KEF owners thread

[Ken Mitchell]

I've had the R-900's in my main system for several years now & decided to pull the trigger & ordered a pair of the R11's today! I plan on pairing my old R-900's with another system I have and the R11's will take their place in the main system. Can't wait!

You'll note the bass isn't quite as deep, but it is far better controlled. The highs are about the same, but much smoother and less fatiguing. I've seen reports that lower midrange is a little weaker, so less of the "British bump" we've become accustomed to hearing. Overall, more neutral yet very smooth and musical with better attack & decay characteristics. When I heard the R11's they were powered by nearly $30k worth of new Naim DAC, pre-amp, and power amp. Way too close to Reference series for the price. You've done good! Congratulations!

 

[Spookyfoot]

You'll note the bass isn't quite as deep, but it is far better controlled. The highs are about the same, but much smoother and less fatiguing. I've seen reports that lower midrange is a little weaker, so less of the "British bump" we've become accustomed to hearing. Overall, more neutral yet very smooth and musical with better attack & decay characteristics. When I heard the R11's they were powered by nearly $30k worth of new Naim DAC, pre-amp, and power amp. Way too close to Reference series for the price. You've done good! Congratulations!

So looking forward to getting them, KEF continues to push themselves and doesn't seem content with just resting on their prior accomplishments. The amount of changes in engineering between the new R11 & the previous R900 is vast and from all accounts it looks like they've achieved something special with the new R series.

 

[roadie1]

I'm trying to like the LS50 but I just can't. If they even put out a little more volume I'd keep them but as it is I"ll be selling them when I get the chance. Sorry for jumping in. Back to the OP...

 

[Ken Mitchell]

I'm trying to like the LS50 but I just can't. If they even put out a little more volume I'd keep them but as it is I"ll be selling them when I get the chance. Sorry for jumping in. Back to the OP...

What is it about them that isn't working for you? What electronics and source material are you using? How big is your room and how far from them are you sitting to listen? They do go fairly loud with the right power, though aren't exactly going to fill a stadium.

 

[roadie1]

So far they have sounded best a Rega Apollo-R and a Rega Elex/. I'd say it's small to medium sized room. I sit about 6-7 feet from them.

I'm using Rega ICs' to connect the source and amp.

 

[Ken Mitchell]

So far they have sounded best a Rega Apollo-R and a Rega Elex/. I'd say it's small to medium sized room. I sit about 6-7 feet from them.

I'm using Rega ICs' to connect the source and amp.

So what is it about that that isn't working for you? I know they're not for everyone, but you would be only the second of a great many I know who have and love the LS50 to want to return them.

I'm closer to mine than you are to yours. I found them to be a touch bright/fatiguing if toed-in to point at my head. When I just straightened them out everything changed for the better.

 

[roadie1]

I'll try a little positioning today. Thanks!

 

[roadie1]

Yowza! They will go loud. Loud enough for me anyway. I hooked them up to my Krell 550 and that took care of what I thought was a let down. No other changes, nor need be.They sound sweet. Not to mention looking cool.

I appreciate your feedback.

Regards,
R1.

 

[Ken Mitchell]

That's SO good to hear...for both of us!!

I just love mine and hope to be able to afford the new NAD C658 DAC/streamer/pre-amp and C278 power amp combo in the spring. With all the features and Dirac Live, it'll be incredible.

 

[FONSguy]

So for us KEF fans..... What kinds of Phono carts do you match with your speakers for that synergy??
I use both a Stanton 681ee and Grace F9e Super with the 2nd tier Sound Smith replacement stylus on a SE 3009 II improved with fluid damper. Didn' like Denon 301 using the AT transformer.

 

[Ken Mitchell]

I'm using an Ortofon 2M Red on my ProJect RPM-1 with their inexpensive Phono Box phone amplifier. Lots of room for improvement, but I like it fine for now.

