Hey guys, I'm kinda new in the speaker scene. Happened across a pair of kef 104/2 for $500 CAD. I tried to negotiate, but he is not willing to go down on the price. Now, to me that seems like a ridiculous price for 30 year old speakers. My brain says no, but my heart says yes. The owner says the foam dust covers were replaced. Can anyone shed some light on if they are worth the price tag? Thank you in advance!
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petehall347
the brandy coffee man
looking at prices over here they are on the topside ..
At this price point condition is everything. Cabinets mint? Crossovers gone over? Optional KUBE?
Correct T-33 tweeters? Ferrofluid replaced? Later model that are bi-wire able?
Great speakers that require quality electronics.
Search the many threads on these British classics.
Listening to my(original to me)103/3 as I type. Believe the hype!
Correct T-33 tweeters? Ferrofluid replaced? Later model that are bi-wire able?
Great speakers that require quality electronics.
Search the many threads on these British classics.
Listening to my(original to me)103/3 as I type. Believe the hype!
willyrover
Super Member
Not sure what he means by foam dust covers...but there are two drivers hidden inside each of the cabinets that may need foam surrounds and donuts.
If they're in great shape and come with the KUBE, I think he'll get $500.
I would certainly be tempted to buy them.
They were $3000 speakers in the 80s.
If they're in great shape and come with the KUBE, I think he'll get $500.
I would certainly be tempted to buy them.
They were $3000 speakers in the 80s.
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canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
If they're in excellent condition $500 is not out of the question. However, $300-$400 is around the going rate for a pair in reasonable condition that are all original. They need some work done to them to be brought back to their former glory, most importantly being the foam donuts on the inner drivers and also the ferro fluid in the tweeters needs to be changed out. I also recommend replacing the capacitors on the crossovers - some feel this is optional, but to me the speakers sounded noticeably better afterwards so that makes me think the capacitors are also deteriorated at this point (which would make sense considering they debuted in 1984).
They are a great sounding speaker and are worth picking up.
They are a great sounding speaker and are worth picking up.
He doesn't have the Kube equalizer. When the owner said dust covers, I'm assuming he meant the foam surrounds since he supposedly spent $220 replacing them. From pictures they look to be in decent condition. I'll inquire about the caps and the ferro fluid. Thanks so much fellas! I passed up a great looking set of Klipsch Heresy II for $400 since it was a 6 hour drive round trip... 
How do the heresy's rate compared to the kef's?
How do the heresy's rate compared to the kef's?
superdog
AK Member
Somewhat different from Heresys.If the donuts on the bottom drivers were replaced I would say yes.Fantastic speakers with the right electronics upstream.There's the tweeter issue but I have read there are quality replacements.People pay a lot more for more popular but inferior speakers.
I enjoy mine and they are very well built speakers. In many ways more elaborate construction then most other speakers.
Each woofer has two foams - an inner and an outer although on mine I believe that only the inners are foam - the outlets are a rubber type of material.
$500 Is a bit high but if there aren't any other desirable speakers available and you like them I'd go for it and start enjoying them now.
Each woofer has two foams - an inner and an outer although on mine I believe that only the inners are foam - the outlets are a rubber type of material.
$500 Is a bit high but if there aren't any other desirable speakers available and you like them I'd go for it and start enjoying them now.
MCM_Fan
AK Subscriber
Keep in mind that 500 CAD = 380 USD at current exchange rates.
Obviously, price is highly dependent on condition, but if they are in good physical condition, they are worth it. These speakers were designed to be easily disassembled for periodic maintenance. The two most common areas that need attention, as mentioned by others, are replacing the foam donuts on the four B200 woofers (about $40 in parts) and the ferrofluid in the T33 tweeters (about $10 in materials).
Sounds like the donuts have already been replaced. The ferrofluid is an easy (in my opinion) DIY project. I just did mine yesterday morning and it was easier than changing the oil and filter in my truck, that I did the day before.
