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Kef Speakers: IQ5, IQ7

post #1 of 7
5/7/09 at 6:46pm
Thread Starter 
I was wondering which one to get, I hear that the iq7 goes lower, but has a worse midrange than the iq5. I'm thinking you should be fine with an iq5 as long as you have sub? Give me your thoughts?
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post #2 of 7
5/7/09 at 10:39pm

Re: Kef Speakers: IQ5, IQ7

Lower? 40 Hz vs 43 Hz. Not a big deal as far as I can see. The bigger difference is the size of two of the three speakers 6.5 inches vs 5.25.
I listened to the iQ7s in the shop and liked the sound. They were not on sale though and I found the iQ5s mail order on sale for less than half the price of the iQ7s.
I have been very happy with them (iQ5) along with iQ2 center, iQ1 surrounds a PSW2500 SubWoofer. My room is 17 feet by 10 feet. If your room is twice that size go iQ7s or if you can get iQ7s for say only 20% more than the iQ5s go iQ7s.
But again I don't regret the iQ5s at all. Even with the iQ7s you might want to go with a Subwoofer.
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post #3 of 7
5/8/09 at 2:02pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Kef Speakers: IQ5, IQ7

What were some things you noticed between the IQ7 and the IQ5 when listening?
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post #4 of 7
5/8/09 at 10:19pm

Re: Kef Speakers: IQ5, IQ7

I only heard the iQ7s in the store. Never heard the iQ5s until they arrived in the mail.
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post #5 of 7
5/9/09 at 8:32am
Thread Starter 

Re: Kef Speakers: IQ5, IQ7

oh sorry, what i meant to say is, do you remember what the iq7 sounded like compared to your present iq5's?
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post #6 of 7
5/10/09 at 11:22pm

Re: Kef Speakers: IQ5, IQ7

I don't recall a huge difference. I found a couple of posts on other forums that I reproduce below, based on the same question you ask.

1-There is really not a huge difference between them. Their tweeters and the frequency they are crossed in are absolutely identical. The iQ7 weighs about 9.5lbs more. If I were to GUESS and make a BROAD generalization about any VAGUE differences in their comparative sound, I would think the iQ5 MAY have a bit clearer midrange while the iQ7 PROBABLY have a bit more low-end punch. Many people consider KEFs to be a bit bass-shy. True, the KEF's bass is not at all boomy, but the iQ7s will definitely be more authoritative on the low end than the iQ5s. If price is no object, I would probably say to go with the iQ7s. If you are on a budget, I would probably say to get the iQ5s. If you get the iQ5s you'll have more left to spend on surrounds and a subwoofer.


2-If you are going to have a sub I would just stick with the iQ5s. For full-range usage, I do not know which would be better. You'd have to give a listen to both. The iQ7s, with the bigger drivers, will obviously go lower (although it is only 3Hz, according to the specs) and have more overall output. On the other hand, many people feel that the smaller driver (the UniQ since we are talking about it being crossed in at 280Hz and 250Hz respectively) can reproduce the midbass to midrange frequencies more accurately.
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post #7 of 7
5/11/09 at 11:16pm

Re: Kef Speakers: IQ5, IQ7

Check this link for posts on KEF speakers only:

KEF Owners Thread - AVS Forum
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