The Kef Reference thread

[gregvet]

Like David, that looks fair, especially as the stands (Kef?) are included....how old are they?

I would have a few thoughts:

- Is this to replace the SA1s?....if so, it will be a very (very) different sound.

- Be careful they don't sound a little lean and forward with your Cyrus.....for my taste (may not apply), Kef Ref need a touch of warmth as in Electrcompaniet, Classe, Plinius, McIntosh and MF AMS. IMO. They should sound quite good (bi-amped) with your Arcam AV9/P7 + DS. :twisted:

- Are you planning to change your amp, and if so, when....and are you happy to spend what it takes to drive them to a high level?

- If you're not changing your amp, I think the SA1s would sound nicer with your Cyrus, as they complement each other beautifully.

thanks Cno. They are the Kef stands and they are two years old but haven't been used much. Original boxes and accessories etc.

yes they would be replacing the spendors. We are moving and the equivalent room they are moving into is much bigger and I don't think the spendors will cope. I know it's a different sound and I am looking forward to having a demo. No decisions made yet.

I would be open to changing the amp if they needed it, although it may have to wait a while. I wouldn't be against swapping them into the arcam system either and moving pmc onto the Cyrus. Who knows!

 

[CnoEvil]

thanks Cno. They are the Kef stands and they are two years old but haven't been used much. Original boxes and accessories etc.

yes they would be replacing the spendors. We are moving and the equivalent room they are moving into is much bigger and I don't think the spendors will cope. I know it's a different sound and I am looking forward to having a demo. No decisions made yet.

I would be open to changing the amp if they needed it, although it may have to wait a while. I wouldn't be against swapping them into the arcam system either and moving pmc onto the Cyrus. Who knows!

- It's no wonder you are tempted.

- ATM (IMO) both your systems are well balanced (Arcam + PMC is a great mix as well)

- IMO. The SA1s are no good, outside a fairly small room, without a sub (always an option)

- I think the PMC with the Cyrus might be a better temporary option....you can easily try this.

- You could do a lot worse than a second hand P7 (P777) to tri-amp the 201/2s :twisted:

- If looking at a Stereo amp, you are probably looking at £3.5 - £6k (new)

- With the right amplification, these speakers are stunning....it's a matter of how warm you like them to sound, going from the neutrality of the likes of Bryston, going through a touch of warmth (Electro, Plinius, Classe) to Class A / Tubes (AMS, Pathos, Sugden, McIntosh, Icon Audio etc)

 

[gregvet]

Thanks Cno. There was me thinking you would make it easier for me to become a reference owner

Either way I'm looking forward to having a demo

 

[CnoEvil]

Thanks Cno. There was me thinking you would make it easier for me to become a reference owner

Either way I'm looking forward to having a demo

There's nothing easy about it.

Very revealing speakers take careful matching.....but get it right, and it's well worth the effort.....problem is, it's seldom cheap! :twisted:

 

[gregvet]

They have been sold to someone else now, so that makes it easier for now!

 

[CnoEvil]

They have been sold to someone else now, so that makes it easier for now!

 

[gregvet]

They have been sold to someone else now, so that makes it easier for now!

I dunno. I didnt have spousal permission anyway and we are moving house (so not exactly flush with cash), so it had the potential to cause more aggro than any speaker is really worth

 

[clinton333]

I had the pleasure of a demo Wednesday and they were pretty awesome on the end of Harry's Susano!

I have a demo of the 201/2s and a 202/2c in a 5.1 very shortly, at a dealer in the South....

I hope the rest of my kit can do justice to them!? ray:

 

[gregvet]

I had the pleasure of a demo Wednesday and they were pretty awesome on the end of Harry's Susano!

I have a demo of the 201/2s and a 202/2c in a 5.1 very shortly, at a dealer in the South....

I hope the rest of my kit can do justice to them!? ray:

I bet it did sound great. I'm almost glad he's sold them as it stops the temptation!

out of interest what dealer has the reference speakers in the south, I haven't found anywhere locally?

 

[CnoEvil]

I had the pleasure of a demo Wednesday and they were pretty awesome on the end of Harry's Susano!

Was the Susano with full Kef Ref 5.1.....which models? Also, can we please have a little more detail...what did you listen to and did it include music?

I have a demo of the 201/2s and a 202/2c in a 5.1 very shortly, at a dealer in the South....

I hope the rest of my kit can do justice to them!? ray:

Your Arcam Pre/Power will sound sublime with the Refs, and will drive them fine.....my AVR600 manages it, so yours will be a step up again. FWIW I think your Arcams are better than the Pioneer for HT, and much better for 2 channel.

If you listen to much 2 channel, you might want to go up the Ref chain a bit, for the Front L&R...but then you would also need to look at your source. :shifty: If mostly HT use, the 201/2s will be great, as the Sub will deal with the bass.

Try and have the demo with the Arcam AV888/P777, or at the very least, AVR600....if this isn't the case, what will they be using?

Do report in with your findings

Cno

 

[clinton333]

Yes you are right about that... the temptation!

I am only really looking now due to the trade in offer applicable to the Reference series...

The price he has achieved isn't that far off brand new!

It is Unilet Sound and Vision, i am just awaiting a specific date etc...

http://www.unilet.net/save-20-off-kef-reference-q-series-and-t-series-with-our-awesome-winter-sale-trade-in-promotion.html

 

[clinton333]

The setup was actually 201/2 and 202/2c at the front and KHT9000ace at the rear with XQ60 sub...

To be honest it was a very short demo as I had it in my mind what i was happy to pay for used and I wasn't sure we were going to get there... Also beforehand, i had decided to get a proper demo arranged with similar kit to mine, if not mine.

