The Kef Reference thread

[frogfish]

@Frogfish

How are you getting on and have you come to a decision......did you get the links, and did they make a difference?

Back into hifi world after a break - Best deal I can get on 2.5m GR cable is equivalent to 1200 GBP (they are ex-demo). I am tempted, as I like what they do. Wondering whether I should get them to redo the termination to tri-wire, which would resolve the jumper question. Any thoughts ?

 

[CnoEvil]

@Frogfish

How are you getting on and have you come to a decision......did you get the links, and did they make a difference?

Back into hifi world after a break - Best deal I can get on 2.5m GR cable is equivalent to 1200 GBP (they are ex-demo). I am tempted, as I like what they do. Wondering whether I should get them to redo the termination to tri-wire, which would resolve the jumper question. Any thoughts ?

It's the best way to go provided the cost isn't prohibitively more than the links......I ordered mine that way (Tri-wired with CABD banana plugs).

 

[frogfish]

@Frogfish

How are you getting on and have you come to a decision......did you get the links, and did they make a difference?

Tri-wiring was not a practical option cost wise, so went ahead and got Cardas jumper cables this week-end. Bought them as cost was reasonable. Not sure if they make a difference yet, but they look very solid

 

[CnoEvil]

@Frogfish

How are you getting on and have you come to a decision......did you get the links, and did they make a difference?

Tri-wiring was not a practical option cost wise, so went ahead and got Cardas jumper cables this week-end. Bought them as cost was reasonable. Not sure if they make a difference yet, but they look very solid

Glad you got sorted.

It can be worth experimenting with where you put the links.....ie. changing round the connections (if you can be bothered).

Here is some insight (from 4th para down under "Setup"): http://www.ultraaudio.com/equipment/kef_reference_203_2.htm

Keep in touch, and let us know if you get any further improvement.

 

[plastic penguin]

Sorry to expand your Reference thread, but you commented - I think on another of your threads - that with the intro of the 'R' series, Kef may have to 'up the game' with the Reference series. Are you seriously suggesting the 'Rs' are that good? In which areas do the 'R' series bang on the door of the references?

 

[CnoEvil]

Sorry to expand your Reference thread, but you commented - I think on another of your threads - that with the intro of the 'R' series, Kef may have to 'up the game' with the Reference series. Are you seriously suggesting the 'Rs' are that good? In which areas do the 'R' series bang on the door of the references?

It's very subjective and only my opinion.....but what I'm saying is that the R Series are good enough to have considerably closed the gap (ie. compared to the XQ it replaced).....and that gap really needs to be widened again, by trickling the Blade technology down to the Reference Line.

The Refs are still better, but are much less forgiving and need very good amplification. If I was starting again, I'm not sure I would pay the extra.....the R700s are probably the sweetspot of the range, and the LS50 is as good a small speaker as I've heard up to 3x its cost.

IMO. The Refs are cleaner, more revealing, livelier, slightly more neutral and with better controlled bass....so without quite knocking on the door, the R Series is certainly looming large in the rear view mirror.

 

[plastic penguin]

Sorry to expand your Reference thread, but you commented - I think on another of your threads - that with the intro of the 'R' series, Kef may have to 'up the game' with the Reference series. Are you seriously suggesting the 'Rs' are that good? In which areas do the 'R' series bang on the door of the references?

It's very subjective and only my opinion.....but what I'm saying is that the R Series are good enough to have considerably closed the gap (ie. compared to the XQ it replaced).....and that gap really needs to be widened again, by trickling the Blade technology down to the Reference Line.

The Refs are still better, but are much less forgiving and need very good amplification. If I was starting again, I'm not sure I would pay the extra.....the R700s are probably the sweetspot of the range, and the LS50 is as good a small speaker as I've heard up to 3x its cost.

IMO. The Refs are cleaner, more revealing, livelier, slightly more neutral and with better controlled bass....so without quite knocking on the door, the R Series is certainly looming large in the rear view mirror.

Of course it's very personal or subjective, but this forum breaths and lives on personal experiences.

