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Thoughts on dedicated EQ boxes, like my KEF 103.3

AgeOfAnalog

AgeOfAnalog

New Member
I just recently acquired a super clean pair of KEF 103.3 loudspeakers, that also came with the dedicated KEF Kube EQ box. I've owned a lot of speakers over the past 4 decades, small bookshelf models up to fairly large floor standing units, but these are the best I've ever owned. The KEF Kube is absolutely mandatory for these, because they truly sound like crap without them. It got me to thinking about these dedicated EQ boxes. The BOSE 901s came with one, of course, but do you remember any other speakers that required one?
 
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Several KEF designs of that era had what was called "active alignment", i.e. equalizer. Reference 107, 105/4, 104/2, and a few others.
 
Regarding using the KUBE or not, I've been listening to the R107 without a KUBE for some time (until I built a power supply for it) and compensated (as much as possible) by using a parametric equalizer to boost the low frequencies (at about 20Hz) with a very low Q factor (wide frequency window). They sounded great.
When I came around to put the KUBE in the loop, they do sound equally good but without that bass boost using the equalizer the low frequencies sound not as much pronounced. Perhaps that's the sound of well controlled low frequencies. But I still prefer having the parametric equalizer in the loop, although the boost is much lower now. Perhaps that's a room related matter. Certainly the loudspeakers can take much higher signal in the low end and deliver clean sound without clipping.
 
The Thiel CS3.5 had one to help with bass response, I generally run without it though because in my small room the bass doesn't need any help.
 
The Electrovoice Interface series came with one!
(At least my Interface A has one)
 
As did the early EV D series (not sure about the later series)

Klipsch is bringing out the residential Jubilee as an official residential speaker and not one coming down the cinema line that's gussied up. This is entirely re-engineered and reconfigured. Instead of two 12" drivers it has a single (I'm told 12") driver and that driver....is ported into the horn enclosure.

This new speaker, at least the 75th Anniversary version is also coming with an outboard EQ box like the EV's.
 
The classic era KLH Model 12 came with a four band "contour control" box (one box for each speaker).
 
FWIW, I prefer the 104/2 without the Kube.

Even with the Kube re-capped, no difference. Still better to my ears without it.
 
Ross6860 said:
FWIW, I prefer the 104/2 without the Kube.

Even with the Kube re-capped, no difference. Still better to my ears without it.
Click to expand...

All the Kube equipped KEF's I've heard sounded quite different and better with the Kube engaged. If you're doesn't make any difference it's most likely not working properly.
 
JoeESP9 said:
All the Kube equipped KEF's I've heard sounded quite different and better with the Kube engaged. If you're doesn't make any difference it's most likely not working properly.
Click to expand...

Joe, I don't think Ross6860 said there was no difference. As I understand his post he said that the 104/2s sound better to him without the KUBE even after recapping the KUBE. I agree with him. Every 104/2 that I have heard sound better to me without the KUBE. To me the KUBE adds some coloration and a veiling effect to the sound. The 104/2s did not come with the KUBE. The KUBE was an additional option to extend the low frequency response. There are other KEF speakers that were designed with the KUBE and are required to sound their best.
 
JoeESP9 said:
All the Kube equipped KEF's I've heard sounded quite different and better with the Kube engaged. If you're doesn't make any difference it's most likely not working properly.
Click to expand...

Oh, it makes a difference. Just one for which I don't particularly care. The re-cap had no effect, either positive or negative

Just my opinion.


Lou G said:
Joe, I don't think Ross6860 said there was no difference. As I understand his post he said that the 104/2s sound better to him without the KUBE even after recapping the KUBE. I agree with him. Every 104/2 that I have heard sound better to me without the KUBE. To me the KUBE adds some coloration and a veiling effect to the sound. The 104/2s did not come with the KUBE. The KUBE was an additional option to extend the low frequency response. There are other KEF speakers that were designed with the KUBE and are required to sound their best.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Upper end is "veiled" and the sound is colored.

I'm keeping the Kube just in case I ever sell them. I have them in HT service, so there's a sub-woofer available (I usually have the sub turned off anyhow).
 
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