Yup! I have a pair of Kube 10b's, the next one up the line. Highly recommended. They beat out my SVS SB2000 for being noticeably more lively and musical, despite the 200 watts less in the amp.
KEF owners thread
- Thread starter matteos
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Yup! I have a pair of Kube 10b's, the next one up the line. Highly recommended. They beat out my SVS SB2000 for being noticeably more lively and musical, despite the 200 watts less in the amp.
May I ask what speakers you pair it with? How do you have it set up?
I'd be mostly listening to music and hardly any home theater
Initially they were used in my 10'x12' office, paired with LS50 then LS50 Meta running off an NAD Masters M10. Since I dismantled that system, I moved them to a 5.2 surround system in my living room. They're running on my NAD T758v3, with a passive L-C-R KEF HTS8003 soundbar with KEF T101 surrounds. Four years in, no problems. Both bought used.
I don't have anything at the level of the Masters M10, but I'd probably try for something like your setup with the LS50 Metas by using it with 1 or 2 NAD C370s and some refurbished 103/4's
If you are anywhere within shot of central Massachusetts you're welcome to come hear mine.
In fact, I would entertain anyone who might like to audition them in the surround system, then go upstairs to our guest room that's been commandeered as my listening room and hear new Reference 1's on a new Luxman integrated amp.
If you are anywhere within shot of central Massachusetts you're welcome to come hear mine.
In fact, I would entertain anyone who might like to audition them in the surround system, then go upstairs to our guest room that's been commandeered as my listening room and hear new Reference 1's on a new Luxman integrated amp.
Thanks! I have a consulting client in Boston, but have yet to visit them. You're also welcome to stop into Chicago, but my system's not nearly up to yours at this point.. but I do have some good scotch and brandy around the house
I went ahead and bought the KEF Kube 8". It was a good deal and I didn't want to let it slip by.. I figured I'd check it out and with my 103/4's ranging from 50Hz to 20KHz, I can probably set the crossover low enough on the subwoofer and let the speakers run full range.
Imaginary
New Member
This thread needs some fresh meat, and I'm volunteering.
Over the last dozen years or so of my ventures into decent audio, I've never spent more than ~$800 on a pair of speakers. Careful research meant I've gotten bang for my buck, and have owned pretty darn good speakers at the price throughout. Music has been good to listen to. An hour ago I sent the first content to my brand-new R3's. Not bothering with pics; I doubt there's anyone reading this thread who doesn't know what KEF R3's look like. Mine are black.
A door has been opened, and I'm humbled to admit that I lack the ability to describe what I'm hearing except to say that I now know what great speakers sound like. They sound like what I'm listening to right now. It's almost incomprehensible.
Over the last dozen years or so of my ventures into decent audio, I've never spent more than ~$800 on a pair of speakers. Careful research meant I've gotten bang for my buck, and have owned pretty darn good speakers at the price throughout. Music has been good to listen to. An hour ago I sent the first content to my brand-new R3's. Not bothering with pics; I doubt there's anyone reading this thread who doesn't know what KEF R3's look like. Mine are black.
A door has been opened, and I'm humbled to admit that I lack the ability to describe what I'm hearing except to say that I now know what great speakers sound like. They sound like what I'm listening to right now. It's almost incomprehensible.
JohnnyNapalm
Active Member
This thread needs some fresh meat, and I'm volunteering.
Over the last dozen years or so of my ventures into decent audio, I've never spent more than ~$800 on a pair of speakers. Careful research meant I've gotten bang for my buck, and have owned pretty darn good speakers at the price throughout. Music has been good to listen to. An hour ago I sent the first content to my brand-new R3's. Not bothering with pics; I doubt there's anyone reading this thread who doesn't know what KEF R3's look like. Mine are black.
A door has been opened, and I'm humbled to admit that I lack the ability to describe what I'm hearing except to say that I now know what great speakers sound like. They sound like what I'm listening to right now. It's almost incomprehensible.
Good for you. The Kef range is rather special in my opinion.
