Kef 104/2 Reference Speakers

[canuckaudiog]

Hey guys.

I have a line on a pair of Kef 104/2's for $450. I have no knowledge on these, and some Kef's are rather interesting designs so I wanted to know if there was anything I should check, watch out for, etc. I understand that these did not need the Kube, but I'm guessing was an option?

And of course since this is D&S, how's the price?

 

[Balifly]

I do not own these speakers the information below is second hand from friend's speakers.

In the lower portion of the speakers, there is a rubber piece around the metal rod.

Make sure it is in good condition.

It may (can be) need replacement. :scratch2:

 

[canuckaudiog]

Thanks!

I'm going to check them out tonight, in about an hour. Any other suggestions are welcome, and I will report when I'm back.

 

[moinau]

Very nice sounding speakers. The Kube was an option. They came in different version, a version with bi-wiring.
Couple of things to watch for is, the inner rings (donuts) sometime has to be changed due to sagging. Another one is the tweeter, the T33 is ferro-fluid cooled, and after a certain time the liquid harden.
450.00$ is a mid price, some are less, and you have some topping 1000.00$ a bit much, but if people are ready to pay...

I have the KEF Calinda, excellent speaker, sold my HPM 100 to get them. Not to say that the HPM 100 were bad speakers, but I find the KEF more mellow and better suited for what I listen to, Jazz, Blues, Classical, and old rock, 60s and 70s, you know, the good old stuff.
The 104/2 is far superior than my Calinda, so if they pass muster, get them. :thmbsp:


http://www.kef.com/html/en/explore/about_kef/museum/1980s/reference_series_104_2/index.html

http://www.kef.com/uploads/files/en/museum_pdf/80s/Reference_Series_Model_104_2_r.pdf

 

[Ohighway]

Look through the port and check the woofer surrounds and rings ( top and bottom woofer) Check the operation of the tweeter as I've heard these sometimes fail.

I own a pair of 104/2. They're nice !

 

[canuckaudiog]

Well I went and checked them out. I couldn't figure out how to check the top woofer, but it sounded like everything was working. They sounded excellent. Slower paced but in an enjoyable, relaxing rich and classy way. Very nice way to present music. Excellent for jazz, lounge music, even rock was decent.

In the end, we settled on $375 and am picking them up tomorrow. Pics to come!

 

[SimplySound]

In the end, we settled on $375 and am picking them up tomorrow. Pics to come!

Sounds like you did pretty well Canucker... Kruipen has them at an average of $600!

They are awesome speakers... a little more of an American sound than the Brit sound KEF's are known for. What I mean by that is they are a little more dynamic and have a bit of a low frequency bias, but I'm sure you'll find them enjoyable! KEF, at that time, did very little poorly!

Enjoy and....

:worthless

 

[canuckaudiog]

Sounds like you did pretty well Canucker... Kruipen has them at an average of $600!

They are awesome speakers... a little more of an American sound than the Brit sound KEF's are known for. What I mean by that is they are a little more dynamic and have a bit of a low frequency bias, but I'm sure you'll find them enjoyable! KEF, at that time, did very little poorly!

Enjoy and....

:worthless

Wow.. that's pretty dang good then. They're coming from a good home and I'm happy about that. I will be the third owner, but realistically the people I am buying them from only owned them from the original owner for maybe a month or two, so I could pretty much say I am second owner.

I do know what you mean about the sound though. They were quite a different direction for Kef, and I can tell. I have heard the new Kef lineup, the Q series (Q900, iQ9) and what I like is that it has that same, great clarity with lots of detail, fantastic imaging, but it has that really nice lovely lush midrange that british speakers are so well known for. I absolutely enjoyed them. I went in with no expectations, thinking I am not sure if I will like these or not, and came out really happy they are coming home.

Once I get 'em oiled up and have a thorough listening session with 'em you will get your pics.

 

[tubed]

Very nice, Canuck!
First order of business when you have them home is to remove the rotten dust cap foam on the woofers threatening the voice coil gap.
A carefully applied vacuum hose can tidy the mess up nicely.

 

[canuckaudiog]

Very nice, Canuck!
First order of business when you have them home is to remove the rotten dust cap foam on the woofers threatening the voice coil gap.
A carefully applied vacuum hose can tidy the mess up nicely.

Should I replace those donuts before I give them some serious listening? They won't be going into their system until they're restored, meaning caps replaced and whatever other work needs to be done, so I have no problems holding off. I also have to find a new amp/receiver capable of 4ohm stability, so they won't be in serious use for a bit.

