KEF owners thread

[Lou G]

I just looked at the picture of the front of your speaker and it looks much different than ones I am familiar with. Can you post some more pictures of the front?

 

[halkaloogie]

I just looked at the picture of the front of your speaker and it looks much different than ones I am familiar with. Can you post some more pictures of the front?

Mine are fairly early examples if you look the serial number it's only 001913. The foam donuts have been redone in rubber.

 

[DOBIEGUY]

Quote
“I'd still like others opinion on if you can hear distortion inthe tweeter the damage is already done.”

I’ll go out on a limb and say the fact that the voice coil is not open because of rubbing or overheating
a fluid refresh clears this up.

 

[Lou G]

The port hole has a rectangular plate on it instead of the usual round fitting. That threw me off in the other photo. I never saw one like that before.

If the tweeter measures close to 4 Ohms, you should be ok once you replace the ferrofluid.

 

[Ross6860]

I ordered the fluid as soon as I got home with them, so we'll see. I'd still like others opinion on if you can hear distortion in the tweeter the damage is already done. That way I can start keeping an eye out for another one. There are a few on the Bay that aren't too much but most likely need fluid too.

Congrats on finding a really nice pair of speakers. Wait until you see the crossovers in them.

The distortion may be caused by the dried up old fluid rubbing the voice coil. That's why folks are telling you to clean them up and replace the fluid before any major damage happens. If the dried up stuff wears through the voice coil, the tweeter is basically shot. The YouTube video was a great help. Just search on KEF T33. The hardest part was splitting the tweeter halves. KEF used some good adhesive, Go slow, be careful, and try and save the gasket.

The fact they are still making noise means they haven't gone open circuit or shorted out, yet. They may be just fine. These speakers are worth the effort. They like good amplification (4 ohm loads).

The center donuts on the woofers may be due for replacement, also. A couple of mine looked OK until you touched them. While you are in there the woofer mounting donuts/isolators should be replaced (they are really cheap). Disassembly is a little work, but nothing anyone with basic mechanical skills can't handle.

Mine are pretty beat up, and are missing the grills. but they are some of the best speakers I have had the pleasure of owning. I've read that they were designed to be played with the grills on, but I don't have a choice.

I have the proper KEF Kube for these speakers but I believe they sound better without it.

 

[infullview]

I have a Kefs from this series, and the previous one. These I believe these would be considered the 5th generation Uni-Q, I believe they're up to 8th gen now. I also own a number of the previous iteration, 4th gen Uni-Q (Q90, Q10, Ref 200C).

I believe your Q65.2 are an early 2000s model. I have a pair of Q15.2 myself, which I use for my PC setup. I opened up the tweeters in mine to check the condition of the ferro fluid. Both were still good, but one had only half as much fluid as the other, likely a QC issue. So I replaced the fluid in both anyway. I like these so much, I'm pretty sure I'm keeping them for the long run, so I've been planning to recap them soon, possibly with a low dissipation cap on the tweeter network. You'll likely have difficulty flipping this series, it's like the red headed step child of the Uni-q series, and so many regard the the older Reference series to be better. I've heard Q300 from a friend who's using them in a setup similar to mine. I actually prefer my Q15.2 more, the Q300 does seem to have more high end detail, but it also comes off a bit bright. I find the Q15.2's tweeter less fatiguing.

Thank you for the info. It does seem like there's no love for this model. They got pretty good reviews when they came out. The deal was just too good to pass up so I don't mind putting some money into them to bring them back to spec. I'm just not sure what to do with them long term. I don't buy on speculation to flip. These were an impulse buy; I'd heard such great things about KEF, I wanted to hear it for myself. I will post my impressions of them on this thread once I have the tweeters back together (hopefully by the end of today).

 

[JohnnyNapalm]

Looking forward to your feedback.

 

[leesonic]

KEF 104aBs, paired with a Kenwood KA-7150/KT-7550 amp and tuner bought from @sinnerboy.

 

[infullview]

Looking forward to your feedback.

OK I got the tweeters back together with new ferrofluid and have been listening to the Q65.2 and comparing them to the W70E's. My first impression is that the range from 1KHz to about 8KHz is kind of barren. To my ear, the poly driver sounds unnatural compared to the paper cone drivers in the Wharfdales. Bass is very good for the size of the driver, but not as prominent as the woofer in the Wharfedales which have a peak around 37Hz so this is expected. This is just my initial impression. I will need to hear longer term by themselves with more music samples before I can truly evaluate these.

 

[infullview]

OK, after listening to the Q 65.2's for a while I determined that the reason they didn't sound right was because the tweeter just wasn't producing enough output. The diaphragm that was recommended in another thread as a replacement here on AK is exactly the right size, but the voice coil is a few millimeters to short and does not extend into the magnet structure enough to make it efficient. I sent email to KEF to see if they had any new components that could replace the NT19 tweeter, and they responded with:

Troy Burke (KEF America)

Jan 27, 09:52 EST

Good Morning,

Happy to help, but unfortunately we do not have this part and will be unable to source it. You typically want to have the exact part for each speaker as designed. I would recommend you reach out to Midwest Speaker Repair (MN) or visit reconingspeakers.com (FL).

