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KEF Owners Thread - Page 185

post #5521 of 6029
12/6/12 at 7:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jima4a View Post

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.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll need to look for a local dealer who carries these so I can have a listen.
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post #5522 of 6029
12/6/12 at 8:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigoak View Post

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? [deleted]]

IMO it'll sound better than anything else in its size class, but anything in that size class will be a bit light for that room. (The sub is also small for that room.) Can you fit bigger speakers?
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post #5523 of 6029
12/6/12 at 9:27am
I think I already know the answer to this but...

I'm looking at doing an inwall setup from Monoprice, would the 5005.2 from accessories4less be a better option? I have a HSU sub, but those drivers seem a little small on the Kef set?
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post #5524 of 6029
12/6/12 at 2:27pm
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/ele/3392058512.html

Good buy? Will the angels sing and carry me into audio heaven?
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post #5525 of 6029
12/6/12 at 2:37pm
not sure of the Angelic airlift per se.

but
its $150 less than my setup which was the same but for l/r iq70s

and I thought I got a great deal pre buy
and NOW, after breakin I'm damn pleased
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post #5526 of 6029
12/6/12 at 5:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigoak View Post

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?
More than plenty. I had them in my living room 26 x13 with openings into a kitchen and dining room. Most people who are not familiar with kef never seem to grasp what a large sound stage the Uni Q tweeters are capable of emanating.
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post #5527 of 6029
12/6/12 at 6:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoey67 View Post

Yes that set will take you to heaven but not from that deal. You can get them new at Vanns $299 for the iQ90's and 200 for iQ60.

Nope. $399 at vanns.com for the iQ90. The iQ60 isn't even available.
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post #5528 of 6029
12/7/12 at 5:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by IHaveAMullet View Post

I think I already know the answer to this but...
I'm looking at doing an inwall setup from Monoprice, would the 5005.2 from accessories4less be a better option? I have a HSU sub, but those drivers seem a little small on the Kef set?

Opinions?
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post #5529 of 6029
12/8/12 at 3:46am
what is a good affordable sub for kef q300's. this will be a 2.1 system
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post #5530 of 6029
12/8/12 at 5:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nat72sherman View Post

what is a good affordable sub for kef q300's. this will be a 2.1 system

http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/ported-box/pb-1000#.UMNC80JuFFI

http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/sealed-box/sb-1000#.UMNDHkJuFFI

http://hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1mk2.html

http://hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk4.html

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfm1plus.html

Any of these would be great.
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post #5531 of 6029
12/9/12 at 11:58am
I'm looking for advice/opinions on speaker selection for the home theatre I'm building in my basement. About 5 years ago I purchased the KEF iQ7se towers, iQ6c and iQ1 speakers for my 5.1 setup. My sub is a Jamo Sub650. At the time I was a renting a home and had larger all purpose living room. A year later I purchased a small condo and didn't have room for my kef's. Into storage they went. Since then I got married and my wife and I purchased a larger place together. Luckily for me it had an unfinished basement, so I finally get to build my theatre room. My Kef's have been sitting in storage for basically five years now.

My room size is 1300 cu ft. Front to back is 17', width is 11' and ceiling height is 7'. I will be using this for 100% HT. I am sitting back about 12-13' and will have about 2-3' behind me to the back wall. One row of seating only. The entrance to the room is open and is to the left of the front left speaker. The front left speaker will me next to the opening of the entrance. The front right speaker could only be 1ft off the right wall. I would probably have about 6-8" of space behind the towers.

With my seating distance and room size I'm wondering if the towers and center are too big? Should I go down to small bookshelves or even to satellites? If I were to stick with my current front three I would probably add the q800ds as I can put them directly to the sides of the seating positioning in the null. I've also looked at bipoles from other brands and I would probably mount these on the back wall if I went that route. I should mention I'm not using the iQ1's for my surounds. I prefer a more diffused sound and I find I'm to close to the surounds to use direct radiating. I've considered going to three identical bookshelf (q300) speakers across the front and the q800's for surounds.