I know from a recent conversation with Coventry Dave he said that compared with PMC DB1s the R300 had similar amounts of detail but had heavier bass. So based on these assumptions I'm not sure where they stand, given that the DB1 are my favourite sub-£1000 standmounters, and still have the effection for Totem.

Not asking for advice just to show the dilemma I have without hearing the 'R' range.

BTW, picking up the Naim tomorrow, just as long as little'un doesn't come down with something nasty... again.

 

[CnoEvil]

BTW, picking up the Naim tomorrow, just as long as little'un doesn't come down with something nasty... again.

Looking forward to your thoughts once it has settled in.

FWIW. Don't listen to the R300s unless you are ready to spend, as I think they would be a great match with the Pulse. :shifty:

 

[plastic penguin]

BTW, picking up the Naim tomorrow, just as long as little'un doesn't come down with something nasty... again.

Looking forward to your thoughts once it has settled in.

FWIW. Don't listen to the R300s unless you are ready to spend, as I think they would be a great match with the Pulse. :shifty:

You flirt...

 

[CnoEvil]

BTW, picking up the Naim tomorrow, just as long as little'un doesn't come down with something nasty... again.

Looking forward to your thoughts once it has settled in.

FWIW. Don't listen to the R300s unless you are ready to spend, as I think they would be a great match with the Pulse. :shifty:

You flirt...

 

[clinton333]

Just a quick update...

I found a willing helper to aid in the "up ending" of the fronts and centre. The left and right are now on their feet, levelled and the centre now rests on some isolation feet... whilst doing this I decided to change the front speaker cable and links to Chord Signature... :rockout:

I think it must be the combination of all this but it has given me so much more clarity (there seemed enough anyway) and really made the bass tight and punchy... I,m sure the centre sounds even better now too... Absolutely blew me away watching "The Hobbit" on BD... :clap:

I have nearly decided on the sub situation; DXD-12012 as I am really interested in a duo stack :twisted: Although i did see a Velodyne DD12+ on ebay recently... :shifty:

Do you have your 205/2's connected as per the manual, as in to the base terminal? I was contemplating doing a comparison when i have time but just thought you may have done so?

Must get back to my system now I'm missing it already >)

:cheers:

 

[CnoEvil]

Just a quick update...

I found a willing helper to aid in the "up ending" of the fronts and centre. The left and right are now on their feet, levelled and the centre now rests on some isolation feet... whilst doing this I decided to change the front speaker cable and links to Chord Signature... :rockout:

I think it must be the combination of all this but it has given me so much more clarity (there seemed enough anyway) and really made the bass tight and punchy... I,m sure the centre sounds even better now too... Absolutely blew me away watching "The Hobbit" on BD... :clap:

I have nearly decided on the sub situation; DXD-12012 as I am really interested in a duo stack :twisted: Although i did see a Velodyne DD12+ on ebay recently... :shifty:

Do you have your 205/2's connected as per the manual, as in to the base terminal? I was contemplating doing a comparison when i have time but just thought you may have done so?

Must get back to my system now I'm missing it already >)

:cheers:

IMO. You are doing all the right things.

Are you using the spikes (spike shoes?) or metal feet, and is your floor a suspended wooden one (sorry if I've asked before)?

My speaker cables are Tri-wired at the speaker end, so no links required...........though it's worth experimenting.

You are now really starting to discover the talents of your system.

The Velodyne DD series are very good indeed, with sophisticated EQ and negligible distortion.

EDIT: Here is a good review of the 205/2s (if you haven't spotted it), which talks about the links and the importance of positioning: http://www.4audio.rs/upload/File/KEF/hi-fiPlus_kef%20250_lowres.pdf

 

[clinton333]

Yes it all seems to be coming together in a very pleasing way... The system is sounding better than I had imagined in this room I have...

I am using the metal feet as opposed to the spikes; I am happy with them now, they have definitely helped to improve things and I also prefer the way it looks now too! :shifty:

My floor is actually solid in construction so no voids...

Need to take another bite at the sub situation when funds are made available...

