KEF owners thread

[david1111]

Just got my Kef R107's recapped and re-ferrofluided (that's a word, man).
I've put about 20 or 30 hours on them now, and the improvement is very nice.
Midrange is much fuller, and the highs are softer/sweeter. I can even hear the odd instrument that I couldn't hear before.
Its funny how every time I make a change like this; or maybe a new pre or something; the soundstage changes as well, and I have to shift the speakers. This time I moved them farther apart, and yet toed them in less, and the soundstage expanded nicely. Instrument placement is excellent.
So ... very pleased with the work on the speakers. I was a tad hesitant initially cuz some people haven't liked their Kef recapping, but mine was very successful. Mind you, my local speaker pro is very talented.

Dave

 

[nerdorama]

So, while I wait for a Kube for the 103/3 to come up, I've found an app named Equalizer APO from Source Forge. I use foobar2000 for my server and found a graphic EQ add in but it's not very sophisticated. Today I loaded Equalizer APO from source forge. A much more sophisticated graphic EQ app that runs in the background on your computer and intercept the audio feed. It works with foobar and playing music streams from the web. It has an option for 31 bands one third octave. So far it works great. Even without knowing the particular Kube EQ curve you can use a measurement mic and capture your own room EQ for the speaker.

https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/

John

 

[Gustavsson]

Has anybody removed the tweeter from a 102.2?

After removing the screws from the rods that I thought held the metal dome in place, I realise that the dome is glued on as well (what the heck kef!!).

Is it worth trying to force this open? There is hardly any room for a q-tip and nail polish remover...

 

[Gustavsson]

Has anybody removed the tweeter from a 102.2?

After removing the screws from the rods that I thought held the metal dome in place, I realise that the dome is glued on as well (what the heck kef!!).

Is it worth trying to force this open? There is hardly any room for a q-tip and nail polish remover...

Is it possible to remove the midrange driver from the front? I just can't believe that the designers of this Kef model would be stupid enough to glue down the only access point for both the midrange and tweeter.

 

[nerdorama]

Looks like I will have a pair of 102's with the Kube soon. Couldn't resist at the price. Should pair well with the 103/3's.
John

 

[HiFi in WYO]

I've owned a set of 105.1s for several years now. When I first got them, I loved the sound. But over time a distinct noise began in one of the speakers. Began as sounding like you had an FM station slightly off tune. As it became more noticeable, I shelved them and began the research game on what could be causing the issue. My thought was caps - they had been replaced with elcaps in 1993 (the pair came with the manuals and the recap receipt).

This past week I've been working on recapping several pairs of my hoard and added in caps - such as I could find - to redo the 105s. I was able to isolate the bad sound from one of the midranges. So going down the mid cap list, I started with the 10 uF (replaced with a 10 uF electro) but that didn't help. This morning, I got to the 30 uF cap - replaced with a 5 percent Dayton poly cap - mostly because I had an order ready to go for them and didn't want to invest with Falcon if it turned out to be a bad voice coil (which is what it really started sounding like). This is a big cap, but it can be worked into the board without touching anything else. Plugged them back in and in the short amount of time I've had with them, I no longer hear the noise that was there before. In fact, I think for the first time, I'm actually hearing their potential - as they've never really been right. The new cap doesn't seem to change the sound much over the uncapped speaker, though I think there's a bit more crispness in the mids with the new 10 and 30 caps.

I was a bit worried it was a coil, as the two other pairs of speakers I recapped didn't have the same strange sound emanating, instead they sounded muffled and more distant until the recap. Now they're both fresh and crisp - if that makes any sense.

Hopefully this will take care of the issue. If it does, I may still order the full set from Falcon. Time will tell.

The offending cap?


The "bad speaker" crossover before. I haven't taken a pic of what I did - but will - that 30 uF will fit, but it needs some finagling!

 

[rickb119]

I may still order the full set from Falcon.

A while back I ordered, and received from Falcon, the cap set for my 104/2's. The 5% tolerance set was not available so I got the 10% set. However, after checking many of the caps, I've found several that are closer to 15% (higher) and a few closer to 20% (higher). I'd order the 5% kit, were it available, but even the 10% kit is no longer listed.

The 5% 105.1 kit is still available, "but in very short supply". Iffen it were me, I'd get em now as they may now be available in the future.

 

[HiFi in WYO]

It's on my list. I'm just happy to enjoy them again for the moment, but I will order them soon. Thanks

These 105s are number 2784.

 

[rickb119]

I've had my 104/2's for a few months now, driving them with a Rotel RX-1052. I love the sound but always thought they sounded a little muddied and somewhat lacking detail and clarity. (The ferrofluid has been replaced). Today, just for grins, I temporarily swapped out the Rotel for my office system Sansui AU-919. OH MY! What a difference! I'm sure they would also benefit from a recap (and I have the kit, just don't have the time), but the amp alone makes a huge difference. I found myself listening to tracks that I would normally ignore, or skip, because they sounded so much better now.

