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KEF Folks - What Model Should I Start With?

theophile said:
Same woman:
post-48897-1329013797.jpg


post-48897-1326079488.jpg
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I could be wrong I guess, but there does seem to have been a few years elapsed between the first photo and the follow up photos. Who is she? An Aussie, I"m guessing?
 
I'm not bashing items made in China per se, I have some Fenix flashlights that are top notch in quality, for example. I am just disappointed by all the out sourcing. I want a British speaker, I want one made in Britain.

That being said, I'm still considering LS50s.
 
All these apologetics still don't explain why they are up for sale so often. Google is your friend. I can't see people not being aware of break in periods.
 
SiliconTi said:
Confirmed. They are Model 3's They are a 3.5 hours trip one way. Not sure that is worth it.
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Art is a nice guy, if you do not like the Kef's check out the Snell AIII i's he purchased them from me, also very nice speakers.
 
Thanks SmitterDave. I am interested, but it would kill an entire day that I just do not have available. May have to make time.
 
"Oh, I heard that..." how many equipment bashes have started with that comment? A lot of good equipment including KEF and Yamaha have been given knocks by people who have never listened to the equipment they are making a negative comment about. Just saying...
 
As I mentioned, I happen to have a pair of Kef 105.2 I bought new in '78. Great speakers, hard to fault. However shortly after I got them, I heard the 105 first version were better, more dynamic due to the rigid coupling of the woofer as opposed to the isolastic mounts on the series 2. Hindsight suggests I should have gotten a used first version instead. Not just sayin.

But I'll definitely pass on the LS50s.
 
Superampman said:
All these apologetics still don't explain why they are up for sale so often. Google is your friend. I can't see people not being aware of break in periods.
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Off-topic, but just my humble theory as to why so many LS50's for sale...

1) They're new, and a lot of them sold. So a lot are "around" to be sold. Sort of like a Toyota Camry. There are just a lot of them!

2) They're priced right...both new and used. New, they are cheap enough for those "serious" audiophiles to give a try...if nothing else, for a 2nd or 3rd system. And as well all know, those same "serious audiophiles" (like ourselves) tend to like trying "different" gear...they hear the LS50...they may like it, they may not...but either way, they want to hear something "different." Selling them allows them to recoup most (or all) of their money, to try something new. I bought a pair, used ($1150...market was higher on them at the time). I had them for about a year, I really liked them...I'm a KEF guy. But I still sold them. I "had to" try out some Quad 57's. I sold them for $950. Still had original packaging so was easy to sell/ship to a large market, and the speakers are not that expensive to ship.

Used, they're an even easier purchase to justify...$1500 speakers (and many say a bargain even at full retail) now for $900 or maybe even less! For speakers that at most are just a few years old?! Hell yeah! I'll stretch my budget and get some. Oh wait, now my wife is pissed or I need the money for something else. Well, they're small enough to ship...should be an easy sale...should get my money back...can always buy another pair later...

Just a few possible reasons they may be for sale so often. I know, I know..."If they were that great, no one would ever sell them, they'd just keep them." Well, honestly I just don't think it always works out that way.

I may buy a pair again some day, or I may try out similar models from ATC, Harbeth, or Scansonic (cheaper Raidho).
 
Hawkeye83 said:
Off-topic, but just my humble theory as to why so many LS50's for sale...

1) They're new, and a lot of them sold. So a lot are "around" to be sold. Sort of like a Toyota Camry. There are just a lot of them!

2) They're priced right...both new and used. New, they are cheap enough for those "serious" audiophiles to give a try...if nothing else, for a 2nd or 3rd system. And as well all know, those same "serious audiophiles" (like ourselves) tend to like trying "different" gear...they hear the LS50...they may like it, they may not...but either way, they want to hear something "different." Selling them allows them to recoup most (or all) of their money, to try something new. I bought a pair, used ($1150...market was higher on them at the time). I had them for about a year, I really liked them...I'm a KEF guy. But I still sold them. I "had to" try out some Quad 57's. I sold them for $950. Still had original packaging so was easy to sell/ship to a large market, and the speakers are not that expensive to ship.

Used, they're an even easier purchase to justify...$1500 speakers (and many say a bargain even at full retail) now for $900 or maybe even less! For speakers that at most are just a few years old?! Hell yeah! I'll stretch my budget and get some. Oh wait, now my wife is pissed or I need the money for something else. Well, they're small enough to ship...should be an easy sale...should get my money back...can always buy another pair later...