What are your thoughts?
Edited by Ryedhel - 12/11/12 at 4:29pm
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post #5532 of 6029
12/21/12 at 9:29pm
I am very interested in getting the kef ls50's. but I have a medium size room with high ceilings. Would I need a subwoofer with them. This would be for 2channel audio only. I listen to mainly female vocals and jazz. I am trying to stay away from a sub.
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post #5533 of 6029
12/22/12 at 12:59am
I've heard the LS-50's twice and IMHO they are genuinely excellent But they are still a 5' speaker so they can only go so low. (I can't get past the no grills thing or I'd have auditioned them in home by now.)

I'm currently running Q100's with an SVS SB12-NSD sub. For stereo music I have the sub set to a low-ish volume and medium low crossover so it just "sneaks in" in the lower range. It works great - doesn't have that "there's a sub in the room" quality at all.
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post #5534 of 6029
12/25/12 at 5:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by motobonsai View Post

I am very interested in getting the kef ls50's. but I have a medium size room with high ceilings. Would I need a subwoofer with them. This would be for 2channel audio only. I listen to mainly female vocals and jazz. I am trying to stay away from a sub.

I brought home a pair of LS50's last week. I have only run them in my main system with a JL-Audio sub and they sound great! They play my female vocal favorites extremely well. I will incorporate them in a smaller system once those components arrive. I plan to use them in a system playing at lower volumes, for the most part, utilizing a tubed integrated amplifier.
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post #5535 of 6029
12/26/12 at 12:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryedhel View Post

I'm looking for advice/opinions on speaker selection for the home theatre I'm building in my basement. About 5 years ago I purchased the KEF iQ7se towers, iQ6c and iQ1 speakers for my 5.1 setup. My sub is a Jamo Sub650. At the time I was a renting a home and had larger all purpose living room. A year later I purchased a small condo and didn't have room for my kef's. Into storage they went. Since then I got married and my wife and I purchased a larger place together. Luckily for me it had an unfinished basement, so I finally get to build my theatre room. My Kef's have been sitting in storage for basically five years now.
My room size is 1300 cu ft. Front to back is 17', width is 11' and ceiling height is 7'. I will be using this for 100% HT. I am sitting back about 12-13' and will have about 2-3' behind me to the back wall. One row of seating only. The entrance to the room is open and is to the left of the front left speaker. The front left speaker will me next to the opening of the entrance. The front right speaker could only be 1ft off the right wall. I would probably have about 6-8" of space behind the towers.
With my seating distance and room size I'm wondering if the towers and center are too big? Should I go down to small bookshelves or even to satellites? If I were to stick with my current front three I would probably add the q800ds as I can put them directly to the sides of the seating positioning in the null. I've also looked at bipoles from other brands and I would probably mount these on the back wall if I went that route. I should mention I'm not using the iQ1's for my surounds. I prefer a more diffused sound and I find I'm to close to the surounds to use direct radiating. I've considered going to three identical bookshelf (q300) speakers across the front and the q800's for surounds.
What are your thoughts?

What did you end up going with? I'm running Q100's LCR across the front but am considering auditioning Q300's. (A friend has that set-up and it sounds excellent.)

I have the same issue of the surround speakers being very (i.e. too) close to the seating. I'm currently experimenting with having my surround speakers pointed up at the ceiling (trying it with Q100's and HTS2001.3's). The reflected sound is nicely diffused and it's working surprising well so far.
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post #5536 of 6029
12/27/12 at 11:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sdg4vfx View Post

*** I'm currently experimenting with having my surround speakers pointed up at the ceiling (trying it with Q100's and HTS2001.3's). The reflected sound is nicely diffused and it's working surprising well so far.

That's how I've always preferred my surrounds: up-firing and preferably higher than the listening position, too. Though with a small concentric driver it doesn't matter much. They're fairly omnidirectional in the relevant frequencies. (My primary interest in surround is in retrieving more of the "hall sound" from music recordings; others may have different priorities.)

