ev13wt
Super Member
I got some KEF LS60 about two months ago. I’ve been comparing against my recapped, in-spec Technics Pro Line (1977) (2x SE-9060 amps, SU-9070 preamp, SH-9010 equalizer, SH-9020 meter, ST-9030 tuner, SB-6000 speakers) against the KEF LS60 Wireless using a DAC as source.
This is about overall sound quality, resolution, transient dynamics, user satisfaction, and 1970s TOTL comparability.
What I hear:
At first I wondered where all the midrange went. The KEFs instantly reminded me of studio monitors with their laser like soundstaging. Not a party speaker at first.
The bass goes into sub territory for anything under 90dB roundabout. The bass on the KEFs is mind blowing clean and fast compared to the big, slower woofer of the Technics SB-6000.
There where "so many highs" I wondered if something is boosted. I measured. Not boosted. Measured the Technics. Rolls off off axis. I just was used to the Technics sound.
The KEFs are demonstrably better in all areas. But how big is the difference? And does the Technics setup do things the KEF cannot? Well yes.
The overall fidelity of both systems is very high. In direct comparison, it's easy to hear the differences, except there is one thing I can't place my finger on. The Technics, especially the midrange, just sounds a bit more effortless and "easy". After careful analysis, I think it's mainly because the Technics send way more midrange into the room, giving the experience a more "enveloping" quality. A bit like Dolby Atoms speakers vs. no speakers - but for the midrange. The sound "fills the room" way more. Maybe it's the sensitivity, but technically would be incorrect.
Soundstage on the Technics is "ok", but does move a bit depending on frequency. and one must perfectly sit in the sweet spot. So when a singer goes from a low note to a higher note past the crossover frequency, the image shifts. The KEFs have an image that is unwavering and locked in. It's so good I've gotten up several times to see if the TV speakers are on. Nope, it's the KEFs pretending to be a center speaker. Believably.
Power: When I turn things up, both systems "come alive" and will bring the party home. The KEF linearly scales up in volume. It just gets louder. There is no loudness curve implemented btw.
The Technics gets louder. The 12" driver can deliver more pressure. The bass slam (kick) is just way stronger. Probably because of their bass hump.
If I turn the KEFs up, the sound gets bigger. It delivers more information, it's way cleaner. The soundstage gets bigger and surround the listener. It puts a huge smile on ones face for sure, but sometimes it's just "too perfect".
But overall I still say: The vintage TOTL system is very, very close to the KEFs. It can be fully enjoyed and the listener can fully work with it. The limitations are really edge cases and can be dealt with.
Playing vinyl on them, the Technics just does it better in room. Great preamp and the speakers sounding are basically built for vinyls limits.
What AI thinks: (After I delivered many details, told it what to analyse specifically concerning dispersion characteristics and two drivers vs. Coax drivers, DSP vs. analog and so on and made it pretend it's Ethan and Toole in one.)
Here’s the breakdown based on in-room performance.
Overall Sound Quality
The KEF LS60 excels in overall sound quality, resolution, transient dynamics, and soundstage, appealing to most with its modern precision. The Technics SB-6000 delivers a punchy, midbass-driven sound with clean, effortless midrange, satisfying for enthusiasts who tune with the SH-9010, but its analog limits and narrow dispersion lag.
A 1970s TOTL system remains impressive today but the KEF’s coaxial DSP design outshines.
Question: Would You Say the Technics System Is Still "High-Quality Hi-Fi Stereo Reproduction" Overall?
Absolutely—it's still high-quality hi-fi stereo reproduction in 2025, especially for enthusiasts valuing musical engagement over analytical precision. Recent takes (2023–2025) praise its "warm, detailed sound with rich midbass" from the 12-inch woofer, calling it a "pleasant, easy-on-the-ears" performer that rivals modern alternatives.
startingtodj.com
startingtodj.com
Vintage 1970s Technics like this holds up due to robust build (aramid-fiber woofer for low distortion) and timeless dynamics, as noted in Hi-Fi News' 2025 vintage reviews.
That said, "high quality" is contextual: It excels in midrange fidelity and punch (better than many sub-$1,000 modern systems), but its 46 Hz–20 kHz limits and analog crossover (~60° phase shift) make it less resolving than 2025 standards (e.g., <0.5% THD, 26 Hz extension).
For stereo reproduction, it's TOTL and remains enjoyable—think "vintage charm with punch" vs. modern "neutral clinical precision." If your room is medium-sized and you tune with the SH-9010, it's absolutely high-end hi-fi today.
Final Thoughts: The Technics punches above many budget modern systems (~$500) in character but needs $2,000–$4,000 equivalents to fully match/exceed. It's high-quality hi-fi, not obsolete—vintage gear like this is thriving in 2025 for its soulful sound.
This is about overall sound quality, resolution, transient dynamics, user satisfaction, and 1970s TOTL comparability.
What I hear:
At first I wondered where all the midrange went. The KEFs instantly reminded me of studio monitors with their laser like soundstaging. Not a party speaker at first.
