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KEF Owners Thread - Page 186

post #5551 of 6020
1/4/13 at 11:28am
That would just set me up for a couple Q300's for the rear. I'm more interested to find out if my "sound stage" is going to get messed up using the center PC351 with a pair of Q300's as my fronts.
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post #5552 of 6020
1/4/13 at 11:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tamas View Post

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

+1 A third Q300 would make an ideal center - $480 a pair at sccessories4less, you could try to sell the extra speaker. Since they are point-source speakers you can lay it on it's side and it's only a little over 8" tall. If you read through the thread you'll see several posts where three Q300's or Q100's are used LCR across the front.

I haven't heard the PC350 - but closely matching timbre between the center and mains is pretty important for a nice, even front soundstage.
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post #5553 of 6020
1/4/13 at 11:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sdg4vfx View Post

+1 A third Q300 would make an ideal center - $480 a pair at sccessories4less, you could try to sell the extra speaker. Since they are point-source speakers you can lay it on it's side and it's only a little over 8" tall. If you read through the thread you'll see several posts where three Q300's or Q100's are used LCR across the front.
I haven't heard the PC350 - but closely matching timbre between the center and mains is pretty important for a nice, even front soundstage.

Ahh... i wasn't following you guys on that. So use another Q300 as a center. Interesting idea. It's not as aesthetically pleasing as an actual center though. I kind of like a nice, long 2 foot center channel
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post #5554 of 6020
1/4/13 at 12:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmoreimi View Post

Ahh... i wasn't following you guys on that. So use another Q300 as a center. Interesting idea. It's not as aesthetically pleasing as an actual center though. I kind of like a nice, long 2 foot center channel
I would try your existing center first, if you like it you are done. It may only be relevant for multichannel music where the extra Q300 will be best anyway.
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post #5555 of 6020
1/4/13 at 12:11pm
I have to say, for 2 channel music it's amazing. So dimensional....
But i'm more of a movie guy so i'm using it mostly for 5.1
for my 5.1 I really can't tell the difference mixing the infinity and the KEF together.
Was thinking spec-wise if it OBVIOUSLY didn't make sense and am being told not to mix the two then I won't.
but honestly i think it sounds fine...i just don't trust myself sometimes.
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post #5556 of 6020
1/4/13 at 2:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmoreimi View Post


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?

Thank you for any suggestions and comments

The Q series speakers inherently have the kind of time alignment and symmetrical directiivity that moat other center channel speakers are trying to approximate.

The question is not whether the Q300 matches with the PC351, but how another Q300 as the center speaker will match up with Q300 mains, and the answer is brilliantly!
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post #5557 of 6020
1/4/13 at 2:12pm
So i'm overly picky about the "look" of a non 2-foot wide speaker being used as a center.
in that case should i be shelling out the money for the Q600C ?
you're not saying the Q300 as a center is better than KEF's Q600C, right?

thank you. I really appreciate it.
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post #5558 of 6020
1/4/13 at 5:31pm
I have in the past used "traditional" center speakers matched to my mains. A CC is almost always a compromise in design. Granted I have not heard the Q600, however, my whole front soundstage now is all Q300's including my height speakers and the front soundstage has never sounded better. Objects moving around in the front are now seamless. Pans moving from side to side are awesome, voices moving in the front soundstage have the same timbre.

I don't think you can go wrong with identical speakers in the front.

Tom
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post #5559 of 6020
1/4/13 at 8:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tamas View Post

I have in the past used "traditional" center speakers matched to my mains. A CC is almost always a compromise in design. Granted I have not heard the Q600, however, my whole front soundstage now is all Q300's including my height speakers and the front soundstage has never sounded better. Objects moving around in the front are now seamless. Pans moving from side to side are awesome, voices moving in the front soundstage have the same timbre.
I don't think you can go wrong with identical speakers in the front.
Tom