I do apologize I could not be more helpful.

Thank you and regards,

Troy - KEF Service

Here is my reply (WARNING! Flames included and my apologies to die hard KEF fans if they are offended by my reply)

Hi Troy,

Thank you for your prompt reply. I did order what I thought would be a replacement diaphragm for these, only to find that the voice coil was shorter than expected. I have decided to remove the plastic ring on the magnet structure and machine it so the magnet will slide in closer to the diaphragm. It's too bad your company makes planned obsolescence part of their business model. You manufactured a speaker that has no support or replacement components - even though it could theoretically be repaired, you'd prefer it wind up in a landfill somewhere so you can make more money selling new models. Not environmentally friendly or sustainable.

I will NOT be adding any KEF products to my line up of vintage or new equipment and will dump these "Q" series speakers as soon as I get them back together and sounding decent. I would just like to close by saying that you're not building much of a legacy if your products can't stand the test of time.

 

[greymatter]

The same way I feel about there support , I have 2 pairs of Kefs 104.2 and 103.4 that have been completely rebuilt from the basket up . New VC , Spiders , surrounds added new ferro fluid , gromments, all Crossover checked and in spec . Took me 2 years of hunting and paying big money for OEM parts . They are being put up for sale , still going to lose some money , but they are good for another 40 years of beautiful music . Tu that's it for ever buying any more gear that doesn't have real time support or a parts inventory . The money they are leaving on the table for replacement parts is incedablely stupid . Sorry for the rant but Kef is not a very smart company .

 

[halkaloogie]

OK, after listening to the Q 65.2's for a while I determined that the reason they didn't sound right was because the tweeter just wasn't producing enough output. The diaphragm that was recommended in another thread as a replacement here on AK is exactly the right size, but the voice coil is a few millimeters to short and does not extend into the magnet structure enough to make it efficient. I sent email to KEF to see if they had any new components that could replace the NT19 tweeter, and they responded with:

Troy Burke (KEF America)

Jan 27, 09:52 EST

Good Morning,

Happy to help, but unfortunately we do not have this part and will be unable to source it. You typically want to have the exact part for each speaker as designed. I would recommend you reach out to Midwest Speaker Repair (MN) or visit reconingspeakers.com (FL).

I do apologize I could not be more helpful.

Thank you and regards,

Troy - KEF Service

Here is my reply (WARNING! Flames included and my apologies to die hard KEF fans if they are offended by my reply)

Hi Troy,

Thank you for your prompt reply. I did order what I thought would be a replacement diaphragm for these, only to find that the voice coil was shorter than expected. I have decided to remove the plastic ring on the magnet structure and machine it so the magnet will slide in closer to the diaphragm. It's too bad your company makes planned obsolescence part of their business model. You manufactured a speaker that has no support or replacement components - even though it could theoretically be repaired, you'd prefer it wind up in a landfill somewhere so you can make more money selling new models. Not environmentally friendly or sustainable.

I will NOT be adding any KEF products to my line up of vintage or new equipment and will dump these "Q" series speakers as soon as I get them back together and sounding decent. I would just like to close by saying that you're not building much of a legacy if your products can't stand the test of time.

I don't know, I see where you are coming from, but are there really that many of us out there to make it worth it for a company to continue to make back catalog parts for relatively low production number items. How many NT19 tweeters are they seriously going to sell every year. I know it's a pain, but the Q 65.2's are almost 20 years old. My 104.2's are pushing 35 years. I'd love to get new T33 tweeters fresh from the factory, but since they don't use them in current speakers why would they continue to produce them? The guy seemed nice enough to recommend two places where you could possibly find what you were looking for.

One of the only companies I know who still produce almost their entire back catalog it Mercedes. You can still buy a brand new headlight assembly and pretty much anything else for a 1955 300SL.

 

[Mystic]

I don't know, I see where you are coming from, but are there really that many of us out there to make it worth it for a company to continue to make back catalog parts for relatively low production number items. How many NT19 tweeters are they seriously going to sell every year. I know it's a pain, but the Q 65.2's are almost 20 years old. My 104.2's are pushing 35 years. I'd love to get new T33 tweeters fresh from the factory, but since they don't use them in current speakers why would they continue to produce them? The guy seemed nice enough to recommend two places where you could possibly find what you were looking for.

One of the only companies I know who still produce almost their entire back catalog it Mercedes. You can still buy a brand new headlight assembly and pretty much anything else for a 1955 300SL.

I think there'd be MUCH interest is a KEF-manufactured T33, possibly the T27 as well.

 

[Mystic]

^^ PS: Many of us would buy 2-3 pairs of 'em as spares for our 104/2, 104aB, other sets.

