My first truly 'high-end' listening experience was with these speakers and the results were truly magical (almost like having some transcendental psychedelic drug for the first time): smooth high frequencies that seemed to go on to infinity, gut punching accurate bass you could feel in your stomach even at low volume, ruler flat mid-range where every single syllable and word sung was clearly intelligible, and most outstanding of all was the imaging where you could identify every single singer and instrument precisely in not only left to right space but in height and depth as well, and not confined within the space between the speakers) ie. you could tell which instrument was above or below the rest of the orchestra. So, almost like the speakers had disappeared and you were sitting in the middle of the band. Equipment used to achieve this besides the 103.2: 1. Thorens turntable with Grado cartridge 2. Carver amp with Luxman pre-amp? 3. KEF 103.2's turned on their sides horizontally not in the normal vertical position 4. LPs recorded off the floor using few microphones I remember seeing the words 'Sonic Holography' written on the Carver amp. At that time, I had no idea what that was but searched & searched high-end audio stores to try and re-create this experience but never could. At some point, the words 'Sonic Holography' came back to me after some Internet research. Now, Carver Sonic Holography is notorious difficult to set up with respect to the listening position so the couch I just happened to be sitting on that night (and didn't move) must have been in the 'exact sweet spot' for this 3D effect. At that time, I knew nothing about Carver or Sonic Holography, and tried to recreate this experience a week later at the same friend's house with the same music - and I got NADA!, even after trying different listening positions, and a variety of music. Much the same as we can hear now in the above RUclips video, the KEFs had impressively smooth response with some mid-range colour, some mid- bass but a bit lacking, and overall a response that sounded just too dampened so dynamics weren't all there, etc. So just the exact opposite of the week before. What happened? To this day I don't really know but the only variable I can think of that was different from the previous night other than the KEFs were upright now instead of on their sides and I was sitting directly in front of the speakers instead of on the couch on the side wall, was the 'Sonic Holography' was turned off? If you can still find a Carver Sonic Holography amp to try out, however, I'm sure these speakers will again blow your socks off!
Interesting as usual. My father got Kef 105 series 2 as new and still use them to this day. Being almost 90 years old I don’t foresee him to replace the. As I hear them they are really quiet nice from 400 hz and upwards, below I find them a bit syrupy (if it’s a word) and thick. I know this is not particularly related to today’s subject but I couldn’t stop myself from sharing. Keep up the good work.
Listen to the kef p60 k300 bbc monitors.... I am very impressed by these 2way polyprop, eton 8" with t33 passif crossed and activaly compensated with quad pro amp...113 db anechoic without clipping ....imho one of the best 2 way compact monitors, were sold in the '80ies around 3000 euro....speakers with amplifier...all pros with recording studios in brussels were very impressed , aswell for pop as for classical or jazz
I loved the review. The Kefs sounded a bit flat. Maybe 8-inch woofers are not good for 2-way speakers. That's why people use 6 or 5-inch woofers instead. I think your Spendors are better especially the midrange. Good job!
Not really true. Many popular 2 cubic foot BBC monitors were based on 8 inch midbass married to 1 inch dome tweeters in a 2 way configuration & many of these monitors sound very good
Driven by your Meridian amp, they sounded pretty good for a 40 year old speaker - even one that's had some tlc. Like you, not my cup of tea, but can see they would appeal to many, back in the day. I used to sell the JR149's which were excellent. Have you reviewed these before?
Hi 👋 I’ve owned JR149’s but many years ago.. if I can get a good pair I’ll review them.. The Kef’s, yes I agree with you.. for low level background music they are pleasant enough, by no means a terrible loudspeaker but they just wouldn’t be for me as main system/critical listening, too fatiguing for me. Thanks for watching 👍
In 1981 Colloms said the Kef Caprice was a 103.2 without protection circuitry; it was twice the price of Coda II; nevertheless he preferred the Coda II hence my interest in your opinion
I had these KEFs in the 90s in kit form. Had the cabinet custom build. While they are not the last word in transparency & openness, the sound was very substantial & stereo imaging was rock solid. Tried several british amps to drive it & i think the original Cyrus 1 (plastic case) was the sweetest & most musical overall. Later tried a Naim 180/82/hicap & the KEFs threw a huge soundstage though less sweet & liquid in the midrange as the diminutive Cyrus 1. I don’t know about you but there’s some magic in the old bextrene cones. The old BC1, studio 1 all had bextrene cones & i always felt that the midband coming out from these cones to have a certain charm. And yes the bass from these KEFs were very deep & firm for its cabinet size.
