I got my KEF R7s 4. yrs ago & they really are top class .. Using them with a sugdan C51 P 51 control & power amp they are amazing must say vinyl sounds amazing with these speakers . First class detail with great bass , a winner .
I still play my KEF Model 105 Series1 spkrs, which I bought new in ‘79, I’m now 68yrs old, the KEFs are 43yrs old😳. IMO they’re the best spkr they’ve ever created. I will never sell them! The Uni Q driver has great specs, but it can’t handle extended high listening levels, nor play as loud as separate drivers do. I bought a mid-sizer tower demo pair, a few years ago. After a week’s worth of high-level listening, both Uni Q drivers seized-up😭. KEF committed themselves to the Uni Q, & I moved on to other brands. B&W mostly has held my attention, & maintain using the separate dedicated driver philosophy👍. I’m planning now to buying a set of Von Schweikert Audio’s Endeavor 3’s. But only if they can out perform my 105’s😏.
Do you have been able to compare them to Dali Opticon 6 or Quadral Aurum Wotan? Anything else you can recommend in that price range? Or better bang for the buck
Hi! Thank you for the review. May I ask what speakers should I go for a large long livingroom, around 60sqm, with big windows on one side. I’m not looking for loud auditions, but moderate to low, looking for that hifi sound, with nice bass even at the low volume. Right now I have the Monitor Audio Silver 200 (6g) with Rega Elex-R. They are good, but not that hifi. Should I get the R7 or the R11? I’m also looking at the Sonus Faber Sonetto 3. Unfortunately I don’t have the budget to change the amp too, so I will stick for a while with the Elex-R. Any recommendations for the speakers will be much appreciated. Thank you all!
@@excedo8734 The R5 shown in this review is made in China...I really hope the quality is the same :-) What would you recommend Sir? R3, R7 or LS50 Meta?
Have you listened to the r11 I'm in the market for the 7 or 11 What seems funny to me is that the 11 is much taller with two more drivers but only weighs about 14 lb more I'm wondering if there's a trade-off in the enclosure bracing
I have KEF R7. Fantastics speakers. They are hooked up to a Yamaha RX-A8A with two REL R/821. I like listening to it loud but feel i'm not really pushing the R7's. Ive been advised that if I want more out of them then to buy a Yamaha MX-5200 and this will boost the power to them by supplying a BI-Amp connection. What do you make of this?
Hi Terry, any chance you could do a review/ shootout between the Kef R7's, Proac DT8's and the Focal Aria 936's? Would be very interesting to see both your opinions and the difference in sound. One of these three speaker choices are what I am personally considering for the near future to hook up to a Musical Fidelity M6si or even a Nu Vista 600, depends on funds. Many thanks and keep up the excellent work. :-)
I am using KEF Q900, Lack of bass in current Q900 bothers me. I am thinking to upgrade to R series. Do you have idea how much differences between R11 and R7? seems there are two more bass drivers in R11, is it just better bass performance in R11?
Great review! I've heard the Kef R3s and really enjoyed them. I'm interested in a 5.1 home theater and am considering the R7s + R3s + R2c. My only concern is the R2c center channel. The low range of the frequency is only 77 hz... should I use an R3 bookshelf for the center instead?
I suppose it depends on where you plan to crossover to a subwoofer. I like higher crossover 90hz is a nice crossover I which case the R2c would be about fine. KEF have likely factored in the centre being placed near a wall or in on a rack / t.v. cabinet and tuned the bass output of the R2c for that
@@MOTORINGSA I went in a different direction that achieves a similar tone. The monoprice monolith speakers have a kef r3 like tone, for much less. I have 5 x Monolith THX Inwalls, 2 x Monolith THX M12 sealed subs, 4 x RSL c34e, all driven by a NAD T778 (room correction makes a big difference with in walls). Same detailed sound without the sibilance. I’m extremely happy with this set up and not worried about my young kids knocking anything over.
I was a bit taking off by your review. First you state how great they are, build quality imaging and such. They you say bang for buck. That with a lot of effort you can have them sound good. So they sound like shit out of the box? What is meant by a lot of effort? They are 4k in the US. They should sound great after break in.... Not trying to be harsh but should I buy them or the Paradigm 95 ???
