Beeman Posted September 17, 2009 Posted September 17, 2009 A question for the Kef Reference speaker owners out there - I have owned a pair of Kef Reference 102 book shelf speakers since new (late 80's). I have proved through many listening tests that the Kef Kube improved the sound. Recently I acquired a pair of 105 series 2. Plugging in the Kube with the 105's has resulted in what I feel is a significant improvement in their character & the quality of the sound produced by these speakers - I am interested in whether this has been observed by others. The problem I now have is one Kube & 2 sets of speakers.
Gopal Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 I'd recommend the Kef HTB subwoofer over the Kube... http://www2.kef.com/gb/subwoofer/htb-series It's fast, tuneful, integrates well with hifi speakers and best of all, it isn't a square box.
nixon76 Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 As far as square boxes go, it's quite a good looking one though
Beeman Posted September 18, 2009 Author Posted September 18, 2009 Thanks for your reply - but a bit of clarification necessary. The Kef Kube was a small device which was described as a "dynamic range enhancer" back in the day. It was used with the Kef Reference range produced during the late 80s. Arguably back when Kef made good speakers. Cheers Attached files
Nak-Mad Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 beeman;103387 wrote: Thanks for your reply - but a bit of clarification necessary. The Kef Kube was a small device which was described as a "dynamic range enhancer" back in the day. It was used with the Kef Reference range produced during the late 80s. Arguably back when Kef made good speakers. Cheers Arrgghhh.. the Dalek's have returned to earth... where's the Doctor when you need him ...
Guest Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 The Kube designed to be used with specific Kube compatible KEF speakers like the Reference 107, rather than as a universal equalizer, with specific Kubes tailored for each model. Pretty sure the 105/2 pre-dated KUBE by many years and was intended to for use without active EQ.
Gopal Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 beeman;103387 wrote: Arguably back when Kef made good speakers. Cheers You'd struggle to make that argument hold water if you saw the fit and finish on the new Kef range...
Beeman Posted September 18, 2009 Author Posted September 18, 2009 Thanks for that Michael - as I thought You'd struggle to make that argument hold water if you saw the fit and finish on the new Kef range... Pleased to hear that - I have been a fan for 30 years but was unimpressed a few years ago when I looked to buy some.....
Guest Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 I've heard Kube'd KEFs sound unlistenable without the Kube but have never heard a non-Kube'd KEF with a Kube. Did your Kube come with the 102's ? Looks like you have found a magical pairing with your 105/2's.
Nak-Mad Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 Slightly off topic.. but one thing with the 105's IME, the bass units are quite heavy and tend to sag under their own weight over time leading to chaffing or grating sounds when given a good work out as the voice coil scraped on the magnet.... the 'fix' was to take the bass unit out and turn 120 deg Out of the box of dirty tricks I know.. but have had to do this on a couple of pairs 105's...
Mycenius Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 Nak-Mad;103391 wrote: Arrgghhh.. the Dalek's have returned to earth... where's the Doctor when you need him ... Jesus Wept! I just about pissed my pants when I read that Nak-Mad you B*stard!!!!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :eek: Who on earth would want them visible in their house? Surely you can get decent sound without needing your own posse (or is that a gaggle) of Darleks?
Beeman Posted September 18, 2009 Author Posted September 18, 2009 I will ignore the uneducated comment from those who wouldnt know iconic design if it landed on there foot :cool: Yes the bass drivers have been rotated and the pod adjusters disconnected & re-cabled. The cube did come with the 102's - the 102's are still a fine bookshelf.
Nak-Mad Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 mycenius;103429 wrote: Jesus Wept! I just about pissed my pants when I read that Nak-Mad you B*stard!!!!! Who on earth would want them visible in their house? Surely you can get decent sound without needing your own posse (or is that a gaggle) of Darleks? I'm not a B*stard .. I was at my Parent's wedding:p gaggle may be, certainly not a flock! Beeman... the 105's are certainly iconic.. (Dalek's was our nickname for them!!) and how old is your pair ????.. it has been a long time, but recollections of the sound was that they were surprising performers given that they were regarded as 'old' 20years ago. Good designs and good construction last the distance... I fondly remember a pair the Boss traded ..needed the cone rotate trick and a couple of other fettles..and at least they are on castors and were easy to push from the showroom to the sound room and back!.. We did eventually sell them!
Beeman Posted September 18, 2009 Author Posted September 18, 2009 Hey don't get me wrong - they definitely look like Daleks hehe - They are late 80's vintage - after owning the 102s since new these speakers started my hifi obsession all those years ago and I lusted after them for years - they are here to give me something to listen to while I build my Tannoy Monitor Gold 15" horn loaded cabinets whoohoo
Beeman Posted September 19, 2009 Author Posted September 19, 2009 The combo would probably make an interesting HT rig.... Attached files
Nak-Mad Posted September 19, 2009 Posted September 19, 2009 beeman;103489 wrote: Hey don't get me wrong - they definitely look like Daleks hehe - They are late 80's vintage - after owning the 102s since new these speakers started my hifi obsession all those years ago and I lusted after them for years - they are here to give me something to listen to while I build my Tannoy Monitor Gold 15" horn loaded cabinets whoohoo The trade in set we had were very late 70's.. about 10-11 years old at that time .. so must have been one of the first pairs of 105.2's in NZ, or bought over from the UK privately..... now your Tannoy's sound interesting.. and large:D
Nak-Mad Posted September 21, 2009 Posted September 21, 2009 beeman;103545 wrote: Oi very Oi Look great.. and large :eek:.. like the look of that finish too.. a nice bit of musical furniture!!
Beeman Posted September 25, 2009 Author Posted September 25, 2009 Yep - they are on the market again - nice but need the $ for the new boxes and as for the kube - it must have been a mid week moment - they dont sound better with the kube
Mycenius Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 beeman;104177 wrote: Yep - they are on the market again - nice but need the $ ...they dont sound better with the kube You better watch out! [Click Me]! And I do believe that is 2000 Ladies & Gents, thank you! (Takes a bow and exits stage left...) :eek: :cool:
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