I've had a pair of these for years and would agree that they are on the polite / smooth side. But i wouldn't describe mine has ever harsh sounding. Maybe my crossover has seen better days, that's why I'm dreading the day that something fails in there. Mine are perfect for long listening and by far the easiest speakers I've had to live with
I thought they sounded pretty good. I have a pair of the C40s from the same era, a very large bookshelf/small floorstander with 2 8" woofers and a dome tweeter. It was known as the KEF "rock speaker" presumably because of their 90db sensitivity and the lively sound quality they exhibit. I got them in perfect condition on Ebay for $200 and I love them.
Thanks for another useful review - really helpful to hear your opinion of these Kefs. Could you credit your reference track (singer, etc), so I can listen to this on my system. Thanks.
advice needed ! How would you rank the 70´s KEF Cadenza in the KEF family ? I am about to pull the trigger on pair for sale. Currently I have the small Cantors (Thin build with the 8 inch woofer and a t27) . Thanks in advance
Very good! I Will subscribe. Could you please make a video about your 1. Generation KEF reference 102 with Kube and seperate woofer and tweeter? Its such an interesting speaker.?
Interesting Kev as it reminded me that, in the dim and distant past, KEF would generally release a whole speaker range, often as new iterations of existing model hierarchy. It seemed to me that some designs were worked on more seriously than others in any given range. The mid 80s reference speakers are a good example of that. The 103s that succeeded the ones you've just been listening to were similarly underwhelming. My suspicion is that the 103 fell between two stools of a more optimised shelf speaker like a 101/102 or the more impressive 104/105/107 floorstanders. I guess performance unevenness in a range like that was probably inevitable. Doesn't detract from the fact that several old KEF designs still stand up today. I'd love to hear my old 107/2s in my current setup, for example.
I agree Chris.. I had my 107’s as recently as 3 years ago and thought they were tremendous.. Owning them and A3’s wasn’t practical though lol.. Thanks for watching mate.
@@ganck1147 the only negative is that they haven't aged well due to rotting foam surrounds in the braced coupled cavity bass drivers in the deep cabinets. Almost any pair will require a refoam at this point, but repair kits are easily available. However I imagine removing and refitting them isn't the easiest of tasks.
I enjoyed that.. I really like infinite baffle speakers.. Of which, did you manage to check out Musical Fidelity reference 4's?? Not the ref 2's..thanks. 👍
What's the point of videos of audio playing, when we're all listening to it via our crappy PC speakers? (And, yes, I am playing via some proper amplified speakers).
@@dittonworks I enjoy your reviews, I just meant it as a general questions. Even if I had a better setup than the KEFs (which is what I'd need to appreciate them or differences), between the mic & my DSP to analogue convertor, how changed do you think the signal might be? Do you use a stereo mic? Where I think this is the funniest, is when you see guys testing their sub-woofers when most people will be listen on mid-range speakers incapable of going that low. As an aside, which kind of speakers in general would you recommend for people who's mid to top end of hearing has diminished, through age or abuse? This is where I find most 'pro' reviews unhelpful, & it might be an angle to consider. Where, perhaps, what you are calling a "harsher" top end might actually help us. Which is one of the reasons I watching. Thanks.
A related anecdote. I used to hang around a recording studio where the engineer was ex-band/R'n'R. No kidding, he used to keep a young assistant around the studio, specifically to get the high tones right, as he couldn't hear them properly. Perhaps in your case, you ought to get your father out of the attic & bring him down to listen to each speakers. It's not for you but it would make for an interesting review, e.g. getting 3 generations worth of listeners to sit & go through a selection of speakers, to see which they liked better.