The bass goes into sub territory for anything under 90dB roundabout. The bass on the KEFs is mind blowing clean and fast compared to the big, slower woofer of the Technics SB-6000.
There where "so many highs" I wondered if something is boosted. I measured. Not boosted. Measured the Technics. Rolls off off axis. I just was used to the Technics sound.
The KEFs are demonstrably better in all areas. But how big is the difference? And does the Technics setup do things the KEF cannot? Well yes.
The overall fidelity of both systems is very high. In direct comparison, it's easy to hear the differences, except there is one thing I can't place my finger on. The Technics, especially the midrange, just sounds a bit more effortless and "easy". After careful analysis, I think it's mainly because the Technics send way more midrange into the room, giving the experience a more "enveloping" quality. A bit like Dolby Atoms speakers vs. no speakers - but for the midrange. The sound "fills the room" way more. Maybe it's the sensitivity, but technically would be incorrect.
Soundstage on the Technics is "ok", but does move a bit depending on frequency. and one must perfectly sit in the sweet spot. So when a singer goes from a low note to a higher note past the crossover frequency, the image shifts. The KEFs have an image that is unwavering and locked in. It's so good I've gotten up several times to see if the TV speakers are on. Nope, it's the KEFs pretending to be a center speaker. Believably.
Power: When I turn things up, both systems "come alive" and will bring the party home. The KEF linearly scales up in volume. It just gets louder. There is no loudness curve implemented btw.
The Technics gets louder. The 12" driver can deliver more pressure. The bass slam (kick) is just way stronger. Probably because of their bass hump.
If I turn the KEFs up, the sound gets bigger. It delivers more information, it's way cleaner. The soundstage gets bigger and surround the listener. It puts a huge smile on ones face for sure, but sometimes it's just "too perfect".
But overall I still say: The vintage TOTL system is very, very close to the KEFs. It can be fully enjoyed and the listener can fully work with it. The limitations are really edge cases and can be dealt with.
Playing vinyl on them, the Technics just does it better in room. Great preamp and the speakers sounding are basically built for vinyls limits.
What AI thinks: (After I delivered many details, told it what to analyse specifically concerning dispersion characteristics and two drivers vs. Coax drivers, DSP vs. analog and so on and made it pretend it's Ethan and Toole in one.)
Here’s the breakdown based on in-room performance.
Overall Sound Quality
- Technics SB-6000: has a +5 dB midbass peak (80–150 Hz) from the 12-inch woofer and port, a flat midrange (200 Hz–1.5 kHz), and a -6 dB roll-off above 15 kHz off-axis (-10 dB at 20 kHz). The SH-9010 equalizer adjusts (e.g., -3 dB at 100 Hz or +2 dB above 10 kHz), offering tonal flexibility. It’s dynamic but lacks deep bass (<46 Hz) and treble extension.
- KEF LS60: Delivers a near-flat 26 Hz–36 kHz (±3 dB) response, with a -2 dB dip (8–12 kHz on-axis) smoothed off-axis and bass to 23 Hz (F3), adjustable down to -6 dB below 50 Hz via DSP. Treble extends with <0.5 dB deviation above 12 kHz.
- Comparison: The KEF’s neutral, full-range sound outshines the Technics’ midbass-heavy, softer treble profile.
- Technics SB-6000: Resolves midrange well with 93 dB/W/m sensitivity and bi-amped SE-9060s, but transients are moderate (5–10 ms group delay in midbass) due to the woofer’s mass and 1.5 kHz (12 dB/octave) analog crossover phase shift (~60°).
- KEF LS60: Highly resolving with <5 ms group delay (50 Hz–20 kHz) via DSP and low-mass Uni-Q drivers, backed by 1400W amplification for tight transients.
- Comparison: The KEF is more resolving and dynamically precise; the Technics’ analog limits lag behind.
- Technics SB-6000: The phase-aligned 12-inch woofer and 32 mm tweeter create a focused soundstage, ~30–40° wide on-axis, with good depth for its era. However, off-axis roll-off (-6 dB above 1.5 kHz) and phase shift narrow the sweet spot, reducing width and imaging consistency outside the center.
- KEF LS60: The Uni-Q coaxial driver produces a wide, precise soundstage, stable to 50° off-axis, with strong depth but limited height due to its 0.8 m floor placement. The point-source design enhances imaging across a broader area.
- Comparison: The KEF’s wider, more uniform soundstage outperforms the Technics’ narrower, sweet-spot-dependent presentation.
- Technics SB-6000: The 1.5 kHz, 12 dB/octave analog crossover (L1/L2/L3/L4 inductors, C4/C5/C6 capacitors, VR1 attenuator) relies on passive components to shape driver output. This introduces ~60° phase shift and limits dynamic adjustment, with the SH-9010 offering manual tonal tweaks. It’s robust but inflexible, reflecting 1970s design constraints.
- KEF LS60: DSP control dynamically adjusts crossovers (~300–500 Hz, 2–3 kHz) with adaptive slopes, minimizing phase errors (<10° deviation) and optimizing driver integration. This allows real-time bass lowering (e.g., -6 dB) and superior transient control, showcasing modern precision.