So now the problem is what I was told many years ago. "A luxury, once enjoyed, becomes a necessity". The Sansui will be going back into the office. Plus, I really need a remote as this is the TV system. I do have a Pioneer SX-1010 and a SX-1250 that both need (and will be) serviced, but still lacking a remote. Thinking about getting a good pre-amp and using one of the Pioneer's. Also thinking of selling the 1250 and using that money to buy a newer amp/receiver.

I'm open to thoughts, ideas, viewpoints and opinions.

 

[JohnnyNapalm]

Kef’s thrive on powerful quality amplification. Personally I would be looking at amplifiers with 400-500W on tap. This way you will be sure that the amp can control the speakers. Have you any friends that have something along those lines so you can try and hear for yourself? Just my opinion. Cheers.

 

[rickb119]

Kef’s thrive on powerful quality amplification. Personally I would be looking at amplifiers with 400-500W on tap. This way you will be sure that the amp can control the speakers. Have you any friends that have something along those lines so you can try and hear for yourself? Just my opinion. Cheers.

I understand how more power would be beneficial, but I don't have the $ for that kind of power. (Nor the back power to move it, I'm old ) I'll keep my eyes open though. Maybe someone would be open to a trade for the 1250. After it gets serviced, of course.
I would like it to be a receiver though (or a separate tuner) as I do listen to the semi-local jazz and classical stations from time to time.

 

[lopezluna]

I aquired my first set of kef speakers wich are the 105.2's. The cabinets are in pretty good condition and all the drivers work. I have already rotated the woofers. At the moment they are powered bi a Hafler Dh-220 that has been heavily modified (musical concepts) a Apt Hollman pre and the source is a Denon Dp-61f turntable. Listening to Eric Clapton unplugged and I am very impressed with these speakers. They sound very good. I will be ordering a capacitor kit for them from Falcon too just to have for future use.

 

[HiFi in WYO]

The 105.1s are rated max. 200 wpc. I'm running an 85 wpc Yamaha amp. Seems to be plenty of power to create some beautiful noise, though I will say they don't shine at low volumes necessarily, you do have to turn it up a bit to open them up.

 

[nerdorama]

I tend to disagree with the big power proviso. I don't listen at high levels and I find that my 103/3's sound very nice at lower levels with my low power DIY tube amp. They are, after all, a very flat 4 ohm impedance which does well with a tube amp. I've measured it.
John

 

[JohnnyNapalm]

I tend to disagree with the big power proviso. I don't listen at high levels and I find that my 103/3's sound very nice at lower levels with my low power DIY tube amp. They are, after all, a very flat 4 ohm impedance which does well with a tube amp. I've measured it.
John

I agree with you John. If you listen at low/moderate levels, then, there is no need for big power. As for myself I do like to listen at higher levels when the house is empty an enjoy feeling the music. For me my speakers come alive at these levels and my system maintains clarity which did not used to happen with smaller capacity amplification. My suggestion to the OP was to see if he could borrow something with more capacity and judge for himself. Cheers.

 

[HiFi in WYO]

rick - check out the Yamaha AS-501. I'm running the 500 and it has nice, clean power. Runs the 105s very nicely. Not sure what your budget it, but even Best Buy has them at pretty affordable prices. I think they have a Magnolia room in Ft. Collins, maybe they have one there? If nothing else, their return policy is pretty easy.

 

[rickb119]

rick - check out the Yamaha AS-501. I'm running the 500 and it has nice, clean power. Runs the 105s very nicely. Not sure what your budget it, but even Best Buy has them at pretty affordable prices. I think they have a Magnolia room in Ft. Collins, maybe they have one there? If nothing else, their return policy is pretty easy.

Thanks for the tip but I'm currently using a Rotel RX-1052. Don't know how it would compare to the Yamaha but, at 100W, it does a decent job (and has some pretty good reviews). The Sansui however brought things to a completely different level and opened my eyes/ears to the true potential of these speakers.

I'm leaning toward a good pre-amp to use with my Pioneer SX-1010 (once it gets serviced). The 1010 also has amazing SQ (and many here prefer it to the SX-1250). Cost wise, I think that would be the cheapest route. I don't know anything about pre-amps (got some research to do) but might try the Schiit Saga S. I have a couple of their DAC's and like them. They also have a good return policy.

This hobby reminds me of a quote by Rockefeller, Carnegie or one of those rich guys. When asked, "how much money does it take to makes someone happy" the answer was, "Always a little more".

 

[nerdorama]

This hobby reminds me of a quote by Rockefeller, Carnegie or one of those rich guys. When asked, "how much money does it take to makes someone happy" the answer was, "Always a little more".

In keeping with the tone of this quote I now find that I own pairs of 103/3 and 102 with Kubes. Don't have it all in my hot little hands yet. Once in possession I will measure the EQ curves of the Kubes and post them here for anyone interested.

John

 

[nerdorama]

As promised, here are the EQ measurements for the 103/3 and 104/2 Kubes. The pictures have both the normal and extend settings shown as overlays.
103/3

104/2

 

[nerdorama]

Sorry, I forgot to also run the range of the contour controls. The previous plots are with the contour controls at zero. I'll get that and post more info.
John