I'm using direct-firing now (HTC3001SE's don't fit on the 3005SE floor stands firing straight up) but will probably go back to up-firing in the near future.
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post #5537 of 6029
12/28/12 at 9:08am
alright, I'm going out on a limb here, but...

I've been shopping Coaxial drivers for an upcoming project. I keep running in to the Kef designs and thanks to Zaph testing the Q100, I really, really am interested in these guys. The design work seems excellent.

Problem is, I can't order these without a serial number... which is to say, I can't get a replacement unless I can say that I'm using these for replacement. Understood... but that really sucks.


I'm most curious in the drivers used in the Q100 (5.25" driver) and the R300 (5" driver). I don't know if anyone here happens to have a set of these they don't want and would be willing to sell the drivers or would even be willing to be a middle man and purchase replacements for me through Kef (I'll pay you for your troubles) but if there's some way you guys could help me obtain a few of these drivers, I'd be really appreciative.

Not only do I want to use them in my own design, but I'd be perfectly happy to post any and all data I obtain from them on my site:
http://medleysmusings.com/


If anyone can throw me a bone, shoot me an email at hardisj @ gmail.com or reply here.

Thanks,
Erin
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post #5538 of 6029
1/1/13 at 6:55am
System upgrade recommendation

Current System
Onkyo TX-SR806
KEF iQ90 Fronts
KEF iQ60c center
Outlaw LFM-1 EX Sub
Infinity Primus P362 for surround/back (mounted on an elevated platform).
Samsung 55" LED TV
PS3 for Bluray

I would like to upgrade my system, budget $1500-2000.

1) Should I get a new AVR? If so, any recommendations?
2) Upgrade fronts/center to KEF Q900/Q600c? (move iQ to surround, sell iQ center and Infinity)
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post #5539 of 6029
1/1/13 at 6:24pm
Repair or replace time?

Longtime KEF 104/2 owner here. Bought them new just under 22 years ago. While moving all my equipment to a new TV/AV stand a couple days ago I decided to try and inspect the internal woofers of the 104's. I found one where the surround has dry rotted. On this same speaker one of the midrange drivers actually has a crack in it. My dilemma is should I repair the woofer surrounds. I figured if I'm going to do one then it best to do them all. I may attempt that fix myself or I can have a local vintage audio shop do the work. The issue I am having is I'm unable to find a replacement midrange driver. I've always loved the sound and imaging from these speakers. Would there be any reason/benefit to replace them with something "newer". I have an Outlaw LFM-1 Plus sub so low frequency response is not critical any longer.

Just looking for some opinions, thoughts and possible replacement candidates should I want to go that route.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.
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post #5540 of 6029
1/1/13 at 6:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cainman View Post

Repair or replace time?
Longtime KEF 104/2 owner here. Bought them new just under 22 years ago. While moving all my equipment to a new TV/AV stand a couple days ago I decided to try and inspect the internal woofers of the 104's. I found one where the surround has dry rotted. On this same speaker one of the midrange drivers actually has a crack in it. My dilemma is should I repair the woofer surrounds. I figured if I'm going to do one then it best to do them all. I may attempt that fix myself or I can have a local vintage audio shop do the work. The issue I am having is I'm unable to find a replacement midrange driver. I've always loved the sound and imaging from these speakers. Would there be any reason/benefit to replace them with something "newer". I have an Outlaw LFM-1 Plus sub so low frequency response is not critical any longer.
Just looking for some opinions, thoughts and possible replacement candidates should I want to go that route.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.

To bad about that one driver. I recently replaced the surrounds on my 104/2's. These are some speakers I will probably never part with. The only way I can imagine you finding a replacement driver is to get lucky and find a pair with a beat up cabinet for a good price. Not likely but you never know. Perhaps the crack could be repaired by a pro shop. Would not hurt to call and ask.