Just a few possible reasons they may be for sale so often. I know, I know..."If they were that great, no one would ever sell them, they'd just keep them." Well, honestly I just don't think it always works out that way.

I may buy a pair again some day, or I may try out similar models from ATC, Harbeth, or Scansonic (cheaper Raidho).
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Thank you Hawkeye83, I completely agree with every point you made. I had many of the same thoughts, I just refrained from responding to what I felt was bait for an argument. I'm glad that you did respond and in a way that was on point. :beerchug:
 
darkblue94 said:
Thank you Hawkeye83, I completely agree with every point you made. I had many of the same thoughts, I just refrained from responding to what I felt was bait for an argument. I'm glad that you did respond and in a way that was on point. :beerchug:
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Thanks :beerchug:

And I'm definitely not saying LS50's are for everybody. I liked them. I thought all around, they were very good.

One other thing that has been mentioned before - many people stretch their budget to get the LS50's, then may have mid-fi or lower-end hi-fi gear to use them with. I thought they sounded fine with my Peachtree Decco, but they seemed transparent/responsive enough that you could throw some really fine gear at them. I know a member here used some Raven Audio tube amps with his, and said the combination was awesome. The only tube amp I had to try with them was a vintage 14wpc Heathkit, and that was not a good match at all. Would love to hear a pair with some toooobs!! Or at least some higher-end amplification.

As for the Reference 3's, I'm not familiar, but I've yet to hear a KEF I didn't like. I'm sure they are a fine speaker. Let us know what you decide/end up with!!!
 
Hawkeye83 said:
Off-topic, but just my humble theory as to why so many LS50's for sale...

1) They're new, and a lot of them sold. So a lot are "around" to be sold. Sort of like a Toyota Camry. There are just a lot of them!

2) They're priced right...both new and used. New, they are cheap enough for those "serious" audiophiles to give a try...if nothing else, for a 2nd or 3rd system. And as well all know, those same "serious audiophiles" (like ourselves) tend to like trying "different" gear...they hear the LS50...they may like it, they may not...but either way, they want to hear something "different." Selling them allows them to recoup most (or all) of their money, to try something new. I bought a pair, used ($1150...market was higher on them at the time). I had them for about a year, I really liked them...I'm a KEF guy. But I still sold them. I "had to" try out some Quad 57's. I sold them for $950. Still had original packaging so was easy to sell/ship to a large market, and the speakers are not that expensive to ship.

Used, they're an even easier purchase to justify...$1500 speakers (and many say a bargain even at full retail) now for $900 or maybe even less! For speakers that at most are just a few years old?! Hell yeah! I'll stretch my budget and get some. Oh wait, now my wife is pissed or I need the money for something else. Well, they're small enough to ship...should be an easy sale...should get my money back...can always buy another pair later...

Just a few possible reasons they may be for sale so often. I know, I know..."If they were that great, no one would ever sell them, they'd just keep them." Well, honestly I just don't think it always works out that way.

I may buy a pair again some day, or I may try out similar models from ATC, Harbeth, or Scansonic (cheaper Raidho).
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That wasn't off topic at all. History will either confirm or deny your theory. I also like switching to something 'different'. But I'm the kind of audiophile that switches from one keeper to another. Mind you I have done exactly what you've suggested among lesser players just for fun, ie: JBL L65 that ended up stunningly good, JBL L5 (over rated), Realistic Mach 1(junk), Mission V63 which were also surprisingly good. This is a hobby after all. I have Kef 105.2, Infinity Kappa 9, and Acoustat Monitor 3. All historical keepers, but the Acoustats are in an entirely different league. I was taken by surprise as I had no idea just how good they actually are. I thought I had a clue by reading about them even after auditioning the Model 4(without the DD servo OTLs) but I was very wrong. No 'thin sounding' anything with these. I've been on the hunt for a pair for quite a few years, missed on a pair of X three times. This is the first time I've ever seen a pair of Monitor 3 available.

Not sure how many LS50 were sold but I wonder how many nearly new Camrys are. Ime of 40yrs in this hobby, the classifieds tell a very convincing, and safe, story. I would not buy them without a good audition.
 
Hawkeye83 said:
Thanks :beerchug:

And I'm definitely not saying LS50's are for everybody. I liked them. I thought all around, they were very good.