+1 A better or more powerful center speaker isn't the goal. The goal is seamless sound across the front. And in my experience three identical speakers does that the best. It's just not that common because in most HT spaces only a horizontal center speaker will fit.
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post #5560 of 6020
1/7/13 at 12:13pm
hey guys. I currently have Q300s and a q200 as mains. I recently just moved to a new house and was thinking that Q500s might be the better used at my new place. Just was curious as to what you guys think. Would the Q500s be much of a upgrade over the 300s? Or just a wash?
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post #5561 of 6020
1/7/13 at 3:59pm
My guess is that you would hear a nice difference in stereo music listening but probably not in HT 5.1 listening.
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post #5562 of 6020
1/7/13 at 9:06pm
I took KEF up on their two week trial on Q900's and a 600C before I went with a Paradigm studio 100 set up. I just got them today and I think I might me keeping them. What does everyone have them set at as far as speaker size and crossover?
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post #5563 of 6020
1/8/13 at 12:47am
I use mine crossed over at 80hz with a svsound nsd-sb12 subwoofer for movies.. and also for music.. I haven't really tweaked it much. They can definitely go way lower than 80hz but my subwoofer is really nice so I let it run even for music. Like when I play war of the worlds, the emergence scene with just the q900s enabled the bass is still room filling and I feel vibrations through my seat, but the sub enhances it even more.
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post #5564 of 6020
1/8/13 at 11:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bcarroll01 View Post

I took KEF up on their two week trial on Q900's and a 600C before I went with a Paradigm studio 100 set up. I just got them today and I think I might me keeping them. What does everyone have them set at as far as speaker size and crossover?

Who has the two week trial, KEF Direct? If you send them back, do you pay shipping?
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post #5565 of 6020
1/8/13 at 11:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dftkell View Post

Who has the two week trial, KEF Direct? If you send them back, do you pay shipping?
Yes, they place a hold on your account and ship them to you for free and if you dont want them they pay for shipping back.
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post #5566 of 6020
1/10/13 at 5:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bikinpunk View Post

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


Quoting myself as an update. I wound up ordering both the q100 and hts3001se speakers to test. I wrapped up testing if the hts3001 last week and hope to test the q100 this weekend.
Here's a link to the HTS3001SE driver test:
http://medleysmusings.com/kefs-hts3001se-i-cracked-the-egg/

Here's a link to the HTS3001SE speaker test:
http://medleysmusings.com/kef-hts3001se-speaker-test/

Here's a sample of the speaker data:




Once I get the Q100 drive unit and speaker testing completed I'll post a link here.

I'm trying to acquire the r300 raw drivers but need a serial number from the speakers to purchase 'replacements'. With the Q100 it's the same story so I just sucked it up and bought a set to disassemble. But, for the R300 driver, that's an $800+ gamble that I just can't afford. So, if anyone here happens to own the r300 and would be willing to order replacement drivers for me or wouldn't mind providing me a serial number so I could order them myself I'd very much appreciate it and would be willing to provide you a few bucks for your trouble. Just shoot me a PM or email me at hardisj@gmail(dot)com. The more data we have on these drivers, the better we understand why we like or dislike what we hear. Besides, this stuff is kinda cool. wink.gif

Thanks
Erin
Edited by bikinpunk - 1/10/13 at 6:10pm
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post #5567 of 6020
1/11/13 at 2:18am
I started looking into new speakers lately, since I picked up a Yamaha RX-V673. I'm thinking about going in a couple different directions, and need some advice on which KEF setup would be the best for my situation. My current setup (listed below) are speakers I bought over the years, and I would finally like to get a matching set. The only thing I can see myself keeping would be the Yamaha Subwoofer, everything else I'll probably sell, or give it to my parents. Thanks in advance!

- I usually keep volumes Low to Medium, occasionally going high volume.
- Distance from Fronts to Satellite is 12ft.
- My viewing is 70% gaming, 20% movies, and 10% sports.
** Any experience with Accessories4less? I'm seeing some nice prices on the below options.

Q500 5.1 Package
Front 2x KEF Q500
Back 2x KEF Q100
Center 1x KEF Q200c
Sub KEF T-2 Subwoofer

or

KEF T Series 205
Front 2x KEF T301
Back 2x KEF T101
Center 1x KEF T301c
Sub KEF T-2 Subwoofer


Current setup:
Front 2x Yamaha NS-555
Back 2x Boston HS40
Center 1x Bose VCS-10
Sub Yamaha YST-SW215
Edited by jfoul - 1/11/13 at 2:24am
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post #5568 of 6020
1/11/13 at 10:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jfoul View Post

I started looking into new speakers lately, since I picked up a Yamaha RX-V673. I'm thinking about going in a couple different directions, and need some advice on which KEF setup would be the best for my situation. My current setup (listed below) are speakers I bought over the years, and I would finally like to get a matching set. The only thing I can see myself keeping would be the Yamaha Subwoofer, everything else I'll probably sell, or give it to my parents. Thanks in advance!

- I usually keep volumes Low to Medium, occasionally going high volume.
- Distance from Fronts to Satellite is 12ft.
- My viewing is 70% gaming, 20% movies, and 10% sports.
** Any experience with Accessories4less? I'm seeing some nice prices on the below options.