Every speaker takes a lot of effort to get to sound really good, and yes bang for buck performing to a higher level than what they cost, not far off the reference which cost about 3x as much
Hi Jonathan. Plugging ports has a direct impact on the output characteristic of the speaker - to integrate a subwoofer properly, it needs to be done properly. I cant just say yes plug it or no dont plug it with actual certainty without properly measuring what the speakers and subwoofer is actually doing in your room. I see a lot of what I would say is bad advice being said in lots of videos on You Tube - not intentionally but for me they are mis leading people. There is only one way to correctly integrate subwoofers with speakers and that requires measuring and bass management - otherwise its just guessing and its really difficult
Нi. Thank you for the video. I would appreciate your opinion on a set which consists of 3 r2c center speakers plus a sub. Set up horizontally or 2 vertically and the center horizontally.
@@daysofnoah1748 interesting we are having inflation here too and prices are starting to go up now across everything. Hard time for a lot of people and businesses
@@PursuitPerfectSystem because of the Canadian trucker convoys and protests, American truckers are planning something for March. If that happens product availability will dwindle, and prices will go up even more.
@@berj79 haha I havent heard the Bowers much the KEF R's impress me everytime I hear them I think I would buy them and be happy they are really very good for the money
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thx alot for answering, do you have a better speaker for standing close to the wall, without being boomy, and can play prog and heavy metal, normaly i would go for a 8inch bass, cause im a bass player :-)
landlord phill mitchels double in EastEnders he's knocking of Sharron behind phills back,,, dirty so & so I say,,,,!!!! Mind you she's worth it tho deffo,,,!!!
i am sorry to say that ports are not a sound quality feature, they really should have made it a sealed box, if you talk to the engineers they say it has ports because of public pressure to fake full range extension. all this education they get and then forced to put ports on them i the end. it's really sad.
sorry there appears to have been an issue with my website several pages have been deleted and I dont know how that has happened. The R7 review is one of the pages which is very annoying and I am sorry about that.
I can't remember what's said exactly in this part of the review ie the conclusion to a whole review series but there are other videos as part of the review for the R7 where it's all about their sound. maybe check them out
Another one who needs to be freed from B&W brainwashing :) I've been a B&W fan until they ditched the CM series. The CM10 was probably one of the top 5 speakers in its price range. Everything that came after that is shrill, harsh, and much too expensive for what you're getting. B&W seems to have become the Rolex of the loudspeaker world. Everyone thinks they're the best, but in reality it's super expensive mediocrity.
I got my KEF R7s 4. yrs ago & they really are top class .. Using them with a sugdan C51 P 51 control & power amp they are amazing must say vinyl sounds amazing with these speakers . First class detail with great bass , a winner .
I still play my KEF Model 105 Series1 spkrs, which I bought new in ‘79, I’m now 68yrs old, the KEFs are 43yrs old😳. IMO they’re the best spkr they’ve ever created. I will never sell them! The Uni Q driver has great specs, but it can’t handle extended high listening levels, nor play as loud as separate drivers do. I bought a mid-sizer tower demo pair, a few years ago. After a week’s worth of high-level listening, both Uni Q drivers seized-up😭. KEF committed themselves to the Uni Q, & I moved on to other brands. B&W mostly has held my attention, & maintain using the separate dedicated driver philosophy👍. I’m planning now to buying a set of Von Schweikert Audio’s Endeavor 3’s. But only if they can out perform my 105’s😏.
Thank you very much for your comment, especially regarding the uni-q drives limitations!
Hey Terry! What’s your thought about the R11? I heard the R5 and R7 and planning to buy the 7 or 11.
Do you have been able to compare them to Dali Opticon 6 or Quadral Aurum Wotan? Anything else you can recommend in that price range? Or better bang for the buck
Hi! Thank you for the review. May I ask what speakers should I go for a large long livingroom, around 60sqm, with big windows on one side. I’m not looking for loud auditions, but moderate to low, looking for that hifi sound, with nice bass even at the low volume. Right now I have the Monitor Audio Silver 200 (6g) with Rega Elex-R. They are good, but not that hifi. Should I get the R7 or the R11? I’m also looking at the Sonus Faber Sonetto 3. Unfortunately I don’t have the budget to change the amp too, so I will stick for a while with the Elex-R. Any recommendations for the speakers will be much appreciated. Thank you all!
Im in process of purchasing a pair of the KEF R7. Driving thrm with Yamaha rx-a2a. Does that have enough muacle to drive these speakers?
