KEF owners thread

[Buanadha]

Wondered what people thought about pairing KEF 103/4's with a more traditional powered sub-woofer from KEF rather than the KUBE? I've heard mixed things on using the KUBE and it may be a moot point as I haven't seen them come up for sale often.

I like the sound I have, but was wondering if the subwoofer may add to it on certain tracks/albums

thanks!

 

[Buanadha]

The Kube was designed to go with those speakers.

I know they are, BUT they aren't easy/cheap to get. I've also had read reviews by several people who had mixed reviews of the Kube with these speakers, so I was wondering if people have experimented with them and/or with other powered subwoofers. KEF has a few other models that are more readily available, but there are other subwoofers that could be paired as well.

 

[Mystic]

Not everyone hears the same way and hears the same things. I would take what people say they hear with a grain of salt. Only you can determine if it would be useful/good sounding to you. There was a reason KEF used the Kube with those speakers.

Having had 104aB and 104/2 KEF speaker sets since the late 1970s, I checked out the "kube" deal. I acquired one circa mid 1990s, tried it out w/ the 104/2 pair, sensed that it did nothing for me, and so I chucked it. Loved the sound of the 104/2 before and post, but not w/, the kube. I still have that effin' kube stashed away, somewhere, on this lousy planet. I think it's in a box along w/ old guitar effects, sharing a room where I keep thousands of LPs, back in The States.

cc: @Buanadha

 

[rickb119]

I'm wondering if the kube was simply a marketing strategy? After all, why not design the speakers, with the desired crossover built into the speakers?

 

[DOBIEGUY]

Quote
"I’m wondering if the kube was simply a marketing strategy.”

Do a little research into the KEF Reference line which used the KUBE and you’ll understand its’ importance.
Far from a marketing strategy or a gimmick it’s an integral part of the speaker.
It is unfortunate that many KEFs have been separated from their KUBEs.
They are model specific and show up often on that big auction site.
A correctly working pair with quality electronics is a joy to listen to
Ask me how I know!

 

[rickb119]

Do a little research into the KEF Reference line which used the KUBE and you’ll understand its’ importance.

I made no reference to it's importance.

 

[Lou G]

The KUBE was not an integral part of the 104/2. It was an option offered to extend the low end frequency response of the 104/2. I have to agree with Mystic regarding the KUBE with the 104/2. I preferred the sound without the KUBE. However, there are some KEF models where the KUBE is essential and required for proper sonics but the 104/2 is not one of them.

 

[halkaloogie]

The KUBE was not an integral part of the 104/2. It was an option offered to extend the low end frequency response of the 104/2. I have to agree with Mystic regarding the KUBE with the 104/2. I preferred the sound without the KUBE. However, there are some KEF models where the KUBE is essential and required for proper sonics but the 104/2 is not one of them.

This is true 104/2's were never sold with a KUBE, but could be purchased as an add on. I've tried the KUBE with 104/2's and didn't care for it either. It pumped up the bass but muddied the high mids and highs. The biggest thing that a KUBE is designed to do is pump up the bass allowing it to go a bit lower. I've had a bunch of KEF speakers and have had good results simply using them with a sub and leaving the KUBE out of it, but your results may vary. I've also had good results replicating the KUBE with a multi band EQ, it's not exact, but you can get it pretty close.

 

[r07d24]

Good morning,
Just wanted to do a follow up on my KEF 103/3 speakers, and hopefully get some better guidance. I have replaced the interior woofer donuts and thoroughly cleaned and added new ferrofluid in the tweeters.
I was able to find the proper Kube and it's on the way, but no power supply. I have read through the forums, and see where some have used the Rane RS-1 power supply replacing the RJ45 connector with a 5 pin 240 degree DIN connector. Does this sound correct?
I also found wall wart like this that may work also? It is my understanding , the Kube only uses 3 wires- two AC voltage and center tap ground.
Thanks. Getting ready to order parts, just want to make sure I have the proper setup to power this thing up.

 

[DOBIEGUY]

@r07d24

Read the thread in this forum KEF 107 Help needed. It’s a few down.
Your answers are there.
Good luck

 

[r07d24]

@r07d24

Read the thread in this forum KEF 107 Help needed. It’s a few down.
Your answers are there.
Good luck

Thank you
I use those gelato containers a lot for misc hardware…why not a power transformer lol

 

[Wandaru]

Hi All,

I am a relatively new 107/2 owner. I was wondering if anyone has tried using room correction hardware/ software to do an A/B comparison between pre and post KUBE frequency curves(?). I notice a significant difference in what I hear between the two, but have not quantified it yet. Could a preset be created to mimic a KUBE or is this an oversimplification?

