KEF - a good choice?

[Rich Kiernan]

I'm looking for informed opinions on KEF. From what I've been able to
find, they were once thought of, in some circles, as the unparalleled
leader in high end speaker equipment. But for whatever reasons,
they're no longer that good... "they've lost their way -- particularly
in the USA" is what I was told.

I'm wondering if this would be a good brand/manufacturer to buy... or
if I'd be better off going for a big known name, like Bose (I see them
everywhere). Would KEF be a smart choice, or will I be buying a
product from someone who won't be around for long?

Thanks,
Rich

[Bob Morein]

"Rich Kiernan" > wrote in message
m...
> I'm looking for informed opinions on KEF. From what I've been able to
> find, they were once thought of, in some circles, as the unparalleled
> leader in high end speaker equipment. But for whatever reasons,
> they're no longer that good... "they've lost their way -- particularly
> in the USA" is what I was told.
>
> I'm wondering if this would be a good brand/manufacturer to buy... or
> if I'd be better off going for a big known name, like Bose (I see them
> everywhere). Would KEF be a smart choice, or will I be buying a
> product from someone who won't be around for long?
>
> Thanks,
> Rich

They've been around something like 50 years.
Their new line is an attempt to move from upscale to extremely high end.
The move may be motivated by an attempt to avoid moving production to China.
This annoyed KEF franchises, whose opinions of the new systems may not
entirely be based upon the sound. The alleged complaint is that the new
supertweeter adds too much sizzle. I think they have enough staying power to
revise their product line if this fails.

There is no comparison between KEF and a company like Bose, who make mass
market trash. Your question is, in fact, one of the most common asked by
curious people who aren't "into" audio. There are many companies you can
choose from who unlike Bose, offer true value for the money.

For the record, I have a set of the older KEF Reference III's. They're very
fine speakers.

[Joseph Oberlander]

Leonard wrote:
> Ref: KEF..are they O.K?
>
>
> Rich...
>
> I tend to agree with Bob..KEF has been a fine ole
> company for years..I have been impressed with them
> every time I have heard them.
>
> The Bose situation is a bit odd. They manipulate the
> frequency range to cater to tests that indicate that
> females are super sensitive to various ranges in th
> audio frequence range. They tend to be setup like
> you would with an equalizer.

Check out KEFs little A/V system. It is *smaller* than Bose,
believe it or not, in cabinet volume, has integrated mounts
(a huge space savings there alone vs Bose), a real 2-way
speaker, decent sound, and less visual impact as well since
the case is rounded off instead of a cube.

Cost less, too. In a side-by-side comparison, the poor
store techie/droid's jaw literally dropped. Heh.

It's the best microsystem that I know of on the market
for the price. Tannoy also makes one, but it isn't as
clean sounding.


Note - these are true micro-systems. If you go in-wall
it will sound better. If you go for real bookshelf speakers
and a sub, it will sound better still.

Some of these bookshelf speakers are very small, like the Tannoy R1.
My father has a pair in his kitchen and they are amazing for their
size. The real wood finish helps a lot, too - stained them to match
his cabinets and presto! nearly zero visual impact.