For AV they blew me away it was pretty EPIC

Music I only played a few tracks form CD's through a Pioneer BDLX91 via hdmi... i was quite happy with that... (I need a lot more time really)

I will mostly be using them for AV but I am steadily increasing my 2 channel time as my system progresses...

I will be able to Bi amp the front L&R with the P777 so hopefully it will get the 201'2's "singing" :twisted:

I have asked the dealer if similar kit can be arranged but I will take mine if necessary...

Yes i have already been following the Linn DS thread :cheers:

 

[CnoEvil]

Yes i have already been following the Linn DS thread :cheers:

A humble Linn Sneaky will be a big step up, and a second hand Majik DS will be a very big step up.....just don't listen to an Akurate DS! :twisted:

I will be very surprised if Arcam + Refs don't exceed your already high expectations.

....but the real suprise waiting in the wings, is the standard of 2 channel that can be achieved, with a good source (DS :shifty: :silenced

 

[CnoEvil]

I have a demo of the 201/2s and a 202/2c in a 5.1 very shortly, at a dealer in the South....

I hope the rest of my kit can do justice to them!? ray:

Any word on this? 8)

 

[clinton333]

There might be a package containing the humble beginnings of Reference sytem, arriving any minute now... :twisted:

even though i am still waiting for a proper dem... :shifty:

I will update as soon as possible...

 

[CnoEvil]

There might be a package containing the humble beginnings of Reference sytem, arriving any minute now... :twisted:

even though i am still waiting for a proper dem... :shifty:

I will update as soon as possible...

Now then, this is worthy of note!

We expect full description plus pics......welcome to the Arcam / Refs club.......now a DS will nicely complete the set....you know I'm right!

 

[clinton333]

Somehow i knew you would say that!

I will definitely oblige once I am all set up... but I still won't be able to post pictures correctly; I am sure!

 

[CnoEvil]

Somehow i knew you would say that!

I will definitely oblige once I am all set up... but I still won't be able to post pictures correctly; I am sure!

What did you hear the Refs with in this demo?

 

[clinton333]

What I am listening to MY Ref's with now, is all that matters...

I am still waiting for the centre and surrounds to arrive after much deliberation, having been suggested a few different scenarios and options...

So as we speak: 203/2's and 202/2c with LS50's as rears for now... :dance:

I am positiveley beaming at the moment... and am really starting to appreciate the Arcam and Ref combination already :cheers:

I will try to get some photos up when I am set up...

 

[CnoEvil]

What I am listening to MY Ref's with now, is all that matters...

I am still waiting for the centre and surrounds to arrive after much deliberation, having been suggested a few different scenarios and options...

So as we speak: 203/2's and 202/2c with LS50's as rears for now... :dance:

I am positiveley beaming at the moment... and am really starting to appreciate the Arcam and Ref combination already :cheers:

I will try to get some photos up when I am set up...

So the 201/2s have morphed into 203/2s, I see :shifty:

The 202/2c is a really good centre (had one for a while)......is it on loan until yours arrives.....which rears are you going for?

I know exactly what you are hearing, which is why I go on about this particular match.....and it is also capable of remarkable two channel performance, with a good source.

Any chance of a detailed review along with the pics?

 

[clinton333]

Yes I decided to stick with floorstanders at the front, in the end... It took a little time deciding on the centre as there was a ex demo 204/2c (satin black) available but as I am sure you can see from pics it was just too difficult to fit in my system...But if I ever get to rearrange the whole lot you never know

As for your other questions, I feel it may a be a bit early to voice my opinions other than I am totally/equally impressed with the 203/2's, the 202/2c and the LS50's...

I do have the options of spikes etc as you referred to but I have not had the time (with an appropriate assistant) to make any further adjustments...

It was a matter of getting everything up and running as soon as possible :bounce:

I have some serious listening to do so won't take up any more of your time; and as for the dedicated two channel source is concerned... I will be on to that with home demo's when I have corrected my wallet! :doh:

 

[CnoEvil]

Yes I decided to stick with floorstanders at the front, in the end... It took a little time deciding on the centre as there was a ex demo 204/2c (satin black) available but as I am sure you can see from pics it was just too difficult to fit in my system...But if I ever get to rearrange the whole lot you never know

As for your other questions, I feel it may a be a bit early to voice my opinions other than I am totally/equally impressed with the 203/2's, the 202/2c and the LS50's...

I do have the options of spikes etc as you referred to but I have not had the time (with an appropriate assistant) to make any further adjustments...

It was a matter of getting everything up and running as soon as possible :bounce:

I have some serious listening to do so won't take up any more of your time; and as for the dedicated two channel source is concerned... I will be on to that with home demo's when I have corrected my wallet! :doh:

The floorstanders will come into their own when you sort 2 channel, so I think you were wise.

Probably unnecessary advice - but don't forget to adjust the Brass Screws at the back of the speakers correctly, otherwise you will have too much/little bass/treble...also IMO it is worth replacing the Links at the back, with decent cable.

Anyway, don't be a stranger and enjoy your new toys

Cno

 

[frogfish]

Just borrowed some Cardas golden reference speaker cables... Let's see what comes out....

 

[Macspur]

Just borrowed some Cardas golden reference speaker cables... Let's see what comes out....

Look forward to your report.

Mac

 

[CnoEvil]

Just borrowed some Cardas golden reference speaker cables... Let's see what comes out....

Please report back, as I would be very surprised if this doesn't work very well..........lovely cables with a great balance of musicality and detail. What i/c are you using?