 

[Ross6860]

Just got my 104/2s fixed up. New donuts, grommets, and tweeter overhaul.

I only have about 45 minutes listening time so far, but I'm certainly liking what I'm hearing. They are comparing very well to some much larger speakers. Plenty of power on tap (225 wpc @ 4 ohms) and they appear to sound better the more juice they get.

I have a cube but haven't tried it. They don't sound like they need any help in the bass department. I need to play some E. Power Biggs and see how they hold up to organ pedal notes.

Any placement recommendations? I've read they like to be closer to the side and rear walls, but they are currently out from the walls where my other speakers appear to sound better.

 

[MCM_Fan]

So for us KEF fans..... What kinds of Phono carts do you match with your speakers for that synergy??
I use both a Stanton 681ee and Grace F9e Super with the 2nd tier Sound Smith replacement stylus on a SE 3009 II improved with fluid damper. Didn' like Denon 301 using the AT transformer.

A very timely question...

I just picked up a pair of 2nd hand LS50s over the weekend. I tried them first with a Signet TK10 ML. They sounded very detailed with great separation and superb imaging, but a little thin in the bass and lower midrange. I'm now trying them with a Pickering XV-15/625E. Perhaps a little less detail, but a fuller sound, still with great separation, but not quite the imaging of the Signet. I need to hook up both tables at the same time so I can do a proper A/B comparison. The Signet TK10ML has a very low output for a MM cartridge (2.2mV) and I think that may be influencing what I'm hearing. I have to really crank up the volume knob to get the LS50s going. The Pickering, with a more conventional 4.4mV output "seems to be" a better match, but I want to run a true A/B test with matched volume levels to get a more accurate comparison. I REALLY like the imaging with the Signet, but also like the fuller low end with the Pickering.

I also plan to try a couple of my vintage Shure cartridges, and will probably also try the AT132EP as well.

Still need to work out the placement (will need to move the larger JBLs out of the way for that), but here's how I'm running them currently (driven with a Yamaha A-1000):

 

[Spookyfoot]

You'll note the bass isn't quite as deep, but it is far better controlled. The highs are about the same, but much smoother and less fatiguing. I've seen reports that lower midrange is a little weaker, so less of the "British bump" we've become accustomed to hearing. Overall, more neutral yet very smooth and musical with better attack & decay characteristics. When I heard the R11's they were powered by nearly $30k worth of new Naim DAC, pre-amp, and power amp. Way too close to Reference series for the price. You've done good! Congratulations!

After getting my new RII's set up & spending about 8 hours with them I would say your description is right on the money. Compared to my R900's everything you stated is exactly what I hear in comparison between the two. I really like these RII's, they are ultra smooth and when the bass is needed they can go deep but as you mentioned it is very controlled and the slightly bloated bass of the R900's is more tidy with the RII's. Very very happy with them!

 

[simplynuts]

I have a pair of KEF q90s that I originally used in my home theater as surrounds. Would like to find them a new home. They still sound amazing, but I have all polk audio in the home theater now and no place to put these. Had a pair of 102.3? Still have the stands from them in the living room.

 

[Ken Mitchell]

Where are you located? I might be interested in the Q90's if local and the price is right.

 

[Lyon79]

I just bought a pair of LS50s in piano black. Has anyone noticed fine scratches and hazing right out of the box?

 

[FastG]

No mine were perfect.

Graham

 

[Ken Mitchell]

Mine have a "frosted black" finish (with the blue drive you see in my avatar photo) so if there was any haze I wouldn't be able to see it. Please contact KEF customer support! They'll take care of this.

 

[Lyon79]

I did and they told me that "it looks like the finish is in excellent condition and any swirl marks you see are within the tolerance production levels." I don't think it is. It seems that someone at the factory took a very rough rag and started wiping the speaker down before boxing it. I thought i attached a picture on my first thread...you can see the haze and fine scratches. Sounds good but feels used.