I've posted my 2020 KEF Reference 1 speakers, as I'm expecting Reference 1 Meta to arrive soon. Gotta be a dues-paying member to see them on the BarterTown section of the forum.
ledbailey
Member
As I mentioned in a early post my 104ab speakers are perfect for a pioneer sx950 but in the day I had a pair of Visonik/David 502s stacked on top for better mid range and a much better high tweet. The combination was hard to imagine because it happened mainly by chance. I was using the VIS. in my van but would remove them in winter. I noticed 70 watts written on the back of theses small speakers and it hit me hey you have speaker B on your amp get some speaker wire and try them out together. Bingo what a combo. I am happy to report I just got them back after 28 years . I will need to repaint them and clean them up but the speakers look to be in good condition. One is missing the plastic grill ring that holds the mesh steel grill on so if anybody knows where i can purchase it please let me know. Its a 502 speaker. Now I know this is old school to some members but even compared to todays speakers this combo nice. If I can figure out how to post a pic. of these together i will post one if there is any interest . Ledbailey
ledbailey
Member
Those are the same as mine except mine came with different style screws. Mine look like torx style screws. Not sure of spelling but you know what I mean? You can see the little red light on them and they light up if you overdrive them. They have 70 watts peak and 50 watts listening written on the back but 1 quarter volume or a bit more makes them flash using my Pioneer SX950. As stated in my other posts I stack them on my Kef 104ab speakers. See Kef speaker posts.Ledbailey
Douglas Jett
New Member
So I was wondering if you had any issues with the interior woofer after you replaced the donuts. I just repaired a pair and most things sound really good but some frequencies produce a little buzz. It's not constant but it's annoying. Is it possible I already popped the glue on the donuts? Or is it something else possibly? Any thoughts from anyone would be welcome, as they're not the most fun to open up.
Thanks
JohnnyNapalm
Active Member
I had a similar issue when I serviced my Kef 4.2's which turned out to be the metal casing of the speaker not being correctly isolated against the cover. when put back together but it looks like the 103/3 does not have a cover over the front but worth mentioning. I have also had the feed cable to the LF motor touching the back of the cone when reassembled causing a vibration noise when listened to at reasonable levels? Good luck..
r07d24
Member
Interesting… I haven’t noticed those issues with mine. The only thing I would suggest is some simple troubleshooting to see if it’s both speakers doing it which could be done with a frequency generator app on your phone. You could then determine which driver (or cabinet) is producing the buzz.
On a side note- I do love the 103/3’s, but I do not like the fact that I have to use the Kube to make them sound good. I’ve been on the look out for 104/2’s and these are up for sale.
Douglas Jett
New Member
Thanks for the response & the tips. I was so hoping to not have to open them up again but I wasn't that focused on keeping the cables taught & out of the way that maybe they got caught in the speaker cage. I was wondering if maybe it was the lack of the Kube that was causing the issue because it seems that it might be right around the crossover point that it's happening, because otherwise they sound so good. I'll need more data with the frequency sweep but will start with the cabling idea first & investigate thoroughly if there's anything else loose higher up in the cabinet that might be the culprit. Thanks!
RemoWilliams
Addicted Member
Just posted in the 105 owner's thread and thought I should add here, spending time trying different amplifiers with them as well as positioning. Definitely prefer higher power so used an Acurus L10 / A250, Vincent SV 236 MK and presently a Yamaha RX 1100U. Might try a Myryad MPA 360 and being British it might work out quite well. I have a pair of Boston Acoustics T830s in my smaller bedroom set and wondering if the Calindas might be a better fit. Both are a sealed design which i prefer and possibly could replace the T830s though the Bostons are a very decent sounding speaker.
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+1 on that!
RemoWilliams
Addicted Member
Sounds like I should grab the Calindas, assuming they are still available, I just messaged the owner. The price is reduced as they do not have the original T27 tweeters but I happen to have a pair I bought for some Tangent RS6s but willing to swap them out and sell the RS6s for less. Here are some images of the Calindas:
