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KEF 104-2 match?

lt.slothr0p

lt.slothr0p

Member
hi guys,
i have a line on a pair of KEF 104-2s that look like they're in good shape for a good price. my question is whether my pioneer sx-850 is a good match for them. i've read that they're not the easiest speaker to drive, but i won't be trying to fill an arena with sound either, so i'm just curious what folks might think about that match.

cheers!
 
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The 850 will drive them but they are a better match with a better quality amplifier.If you aren't aware these speakers more than likely have age related issues by now.I have a pair that Im waiting to get the donut and ferrofluid replaced.Excellent speakers.
 
thanks superdog and siliconTi. i've been doing some reading about the donut and ferrofluid issues and i'm not sure yet what the condition is, but we'll see. i just don't want to enter a rabbit hole where having scored some new speakers my 850 becomes useless to me.
 
To me it would be, but it is up to you. I do not have any KEF in my arsenal yet ( I am looking for a pair), but my research shows that the Kube is needed. Kinda like the Bose 901 needs its eq to sound correct.
 
Without the Kube EQ the KEF speakers are still listenable, unlike the Bose 901's without their EQ.
 
i really appreciate you guys weighing in. i've got a little more info on them: donuts will need to be replaced, and the seller's response to a question about the ferrofluid was "what's that?" so i'm assuming assuming the worst there. i'm capable but certainly not expert as a diy-er and i am willing to put in the work to get these 104/2s going but i'm still a little worried about the match with my sx-850. my current speakers are polk (keep reading please) RT-400 towers. assuming the donuts and ferrofluid get worked out, how big a step up will these KEFs be?
 
lt.slothr0p said:
looks like no kube... i've never had a pair of KEFs before, is this a deal-breaker?
Click to expand...

The 104.2 were on the market for years before they developed a Kube for it as an option. It extends the bass response and makes the speaker a bit less forward IIRC. There is also the issue of running the signal through two extra sets of ICs and the rather inexpensive electronics in the box. Not everyone preferred the sound, hence it was an option. The Kube was necessary for the 102, 103.3 and 107/107.2 as it was designed as part of the system which will not sound as intended without it.

I used to sell the 104.2 and I preferred it by a wide margin to the Polk of the day but I have not hears the RT-400. I think you will be happy with the 104.2.
 
I think if you can get them at a really good price, they would be worth a shot.

Thanks of the info Raynald - I thought the Kube was critical for all KEF that had one, but looks like in this case it may not be needed.
 
lt.slothr0p said:
i really appreciate you guys weighing in. i've got a little more info on them: donuts will need to be replaced, and the seller's response to a question about the ferrofluid was "what's that?" so i'm assuming assuming the worst there. i'm capable but certainly not expert as a diy-er and i am willing to put in the work to get these 104/2s going but i'm still a little worried about the match with my sx-850. my current speakers are polk (keep reading please) RT-400 towers. assuming the donuts and ferrofluid get worked out, how big a step up will these KEFs be?
Click to expand...

Don't know if you ended up grabbing these, but I have 2 sets of 104/2's (love em), and have addressed the tweets in both. Replaced the ferrofluid in one, but the other, I upgraded to these:
Morel MDT29-4 (4 ohm) Textile dome tweeter

Night and day... if you can swing it, the Morels are a real game changer.
 
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Having the Kube can darn near double the asking price, at least in my area. I used my 104/2's with it for awhile, but now I don't. Not because of any issues, I needed a pair of cables a while back and took those. The donut ring and ferrofluid are not difficult at all too replace. BTW I run a carver receiver as pre-amp into an NAD amp to drive mine. I have also driven them with a Sansui G-5700. They are great speakers.
 
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