Q500 5.1 Package
Front 2x KEF Q500
Back 2x KEF Q100
Center 1x KEF Q200c
Sub KEF T-2 Subwoofer

or

KEF T Series 205
Front 2x KEF T301
Back 2x KEF T101
Center 1x KEF T301c
Sub KEF T-2 Subwoofer


Current setup:
Front 2x Yamaha NS-555
Back 2x Boston HS40
Center 1x Bose VCS-10
Sub Yamaha YST-SW215

Two quick thoughts ...

I wouldn't recommend flat/wall-mount speakers unless your space requires them. The KEF T series sound excellent for a flat speaker, but for the same dollar amount you can get much better sounding bookshelf or tower speakers. (Esp. since your listening distance is 12ft away.)

I would look at a sub other than KEF. Several ID brand subs will give you a lot more for your money. (SVS, Outlaw and Epik come to mind.)
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post #5569 of 6020
1/12/13 at 1:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sdg4vfx View Post

Two quick thoughts ...

I wouldn't recommend flat/wall-mount speakers unless your space requires them. The KEF T series sound excellent for a flat speaker, but for the same dollar amount you can get much better sounding bookshelf or tower speakers. (Esp. since your listening distance is 12ft away.)

I would look at a sub other than KEF. Several ID brand subs will give you a lot more for your money. (SVS, Outlaw and Epik come to mind.)

Yeah, I've learned quite a lot already the past couple days doing research. I decided against flat/wall mounted speakers, and I've decided to get an HSU VTF-2 MK4 Subwoofer. I'm still trying to decide on Front/Center/Surround. I was dead set on the Q series, but now ARX and Focal have caught my eye. I'm not in a hurry, I'll keep doing my research and taking suggestions.

Thanks for the help.
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post #5570 of 6020
1/12/13 at 9:25am
Kef owners I'm looking to upgrade my lcr speakers my room is about 15'x15'. which speakers would you recommend? I enjoy listening to music and watching movies. My budget is any ware from 1200 to 2000
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post #5571 of 6020
1/12/13 at 12:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat315 View Post

Kef owners I'm looking to upgrade my lcr speakers my room is about 15'x15'. which speakers would you recommend? I enjoy listening to music and watching movies. My budget is any ware from 1200 to 2000

Do you use a sub (could affect front speaker recommendations)? Do you already have one?
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post #5572 of 6020
1/12/13 at 2:25pm
Jfoul, are you leaning towards a different company for speakers because someone said so? I've read soooo many people give advise on speakers and spent months and months and months doing it. I finally got to audition a lot of the brands and was blown away as to why people would even suggest someone even bother spending money on some of the speakers they suggest. Most of the time people suggest speakers because someone else suggested them and the same goes for that person. I'm also beginning to question quite a few people on this websites ability to understand speakers with the ridiculous accusations they make. No names mentioned.
Would like to say that of the speakers i've heard, ( i have not heard focal or ARX) Kef is the only company i could justify the price. I have found the Kef R300 to be the speaker that i judge all other speakers that i can afford to buy. PSB i HIGHLY priased and their $5000 top tower speaker bowed down to the R300 bookshelf in everything except for bass output but the R300's bass was better.
I talk about the R series because the Q series is not much different. There is some resonance from either the bass radiators or the cabinet but it adds a small amount of resonance to the body of the mids that compliments the speaker with poorly recorded recordings when played loud ( i have read that you can internally dampen the q series to clean this up if you want to.
They image exactly the same which is hands down amazing. The tweeter in the q series in not as clean and capable of the type of energy the r series has but when listening to other tweeters from other companies you find the q series tweeter to be a god sent gift for the price lol.
The Q series is clearly the little brother of the R series and the best bang for the buck out there.
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post #5573 of 6020
1/12/13 at 2:41pm
I will be staying with my q900 and q600c. I love the look and sound of the speakers especially for the price. A few questions for those of you with hard wood floors how do you have them set up?
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post #5574 of 6020
1/12/13 at 2:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat315 View Post

Kef owners I'm looking to upgrade my lcr speakers my room is about 15'x15'. which speakers would you recommend? I enjoy listening to music and watching movies. My budget is any ware from 1200 to 2000
I had Q900s and Q600C in 15x16 room and they were pretty good, feets your budget nicely too. Look for Q900s for around $1300/pair and I think Q600 for like $500
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post #5575 of 6020
1/12/13 at 6:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bthrb4u View Post