 

[tubed]

Should I replace those donuts before I give them some serious listening? They won't be going into their system until they're restored, meaning caps replaced and whatever other work needs to be done, so I have no problems holding off. I also have to find a new amp/receiver capable of 4ohm stability, so they won't be in serious use for a bit.

It's not necessary to enjoy your new speakers without the donut dust caps and I don't think they are a "serious" load on an amplifier.
So have at and enjoy.

 

[canuckaudiog]

Will do, thanks!

 

[Vistance]

Ya got lucky. I almost had a pair of these for even cheaper, but went to look at 'em and the cones were poked in on all the drivers, the actual cones on one of them had some kind of resin or something where someone repaired a crack in them, the woofers with the metal rod going through them had disintegrated surrounds, and the cabinets were banged up. The lady was given them by her dad and was using them as decorative stands for some picture frames (Also apparently play toys for her little kid, who I suspect poked all the cones in). I was a sad panda

 

[Ohighway]

Well I went and checked them out. I couldn't figure out how to check the top woofer, but it sounded like everything was working. They sounded excellent. Slower paced but in an enjoyable, relaxing rich and classy way. Very nice way to present music. Excellent for jazz, lounge music, even rock was decent.

In the end, we settled on $375 and am picking them up tomorrow. Pics to come!

Just look in the port. There's a lower woofer and an upper woofer. You can get a good look at the surround and donut on the lower woofer. On the upper one, you can't see as much, but you can still see enough to get an idea of the condition of the surround.

Glad you could make a deal on them.

 

[canuckaudiog]

Ya got lucky. I almost had a pair of these for even cheaper, but went to look at 'em and the cones were poked in on all the drivers, the actual cones on one of them had some kind of resin or something where someone repaired a crack in them, the woofers with the metal rod going through them had disintegrated surrounds, and the cabinets were banged up. The lady was given them by her dad and was using them as decorative stands for some picture frames (Also apparently play toys for her little kid, who I suspect poked all the cones in). I was a sad panda

Yikes! I hope I never have to run into a pair of speakers so poorly mistreated. Hopefully you will find another pair in much better shape. That is pure sacrilege!

Just look in the port. There's a lower woofer and an upper woofer. You can get a good look at the surround and donut on the lower woofer. On the upper one, you can't see as much, but you can still see enough to get an idea of the condition of the surround.

Glad you could you make a deal on them.

Thanks. I'm glad I'm picking them up. I'll have to take a look at that when I get them home, but I do know the donuts need replacing regardless. One of them was cracked, and by this time they need replacing regardless of whether they are still in good shape or not. These ones are from around 87 the seller said, so they're due for it.

Also, in other news, I may have found a Kube for them!

 

[sancho22]

I use mine without a Kube.
I got them in trade here on AK - GREAT speakers.
Mine are in pristine shape and the PO changed the doughnuts and the refreshed the cross-over.
Really wonderful speakers both with ss or tubes.

 

[Ohighway]

Thanks. I'm glad I'm picking them up. I'll have to take a look at that when I get them home, but I do know the donuts need replacing regardless. One of them was cracked, and by this time they need replacing regardless of whether they are still in good shape or not. These ones are from around 87 the seller said, so they're due for it.

Also, in other news, I may have found a Kube for them!

Cool. Nice if you can get the Kube and I'd be interested to hear your impressions with/without them.

I got my 104/2 from the widow of the original owner. Not sure if surrounds and donuts had ever been replaced during the life of the speakers but mine look great. Mine also have two sets of terminals so they can be bi-amped I guess?

I've only run mine on tubes. I guess at some point I'll see how they sound with a SS amp running them.

 

[canuckaudiog]

Cool. Nice if you can get the Kube and I'd be interested to hear your impressions with/without them.

I got my 104/2 from the widow of the original owner. Not sure if surrounds and donuts had ever been replaced during the life of the speakers but mine look great. Mine also have two sets of terminals so they can be bi-amped I guess?

I've only run mine on tubes. I guess at some point I'll see how they sound with a SS amp running them.

Yeah I think having the Kube would be really nice, I know it only improves the bass response but well, knowing me, I like my bass. If not, I know they sound incredible regardless.

I'll be running them with a Sansui 881 so no tubes. Maybe down the road I will go that route, I think the two would be a great match. I'll definitely post my thoughts. As it stands right now I have not heard back from the seller of the Kube - it's been on the classifieds since mid November so, hard to say if it is still there but I imagine it is since it is only meant for the 104/2. We'll see

Edit:

Just heard from the seller of the Kube. It is still available. Time to make a move!

 

[canuckaudiog]

Just finished picking them up. Just need to drive home, set them up and I'll get some pictures. Stay tuned

 

[tubed]

It's always fun to get new stuff!