KEF owners thread

[nerdorama]

They are quite nice but also remember to get the ferrofluid changed in the T33 tweeter before you play them much. I have done 7 of them and they were all sludged up to one degree or another. I have read about some KEF tweeters actually having the voice coil separate from the dome because the fluid was very thick and the owner played them too much in that condition.

I play a lot of digital source from a PC based music server. At one point I had a Windows program that let me do EQ in the background for any signal going through the PC. It worked great and sounded clearer than the KUBE but at one point it quit working even though it appeared to be ok. Another AK'er (I think in Oregon but can't find the thread right now) was rebuilding the KUBEs a couple years ago. I think he installed upgraded signal caps, rebuilt the power supply and possibly installed some better resistors. Reports were that they did sound better. Not sure if he still does this.

John

 

[DOBIEGUY]

QUOTE
“I guess the next question would be...is all the hassle worth it in the end with these 103/3’s and their sound quality?”

The answer is yes. These were around $1600 when new. The fact that you have the correct stands is a big plus.
The KUBE will turn up on that big auction sooner or later. It came two ways, hard wired and with a wall wart.
There is a workaround here on AK if the wall wart is missing.
I’ll add this. These are 4ohm speakers that will sound their best with an amp that has some stones.
Mine are powered with a 100 watt Bryston. Bass is tight, mids and vocals superb with highs that are sharp and focused.

 

[nerdorama]

@DOBIEGUY , do you remember the AK'er that was rebuilding KUBE's a couple of years ago? I just can't dredge up the thread with search. I think he was also considering to reproduce the PC boards and build new from scratch KUBE's.
John

 

[DOBIEGUY]

John
That thread was recently updated. Something about changing the op-amps in a 107 KUBE. If I remember correctly he did not get the results he expected.
Unless the KUBE is just not working I doubt anyone could make it sound better. Different maybe, better...........

 

[Tazsob]

@nerdorama is this the thread https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/i...chips-to-sub-for-tl072-in-kef-kube-eq.118831/

 

[nerdorama]

@Tazsob , I remember that one but it isn't the one I was trying to find.
Thanks

 

[r07d24]

Thanks all for the help- I appreciate it. My new foam seals and ferrofluid should be coming in the mail in the next day or so... I will diligently be on the look out for the right Kube.
I have a super modded Carver M500T mkii amp so I should be good on power

 

[ledbailey]

I have a few questions for the Kef owners that I hope can get answers as the newer Kef speakers look different than my 104ab set. I cannot see an actual tweeter as I would see on my speakers so can anyone describe to me where the newer Q series speaker tweeters are located and what they sound like compared to the 104ab . The other question is what are we referring to when we talk about Kube and how does it work and what is it used for? And lastly what book shelf speaker or brand would you recommend to sit on top of my speakers to enhance mid range and high end? I used a pair of Visonik/David back in the day and they were a perfect fit but I no longer have them .....DIVOR.. Any suggestions would be nice Ledbailey

 

[nerdorama]

Many of the modern KEF speakers, maybe all of them, have concentrically mounted tweeters in the midwoofers. KUBE is a term KEF has used for some subwoofers and for the electronic EQ boxes that were paired with some of their speakers.
John

 

[Ken Mitchell]

Right there in my avatar image is a KEF Uni-Q driver. That particular one is from my new 2021-build KEF Reference 1's. I can't think of any current KEF speaker that isn't using a form of the Uni-Q "coincident" driver, other than the lower level speakers for installation. Typically the tweeter is a 1" aluminum dome and all but the earliest versions (2011- on) use the "Tangerine Waveguide" to help with off-axis dispersion. There was one version that has a 1-1/2" tweeter, the one on the Q900 speakers. A modified version of that one is also used in the higher-end ceiling speakers Ci200RR-THX and Ci200RL-THX.

I own two current model KEF Kube 10b subwoofers as well. Yes they did reuse the name with subs as Kef Universal Bass Equalizer had been out of production for over 10 years, though it's no longer an acronym.

 

[Lou G]

I have a few questions for the Kef owners that I hope can get answers as the newer Kef speakers look different than my 104ab set. I cannot see an actual tweeter as I would see on my speakers so can anyone describe to me where the newer Q series speaker tweeters are located and what they sound like compared to the 104ab . The other question is what are we referring to when we talk about Kube and how does it work and what is it used for? And lastly what book shelf speaker or brand would you recommend to sit on top of my speakers to enhance mid range and high end? I used a pair of Visonik/David back in the day and they were a perfect fit but I no longer have them .....DIVOR.. Any suggestions would be nice Ledbailey

KEFs Uni-Q design places the tweeter in the center of the midrange driver as nerdorama and Ken Mitchell state in their posts. I have an earlier KEF Uni-Q designed speaker, the Reference Model One from the mid nineties and they are one of my favorite speakers. The Uni-Q design produces a more accurate three dimensional soundstage that is more evenly dispersed throughout the listening area providing a large listening sweet spot. The newer Q series is a refinement of the original Uni-Q and now uses a metal dome tweeter and metal woofers compared to the fabric dome tweeter and polypropylene midrange on my Reference Model One.

Compared to the 104ab the Q series should provide a more accurate 3 dimensional soundstage with better imaging and better detail and clarity. However, the KEF Q series speakers do have a very different sonic signature compared to the old school pre 2000 KEF speakers.

 

[JohnnyNapalm]

Evening folks, I've recently picked up yet another pair of 104/2, and also a pair of Reference Model Ones,

hThe model ones don't come with the UniQ units, now I know that sourcing a pair of B160 SP1345 and T25 uniq combo is a quite a difficult task, however I was wondering if anyone has ever replaced with the B160 (SP1317) and T25 combo from the Reference 100 centre speaker.