 

[JohnnyNapalm]

I have bought a spare set of T25’s for downstream. I do sympathise but due to the numbers they produce I really cannot see a business case for them for parts support for up to 20 years. My 4.2’s are getting on and spares have just about gone. I know I had the last woofer for the 4.2’s from them and the last grill for my 3.2’s. The problem is that they are lovely speakers and I want to keep them in working condition hence me amassing spares now. Good luck with getting replacements as I am sure it would be worth it in the long term. Cheers.

 

[Lou G]

Falcon Acoustics does now supply replacement T27 tweeters, made to the original specs. They also have B110 and B139 drive units made to the original specs with coated Bextrene cones.

 

[greymatter]

The well has gone dry on replacement parts , but how hard would it be to make older parts since they have all the spec , to go by. How many of us Kef people would buy up there first run of anything ? I have a bunch of 104.2 parts and 103.4 parts . Just sitting here . But I did pay dearly for those still around to be used . Gordon W has the skills to make them all sing again .pretty sure they could outsource them an still turn a profit and take care of loyal customers ? Just my
2 cents worth . Ps there customer support is very good .

 

[infullview]

I don't know, I see where you are coming from, but are there really that many of us out there to make it worth it for a company to continue to make back catalog parts for relatively low production number items. How many NT19 tweeters are they seriously going to sell every year. I know it's a pain, but the Q 65.2's are almost 20 years old. My 104.2's are pushing 35 years. I'd love to get new T33 tweeters fresh from the factory, but since they don't use them in current speakers why would they continue to produce them? The guy seemed nice enough to recommend two places where you could possibly find what you were looking for.

One of the only companies I know who still produce almost their entire back catalog it Mercedes. You can still buy a brand new headlight assembly and pretty much anything else for a 1955 300SL.

Considering that KEF is making a part that is completely proprietary in every possible way and impossible to replace with any substitute part, I'd say it's on them to keep these things available. It's not like you can go to parts-express and find a substitute. On the Q65.2, there's not even room to mount a replacement tweeter, so other than having the exact component or one that will sub, your alternative is to land fill the cabinet and sell the component pieces which no one wants. BTW I contacted both of the companies he suggested. The The Speaker Exchange in FL had never done one but were willing to look at it if I sent them the speaker and Midwest Speaker Repair does not rebuild these.

 

[infullview]

The well has gone dry on replacement parts , but how hard would it be to make older parts since they have all the spec , to go by. How many of us Kef people would buy up there first run of anything ? I have a bunch of 104.2 parts and 103.4 parts . Just sitting here . But I did pay dearly for those still around to be used . Gordon W has the skills to make them all sing again .pretty sure they could outsource them an still turn a profit and take care of loyal customers ? Just my
2 cents worth . Ps there customer support is very good .

Someone could 3D print the plastic components if they could obtain the magnet structure that is probably still used in newer models.

 

[bigx5murf]

OK, after listening to the Q 65.2's for a while I determined that the reason they didn't sound right was because the tweeter just wasn't producing enough output. The diaphragm that was recommended in another thread as a replacement here on AK is exactly the right size, but the voice coil is a few millimeters to short and does not extend into the magnet structure enough to make it efficient. I sent email to KEF to see if they had any new components that could replace the NT19 tweeter, and they responded with:

Troy Burke (KEF America)

Jan 27, 09:52 EST

Good Morning,

Happy to help, but unfortunately we do not have this part and will be unable to source it. You typically want to have the exact part for each speaker as designed. I would recommend you reach out to Midwest Speaker Repair (MN) or visit reconingspeakers.com (FL).

I do apologize I could not be more helpful.

Thank you and regards,

Troy - KEF Service

Here is my reply (WARNING! Flames included and my apologies to die hard KEF fans if they are offended by my reply)

Hi Troy,

Thank you for your prompt reply. I did order what I thought would be a replacement diaphragm for these, only to find that the voice coil was shorter than expected. I have decided to remove the plastic ring on the magnet structure and machine it so the magnet will slide in closer to the diaphragm. It's too bad your company makes planned obsolescence part of their business model. You manufactured a speaker that has no support or replacement components - even though it could theoretically be repaired, you'd prefer it wind up in a landfill somewhere so you can make more money selling new models. Not environmentally friendly or sustainable.

I will NOT be adding any KEF products to my line up of vintage or new equipment and will dump these "Q" series speakers as soon as I get them back together and sounding decent. I would just like to close by saying that you're not building much of a legacy if your products can't stand the test of time.

I'm the one who posted the ebay replacement diaphragms. I think they supplier was changed at some point, as the last 10 I bought were also producing noticeably lowered output when I tried them in a pair of Q15.

The originals one, as you can see in that thread, I did a quick in room measurements, and they were actually outputting a bit more than the woofer..

Ignore the 2 dips, as a number of other speakers I measured in this manner were showing the same dips, so it's likely my room.

Also, all hope is not lost with the new replacements being lowered output, you could just put a L-pad on the woofer portion of the crossover to even out the response. Yes you'll lose some sensitivity.