Many moons ago I've owned the KEF 101,103,and 105. Never did have the 104. The older KEF's were a mellow laid back speaker. Since you are looking for a floorstander on the same plain as the KEF I think the Vandersteen ( I've owned the 2 and the 3's ) should fit the bill. If you decide on a standmount with a relaxed easy to listen to sound then I would recommend the Spendor 3'5. BTW, I now use the Harbeth P3ESR and it is a tad brighter than the Spendor!
Mellow speakers
I'm on the hunt for a mellower sound. I've traced my dissatisfaction to my speakers (I think). I've got PMC TB2i monitors on good stands. Occasionally they provide sonic bliss...letting me peer in to the music, great sound stage, etc. But other times they are just too piercing (for lack of a better adjective). I also find myself concentrating more on the gear rather than the music. I'm blaming my speakers.
So, I'd like to put a mellow pair of floorstanders next to them. I want full, warm, mellow speakers...something I can swim in and just enjoy the music. My local shop has a super clean pair of KEF 104.2. And, they're going to redo the woofers while they have them in the shop. I understand the woofers can be a bit of a bear and that they have an odd proprietary KEF technology that makes them a little difficult to repair (what's with the rod between the woofers?). With that said, I heard them, and I thought they sounded like anti-PMCs. Perfect, no? Why not bring home some old school, rolled off, mellow speakers as a foil to my PMCs. So...my question...are there modern speakers that have a mellower sound, or other older speakers that I should consider? Any consensus on the KEFs?
My gear:
VPI Classic TT
Digital via Mac and Mytek DAC
Ayre pre
Prima Luna tube power amp or Primare solid state
Thanks.
So, I'd like to put a mellow pair of floorstanders next to them. I want full, warm, mellow speakers...something I can swim in and just enjoy the music. My local shop has a super clean pair of KEF 104.2. And, they're going to redo the woofers while they have them in the shop. I understand the woofers can be a bit of a bear and that they have an odd proprietary KEF technology that makes them a little difficult to repair (what's with the rod between the woofers?). With that said, I heard them, and I thought they sounded like anti-PMCs. Perfect, no? Why not bring home some old school, rolled off, mellow speakers as a foil to my PMCs. So...my question...are there modern speakers that have a mellower sound, or other older speakers that I should consider? Any consensus on the KEFs?
My gear:
VPI Classic TT
Digital via Mac and Mytek DAC
Ayre pre
Prima Luna tube power amp or Primare solid state
Thanks.