Jfoul, are you leaning towards a different company for speakers because someone said so? I've read soooo many people give advise on speakers and spent months and months and months doing it. I finally got to audition a lot of the brands and was blown away as to why people would even suggest someone even bother spending money on some of the speakers they suggest. Most of the time people suggest speakers because someone else suggested them and the same goes for that person. I'm also beginning to question quite a few people on this websites ability to understand speakers with the ridiculous accusations they make. No names mentioned.
Would like to say that of the speakers i've heard, ( i have not heard focal or ARX) Kef is the only company i could justify the price. I have found the Kef R300 to be the speaker that i judge all other speakers that i can afford to buy. PSB i HIGHLY priased and their $5000 top tower speaker bowed down to the R300 bookshelf in everything except for bass output but the R300's bass was better.
I talk about the R series because the Q series is not much different. There is some resonance from either the bass radiators or the cabinet but it adds a small amount of resonance to the body of the mids that compliments the speaker with poorly recorded recordings when played loud ( i have read that you can internally dampen the q series to clean this up if you want to.
They image exactly the same which is hands down amazing. The tweeter in the q series in not as clean and capable of the type of energy the r series has but when listening to other tweeters from other companies you find the q series tweeter to be a god sent gift for the price lol.
The Q series is clearly the little brother of the R series and the best bang for the buck out there.

I'm probably going with the KEF Q series for the FR/FL/C, with an HSU VTF-2 MK4 or STF-2 Subwoofer. I'm just trying to figure out what size speakers I should get for my space, which is 12.4 ft x 12.4 ft. The speakers will also be situated closer to the wall.
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post #5576 of 6020
1/12/13 at 9:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jfoul View Post

I'm probably going with the KEF Q series for the FR/FL/C, with an HSU VTF-2 MK4 or STF-2 Subwoofer. I'm just trying to figure out what size speakers I should get for my space, which is 12.4 ft x 12.4 ft. The speakers will also be situated closer to the wall.

HSU makes great subs. If you can afford the VTF-2 MK4 I would recommend that - the lower extension is particularly nice for HT and gaming.

Re your other speakers - in your original post you listed your listening as "70% gaming, 20% movies, and 10% sports" and no music. Considering that, the size of your room and that you'll have a very good sub-woofer I would recommend three Q300's across the front (LCR) and two Q100's as surrounds - that would give you an excellent sound and volume to spare:) Also, both the Q300 and Q100 are front ported so positioning them close to the wall won't be an issue.

If a horizontal center speaker better fits your space then instead of three Q300's LCR across the front you could use two Q300 RL and a Q200c as your center.
Edited by sdg4vfx - 1/12/13 at 9:59pm
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post #5577 of 6020
1/13/13 at 1:46am
Jfoul, this videohttp://youtu.be/HKKFAGi4rZ4can give you good insight on how to truly finish off the speaker placement but the kef's that i auditioned did not need a certain specific placement. They were so good at imaging you could have one butted up against your grill on your porch and had the other speaker in the opposite corner and still feel like you were getting a live concert on your porch . Kind of makes me mad the few people doubting what i said about how the performa3 series cutting out a whole channel by moving just a simple six inches away from the sweet spot .i'm simply not about about to pay the money they ask for a speaker that sounds like it's an f-in little painting of sound when i can pay the same price for a speaker that quite literally not only images better than any speaker i've heard but the all around fidelity of the speaker was hands down just beautiful. After hearing the Kef R series i was able to simply cut out every other speaker in my price range.
f-ing love kef

i'm hooked
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post #5578 of 6020
1/13/13 at 1:50am
amen
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post #5579 of 6020
1/13/13 at 6:20am
What Kef speakers would be a good replacement for def tech bp7000sc towers? I love the def techs for games, but they lack a little for music, especially in the lower mid range. Perhaps my room is just not wide enough which is almost 14 feet. I have a hgs18 subwoofer, but looking for a replacement speaker that can play a music well and will listen to multi channel music.
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post #5580 of 6020
1/13/13 at 6:59am
With a good sub, R700s will do both music and movies excellent. They are rear ported so need a bit of room from the wall.
Edit: missed multichannel music part. Some R series owners can chime in but since the tweeter/mid is the same for all but the R100, you have lots of options for LCR. You could use the R300 or either center, R200c or R600c. You could even go with five R300s. R500s would also work for L&R. Which ever, suggest familiarizing yourself with the R Series and then go listen as that is what is important.
Edited by jima4a - 1/13/13 at 7:18am
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