Hi, I am having a hard time finding a replacement Spendor S5e mid woofer here in California. I rather replace than repair. Is it hard to find on your side? Thanks
@Nenad Kojic, it's impossible to be that prescriptive about speaker distancing. Each listening environment requires tailored positioning to optimise performance. Distance recommendations are little more than a suggested way of getting started.
@@jameshutton5979 fair comment. I’m think I mentioned in the video this was an improve review. I’d actually listened and assessed the Kef’s days before I shot the video and they were placed where my Spendor’s are. Thanks for watching 👍
My first truly 'high-end' listening experience was with these speakers and the results were truly magical (almost like having some transcendental psychedelic drug for the first time): smooth high frequencies that seemed to go on to infinity, gut punching accurate bass you could feel in your stomach even at low volume, ruler flat mid-range where every single syllable and word sung was clearly intelligible, and most outstanding of all was the imaging where you could identify every single singer and instrument precisely in not only left to right space but in height and depth as well, and not confined within the space between the speakers) ie. you could tell which instrument was above or below the rest of the orchestra. So, almost like the speakers had disappeared and you were sitting in the middle of the band.
Equipment used to achieve this besides the 103.2:
1. Thorens turntable with Grado cartridge
2. Carver amp with Luxman pre-amp?
3. KEF 103.2's turned on their sides horizontally not in the normal vertical position
4. LPs recorded off the floor using few microphones
I remember seeing the words 'Sonic Holography' written on the Carver amp. At that time, I had no idea what that was but searched & searched high-end audio stores to try and re-create this experience but never could.
At some point, the words 'Sonic Holography' came back to me after some Internet research.
Now, Carver Sonic Holography is notorious difficult to set up with respect to the listening position so the couch I just happened to be sitting on that night (and didn't move) must have been in the 'exact sweet spot' for this 3D effect.
At that time, I knew nothing about Carver or Sonic Holography, and tried to recreate this experience a week later at the same friend's house with the same music - and I got NADA!, even after trying different listening positions, and a variety of music. Much the same as we can hear now in the above RUclips video, the KEFs had impressively smooth response with some mid-range colour, some mid- bass but a bit lacking, and overall a response that sounded just too dampened so dynamics weren't all there, etc. So just the exact opposite of the week before.
What happened?
To this day I don't really know but the only variable I can think of that was different from the previous night other than the KEFs were upright now instead of on their sides and I was sitting directly in front of the speakers instead of on the couch on the side wall, was the 'Sonic Holography' was turned off?
If you can still find a Carver Sonic Holography amp to try out, however, I'm sure these speakers will again blow your socks off!
Excellent and great background information. Im looking forward to the next video.
Cheers Michael.. thanks for watching and nice chatting earlier 👍👍
Interesting as usual. My father got Kef 105 series 2 as new and still use them to this day. Being almost 90 years old I don’t foresee him to replace the. As I hear them they are really quiet nice from 400 hz and upwards, below I find them a bit syrupy (if it’s a word) and thick. I know this is not particularly related to today’s subject but I couldn’t stop myself from sharing. Keep up the good work.
It’s very related, thanks for comment and thank you for watching..
Listen to the kef p60 k300 bbc monitors.... I am very impressed by these 2way polyprop, eton 8" with t33 passif crossed and activaly compensated with quad pro amp...113 db anechoic without clipping ....imho one of the best 2 way compact monitors, were sold in the '80ies around 3000 euro....speakers with amplifier...all pros with recording studios in brussels were very impressed , aswell for pop as for classical or jazz
I loved the review. The Kefs sounded a bit flat. Maybe 8-inch woofers are not good for 2-way speakers. That's why people use 6 or 5-inch woofers instead. I think your Spendors are better especially the midrange. Good job!
Interesting theory. Thanks for watching
Not really true. Many popular 2 cubic foot BBC monitors were based on 8 inch midbass married to 1 inch dome tweeters in a 2 way configuration & many of these monitors sound very good
@@ganck1147 Spencer Hughes said an 8” unit was technically the best size, accounting for mass etc
Great review as always mate. Good history. KEF are definitely a Marmite speaker. Top work as always.