One other thing that has been mentioned before - many people stretch their budget to get the LS50's, then may have mid-fi or lower-end hi-fi gear to use them with. I thought they sounded fine with my Peachtree Decco, but they seemed transparent/responsive enough that you could throw some really fine gear at them. I know a member here used some Raven Audio tube amps with his, and said the combination was awesome. The only tube amp I had to try with them was a vintage 14wpc Heathkit, and that was not a good match at all. Would love to hear a pair with some toooobs!! Or at least some higher-end amplification.

As for the Reference 3's, I'm not familiar, but I've yet to hear a KEF I didn't like. I'm sure they are a fine speaker. Let us know what you decide/end up with!!!
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I would have a pair myself if not for my low powered tube amps which, as you know, will not play well with them. Have you heard either of the "Blade" models? They are fantastic but then so are their prices.:rolleyes: If I were to change out to a better quality SS 100-150watt amp I would then get the LS50's next. It could happen, never say never. ;)
 
Superampman said:
That wasn't off topic at all. History will either confirm or deny your theory. I also like switching to something 'different'. But I'm the kind of audiophile that switches from one keeper to another. Mind you I have done exactly what you've suggested among lesser players just for fun, ie: JBL L65 that ended up stunningly good, JBL L5 (over rated), Realistic Mach 1(junk), Mission V63 which were also surprisingly good. This is a hobby after all. I have Kef 105.2, Infinity Kappa 9, and Acoustat Monitor 3. All historical keepers, but the Acoustats are in an entirely different league. I was taken by surprise as I had no idea just how good they actually are. I thought I had a clue by reading about them even after auditioning the Model 4(without the DD servo OTLs) but I was very wrong. No 'thin sounding' anything with these. I've been on the hunt for a pair for quite a few years, missed on a pair of X three times. This is the first time I've ever seen a pair of Monitor 3 available.

Not sure how many LS50 were sold but I wonder how many nearly new Camrys are. Ime of 40yrs in this hobby, the classifieds tell a very convincing, and safe, story. I would not buy them without a good audition.
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No arguments here. As you say, time will tell. Some already think the LS50's a "modern classic." Others don't care for them at all.

I am well-familiar with the KEF Reference sound from the 80's. You and one other member here have said the Acoustats were even better. I am definitely interested in hearing or owning some Acoustat speakers. Will have to wait awhile to buy any, but I'd love to hear them. Some of the models are surprisingly affordable (like $400-500).

Also have yet to hear an Infinity speaker, although there was a pair of the IRS something or other near me...the ones with the 4 towers...2 bass towers and 2 ribbon towers...not the top dogs but the next ones down. Ended up selling for around $3k I think. Was pretty tempted by those. I do like ribbon tweeters so I'd love to hear some EMIT's.
 
darkblue94 said:
I would have a pair myself if not for my low powered tube amps which, as you know, will not play well with them. Have you heard either of the "Blade" models? They are fantastic but then so are their prices.:rolleyes: If I were to change out to a better quality SS 100-150watt amp I would then get the LS50's next. It could happen, never say never. ;)
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Would love to hear some Blades. I think the Blade 2's are "somewhat" affordable? Like around $10k, used? I know, that's stretching the definition of affordable...but if I sold all my other gear, I might be close...that kind of affordable, lol. Of course in that price range, now you've REALLY gotta look around, consider all options, and audition (obviously). I really don't know what I'd buy if I had $10k to spend on speakers. Blade 2's? Maybe? Harbeth? Wilson? KEF Reference Series (new ones)? I wish, lol.
 
darkblue94 said:
I would not make any major speaker purchase without having actually heard them first. Low dollar estate/garage sale/thriftstore purchases are a different matter entirely. :)
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The only ones I auditioned were the 105.2. I've never been disappointed buying gear via Google or feed back from sites such as AK, and of course observing past sales. Even concerning junk(i knew what to expect). I have bought and sold a lot of gear. Adequate research is all it takes for success.

Btw, the Mach Ones sold almost immediately. Go figure:)
 
Superampman said:
The only ones I auditioned were the 105.2. I've never been disappointed buying gear via Google or feed back from sites such as AK, and of course observing past sales. Even concerning junk(i knew what to expect). I have bought and sold a lot of gear. Adequate research is all it takes for success.

Btw, the Mach Ones sold almost immediately. Go figure:)
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I'm sure the Mach Ones were bought by some guy that read on the internet that they were great speakers. :D
 
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