You just save me for going the Q series as I wasnt aware new R models are out. Cheers
I just heard the new R11 they were amazing. U can't go wrong with them.
I have been using a pair of Q85s for more than 20 years and it still sounds awesome. Your Rs will last decades im sure. Cheers!
Q series are made in China, R are made in Engeland. Easy choice!
@@excedo8734 The R5 shown in this review is made in China...I really hope the quality is the same :-)
What would you recommend Sir? R3, R7 or LS50 Meta?
Have you listened to the r11 I'm in the market for the 7 or 11
What seems funny to me is that the 11 is much taller with two more drivers but only weighs about 14 lb more I'm wondering if there's a trade-off in the enclosure bracing
Any updates?
I've had a pair of Coda 7 speakers that are in top notch condition after 25 years even! Absolutely great!
Same...Still rocking the coda 7's...amazing little speakers 🔊 😎
Back in the 70s my dad bought a new Sansui Au-D33 with the Coda 3 they use to sale as a package deal '
I have KEF R7. Fantastics speakers. They are hooked up to a Yamaha RX-A8A with two REL R/821. I like listening to it loud but feel i'm not really pushing the R7's. Ive been advised that if I want more out of them then to buy a Yamaha MX-5200 and this will boost the power to them by supplying a BI-Amp connection. What do you make of this?
Just picked up a pair of R800DS in piano black...£280...like giving them away...happy days
I am really impressed with series. Not cheap, but worth the money. Just not sure which amp to get. So difficult.
Hi Terry, any chance you could do a review/ shootout between the Kef R7's, Proac DT8's and the Focal Aria 936's? Would be very interesting to see both your opinions and the difference in sound. One of these three speaker choices are what I am personally considering for the near future to hook up to a Musical Fidelity M6si or even a Nu Vista 600, depends on funds. Many thanks and keep up the excellent work. :-)
I’ve got these coming early Jan with the r2c. I’m so excited
Terry, if you have a smaller room (say 500 sq ft) is it better to go with the R3?
possibly or the R5 smaller floordstanders if you want a bigger speaker :)
I am using KEF Q900, Lack of bass in current Q900 bothers me. I am thinking to upgrade to R series. Do you have idea how much differences between R11 and R7? seems there are two more bass drivers in R11, is it just better bass performance in R11?
Terry you made me pull the trigger with Kef R7 & Isoacoustics gaia II. Just did ordered those puppies 😁
you wont regret that decision anytime soon :)
Great review! I've heard the Kef R3s and really enjoyed them. I'm interested in a 5.1 home theater and am considering the R7s + R3s + R2c. My only concern is the R2c center channel. The low range of the frequency is only 77 hz... should I use an R3 bookshelf for the center instead?
I suppose it depends on where you plan to crossover to a subwoofer.
I like higher crossover 90hz is a nice crossover I which case the R2c would be about fine.
KEF have likely factored in the centre being placed near a wall or in on a rack / t.v. cabinet and tuned the bass output of the R2c for that
Have you finished this set up?
@@MOTORINGSA I went in a different direction that achieves a similar tone. The monoprice monolith speakers have a kef r3 like tone, for much less. I have 5 x Monolith THX Inwalls, 2 x Monolith THX M12 sealed subs, 4 x RSL c34e, all driven by a NAD T778 (room correction makes a big difference with in walls).
Same detailed sound without the sibilance. I’m extremely happy with this set up and not worried about my young kids knocking anything over.
I was a bit taking off by your review. First you state how great they are, build quality imaging and such. They you say bang for buck. That with a lot of effort you can have them sound good. So they sound like shit out of the box? What is meant by a lot of effort? They are 4k in the US. They should sound great after break in.... Not trying to be harsh but should I buy them or the Paradigm 95 ???
Every speaker takes a lot of effort to get to sound really good, and yes bang for buck performing to a higher level than what they cost, not far off the reference which cost about 3x as much
I have the r11 and rc2 coming this Monday/Tuesday I hope i like them 🤞
You will no doubt about it
At 4:05 R7 is 15-150W but speaker info on KEF website and brochure it is 15-250W. Huge gap.
Kef r7 or B&w 703 s2 for 5.1.4 theater setup . A little bit of music also
Terry, would you recommend filling the ports if you have a dedicated subwoofer? I have a SB16 ultra so plenty of low end bass.
Hi Jonathan.
Plugging ports has a direct impact on the output characteristic of the speaker - to integrate a subwoofer properly, it needs to be done properly.