Cheers 🍻 mate..
Yep liked some hated others.
Might bring these down for a measuring session… unless I’ve had a small fire 🔥 lol
Driven by your Meridian amp, they sounded pretty good for a 40 year old speaker - even one that's had some tlc. Like you, not my cup of tea, but can see they would appeal to many, back in the day. I used to sell the JR149's which were excellent. Have you reviewed these before?
Hi 👋 I’ve owned JR149’s but many years ago.. if I can get a good pair I’ll review them..
The Kef’s, yes I agree with you.. for low level background music they are pleasant enough, by no means a terrible loudspeaker but they just wouldn’t be for me as main system/critical listening, too fatiguing for me.
Thanks for watching 👍
Would really like to see what u think of the KEF Coda II. More interesting review...
They are cheaper version of the Reference, I’ll try and get pair
If u get them in then 20 degree inside toe in is what mr Colloms recommends in his Best Buy review circa 85?
In 1981 Colloms said the Kef Caprice was a 103.2 without protection circuitry; it was twice the price of Coda II; nevertheless he preferred the Coda II hence my interest in your opinion
I had these KEFs in the 90s in kit form. Had the cabinet custom build. While they are not the last word in transparency & openness, the sound was very substantial & stereo imaging was rock solid. Tried several british amps to drive it & i think the original Cyrus 1 (plastic case) was the sweetest & most musical overall. Later tried a Naim 180/82/hicap & the KEFs threw a huge soundstage though less sweet & liquid in the midrange as the diminutive Cyrus 1.
I don’t know about you but there’s some magic in the old bextrene cones. The old BC1, studio 1 all had bextrene cones & i always felt that the midband coming out from these cones to have a certain charm. And yes the bass from these KEFs were very deep & firm for its cabinet size.
Thank you for watching..
Yes Bextrene definitely has a charm.
I didn’t hate these Kef Speakers but I much preferred the Ref 101.
@@dittonworks the ref 101 is like the ls3/5a is it not? Sound should be similar too.
@@ganck1147 yes it’s very similar in appearance but the LS3/5a is way more lively/musical.
I’ve been looking for a pair to review..
@@dittonworks oic….have u tried the popular 104/2 or 104AB?
@@ganck1147 yes years ago.. I preferred my Ditton 44’s.. my opinion might be differ these days though.
I've had a pair of these for years and would agree that they are on the polite / smooth side. But i wouldn't describe mine has ever harsh sounding. Maybe my crossover has seen better days, that's why I'm dreading the day that something fails in there. Mine are perfect for long listening and by far the easiest speakers I've had to live with
Pretty much what I thought. Smooth mids but harsh in the highs. Must be that T33 version
Only at higher volume but yes probably
I share your ambivalence about KEF speakers. Think I'll stick with my Ditton 44's.
44’s are one of my all time favourites.. flaws aplenty but musical as anything 👌
Please don’t forget about my wonderful 33’s😄
I thought they sounded pretty good. I have a pair of the C40s from the same era, a very large bookshelf/small floorstander with 2 8" woofers and a dome tweeter. It was known as the KEF "rock speaker" presumably because of their 90db sensitivity and the lively sound quality they exhibit. I got them in perfect condition on Ebay for $200 and I love them.
Like I said they weren’t crap 💩 but I didn’t like them much… prefer Ref 101’s.
Thanks for watching 👍
Thanks for another useful review - really helpful to hear your opinion of these Kefs.
Could you credit your reference track (singer, etc), so I can listen to this on my system. Thanks.
advice needed ! How would you rank the 70´s KEF Cadenza in the KEF family ? I am about to pull the trigger on pair for sale. Currently I have the small Cantors (Thin build with the 8 inch woofer and a t27) . Thanks in advance
Honestly I’ve never tried that pair of Kef’s. Give them a go 😉
Very good! I Will subscribe. Could you please make a video about your 1. Generation KEF reference 102 with Kube and seperate woofer and tweeter? Its such an interesting speaker.?
