Sometimes Cheaper is Better

[raymeedc]

I recently picked up a set each (open box, so I wouldn't lose much, if anything, upon resale) of B&W 685 S2, Kef Q300 & Kef Q100 (an afterthought tentative purchase) speakers with the intention of giving each a real world (for me) workout in their possible future environment (so difficult, if not impossible, to find out what you need to know about speakers outside of their intended element, IMHO). Beforehand thought I would have preferred the B&Ws, followed closely by the Q300s & trailed by the noticibly weaker Q100s. Well, to my surprise, after a thorough multi day intensive tryout of each on stands in my bass-trap/acoustic paneled small bedroom, it turned out to be the other way around! Thank goodness for afterthought tentative purchases!

 

[Al ears]

I recently picked up a set each (open box, so I wouldn't lose much, if anything, upon resale) of B&W 685 S2, Kef Q300 & Kef Q100 (an afterthought tentative purchase) speakers with the intention of giving each a real world (for me) workout in their possible future environment (so difficult, if not impossible, to find out what you need to know about speakers outside of their intended element, IMHO). Beforehand thought I would have preferred the B&Ws, followed closely by the Q300s & trailed by the noticibly weaker Q100s. Well, to my surprise, after a thorough multi day intensive tryout of each on stands in my bass-trap/acoustic paneled small bedroom, it turned out to be the other way around! Thank goodness for afterthought tentative purchases!

It just goes to show auditioning speakers is a must. They are so room / ancillary equipment dependent not to. There are times when the law of diminishing returns quickly applies. Expensive sometimes means better built and not always better sounding.

I had to go a long way to find a pair that actually bettered my old HB1's in sound quality.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Agreed. Auditioning is the only way to find out what suits you - expectations aren't alway met. I sometimes prefer a smaller option (which is sometimes the cheaper option) over something larger - I used to prefer KEF's Reference 201/2 over the 203/2, not because I thought it was a better speaker, just that I preferred the balance it presented. Ultimately it all depends on system/room/volume requirements.

 

[Leeps]

A fair part of the "more is less" equation is that the more expensive speakers are within a manufacturer's line-up, they are usually bigger. Q100 > Q300 > Q500 > Q700 > Q900.

The cheapest model within each range, which in price and marketing terms could therefore be seen as the 'base' model, so less good somehow, is usually the small standmount (like your Q100). But in many British homes especially, a small standmount is precisely what's needed.

They may not have the visual wow factor of a big floorstander, but their interaction with the room is more likely to be successful for many. You do see quite a lot of MA Silver 6's and Silver 8's (or the older Silvers and older RX6's) for sale used. I wonder how many of these are actually upgrading and how many have simply realised they were just creating too much bass in their room.