Keep an eye on craigslist as they pop up once in awhile. You may see a pair that have rotted surrounds being let go cheap. Repairing the surrounds isn't that hard. Just a little time consuming.
Edited by XStanleyX - 1/1/13 at 6:54pm
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post #5541 of 6029
1/1/13 at 6:50pm
I would call Kef and ask who in your area fixes vintage Kefs. Worth getting them redone.
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post #5542 of 6029
1/2/13 at 12:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by myreview1810 View Post

System upgrade recommendation
Current System
Onkyo TX-SR806
KEF iQ90 Fronts
KEF iQ60c center
Outlaw LFM-1 EX Sub
Infinity Primus P362 for surround/back (mounted on an elevated platform).
Samsung 55" LED TV
PS3 for Bluray
I would like to upgrade my system, budget $1500-2000.
1) Should I get a new AVR? If so, any recommendations?
2) Upgrade fronts/center to KEF Q900/Q600c? (move iQ to surround, sell iQ center and Infinity)

IMHO ...
If your AVR works for you now I wouldn't suggest upgrading it until you need too (i.e need more HDMI ports, need 3D, need more Zones, need 4K, etc.).
I think there would be a slight upgrade in sound quality going from the iQ's to the Q's, but hard to say if it would be $2k worth.

Upgrades you would notice might include ...
Add a subwoofer (you may already have one, but it isn't on your gear list).
Upgrading the front three LCR speakers to the new R series - but that will cost more than 2k.
If you currently notice a timbrel difference with your surrounds then maybe just upgrade them?

Or, save your money until the R series goes on closeout sales in 12-18 months ; )
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post #5543 of 6029
1/2/13 at 3:10pm
Just to add insult to injury I looked my particular model up online. Here's the specs.

System: SP3128 (Bi-Wire version, 1990 onwards)
Drive units: 2 x B200 bass unit (SP1256), 2 x B110 midrange unit (SP1274), T33 tweeter (SP1191)
Crossover: SP2173

The B110 Midrange unit (SP1274) in mine is sealed for the midrange drivers. The tweeter is accessible but that's it. The midrange drivers are apparently "pressed" into place. I spotted someone selling a set of the older version of the B110 driver enclosures on Ebay and was hopeful to swap the mid drivers over. The older B110 enclosures allowed accessibility to the midrange drivers. I did call a couple of places locally and they'll be happy to do the woofer surrounds but they both said a repair of the mid driver would not be possible.

I'm bummed that I may have to replace these but I guess everything has it's lifespan....


Quote:
Originally Posted by cainman View Post

Repair or replace time?
Longtime KEF 104/2 owner here. Bought them new just under 22 years ago. While moving all my equipment to a new TV/AV stand a couple days ago I decided to try and inspect the internal woofers of the 104's. I found one where the surround has dry rotted. On this same speaker one of the midrange drivers actually has a crack in it. My dilemma is should I repair the woofer surrounds. I figured if I'm going to do one then it best to do them all. I may attempt that fix myself or I can have a local vintage audio shop do the work. The issue I am having is I'm unable to find a replacement midrange driver. I've always loved the sound and imaging from these speakers. Would there be any reason/benefit to replace them with something "newer". I have an Outlaw LFM-1 Plus sub so low frequency response is not critical any longer.
Just looking for some opinions, thoughts and possible replacement candidates should I want to go that route.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
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post #5544 of 6029
1/3/13 at 7:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nat72sherman View Post

what is a good affordable sub for kef q300's. this will be a 2.1 system

Why not a KEF sub? Their engineers designed your L/R speakers so, assuming you like them, the Q400b would have a design suitable for them.
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post #5545 of 6029
1/3/13 at 7:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nat72sherman View Post

what is a good affordable sub for kef q300's. this will be a 2.1 system

It would help if you let us know what you are willing to spend on a sub.
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post #5546 of 6029
1/3/13 at 7:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cainman View Post

