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Gave a listen to the KEF's this morning. Here are a few thoughts.....
At 14 kg per speaker, the unassuming dimensions 680 x280 x 315 mm of the KEF 304’s footprint which has been described as “modest” (http://www.kef.com/kefamerica/ history/1970/model304.asp), belied my first appraisal of the loudspeaker. To be honest, this was a dismissive mistake that reminded me very quickly of the adage about big things in little packages (conjure up photo of atomic bomb here).
The speakers were set up in a corner of a modest yet cozy living room. The electronics consisted of consumer products that were neither overtly showy nor cheap: a solid Yammy receiver driving a non-nonsense Toshiba DVD player. Audition started with a female vocalist who was described as yet another very talented musician who hadn’t made it to the airwaves in a performance that simply floored me in the first minute. The 304’s produce 107 dB SPL, an incredible amount of energy that was accentuated by a prodigious amount of bass that was clean, clean, clean. Further surprises revealed themselves with a playing of Tom Waites’ I Wish I was in New Orleans, from My Funny Valentine. Waites’ voice was beautifully reproduced by the speakers, which did not stray from their task or inch away from any detail. I detected a slightly sibilant quality in Waites’ voice, something that would probably escape my notice on a lesser speaker and kicked myself for not being more familiar with this album. Waites is a strong pianist, and on the KEF’s not only were individual notes heard but also sonorous resonance of the instrument, reminding me of the muscular performances of Liszt and Rachmaninov.
Imaging was equally impressive with each instrument assertively occupying his side of the microphone. Perhaps this last remark says more about the receiver or the CD player, but on the KEF’s musicians voices and the placement of their instruments were rock steady. The lower end of the sonics was massive, and while the 304’s were perched atop stands to remove interference with the floor, they produced heaviness that bloomed amazingly well. Bass drum and guitars resounded in lightning fast time and were played firmly and professionally. Mid range was initially somewhat bright, but clocking back the treble to 1130 or so was translated quite nicely, leading me to think that the speakers were tube-ready and had me wishing I still had my HK Citation 5. Highs were equally smooth, not at all harsh or grating, and the subharmonics that seemed to occupy this domain rang out with a fluidity that nearly made me weep.
In my years of listening to loudspeakers--and I have listened to many--there were a few could be rightfully described as really and truly incredible. Such loudspeakers remind me why I took up this strange hobby in the first place, for they transcend casual listening into an active engagement that brings me ever closer to that intellectual and visceral connection that is, so oftentimes, so elusive.
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Auricauricle
Good review-Sounds like you got some keepers there.
KEF is definitely one of the brands I have never seen in the thrift aisles or even on CL.
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Thank you for the compliment, Kid:
Although I fell in love with the speakers, I told the fellow who was selling them that doing so would be a mistake that would be sorely regretted, if he did so at this time. The seller, a local contractor and frustrated author, has fallen upon hard times and was putting speakers up as an act of desparation---a situation that I could not, in good conscience, take advantage of. This guy clearly loves music, and has an excellent ear and a passion for form--it would be like taking away a limb or a vital organ.
Still, we agreed that when things get better economically, he said he would give me first dibs....
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Nice review, my man. Clearly you heard some of the attributes that far too few on this side of the pond will get to. It really is a shame that their marketing scheme doesn't include a greater focus on the States. There's several KEF models that are competitive for "Best for the Bucks" in their respective categories.
--sticks
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auricauricle
Thank you for the compliment, Kid:
Although I fell in love with the speakers, I told the fellow who was selling them that doing so would be a mistake that would be sorely regretted, if he did so at this time. The seller, a local contractor and frustrated author, has fallen upon hard times and was putting speakers up as an act of desparation---a situation that I could not, in good conscience, take advantage of. This guy clearly loves music, and has an excellent ear and a passion for form--it would be like taking away a limb or a vital organ.
Still, we agreed that when things get better economically, he said he would give me first dibs....
Class act.......:thumbsup:
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I agree with you, 'Sticks. These speakers reawakened a passion that I have not experienced for quite some time.
And thanks, Styx.
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Its Twins!!!!!
I refoamed the Genesis 10's and hooked them up today. I A/B them with my Genesis I's which seem to have the same woofer/tweeter combo and I can't tell them apart. Excellent highs and solid bass! The strings on Vivaldi's Four Seasons really sing and the drums are quick and tight on my Michael Buble' CD. I have actually stacked the Genesis 1's on the 10's and seems to work pretty well.
Only problem at this point is that the 1's have their original beige cloth and the 10's have black. The cabinets for both of them are in excellent condition with no scratches or gouges so new cloth fronts would really complete them. I have heard people have used "regular cloth" for speakers grills any reason why I could not find something at a local fabric store that will work? I am thinking of staying with beige since the KLH 17's next to these have their original beige covered grills. I could probalby do all 3 for not too much coin.
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Grill cloth
Quote:
Originally Posted by thekid
....
Only problem at this point is that the 1's have their original beige cloth and the 10's have black. The cabinets for both of them are in excellent condition with no scratches or gouges so new cloth fronts would really complete them. I have heard people have used "regular cloth" for speakers grills any reason why I could not find something at a local fabric store that will work? I am thinking of staying with beige since the KLH 17's next to these have their original beige covered grills. I could probalby do all 3 for not too much coin.
