Oh boy.. here we go again.. Kef 107's
- Thread starter canuckaudiog
- Start date
canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
Hey no problem, bring over all the music you want.. or we can use Grooveshark, I have a PC and DAC hooked up
I will be putting a little write up on these speakers soon.. but, all I can say for now, is describing greatness in words is very challenging. Describing the sound of these is going to be the hardest thing I've done yet.
SimplySound
Kent Engineering & Fondry
Now you know what all the fuss is about! 
And according to Frommer, the only thing that you could ever envision wanting beyond these would be a pair of Quad ESL-63's... I tend to trust Frommers ear's! :thmbsp:
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canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
And according to Frommer, the only thing that you could ever envision wanting beyond these would be a pair of Quad ESL-63's... I tend to trust Frommers ear's! :thmbsp:
Those Quad's are on the list of speakers I want to hear - they likely will do some things better than the Kef's, but of course with the Kef's what you are getting instead is that excellent full range sound. Kind of a pick and choose sorta deal.
Yeah, I really do get what the fuss is all about. Well, to be fair I sort of got it with the 103/3's... but these 107's are truly breathtaking, like John Atkinson said, they touch the soul of not just the music but the listener as well. And even though he is describing the 107/2's, it definitely applies to the 107's as well.
I'm sitting here thinking to myself, I can't believe I am experiencing this kind of sound. It's really amazing. I have some Tatsuro Yamashita going on right now, a J-Pop artist, and it's bringing tears to my eyes on just how beautiful the sound is. It's something else. Like I said, I'm gonna have a hell of a time putting what I am hearing into words!
canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
That's awesome that they don't require a refoam! Sounds like you kinda like them.
Still looking forward to a shoot out/comparo with the RSPM IV's. I'm getting ready to recap mine now.
Well, I want to do a proper comparison, and in the apartment the only way that is going to happen is when my downstairs neighbour isn't home.
That means I need to wait until I have a day off during the week, which would be May 13th. So, the plan is to do it then so I can give them both a true full range work out!
It's going to be a pretty interesting comparison, based on what I'm hearing, they're both on similar levels of fidelity, but we'll see as it's been quite a while since I've listened to the RSPM's. Although the Kef's won't be recapped, I'll make sure the T33's are at least done by then to make sure the comparison is somewhat realistic.
Dr. Morbius
I.N.T.E.R.O.C.I.T.O.R.
I have to admit, I am definitely green with envy! :yes: 
The likelihood of finding a pair of speakers like that at a decent price in Indianapolis is about zero.
The likelihood of finding a pair of speakers like that at a decent price in Indianapolis is about zero.
canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
I have to admit, I am definitely green with envy! :yes:
The likelihood of finding a pair of speakers like that at a decent price in Indianapolis is about zero.
That's exactly what I thought about where I live too.. but now I have a pair!
Well, I just couldn't resist - I decided to put the Restor-a-Finish on these as well. I felt the feed-n-wax wasn't quite enough, and I was right, the restor-a-finish made these pop!
canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
OK guys..
I decided to jump in and do the fluid on the T33's. I'm actually in the middle of it, but I thought I'd share how I got the T33's out.
Getting the drivers out is easy. However, there is a thick piece of foam right behind the tweeter which is a bit of a challenge to get out (and I imagine will be to put back in as well). Then, to get the wires off the crossover, you need to unscrew the midrange as well. I couldn't fit my hand in through the tweeter opening, I had to take the mid off to do it. But, after that it's easy. Then you just pull the crimp connectors off, and bam you have the T33 out.
I'll get some shots later after this is all done.
I decided to jump in and do the fluid on the T33's. I'm actually in the middle of it, but I thought I'd share how I got the T33's out.
Getting the drivers out is easy. However, there is a thick piece of foam right behind the tweeter which is a bit of a challenge to get out (and I imagine will be to put back in as well). Then, to get the wires off the crossover, you need to unscrew the midrange as well. I couldn't fit my hand in through the tweeter opening, I had to take the mid off to do it. But, after that it's easy. Then you just pull the crimp connectors off, and bam you have the T33 out.
I'll get some shots later after this is all done.
canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
T33's are reflowed and reinstalled.
Actually, putting the foam back in was easy! I thought it was gonna be a pain but nope, not too bad at all. Getting it out was more challenging.
