Help wanted: Celestion, KEF or Monitor Audio speakers?

[nicolonez]

Hi all!!!
I am setting up a vintage listening room and currently have available:

- Dual 1229 turntable with Stanton 681 or liquid music
- LEAK Stereo 70 or Fisher X-100 amplifier.

As speakers, I wanted to stay on something "English sound" with big size since the room is not small (6x8m or so) and because I like "big" speakers ;D

I had identified these three models:
1. Celestion Ditton 44 (or even 25)
2. KEF 104ab
3. Monitor Audio MA1 (I can find little info on these).

Do you have any suggestions, opinions on this?

Thanks

 

[rickb119]

As the owner of a pair of 104/2's, my vote goes to the KEF's.

 

[nicolonez]

As the owner of a pair of 104/2's, my vote goes to the KEF's.

In terms of sound, how they differ from the other?

 

[rickb119]

I have no idea, as I've not heard the others. However, the KEF's from that era produce a very unique sound. Rich, full and very musical. Perhaps not quite as micro detailed as some other speakers, but far more enjoyable to listen to. The original BBC LS3/5a speakers used KEF drivers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LS3/5A

To find out what others think of the speakers you listed (or any other audio equipment) do a search, and add 'audiokarma' to it. I.e. *KEF 104ab audiokarma*. That will bring up past AK threads.

Here's a little *light* reading on the KEF's. https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/kef-owners-thread.630884/

Are you able to listen to any of them?

 

[Hoytis]

+1 for KEF 104/2. Love mine dearly. Produces excellent instrument separation. Easy to drive. Use them with both SS and tube amps, sound great either way.

Sorry, haven't heard the others.

 

[Lou G]

The 104/2 and 104ab are totally different speakers with the only similarity in their name. The 104ab is a nice sounding speaker but the 104/2 is a level above the 104ab. From your list of speakers, I would choose the 104ab. If you are interested in speakers from that era, I would also include the KEF Calinda. It is not as common as the 104ab so it may be harder to find. I auditioned the Calinda and 104ab side by side back in the day and preferred the Calinda, although it was close. I purchased the Calindas new in 1979 and still have them in my office system.

The Calinda is a computer optimized version of the KEF 104ab. The Calinda is virtually flat from 40 to 22,000 Hz, with substantial usable bass down to 30 Hz. The Calinda’s sonic signature is similar to the 104ab, (the same T27 tweeter, a slightly different B200 woofer version with a slightly more powerful magnet and lower Q, a similar 44 liter cabinet volume but in a taller, narrower, deeper configuration, the same BD139 passive radiator, and similar crossover topology). The Calinda’s drivers are mounted in a vertical array with the tweeter below the mid-woofer giving much improved dispersion and a larger and more cohesive soundstage than the 104ab. Also the Calinda’s base extends deeper and is more accurate than the 104ab. The Calinda was engineered to be a floor stander and does not require stands like the 104ab.

 

[nicolonez]

The 104/2 and 104ab are totally different speakers with the only similarity in their name. The 104ab is a nice sounding speaker but the 104/2 is a level above the 104ab. From your list of speakers, I would choose the 104ab. If you are interested in speakers from that era, I would also include the KEF Calinda. It is not as common as the 104ab so it may be harder to find. I auditioned the Calinda and 104ab side by side back in the day and preferred the Calinda, although it was close. I purchased the Calindas new in 1979 and still have them in my office system.

The Calinda is a computer optimized version of the KEF 104ab. The Calinda is virtually flat from 40 to 22,000 Hz, with substantial usable bass down to 30 Hz. The Calinda’s sonic signature is similar to the 104ab, (the same T27 tweeter, a slightly different B200 woofer version with a slightly more powerful magnet and lower Q, a similar 44 liter cabinet volume but in a taller, narrower, deeper configuration, the same BD139 passive radiator, and similar crossover topology). The Calinda’s drivers are mounted in a vertical array with the tweeter below the mid-woofer giving much improved dispersion and a larger and more cohesive soundstage than the 104ab. Also the Calinda’s base extends deeper and is more accurate than the 104ab. The Calinda was engineered to be a floor stander and does not require stands like the 104ab.

I see a pair of Calinda here in Italy for 700€ (with Falcon Kit crossover upgrade, which I don't know what it is...). Is it a good price?

 

[Lou G]

The Falcon crossover upgrade kit is just replacement capacitors for the crossovers. I believe there were 6 capacitors in each crossover so 12 capacitors total and the kit used to go for about $100. I don't see the Calinda for sale too often here in the US but when I did they were asking about $400 to $450 without the crossover upgrade. So 700 Euros seems a bit high to me.