What do people here think about Kef speakers/does anyone know where I can get some? (1 Viewer)

[Charles Bunnag]

Hi everyone...after reading an ass load of topics and a little help here and there, I finally moved from Pro-Logic to Digital and picked up a Yamaha RX-V620. Im very happy with it but now I want to upgrade my center channel. My main speakers are Kef Q30 and Id like to get a Kef center to match them. The weird thing is that I never hear anyone on this forum say anything about them...is there like somekind of thing about Kef that turn people off about them? Also, does anyone know where I can find a store that sells them in the LA area? I picked up my Q30s many years ago at the Good Guys but they dont carry Kefs anymore. OH...online stores would be cool too. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[KeithH]

Charles, when I was shopping for $500 floorstanding speaker for my second stereo system about a month ago, I listened to two pairs of KEF speakers. One was from the Cresta series, and the other was the Q35 or something like that. I heard them hooked up to an Integra DTR-5.2 receiver with an Integra CD player. Frankly, I thought both pairs of speakers were awful. They we clumsy. The sound seemed to be out of focus. I don't know how else to say it. The bass was boomy and the vocals were fuzzy. I found the comparably priced Energy e:XL 25s to be much better, which are what I bought.
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My:
HT Pics ; Equipment List ; DVD Collection ; LD Collection
KeithH: Saving the Home Theater World Before Bedtime
[Edited last by KeithH on November 08, 2001 at 09:21 AM]

 

[Jeffrey_Jones]

Some of the best speakers that I have ever heard were from the KEF Reference Line. While I don't have any experience with much of the brands products I can tell you that the Reference 1 - 4s are fantastic although very expensive. They image very well and provide a full range response without being harsh or boomy. The only problem that I have with the Reference line is that they are 4 Ohm speakers which can pose a problem with some receivers/amps. Go to their web site, find a dealer and audition the speakers yourself. That, in the end, is the only thing that matters...how they sound to you.
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Michael Reuben]

When I upgraded my system to Monitor Audio speakers about 5 years ago, I was very happy to discover that they timbre-matched nicely with KEF's 100 center channel speaker, because it is simply the best center I've ever heard. KEF's Uni-Q design is ideal for dialogue; it keeps the dialogue anchored to the screen even for people who are sitting to the extreme right or left. I couldn't imagine using anything else.
The above is limited to the use of KEF speakers for a center channel in a system devoted to HT. I play almost no music on that system.
M.

 

[Mike Witt]

One Call sells the KEF line of speakers:
http://www.onecall.com/
I've never heard KEF speakers myself. Reviews have been really mixed on their speakers lately. Some heaped with praise while other reviews have been down right nasty. Sound & Vision had a recent nasty review of the Cresta series while What-Hi-Fi heaped praise on the same Crestas.
If you do order these online, you should note return policies in case you are not satisfied with them. Good luck!

 

[KeithH]

OneCall has great prices, but a lousy return policy. I would never buy speakers from them unless I was sure of what I was buying. If I heard a pair of speakers at a brick-and-mortar store that I really liked, I might buy them from OneCall to save money. You just have to be sure you like a product before buying it from them. They will do an exchange if you get defective merchandise, but if you simply don't like something, you are pretty well out of luck.
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My:
HT Pics ; Equipment List ; DVD Collection ; LD Collection
KeithH: Saving the Home Theater World Before Bedtime

 

[Mike Witt]

Here is another place that sells KEF online:
http://www.sounddistributors.com/pro...4&cat_name=Kef
There are plenty of other places that sell them online as well. I would suggest auditioning them somewhere though.

 

[Mike Witt]

Hey! That was my 1000th post!
Do I get a cookie or something?

 

[Rob Gillespie]

Kefs tend to be rather neutral in balance. The Q series doesn't have mega-strong bass but team them with a good sub and you've got a rockin' HT speaker system.
I run Q65s upfront, 200C centre, Q55s on rear duties. Sub is a Boston VR2000.