Anyway, sonically, yes, definite improvement in the HF response. I could tell there was a bit too much midrange before, and now it sounds more like it should. Excellent. Time to listen to some music, and I'll get back to you guys with my thoughts on these magnificent speakers.
Actually, putting the foam back in was easy! I thought it was gonna be a pain but nope, not too bad at all. Getting it out was more challenging.
Anyway, sonically, yes, definite improvement in the HF response. I could tell there was a bit too much midrange before, and now it sounds more like it should. Excellent. Time to listen to some music, and I'll get back to you guys with my thoughts on these magnificent speakers.
audiodon
Addicted Member
I just stumbled across this thread and I have to say I'm thrilled for you.
One day in the late '70s, I heard the following speakers all at the same shop:
1. Chartwell LS3/5As
2. Quad ESL-57s
3. KEF 105
I know what the big KEFs are capable of and you've done it all right. The finish is good, you have the boxes, the drivers work.
You'd have to really stretch yourself financially to best these.
Congratulations. Enjoy.
When some of those other speakers are gone, you'll be amazed at how much floor space you have back. Plus, you won't have all those passive radiators playing along.
One day in the late '70s, I heard the following speakers all at the same shop:
1. Chartwell LS3/5As
2. Quad ESL-57s
3. KEF 105
I know what the big KEFs are capable of and you've done it all right. The finish is good, you have the boxes, the drivers work.
You'd have to really stretch yourself financially to best these.
Congratulations. Enjoy.
When some of those other speakers are gone, you'll be amazed at how much floor space you have back. Plus, you won't have all those passive radiators playing along.
canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
Thank you!
I would have to agree, besting these 107's is going to be a challenge. A challenge I don't even care to explore. I'm really happy with the sound out of these - having these plus the IMF RSPM's is sweet.
I agree completely about getting rid of the other speakers, I really can't wait to get rid of them and get some room back in here again!
canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
OK so.. I totally forgot to get you guys pictures of the Kef 107 heads being taken apart. But, if you follow what I wrote it's very simple.
The more important part, changing the fluid, I did get pictures of:
That's how it comes apart, and how you clean it. The rest is very simple, just put some fluid (I use .1mL) in the syringe and put the tip of the syringe onto the gap, and the liquid will empty itself. :thmbsp:
The more important part, changing the fluid, I did get pictures of:
That's how it comes apart, and how you clean it. The rest is very simple, just put some fluid (I use .1mL) in the syringe and put the tip of the syringe onto the gap, and the liquid will empty itself. :thmbsp:
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canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
Next is recapping.. but, I'm going to do my 104/2's first and see what it does to those. Not about to touch these wonderful 107's if I don't need to..
By the way, SimplySound is bang on about getting these speakers moved apart. I moved them about another foot and a half apart, and it definitely made quite a difference. They sounded a bit squished before, but now more open, but I can tell they want more room.
Whew, I really need a house!
SimplySound
Kent Engineering & Fondry
Yeah, I wish I had more room, mine are about 7' apart but they could use 8-10' I think... the further apart the better the imaging.
Thanks for the picts Jeff... that DOES look easy! I'm going to get started on mine, this weekend! :yes:
First on Page 6 of Canucker's most awesome scroe!
canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
I ordered electrolytics. Film would have been very expensive, and I don't like to muck around with the original design so I got ALCAPs, same as what's on there now.
canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
Yeah, I wish I had more room, mine are about 7' apart but they could use 8-10' I think... the further apart the better the imaging.
Thanks for the picts Jeff... that DOES look easy! I'm going to get started on mine, this weekend! :yes:
First on Page 6 of Canucker's most awesome scroe!
Yeah I know what you mean - well even in the manual for the 104/2's, they specify a distance of 10 feet away is ideal, with the speakers at least 6 feet apart.
So, unfortunately my situation is far less than ideal, but I sure am getting great results anyways. I guess all that means is I will get even better results when I finally move out.
No problem re: the pictures. It's very simple. The 107's I found easier than the 103/3's because the tweeters are easier to get at. Just make sure the foam goes in the way it came out, which again is simple because you can easily tell from the indent on the foam which way it went in. Oh and, of course make sure you know which tweeter came out of which head so you can keep it matched.
The difference is subtle but enough to hear it. It's like there's a knob on the tweeter that upped the volume a notch or two. The speaker definitely sounds more balanced now with the refreshed fluid.
Kef was ingenius at making these speakers serviceable, for guys like us who want to get the proper experience out of them 30 years later it makes a world of difference. Gotta love that.