 

[sssboa]

So I have KEF Calinda speakers and they sound amazing.

So I was surprise even more seeing the 8" woofers.
The suspensions look and feel oxidized. It's like someone smeared them with honey and the honey dried up, though not entirely and with plenty of dust stuck on. Also they are not elastic as they should. A bit like old rubber belts in tape players. The speakers sound amazing though so maybe the job is still done as it should be. And the suspnsions around the passive membranes feel new, like they used entirely different rubber.

I never saw people discussing changing suspensions on 70s KEF's.
I bet the suspensions are the same for all KEF's 8" drivers from the 70's.
Any owners here of 1970's KEF's? Especially this series - Calinda, Cantana, around 1978
For now I will give them treatment with 303 Aerospace and silicon oil.

 

[sssboa]

So I have KEF Calinda speakers and they sound amazing.

So I was surprise even more seeing the 8" woofers.
The suspensions look and feel oxidized. It's like someone smeared them with honey and the honey dried up, though not entirely and with plenty of dust stuck on. Also they are not elastic as they should. A bit like old rubber belts in tape players. The speakers sound amazing though so maybe the job is still done as it should be. And the suspnsions around the passive membranes feel new, like they used entirely different rubber.

I never saw people discussing changing suspensions on 70s KEF's.
I bet the suspensions are the same for all KEF's 8" drivers from the 70's.
Any owners here of 1970's KEF's? Especially this series - Calinda, Cantana, around 1978
For now I will give them treatment with 303 Aerospace and silicon oil.

View attachment 2267536

I wiped them with 303 Protector and at least the dust is gone.
I saw some universal 8" black rubber surrounds on the auction site.

 

[halkaloogie]

Hi All,

I am a relatively new 107/2 owner. I was wondering if anyone has tried using room correction hardware/ software to do an A/B comparison between pre and post KUBE frequency curves(?). I notice a significant difference in what I hear between the two, but have not quantified it yet. Could a preset be created to mimic a KUBE or is this an oversimplification?

I've never used dsp room correction software to mimic the KUBE, but I have had OK luck getting close with a multi-band EQ. The KUBE notches some high mids and highs and pumps up the bass. If you have the KUBE already and Ike the result, why do you want to try to get the same thing through dsp?

 

[sssboa]

I wiped them with 303 Protector and at least the dust is gone.
I saw some universal 8" black rubber surrounds on the auction site.

View attachment 2267686

I bet 1 of these would be more suitable
https://www.speakerrepairshop.nl/en/rubber-surrounds/by-size/up-to-8-inch/g-20000045
But which one fo KEF Calinda?

 

[Wandaru]

I've never used dsp room correction software to mimic the KUBE, but I have had OK luck getting close with a multi-band EQ. The KUBE notches some high mids and highs and pumps up the bass. If you have the KUBE already and Ike the result, why do you want to try to get the same thing through dsp?

halkaloogie,

My 107/2's were purchased without a KUBE, but I happened to have an untested one for the 107's. Thankfully, it works.

I ordered a miniDSP DDRC-24 and wanted to try a few more things with it other than room correction. I'd like to create a preset and maybe permanently remove the KUBE from the signal path.

 

[halkaloogie]

Well, I somehow fell into a pair of 107's. I'm not exactly sure what's going on with them, as they have an extra set of posts like the 107/2's, but they are in a strange place. Anyone have any idea what's going on with these?

 

[halkaloogie]

halkaloogie,

My 107/2's were purchased without a KUBE, but I happened to have an untested one for the 107's. Thankfully, it works.

I ordered a miniDSP DDRC-24 and wanted to try a few more things with it other than room correction. I'd like to create a preset and maybe permanently remove the KUBE from the signal path.

Just be careful with the DSP, an EQ that increases the bass too much risks harming the woofers, you have to be very careful with this. I was talking to someone yesterday who had good luck with using DSP with his 107's, so I now know it can work, but just be very careful with the adjustments.

And if you do get it to work, I'd be very much interested in making you a deal for your 107 KUBE.

 

[jay fisher]

kef 102/2 sp3124

Can anyone tell me if these are worth buying? What do they sound like compared to b&w 601 s3 or jbl l26? Can they still be repaired, refoamed if needed? Thanks for your input.