeter, just awesome, delicate but very realistic. I was originally going to do dual setup with another pair of celebrated ID speakers (for mellow and acoustic recordings), but had to sell them just because the tweeter on R series is just soooooo much better.

Exactly! I'd audition that immediately ; )

Many thanks for your experiences with kefs.

I am sure you are right about the prices on the LS 50 in the future.

Saw a test on "Cnet" on the R700 and the only complain they had was it lacks deep bass, and i am sure the R500 have less of it, so this worries me abit

2 channel music w/out a sub, yes I believe maybe a bit inadequate, depending on the music. HT with sub(s), guessing pretty awesome whether R500 or R700. I had 103/4s paired with a Def Tech Powerfield 1500 sub that were awesome. I believe from all I have read and from a contact at Kef US, that the R500 and R700s may be the best of the R series and that is saying a lot. If HT is 30% or more of your listening, it will be tough to beat the R series. If music is your primary focus, it will depend on what you listen to whether other options might be better. There are a lot of amazing speakers out there, just believe it is tough to beat the R series for the money.

Thanks for your feedback

Music is my primary listning, and i have decided to go for kef, both for looks and the sq. I have 2 subs, one little kef 3005 and one Infinity kappa "10", so i am sure even the R300 would do great, atleast with sub, but ofcourse i floorstander is better and dont need sub.

My current mainspeakers(out of service because of a blown tweeter) is Infinity kappa 600 with a "10" sidewoofer, and they go looow, so i guess the only Kef R speaker who is compareble to my kappa 600 is the R900?. That said they are very expencive here, and i think R500 is enough for me. To comlicate it even more i think i have to change from MCACC to Audyssey mulit XT32 becouse of the sub eq. The MCACC do i terrible job with the sub

Pardon for my bad english:eek:

^^^^^^
I did a quick search on the Kappa 600s, could not find any professional reviews but feedback from owners seems very positive. Can you just replace your tweeter?

For more input on the R series and the LS50 I would suggest checking out the Kef "R" Series Part 2 thread on the UK AVForum. Dav1dF and Jules, among others have provided a lot of first hand input on these.

I just wanted to share that I just hit up the KEF Direct web site, for one of their extended Black Friday deals. I ordered a pair of iQ10 bookshelf speakers, with near future plan to go 7.1 with my existing setup (iQ90 mains, iQ60c center and iQ30 surrounds). For $249 shipped, I couldn't resist. I was tempted to go with a set of iQ70s, but they sold out by the time I decided to place an order.

For those of you looking to add to your systems, or even just get started, the KEF Direct site still has some great deals left.

Many thanks for your help and advice again

Yes according my dealer they could replace the tweeter. But the speakers is about 10 years old and i want something newer, that said they are still da mn good. I dont know but i also think the Kef R serie is easier to drive than the Infinity.

Just FYI for anyone looking at IQ s


http://www.avsforum.com/t/1427180/install-done-kef-iqs#post_22621602

Quick question Re LS50's

I have decided to pick up a pair to try out and use between the PC and Sonos system (have yet to setup the Sonos)

I am looking at a USB DAC / Stereo Amp setup and like the Arcam rDAC and Marantz PM7004 combo. Does this sound like a reasonable setup for the LS50's?

Edit: I have also been looking at the Peachtree Nova 125 as an all in one any thoughts on this would also be much appreciated.
Edited by Concept001 - 12/2/12 at 6:57pm

Someone asked about dealers in South Florida earlier... I am also trying to find a showroom in South Florida where I can see / hear those speakers. Does anyone know of any?

John Atkinson's highly positive review of the LS50 in the December issue of Stereophile has now been posted online:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/kef-ls50-anniversary-model-loudspeaker

The measurements -- particularly the cumulative spectral decay and lateral response -- show some solid engineering.

AJ

Many years ago, I recall being absolutely blown away by some reference series KEF speakers (I believe they would be comparable to the current Reference 207 speakers) that I listened to at an Ultimate Electronics. I've been getting the upgrade bug lately, and I'm wondering if the Q or R series would bring back any memories of that experience, or if there is simply no comparison to those reference speakers.

My current speakers are Mirage OMD (15s in the front, 5s for surround). I don't hate them, but I've always felt they didn't quite live up to the hype. Would the Q or R series KEFs be a considerable upgrade?

Those LS50 measurements look mighty fine. Another winner from KEF...... But could KEF please put some freaking grilles on them already?

Maybe. The KEFs interact with a room very differently than the Mirage bipoles and quasi-omnis. I much prefer KEF's presentation, but you won't get the scale and diffuse imaging that comes from omnis set up well.

I have been told the R series comes somewhat close to the Reference, excellent Uni-Q but the reference cabinets will do bass more defined. Having owned 103/4s and heard 105/3s, I would go R series as a minimum if you are trying to recreate your experience, R700s if you add a sub. The Q series are good but not going to get you close enough. Just one opinion, perhaps others will weigh in.

I have been told the R series comes somewhat close to the Reference, excellent Uni-Q (better?) but the reference cabinets will do bass more defined. Having owned 103/4s and heard 105/3s, I would go R series as a minimum if you are trying to recreate your experience, R700s if you add a sub. The Q series are good but not going to get you close enough. Just one opinion, perhaps others will weigh in.

Hi all,

Curious as to what your impressions of the KEF KHT3005 home theatre package are. Costco is offering it with the Kube 2 sub for $899. My intended application is for mixed use music and HT and in our great room with the layout below. The room is 15' x 19' and the TV will be mounted on the left wall. The room is open to the right and the bottom (open concept). Are these speakers big enough for the room?

Bigoak

I use the same set just now, and they sounds great for both music and movies