Question Unhappy with KEF R300s

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Thanks for the replied, everybody. Point noted about a more powerful amp controlling bass, but I’m not talking about flabby, indistinguishable bass notes; I’m talking about boomy, floor wobbling bass that over powers everything. They are big speakers, especially for standmounts, and this and the way they are interacting with my room is causing the problem. I’ve pulled them out, toed them in, toed them out, bunged them, half bunged them, every combination of the above you can imagine and still no improvement. Sources are a Rega turntable and a Rotel CD player.
I don‘t wish to change the amplifier at the moment. I’ve heard it with other speakers and rate it highly. It also has an excellent phono stage.
Many interesting suggestions above which I will read up on. I see sense in a sealed box design as this will allow me to place them closer to a wall, away from curious little hands.
What were the other speakers?
 

SteveH72

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I’m not sure about the LS50s. My understanding is that they need a decent amount of power to shone. More than the Brio’s 50W. However, I have no experience of them. I really do t want to move the Brio on. It’s an excellent amp with a great phono stage for my Rega turntable. I on,U.K. need one more input for the Rotel CD player.
B & W 606/7 S2 sounds interesting too. Would be interested to hear from any owners.
 

MartinEvoke50

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Hello all. I’ve been running R300s with a Rega Brio and I’m not happy. There are many good qualities but the bass is unruly and overblown. Believe me I’ve tried every tweak with positioning, bungs etc. but the sound is just not to my liking; I’ve never been a bass head.
I got them to fill a 5x4m room but hanker for a more delicate, airy sound.
Any suggestions for alternatives? Thanks
Ideally you need an amp with a high damping factor to get a grip on that bass, something like the HEGEL amplifier
 

gasolin

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If you want an affordable pair of speakers look at system audio saxo 5 , they don't have a blooted or muddy bass a little on the slim side but can play deep bass if needed, they have an open sound wide soundstage and good depth, if asked to play loud theres no problem, it can do that and sounds great not to bright if the amp you have is neutral sounding and you only play good recored songs (mine is not angled towards the listening position) 87db and 8 ohm,7 year warranty if you register (free) .

 

SteveH72

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You're right to keep the Rega Brio and ditch the Kefs. That's a great amp!
Have to confess to being a little disappointed with the R300s. I’m sure there are many reasons which aren’t their fault but I find the bass response to be excessive. Perhaps they do need better amplification but the Brio is no slouch. Lots of options to investigate. Thanks to all. I’ll keep you updated.
 

RoA

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Have to confess to being a little disappointed with the R300s. I’m sure there are many reasons which aren’t their fault but I find the bass response to be excessive. Perhaps they do need better amplification but the Brio is no slouch. Lots of options to investigate. Thanks to all. I’ll keep you updated.

I can understand that. There is a way you may be able to get them to sound right in your room.


If you have a 'problem' room that may be a good idea anyway.

Since using an active speaker with DSP I find it highly useful, even though it is usually only used and calibrated one time once in situ (until you move house or re-arrange the room).

I hope you can sort your system.
 

RoA

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why do many asume it's just a matter of the room, mabye it's just a synergy between the amp,speakers and how op what's the music to sound like

Nothing was assumed. My reply included a 'may'.

The power of modern DSP, whilst not a panacea for everything, should not be under estimated (it generally has been used and appreciated in HT and Pro applications for a long time but many Audiophiles, including me in the past, baulk/ed at the thought of it). Very useful indeed.

Rooms unfortunately play a huge role but I appreciate that component changes will influence this too, hence my previous speaker suggestion.

Having said that, I now feel that most rooms benefit from DSD to some extent, some more, some less so. Room treatment also helps but not everyone likes to live in something resembling an anechoic chamber.

I guess that's a subject for another thread though.
 
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