Interesting Kev as it reminded me that, in the dim and distant past, KEF would generally release a whole speaker range, often as new iterations of existing model hierarchy. It seemed to me that some designs were worked on more seriously than others in any given range. The mid 80s reference speakers are a good example of that. The 103s that succeeded the ones you've just been listening to were similarly underwhelming. My suspicion is that the 103 fell between two stools of a more optimised shelf speaker like a 101/102 or the more impressive 104/105/107 floorstanders. I guess performance unevenness in a range like that was probably inevitable. Doesn't detract from the fact that several old KEF designs still stand up today. I'd love to hear my old 107/2s in my current setup, for example.
I agree Chris..
I had my 107’s as recently as 3 years ago and thought they were tremendous..
Owning them and A3’s wasn’t practical though lol..
Thanks for watching mate.
Wow the 107s are full range. The bass was able to go down to 18hz or less? I heard pipe organ on these & the bass was superb. No subs needed.
@@ganck1147 yeah I had a pair.. amazing speakers
@@ganck1147 the only negative is that they haven't aged well due to rotting foam surrounds in the braced coupled cavity bass drivers in the deep cabinets. Almost any pair will require a refoam at this point, but repair kits are easily available. However I imagine removing and refitting them isn't the easiest of tasks.
@@chriswright5016 oh yes i have seen several videos on that. Definitely not for the feint hearted i am afraid.
I enjoyed that.. I really like infinite baffle speakers.. Of which, did you manage to check out Musical Fidelity reference 4's?? Not the ref 2's..thanks. 👍
Wow its been ages since i heard the MF ref 4…..
What's the point of videos of audio playing, when we're all listening to it via our crappy PC speakers? (And, yes, I am playing via some proper amplified speakers).
Well, thanks for watching anyway
@@dittonworks I enjoy your reviews, I just meant it as a general questions. Even if I had a better setup than the KEFs (which is what I'd need to appreciate them or differences), between the mic & my DSP to analogue convertor, how changed do you think the signal might be? Do you use a stereo mic?
Where I think this is the funniest, is when you see guys testing their sub-woofers when most people will be listen on mid-range speakers incapable of going that low.
As an aside, which kind of speakers in general would you recommend for people who's mid to top end of hearing has diminished, through age or abuse?
This is where I find most 'pro' reviews unhelpful, & it might be an angle to consider. Where, perhaps, what you are calling a "harsher" top end might actually help us. Which is one of the reasons I watching.
Thanks.
A related anecdote. I used to hang around a recording studio where the engineer was ex-band/R'n'R. No kidding, he used to keep a young assistant around the studio, specifically to get the high tones right, as he couldn't hear them properly.
Perhaps in your case, you ought to get your father out of the attic & bring him down to listen to each speakers.
It's not for you but it would make for an interesting review, e.g. getting 3 generations worth of listeners to sit & go through a selection of speakers, to see which they liked better.
Hi, I am having a hard time finding a replacement Spendor S5e mid woofer here in California. I rather replace than repair. Is it hard to find on your side? Thanks
Not an easy find here either buddy, sorry.
What wrong with it? I’ve fixed a few Spendor units recently.
@@dittonworks the spider is torn and the coil is burned
@@ramongomez6720 omg 😳 ok I’ll have a look around for you
@@dittonworks that would be great, thanks greatly appreciated
I was always under the impression that speakers should be 8 feet apart; yours look to be 6 feet apart. Is this intentional? Cheers
Yes I evaluate in near field
@Nenad Kojic, it's impossible to be that prescriptive about speaker distancing. Each listening environment requires tailored positioning to optimise performance. Distance recommendations are little more than a suggested way of getting started.
What is wrong with this review?
What is wrong?
Speaker placement.
@@jameshutton5979 fair comment.
I’m think I mentioned in the video this was an improve review. I’d actually listened and assessed the Kef’s days before I shot the video and they were placed where my Spendor’s are.
Thanks for watching 👍
Thanks for the reply.