Purpose specific grill cloth is easy enough to find and not particularly expensive. For example, check out Parts Express' selection.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Feanor
Purpose specific grill cloth is easy enough to find and not particularly expensive. For example, check out Parts Express' selection.
Thanks for the link but they want like $16 a yard and i am thinking I could get it for around a 1/3 of that price. The weave of the fabric on the older Genesis and KLH seems pretty think almost like burlap so I'm think I should be able to find it out there. Cloth is cloth right??
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Way to go Kid!
Why don't you pop by a coffee shop and see if they have any of the burlap bags that they ship coffee beans in? You'll get the bonus of music that smells good, too!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auricauricle
Way to go Kid!
Why don't you pop by a coffee shop and see if they have any of the burlap bags that they ship coffee beans in? You'll get the bonus of music that smells good, too!
Well you never know with Starbucks hitting the skids burlap might be at an all-time low... :yesnod:
Grill issues aside I just spent the last couple of hours working on my laptop and enjoying my "stacked" Genesis combo........ :14:
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Ya did good, Kid....Admire your ingenuity!
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This....
It's threads and posts like this that make me glad I found this place and glad I stayed around. Good, solid, reviews, and real "personal" experience with a wide variety of products.
Thanks Kid and all who've posted.
Da Worfster
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At it again....... ADC-303AX
Thought I'd revive this thread to show my latest pick-up for $5 at a local store. These are manufactured in New Milford Connecticut and seem to be right from the KLH-EPI-Advent school of speaker sound/design.
Cabinets are bit worse for wear but that is an easy fix. The grills are in great shape except for the need for some new velcro. Soundwise they are pretty impressive. Probably the tightest-deepest bass of all my vintage gear-very close with the KLH-17's. Highs are clear and the only weak spot might be the mid-range but will need to hear more music on them to say for sure.
From what I could find these date from the early 70's. 1 single 10 inch woofer with I would guess a 3 inch tweeter.
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Schweet, man! Get up and goin' and let us know how they handle the cranks!
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Nice Kid. Here's some more New England magic. http://cgi.ebay.com/EPI-Magnus-Floor...3A1%7C294%3A50 Shame it's a local pickup.:mad5:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Styx
Hmmm my nephew lives in Dallas.......... :D
Thanks for thinking of me.
I really have to stop buying speakers and other gear but the price was right on these ADC.
I did just sell my 2 pairs of Sony speakers so I freed up some more space.......... :smilewinkgrin:
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New one on me...
Never ran ADC's before. Can't beat that price though. Man I love the New England sound.
Da Worfster
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Worf101
Never ran ADC's before. Can't beat that price though. Man I love the New England sound.
Da Worfster
Yeah they were new to me as well. Isuspect I well move out one my pairs of Genesis speakers to accomodate these when I finish with the cabinets. The more I listen to them the more I like them plus the grills have a high WAF value when sitting next to my Optimus 5's.
I have started going into these stores which are a type of glorified pawn shop because my son finds a lot of older video games there. I of course go over to the electronics section. I think they price their stuff by just doing a quick E-Bay search and if nothing comes up they price to get it out the door. Which has already worked out for me a couple of times with older gear like this.
When I pulled the grills off and saw the drivers and the tone switches on the back I thought these might have something to them. I have since been able to do some research on them and turned up a lot of favorable impressions. For those of you who like the sound and look of some of the older speakers I would add these to your "sleeper" list and pick them up if you get the chance.
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These were some of my favorite speakers in the 1970's. http://www.humanspeakers.com/genesis/gen44.htm
I was saving up my money to buy a pair when I was in College but things didnt work out.
They sure had a sweet sound.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackraven
Well the Genesis' still sound sweet.
I was lucky that I did not need to save up for my. The Genesis I's cost me $8 plus $15 for the refoam kit and the Genesis 10's cost me $15 plus another $20 for the refoam kit......... :D
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East Coast vs West Coast sound
Quote:
Originally Posted by thekid
With the recent addition of a pair of KLH-17's to my existing Genesis I and EPI 100's I think I have speakers from the Northeast pretty much covered. From what I can tell the speakers I have either directly or indirectly owe their characteristics to Henry Kloss. I have not owned any AR's or Advents but my guess is that since Henry Kloss had a hand in those speakers I would not hear dramatic differences between what I own and those brands but maybe others here would disagree.
I have heard there is a "California" or "West Coast" sound that is a bit different form the "New England" sound. How would owners of speakers that are considered "West Coast" describe the characteristics of their speakers? I am also wondering what speakers members here think best represents that sound. I do not need anymore speakers but I would be interested in seeing if I can come across and pick up any speakers recommended.
As a former musician and audio salesman I would first like to say that neither sound is superior to the other, it's all what pleases you.Second, geography relating to what part of the country they were made isn't the criteria used.
East coast sound if looked at with a spectral frequency display, you would see a pretty flat graph, whereas in a West coast sound displayed, you would see a rise in certain frequencies (mostly midrange).
While some purists desire the music source to be played as recorded (classical for example). Some people want the flat frequency response so that they can use EQ to satisfy their own perception of what they want to hear.
West Coast speakers (JBL for example) are widely used in studios to mix and monitor recordings of most of the older rock & roll as well as with the new music and movies.
But it still comes down to your ears, not brand names or East vs West coast.:0:
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