KEF owners thread

[Ross6860]

Do you think it is worth bi wiring my KEF 104.2s? I’ve read it makes a difference sometimes, then others claim it does not.

Bi-wire, or bi-amp? Plain speaker wire is pretty cheap, so you can always try it. A pair of amps, obviously not a cheap test.

I owned an SX-828 and it's a very nice receiver, but the 104/2 prefer a little more juice. Yes they are relatively efficient, but they like power on tap (and they are 4 ohm speakers).

Have you serviced the tweeters and woofers? If not, the tweeter ferro-fluid has most likely dried out. The woofers foam is subject to rot, especially the center donuts. The woofer grommets are cheap and easy to replace while you are in there.

Careful with the volume until the tweeters are service. They are nearly impossible to locate, at least good ones.

Just my opinion, but these speakers are worth all the effort. Short of Magnepans, these are the most revealing and detailed speakers I have tried. Great imaging and soundstage, too.

I haven't gone the re-cap route yet, but have a kit from Falcon Acoustics. Some say there will be an audible difference, others not so much.

Then there's the option of finding a KEF Kube for them.

Enjoy them.

 

[Pastel]

Bi-wire, or bi-amp? Plain speaker wire is pretty cheap, so you can always try it. A pair of amps, obviously not a cheap test.

I owned an SX-828 and it's a very nice receiver, but the 104/2 prefer a little more juice. Yes they are relatively efficient, but they like power on tap (and they are 4 ohm speakers).

Have you serviced the tweeters and woofers? If not, the tweeter ferro-fluid has most likely dried out. The woofers foam is subject to rot, especially the center donuts. The woofer grommets are cheap and easy to replace while you are in there.

Careful with the volume until the tweeters are service. They are nearly impossible to locate, at least good ones.

Just my opinion, but these speakers are worth all the effort. Short of Magnepans, these are the most revealing and detailed speakers I have tried. Great imaging and soundstage, too.

I haven't gone the re-cap route yet, but have a kit from Falcon Acoustics. Some say there will be an audible difference, others not so much.

Then there's the option of finding a KEF Kube for them.

Enjoy them.

I have had them reformed, recapped and the ferrofluid replaced. The 828 seems to do ok with them. I’ll try the bi wire route. BTW they are fantastic!

 

[Ross6860]

I have had them reformed, recapped and the ferrofluid replaced. The 828 seems to do ok with them. I’ll try the bi wire route. BTW they are fantastic!

You're good to go...Your's look much better than mine. My cabinets are beat to crap.

IMHO you need to spend quite a bit to best them. Of course there are folks that don't like them

Same with the LS50, some love them, some don't like them.

 

[Pastel]

You're good to go...Your's look much better than mine. My cabinets are beat to crap.

IMHO you need to spend quite a bit to best them. Of course there are folks that don't like them

Same with the LS50, some love them, some don't like them.

Never heard the LS50 but I am sure the are superb.
I had Them professionally serviced. So I paid quite a bit. But the results are fabulous. I wanted the speakers for 30 years, and now I have them!

 

[Pastel]

I bi wired them and really can’t tell if there’s a difference so there probably isn’t. Had the extra wire on hand anyway. Thing is... they sounded so good anyway!

 

[JohnnyNapalm]

Bi-amping will in my experience. Bi-wiring is questionable but I have my 3.2’s and 4.2’s bi-wired as it certainly will not detract from the sound in my opinion. I did not really notice any difference. The best way I achieved a better sound was power amplifier upgrades starting with a single to bi-amping to a Bryston 4bsst2 to 2 x Musical Fidelity M8 700’s which is what I have now. Each stage resulted in a better sound to my ears. Good luck.

 

[Pastel]

Bi-amping will in my experience. Bi-wiring is questionable but I have my 3.2’s and 4.2’s bi-wired as it certainly will not detract from the sound in my opinion. I did not really notice any difference. The best way I achieved a better sound was power amplifier upgrades starting with a single to bi-amping to a Bryston 4bsst2 to 2 x Musical Fidelity M8 700’s which is what I have now. Each stage resulted in a better sound to my ears. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply.i May upgrade to another amp at some point.

 

[Ty67]

I'm currently enjoying my KEF C80's.

 

[TomBig58]

As the little kiddo in photo 1 is asking: Daddy,why are there robots in the living room?

I have never seen a pair of 105's (original,/2 or /4) on stands. Mine were also on casters,something you may grow to appreciate;I know I did!

Do the heads have external fuseholders for the mids and tweets?

Oh,and a hundred buck? Hmpf,lucky for you we have profanity rules around here

Absolutely love the kiddie quote. My 105.2 (single 12" woofer) are casters, no fuses, and mid/high head is wired with 4 wire pin connector from crossover in woofer cabinet. I would love to bi-amp but leery about messing around with the already upgraded crossover. Bi-wire?.....meh!

 

[david1111]

Hello, fellow Kef owners.
I bought a pair of R107's about 2 or 3 years ago, that I reconditioned, and I'm driving them with an Adcom GFA 555ii. I know the Adcom is a fairly good amp for the price, but I feel the system hs missing something re: sound stage and overall dynamics.
I run a Linn Unidisk 1.1, and a Conrad Johnson PV-5 thru it, so the imaging is excellent. I've done the essential room mods; corner traps plus 1st and 2nd reflection point absorbers, and I've thoroughly moved and tested speaker placement. Final placement is 8 1/2 feet apart, and 10 feet from me.

So anyway, I was wondering if any of you had some well-tested recommendations on best amps to drive Kef R107's. The pre-owned amps I've been thinking of are:

Naim nap 250 - original, not olive.
Pass Labs X250.5 - out of price range tho
ML no.333 - also kinda pricey
A Mosfet amp - not necessarily CJ
Or a Tube amp - but what size?