- Comparison: DSP’s adaptability and phase accuracy far exceed the Technics’ static analog crossover, enhancing overall fidelity.
- Technics SB-6000 (Two-Way): The separate 12-inch woofer and 32 mm tweeter have broad dispersion below 800 Hz, but the woofer’s directivity narrows above 1 kHz (-6 dB at 30° off-axis), and the tweeter rolls off above 15 kHz, limiting high-frequency spread. This two-way design creates a coherent on-axis soundstage but loses uniformity off-axis, exacerbating room interaction issues (e.g., +6–9 dB modal peaks at 80–150 Hz).
- KEF LS60 (Coaxial Uni-Q): The Uni-Q places the tweeter at the midrange’s acoustic center, ensuring uniform dispersion to 50° off-axis across 200 Hz–12 kHz. The Z-Flex surround and MAT reduce diffraction, maintaining consistent tonality and minimizing room reflections, with side-firing woofers controlling bass directivity.
- Comparison: The Uni-Q’s coaxial design offers superior off-axis consistency and wider dispersion compared to the Technics’ two-way setup, reducing sweet spot dependency and improving room compatibility.
- Technics SB-6000: Users would enjoy the punchy midbass and clear midrange for rock or jazz, especially with SH-9010 tuning (e.g., -3 dB at 100 Hz). The narrow sweet spot and limited bass/treble might disappoint casual listeners expecting modern detail.
- KEF LS60: Most would love the balanced, full-range sound and wide dispersion, ideal for all genres and high-res sources, though bass placement near walls may need DSP adjustment (e.g., -6 dB).
- Comparison: The KEF’s versatility suits a broader audience; the Technics appeals to vintage enthusiasts who tweak, but its limits may frustrate others.
- Technics SB-6000: A recapped 1970s TOTL system shines with high sensitivity and midrange fidelity, the +5 dB midbass peak reflecting its era. The 46 Hz–20 kHz (-6 dB) range and analog crossover show age-related constraints.
- KEF LS60: A 2022 TOTL design with DSP, Uni-Q, and Uni-Core tech delivers a 26 Hz–36 kHz (±3 dB) response and low distortion (<0.5% THD).
- Comparison: The Technics holds historical value and midrange quality but lags in range and precision. It’s comparable as a high-quality 1970s artifact, not “plainly worse,” but the KEF’s modern edge is clear.
- Technics: Sounds high quality with a "warm", dynamic midbass focus and clear midrange. Its shallow bass and soft treble temper refinement.
- KEF: Sounds high quality with neutral detail, deep bass, and extended treble, elevated by modern tech.
- Comparison: Both offer high quality in context, but the KEF’s broader range and clarity feel more refined. The Technics isn’t “plainly worse”—it’s a distinct vintage flavor—but it’s less versatile.
The KEF LS60 excels in overall sound quality, resolution, transient dynamics, and soundstage, appealing to most with its modern precision. The Technics SB-6000 delivers a punchy, midbass-driven sound with clean, effortless midrange, satisfying for enthusiasts who tune with the SH-9010, but its analog limits and narrow dispersion lag.
A 1970s TOTL system remains impressive today but the KEF’s coaxial DSP design outshines.
Question: Would You Say the Technics System Is Still "High-Quality Hi-Fi Stereo Reproduction" Overall?
Absolutely—it's still high-quality hi-fi stereo reproduction in 2025, especially for enthusiasts valuing musical engagement over analytical precision. Recent takes (2023–2025) praise its "warm, detailed sound with rich midbass" from the 12-inch woofer, calling it a "pleasant, easy-on-the-ears" performer that rivals modern alternatives.
5 Best Vintage Technics Speakers - Tested in 2023 - Starting to DJ
Some speakers remain in the memory of several generations and sometimes are firmly embedded in history and become symbols of their era.
startingtodj.com
5 Best Vintage Technics Speakers - Tested in 2023 - Starting to DJ
Some speakers remain in the memory of several generations and sometimes are firmly embedded in history and become symbols of their era.
startingtodj.com
Vintage 1970s Technics like this holds up due to robust build (aramid-fiber woofer for low distortion) and timeless dynamics, as noted in Hi-Fi News' 2025 vintage reviews.
That said, "high quality" is contextual: It excels in midrange fidelity and punch (better than many sub-$1,000 modern systems), but its 46 Hz–20 kHz limits and analog crossover (~60° phase shift) make it less resolving than 2025 standards (e.g., <0.5% THD, 26 Hz extension).
For stereo reproduction, it's TOTL and remains enjoyable—think "vintage charm with punch" vs. modern "neutral clinical precision." If your room is medium-sized and you tune with the SH-9010, it's absolutely high-end hi-fi today.
Final Thoughts: The Technics punches above many budget modern systems (~$500) in character but needs $2,000–$4,000 equivalents to fully match/exceed. It's high-quality hi-fi, not obsolete—vintage gear like this is thriving in 2025 for its soulful sound.