Just to add insult to injury I looked my particular model up online. Here's the specs.
System: SP3128 (Bi-Wire version, 1990 onwards)
Drive units: 2 x B200 bass unit (SP1256), 2 x B110 midrange unit (SP1274), T33 tweeter (SP1191)
Crossover: SP2173
The B110 Midrange unit (SP1274) in mine is sealed for the midrange drivers. The tweeter is accessible but that's it. The midrange drivers are apparently "pressed" into place. I spotted someone selling a set of the older version of the B110 driver enclosures on Ebay and was hopeful to swap the mid drivers over. The older B110 enclosures allowed accessibility to the midrange drivers. I did call a couple of places locally and they'll be happy to do the woofer surrounds but they both said a repair of the mid driver would not be possible.
I'm bummed that I may have to replace these but I guess everything has it's lifespan....

I feel for you. The bi-wire version (which is what I have) are much harder to find. It would probably be a good idea to hang onto them in hopes of seeing a beat up pair on craigslist to scavenge. That is if you even want to mess with it. Hard to toss a pair of speakers like that.
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post #5547 of 6029
1/3/13 at 7:54am
XStanleyX--

I think the thing that concerns me the most is actually having to look for replacements. I remember back in the salad days of my youth having a blast going here and there to listen to different speakers. Trading in this pair for that pair kind of thing. There aren't many shops left in the area that carry much. There is a Paradigm, Polk and Klipsch dealer or two nearby. There is a vintage audio store in town that's a lot of fun just to walk in there. It's like old home week. Of course there is always Best Buy too....

I will likely hang onto these for the just in case of something coming up on CL or Ebay that, as you say, I can scavenge parts off of. The woofer surrounds I'm convinced I can/will do myself. Darn that midrange!
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post #5548 of 6029
1/3/13 at 8:12am
cainman-

Same here. I used to mainly buy vintage speakers, listened to them for a few months, sell them and try something else. Went through a lot of speakers and had fun doing it. There used to be a lot to choose from locally on Cl but it seems the well has pretty much dried up. I always got better sound for the buck buying used speakers.
There are photos of some of the speakers I used to own in my sig below. Can't find that stuff any more like I used to be able to. Anyway, good luck and I hope you run across some Kef's soon.
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post #5549 of 6029
1/4/13 at 8:07am
Hi, I'm hoping to get some advice from you guys...

Up until now, I've been pretty happy with my 5.1 bookshelf system. I have Infinity Primus P163s all the way around with an Infinity Primus PC351 center channel and Infinity PS28 (8" sub). The sub is about to be replaced with the Dynamo 700.
I recently won a sweepstakes and got a pair of KEF Q300 for free and they are absolutely AMAZING. I've been listening to tons of 2-channel audio ever since. I basically just swapped out my 2 front Infinity with the Q300.
I'm thinking about turning my 5.1 into 7.1 and just move my infinity fronts to the side and making my KEFs my new fronts. But i know how important it is to match your fronts with your center. I cannot afford the larger center KEF that's $700.

My question is, will the Q300 match OK with the PC351 center? I can't really tell that anything is lacking. On my receiver, I have set up all my speakers to "small" so that the subwoofer takes on all the bass and I'm not hearing any gaps. It seems that the PC350 is playing nice with the Q300.
Here are the specs of the PC351 center channel:
•frequency response 80-20,000 Hz (±3dB)
•handles up to 150 watts
•sensitivity 91 dB
•8-ohm impedance
•Metal Matrix Diaphragm® drivers minimize distortion
•3/4" MMD dome tweeter
•dual 3" MMD midranges
•dual 5-1/4" MMD woofers
•magnetically shielded for safe placement next to older tube TVs
•acoustic suspension (sealed) design
•black woodgrain vinyl finish
•5-way binding posts
•23-3/4"W x 7-3/8"H x 9-11/16"D
•weight: 25 lbs.
•warranty: 5 years

Thank you for any suggestions and comments
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post #5550 of 6029
1/4/13 at 8:49am
How about purchasing another set of q300's from acc4less.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFQ300BL/KEF-Q300-Q-Series-6-1/2-inch-Black-Bookshelf-Speakers-pair/1.html


Tom
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