If anyone has any experience with any amplifier that you feel brings out the best in your Kef R107's, I would very much appreciate your thots and opinions. This information could also benefit other new 107 owners.
Thank you for reading, and happy listening.

Dave

 

[nerdorama]

Going to see/hear a pair of 103/3's today or tomorrow. No KUBE but I think a good price. There is a thread on AK that has the EQ curves so if I buy them I'll try it with my miniDSP and see what happens. Any particular bits of advice before I buy? I've read all that I can find here on AK so I know about the woofer donuts and the tweeter ferrofluid. Just wondering if anyone has other things to mention.
Thanks,
John

 

[DOBIEGUY]

Hey @nerdorama
I’ve owned 103/3 w/KUBE from new. The price must reflect the fact that the KUBE is not included.
Forget spending money on EQs or other add ons. The 103/3 specific KUBE pops up on Ebay often.
These are 4ohm speakers. An amp with some real stones will make them come alive.
Make sure the tweeters are correct and not some CCC replacements.
The correct stands add some value.
They were $1600 new.

 

[JohnnyNapalm]

Hello, fellow Kef owners.
I bought a pair of R107's about 2 or 3 years ago, that I reconditioned, and I'm driving them with an Adcom GFA 555ii. I know the Adcom is a fairly good amp for the price, but I feel the system hs missing something re: sound stage and overall dynamics.
I run a Linn Unidisk 1.1, and a Conrad Johnson PV-5 thru it, so the imaging is excellent. I've done the essential room mods; corner traps plus 1st and 2nd reflection point absorbers, and I've thoroughly moved and tested speaker placement. Final placement is 8 1/2 feet apart, and 10 feet from me.

So anyway, I was wondering if any of you had some well-tested recommendations on best amps to drive Kef R107's. The pre-owned amps I've been thinking of are:

Naim nap 250 - original, not olive.
Pass Labs X250.5 - out of price range tho
ML no.333 - also kinda pricey
A Mosfet amp - not necessarily CJ
Or a Tube amp - but what size?

If anyone has any experience with any amplifier that you feel brings out the best in your Kef R107's, I would very much appreciate your thots and opinions. This information could also benefit other new 107 owners.
Thank you for reading, and happy listening.

Dave

Hi Dave, I run my reference 4.2’s with Musical Fidelity amplification and they sound amazing. Prior to what I use now I have had very good results with a Bryston 4BSST2. The 3.2’s and the 4.2’s have responded well to more powerful amplification in my experience and I do not believe yours would be any different. Cheers.

 

[nerdorama]

Hey @nerdorama
I’ve owned 103/3 w/KUBE from new. The price must reflect the fact that the KUBE is not included.
Forget spending money on EQs or other add ons. The 103/3 specific KUBE pops up on Ebay often.
These are 4ohm speakers. An amp with some real stones will make them come alive.
Make sure the tweeters are correct and not some CCC replacements.
The correct stands add some value.
They were $1600 new.

Thanks DOBIEGUY,
I think the pricing is fair if all is working and the correct parts. They have original stands, so that's a plus. I will take a paper tube so I can isolate each driver and be sure it is working.
John

 

[david1111]

Hi Dave, I run my reference 4.2’s with Musical Fidelity amplification and they sound amazing. Prior to what I use now I have had very good results with a Bryston 4BSST2. The 3.2’s and the 4.2’s have responded well to more powerful amplification in my experience and I do not believe yours would be any different. Cheers.

Thanks for the reply Johnny. I have a friend with a lot of excess gear and I believe some if it is MF. I'll see if I can borrow an amp.

Are you using monoblocks, separates or an integrated. MF has great gear in all those catagories.
Thanks again.
Cheers.

Dave

 

[JohnnyNapalm]

Thanks for the reply Johnny. I have a friend with a lot of excess gear and I believe some if it is MF. I'll see if I can borrow an amp.

Are you using monoblocks, separates or an integrated. MF has great gear in all those catagories.
Thanks again.
Cheers.

Dave

Hi Dave,

I use the M8 700m monoblocks on my 4.2’s which are well over recommended amplifier power levels but as long as you are respectful with the volume control they sound amazing. I love the fact that the sound just gets louder with no degradation to sound quality. Let us know what you find when you try something with more grunt as I would be interested on your findings? Cheers.

 

[nerdorama]

I got the 103/3's today. Seller thinks he may have the Kube somewhere at another house. All drivers seem to work nut the donuts are shot. I will get donuts and ferrofluid for tweets ordered right away. I also got the original stands. There are a few blemishes in the veneer and one has a chip on a top edge. I'm pretty excited to get them.

Also talked to an old friend today about a single KEF that I gave him a few years ago. Seemed to me that I remembered it having a similar tweeter. Turns out it is a 102 which has the same tweeter and midbass. I will get it back from him in a few weeks.

Will update when I get the rebuild working.

John

 

[nerdorama]

Here are a few pics to get it started. If anyone thinks there is a better thread for this, or if I should start my own, please just say.

 

[nerdorama]

One of the mid woofers has the dust cap pushed in. I was able to remove it and push it out. It discolored a bit but will be ok. Any recommendation for glue to reattach? The original seems to be a rubbery type. I might use a black marker or some black dye to darken the duet cap.
John

 

[nerdorama]

Ferrofluid arrived yesterday, woofer donuts coming on Thurs. Hopefully I can get it all done next weekend. It appears that someone has been inside the speakers before. One of the wires to the binding posts didn't have a nut on it. It was just sitting there with the ring lug over the post but not affixed. Wonder what else I will find. I have only opened one cabinet so far.