These are excellent sounding speakers with amazing build quality. If the cabinets and grills are in excellent shape, I'd say they are definitely worth 380 USD.
Obviously, price is highly dependent on condition, but if they are in good physical condition, they are worth it. These speakers were designed to be easily disassembled for periodic maintenance. The two most common areas that need attention, as mentioned by others, are replacing the foam donuts on the four B200 woofers (about $40 in parts) and the ferrofluid in the T33 tweeters (about $10 in materials).
Sounds like the donuts have already been replaced. The ferrofluid is an easy (in my opinion) DIY project. I just did mine yesterday morning and it was easier than changing the oil and filter in my truck, that I did the day before.
These are excellent sounding speakers with amazing build quality. If the cabinets and grills are in excellent shape, I'd say they are definitely worth 380 USD.
The HK 690i is a wonderful pairing for Kefs from that era. The Kefs are a bit power hungry and you need extra power to get them going. Kef used to advertise they only needed a minimum of 10 or 20 watts, but you want much more on anything loud or with a large dynamic range. 60 clean WPC is more than sufficient to make them sing, and the 690i has headroom to drive more than 100WPC on transiants. Be prepared for a brutally honest, neutral sound, that can bring out the best of your favorite music.
MCM_Fan
AK Subscriber
Yes, that's exactly the issue with the ferrofluid. It dries out over time and needs replaced. As I mentioned, I just replaced mine yesterday morning. I found it very easy. There is a video on youtube and multiple online illustrated tutorials. If you can change the oil and filter in your car, you can probably do this.
My speakers are also the single wire versions. I am currently driving them with a Yamaha A-1000 integrated amplifier (120 WPC into 8 ohmns) and it's plenty. I may eventually drive them with a Son of Ampzilla (80 WPC) and don't anticipate any problems. They are definitely easier to drive than many other high end contemporary speakers like Magnepans or Dahlquist DQ-10s, but not as easy as really efficient speakers like contemporary Klipsch models (Heresys, KG4s, Fortes, etc.). Unless your room is very large and you play your music very load, your HK should do the job.
You'd be better off buying njphoenix's KEF 104/2s. The ferrofluid has been replaced, the foam donuts on the woofers has been replaced, and the crossovers recapped with genuine Alcap caps from Falcon Acoustics. How do I know? Because I did the work.
Lee.
Lee.
Goggle1824
Well-Known Member
As it appears the OP has received qualified responses, I'd be interested in people's thoughts on these Kefs compared to ADS 1290/ii's. 
If that's too much of a high jack, then just plz disregard. 
If that's too much of a high jack, then just plz disregard. 
darkblue94
The Devil made me do it.
It would be best to keep this thread on it's original track. You are, of course welcome to open up your own thread and ask your question there.As it appears the OP has received qualified responses, I'd be interested in people's thoughts on these Kefs compared to ADS 1290/ii's.
To be honest, I wasn't going to pick up these speakers since they seemed to be on the pricey end for me as a student. But, the owner offered me something to sweeten the deal; a Velodyne DPS 12 sub. Seems like I'll be picking them up on Thursday! 
Njphoenix seems like he's from NJ lol, and might cost me an arm and a leg to ship to Canada
Sorry Goggle, I've never heard of ADS 1290s before haha...cant really help you there, but best of luck!
Njphoenix seems like he's from NJ lol, and might cost me an arm and a leg to ship to Canada
Sorry Goggle, I've never heard of ADS 1290s before haha...cant really help you there, but best of luck!
absolve2525
Super Member
Score! those Kefs are keepers. I powered mine with a 75 watt Parasound amp and had plenty of dynamic range. I tried it with a 250 watt amp, and didn't hear much difference.
those Kefs are keepers. I powered mine with a 75 watt Parasound amp and had plenty of dynamic range. I tried it with a 250 watt amp, and didn't hear much difference.