Thanks for the link and the sound advice... much appreciated... 8)

 

[clinton333]

I can hear the pitter patter of baby Reference feet.... :shhh: ...followed by a deep bass note...could it be a DB1 following behind...:shifty:

 

[CnoEvil]

I can hear the pitter patter of baby Reference feet.... :shhh: ...followed by a deep bass note...could it be a DB1 following behind...:shifty:

Well my friend, still spending I see.

I assume it's some 201/2s and a lovely B&W Sub?

Are the Baby Refs for another system, or for rear surrounds?.......FWIW If they are for surrounds, have you considered keeping the LS50s for this, and spending the money on a 2 channel source?

 

[clinton333]

Yes... probably beyond one's means at this time but when an opportunity arrises... I can't let it pass by...

You are correct in thinking the 201/2's maight be coming in as rears... picking them up tomorrow... and the DB1 is to follow, should be next week... >)

I am leaving the LS50's up on the raised plinth (but relocated), to be used as 7.1 at the moment... but may use them to be part of a 5.1 in the second room with the AVR350...

I am hoping to satisfy my av :twisted:... with these latest additions; and then pehaps concentrate on the, now more important than ever, 2 channel source... I will definitely need to get a dedicated ripping nas first as I have encountered some unreliability with my existing stored files... :doh:

I will take stock after the new additions have settled in...

Once again, any advice or comments much appreciated.... :cheers:

 

[CnoEvil]

Once again, any advice or comments much appreciated.... :cheers:

My thoughts are very personal ie.

- I think the 201/2s would be wasted as rears (given how good the LS50s are).

- I would rather bi-amp the front channels than have 7.1.......if 2 channel is important.

- The Sub will make a dramatic difference once correctly set up.

 

[clinton333]

Yes I do agree that the LS50's may be all I need as rears... but at the moment that is where the 201/2's are going. They'll be on their dedicated stands and not up on the raised plinth, so I'll see how it all sounds...

I had thought about using the spare channels on the power amp to bi amp the 203/2's... That may be the direction I'll take...

Thanks for the comments again...

 

[CnoEvil]

Yes I do agree that the LS50's may be all I need as rears... but at the moment that is where the 201/2's are going. They'll be on their dedicated stands and not up on the raised plinth, so I'll see how it all sounds...

I had thought about using the spare channels on the power amp to bi amp the 203/2's... That may be the direction I'll take...

Thanks for the comments again...

One (probably obvious) thought - If the 201/2s sound much better, some of that could well be down to the Stands and the Positioning......So it would be worth doing the same with the LS50s, before making up your mind.

 

[Jima4a]

First post on this forum. I recently heard the LS50s and was amazed. I have ceiling speakers for surrounds due to my room configuration but I am considering proper surrounds for multichannel music. My heights using PLIIz help blend the surrounds on movies so no issue there. I will try my XQ40s to see how that works first but I really would like to add the LS50s because they are so phenominal. Of course 201/2s would be awesome but hard on the wallet.

 

[CnoEvil]

First post on this forum. I recently heard the LS50s and was amazed. I have ceiling speakers for surrounds due to my room configuration but I am considering proper surrounds for multichannel music. My heights using PLIIz help blend the surrounds on movies so no issue there. I will try my XQ40s to see how that works first but I really would like to add the LS50s because they are so phenominal. Of course 201/2s would be awesome but hard on the wallet.

Welcome to the forum.

IMO. The LS50s are very hard to beat where VFM is concerned and they don't need such quality amplification that the Reference Series do.

 

[Jima4a]

Thank you! I agree on the amplification for the LS50s but better doesn't hurt either. However, for surrounds it is not as critical.

On a side note, I have had challenges trying to get my Avatar and signiture working which has been a bit frustrating. Hopefully, it is now working. :wall:

so how do I delete this duplicate?

 

[CnoEvil]

so how do I delete this duplicate?

You can''t......just delete the text.

 

[Jima4a]

Deleted

 

[walbor]

I'm currently using a pair of Reference 4.2 with my modified Yamaha CDS700 and XTZ A100 D3 ampl and they sound amazing but the missus is not happy about the size of them (room is only 5m X 4M) would the LS50 be a good choice or something in the 'R' range? Looking to spend around £800 - don't know how I'm going to get close to the sound of these though!