I understand that the mounting is slightly different on these (3 screws on the matching model and 4 on the Reference 100 model) however this seems like it would be be easy enough modification to complete. (I also understand the woofer on the SP1317 is a shielded woofer but that shouldn't make too much of a difference). The reason why I'm thinking of doing this is due to the fact that the Reference 100 center channels are fairly common and one of the easiest ways of obtaining some T25 tweeters without spending crazy money.

I really would appreciate any advice on this as I'd ideally like to get them up and running as apposed go pulling for parts etc.

Also below I've provided images showing the mounting plate on the speaker itself aswell as the SP1317 driver)

Appreciate any advise, I might also make a thread if I gain any traction
View attachment 2170928
. View attachment 2170927

Hi,
I did speak to Kef UK when I found an issue with one of my Reference 4.2’s and was informed that the 100 + 200’s were not compatible for installation into the 4.2’s. Looking at them the fitment will be different but they should work. Either that or find a pair of cabinet damaged 1’s for a donor. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Cheers.

 

[ledbailey]

Too a degree I understand what Lou G is saying except.... back in 76/77 passive bass was the sound most audio folks wanted. You just cannot replace that short thump. When it hits ...say your in your listening triangle your amp is up half blast it feels like you just got hit in your ears by a Mack truck or at least a VW BUG. I think you get what I mean. Since I have not heard the new Kefs I am at a disadvantage . I do not have a dealer close to me and with Covid we are not allowed to leave .Since I live in the smallest province in Canada PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND with the only connection to the main land ...Confederation Bridge... its closed to all traffic .Google pics of the bridge. I was very pleased Lou and other members took their time to explain the answers to my questions. Thanks Ledbailey

 

[ProfP3PP3R]

Hi,
I did speak to Kef UK when I found an issue with one of my Reference 4.2’s and was informed that the 100 + 200’s were not compatible for installation into the 4.2’s. Looking at them the fitment will be different but they should work. Either that or find a pair of cabinet damaged 1’s for a donor. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Cheers.

Hi Johnny,
Appreciate the reply. Sadly the project will have to go as I'm moving home and just won't have the space so will be selling them for a fair price. Shame as i would have liked to have tried them out before making a decision but life moves on!
Zak

 

[JohnnyNapalm]

Hi Johnny,
Appreciate the reply. Sadly the project will have to go as I'm moving home and just won't have the space so will be selling them for a fair price. Shame as i would have liked to have tried them out before making a decision but life moves on!
Zak

Maybe next time Zak. I hope the move goes well. Cheers.

 

[rickb119]

I recently met someone and found out that he has a pair of KEF 104/2's. I asked if the tweeters had ever been refreshed, and he didn't realize they needed to be. Since I happened to have a spare pair (refreshed), we made a deal and I swapped mine for his.

Listening before the swap, I could tell things were not right. After the swap, the difference was not at all subtle. When I did mine, a few years ago, I really couldn't tell much difference. With his, the difference was very obvious. I'm hoping the ferrofluid hasn't dried to the point that I can't get them apart. Because they're mine now.

 

[Ken Mitchell]

I recently met someone and found out that he has a pair of KEF 104/2's. I asked if the tweeters had ever been refreshed, and he didn't realize they needed to be. Since I happened to have a spare pair (refreshed), we made a deal and I swapped mine for his.

Listening before the swap, I could tell things were not right. After the swap, the difference was not at all subtle. When I did mine, a few years ago, I really couldn't tell much difference. With his, the difference was very obvious. I'm hoping the ferrofluid hasn't dried to the point that I can't get them apart. Because they're mine now.

That was a really cool thing to do for the guy. Did he express the same impressions of a huge improvement?

I know that a LOT of people may have good equipment capable of very good sound reproduction quality but are truly indifferent to what sounds great and that which is "questionable." (I'm married to one. )

 

[rickb119]

Did he express the same impressions of a huge improvement?

Yes, the difference was immediately obvious to him as well. Since he'd had them for many years, the degradation was so gradual that he didn't realize there was anything wrong.

He's now in the process of looking for a better pre to use with his Parasound amp. Currently using a Denon AVR, because it's a 5.1 system used mostly for TV. He's looking at one of the newer Yamaha's (rx-v6a), which I think would be an improvement over the Denon. Any other suggestions I could pass along to him? He could probably afford whatever he wanted, but is rather frugal.

 

[halkaloogie]

Yes, the difference was immediately obvious to him as well. Since he'd had them for many years, the degradation was so gradual that he didn't realize there was anything wrong.

He's now in the process of looking for a better pre to use with his Parasound amp. Currently using a Denon AVR, because it's a 5.1 system used mostly for TV. He's looking at one of the newer Yamaha's (rx-v6a), which I think would be an improvement over the Denon. Any other suggestions I could pass along to him? He could probably afford whatever he wanted, but is rather frugal.

I quite like the combination of a tube pre and a high watt mosfet power amp with 104/2s, might be worth him looking into. Otherwise a matching Parasound pre would be a good combination.

 

[rickb119]

I quite like the combination of a tube pre and a high watt mosfet power amp with 104/2s, might be worth him looking into. Otherwise a matching Parasound pre would be a good combination.

I agree with using a mosfet amp with the KEF's. However, he seemed to really like his Parasound (didn't notice which one, but assume multichannel) so that will be staying. Also, the Parasound multichannel pre is probably more that what he's willing to spend. The vast majority of his gear (several systems throughout the house) he purchased used (the KEF's were purchased used, in the '90's). In fact, we met when he bought a pair of speakers from me, for a second bedroom system. He seems to enjoy the thrill of the hunt, and trying different things. Gee, that sounds familiar.