I cant just say yes plug it or no dont plug it with actual certainty without properly measuring what the speakers and subwoofer is actually doing in your room.
I see a lot of what I would say is bad advice being said in lots of videos on You Tube - not intentionally but for me they are mis leading people.
There is only one way to correctly integrate subwoofers with speakers and that requires measuring and bass management - otherwise its just guessing and its really difficult
Having a pair of reference 3's, are they really that comparable? I swapped out my r500's for my references and wondering are they that much better?
with reference you need to really push them to hear what they can do. I haven't heard anything like the best of my reference yet I now know
the reference3 has much better bass, is smoother and more detailed at the same time and the construction is on another level
Нi. Thank you for the video.
I would appreciate your opinion on a set which consists of 3 r2c center speakers plus a sub. Set up horizontally or 2 vertically and the center horizontally.
Hi, if you are using 3 centre speakers and you can have them all the same orientation I would do that if it was me
Wow ! The price must have gone up dramatically since this video ! They are almost 5 grand here in the us.
Google said £2700 what were they in the video?
@@PursuitPerfectSystem we are experiencing huge inflation in the US, many things are hard to find.
@@PursuitPerfectSystem our price equal to 3,300 pounds sterling !
@@daysofnoah1748 interesting we are having inflation here too and prices are starting to go up now across everything. Hard time for a lot of people and businesses
@@PursuitPerfectSystem because of the Canadian trucker convoys and protests, American truckers are planning something for March. If that happens product availability will dwindle, and prices will go up even more.
Got got myself a pair of these in black too. As much as I love the finish, it's needs some clear protection film on them.
These or the b&w 702 s2? Thanks
haha tough one :)
@@PursuitPerfectSystem What if you have to choose one ;-)
@@berj79 haha I havent heard the Bowers much the KEF R's impress me everytime I hear them I think I would buy them and be happy they are really very good for the money
I have a 7.2.6 atoms with Marantz 8805 and Yamaha 5200 power amp and a two channel Marantz power amp
Do they sound good with the Luxman l 509x ?????
Yes they very much would :)
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thx alot for answering, do you have a better speaker for standing close to the wall, without being boomy, and can play prog and heavy metal, normaly i would go for a 8inch bass, cause im a bass player :-)
dude radio shack speakers would sound good on a Luxman.... :)
R7 vs Q750?
reminder...hoping you can get your hands on a pair of Magico A3s
I have some speakers here bow that are Magico A3 money that are blowing me away with how good they are. they could well be of interest to you
So are you or have you plugged in the Reference 3s yet? Go on, plug in the beasts. Cheers
I have had 2 systems in here since this video the one I have now is bonkers good
You look familiar, ever been to teddington?
Hi Is that comment meant as some banter, fine if it is but I am missing it if it is?
landlord phill mitchels double in EastEnders he's knocking of Sharron behind phills back,,, dirty so & so I say,,,,!!!! Mind you she's worth it tho deffo,,,!!!
Is it a british company? why are they made in china?
i am sorry to say that ports are not a sound quality feature, they really should have made it a sealed box, if you talk to the engineers they say it has ports because of public pressure to fake full range extension. all this education they get and then forced to put ports on them i the end. it's really sad.
Written review WHERE again ?
sorry there appears to have been an issue with my website several pages have been deleted and I dont know how that has happened. The R7 review is one of the pages which is very annoying and I am sorry about that.
Less talking play speakers
I made other videos for that go check them out
A speaker review that doesn't talk about the sound... Waste of time.
I can't remember what's said exactly in this part of the review ie the conclusion to a whole review series but there are other videos as part of the review for the R7 where it's all about their sound. maybe check them out
No where near as nice or soundin as the B&W range,,,not as natural or depth as B&W you'd only regret it after hearing them sorry ,,,,,!!!!!
that depends on what's driving them you ignoramus....doh . keep your dogmatic outlook to yourself.loool
I compared the two of these, the B&W sounded harsh, bright, really disappointed, and very surprising
Another one who needs to be freed from B&W brainwashing :) I've been a B&W fan until they ditched the CM series. The CM10 was probably one of the top 5 speakers in its price range. Everything that came after that is shrill, harsh, and much too expensive for what you're getting. B&W seems to have become the Rolex of the loudspeaker world. Everyone thinks they're the best, but in reality it's super expensive mediocrity.