New KEF Reference 5 speakers


After many months of auditioning speakers (and probably testing the patience of several salesmen) I finally decided to get the KEF Reference 5s.  I just loved the wide sound stage and almost holographic imaging, among other things.  They were delivered in February and I’ve spent many hours listening.  At first I was disappointed.  They just didn’t produce the same imaging at my house with my equipment as in the store.  Also, they sounded bright and harsh with violins and high end music.  The dealer came to my house along with the regional sales rep from KEF to provide advice.  They urged me to allow more break in time (at that point they had been played about 100 hours). After many more hours, I am becoming more acquainted with them.  They are still improving with time.  Them break in period seems to be very lon. They’ve played several hundred hours and are still improving. They are extremely source sensitive—meaning that a poorly engineered record or CD will sound terrible and a well recorded one can be great.  I suppose this is a good thing with the KEFS-that they reveal flaws so well says something about their accuracy. Unfortunately there seem to be more bad recordings than good ones so I’m finding many of my CDs and records very difficult to listen to.  I am still experimenting with speaker placement, learning which recordings are really good and which aren’t and other tweaks.  Not totally convinced it’s love but we are at least in like and the relationship is moving in a positive direction. I’ve delayed posting anything until now because I didn’t want to share any premature conclusions.  
fast
Heard ATC speakers. Couldn’t hold a candle to KEF Reference 5. Absolutely no comparison.  Some day you may want to upgrade. But thanks for your input.  
Hi Fast!

Indeed you are fast in replying! Thanks for your replying! Glad that you are enjoying your system! Would be nice to post a youtube/sound demo to see what kind of sound you are enjoying!  :)

Haha totally agree with you that speaker positioning makes a world of difference! Haha have yet to try a dedicated pre-amp in view of budget constraints but I will remember your opinion if I am shopping for seperates in future! I remember one of the audio shop owners on "thomas and stereo" said the same as you too -- that pre-amp makes the biggest difference in a system. 

Haha for now I think I will still be looking for a more tube system until one day i feel that power is my thing I'm chasing. Haha have always been lusting after the 845/211/300B amps and always thinking if those 20-30W class A amps will be sufficient to drive the ref 5s! haha if I do make the jump will update more in here! for now I'm really loving the "colour" of the sound that the speakers/tubes are producing -- they sound so "correct" and indescribable. may be due to 3rd order harmonics but am willing to sacrifice big power for the correct "colour" :)

Please do update further when you have further upgrades/changes! Happy to hear that you are enjoying system, and stay safe wherever you are!

Regards
Ben
Hi m669326

Agree with Fast. The ATC and Kef ref 5 sounds are very different. Have heard the SCM19, 20, 40 before. Not sure if it was due to the speakers or front end or cabling -- I felt they were too bright for me. But then again I am very sensitive to bright sounds -- might not be a good representative of the population at large. But in terms of detail have to agree its extremely detailed -- if you are chasing for 100% accuracy that may be just the speaker for you :)

Enjoy your ATCs :)
Thanks, Greenman. I listen in an unusual room that may make my generalizations invalid. And I haven't heard a recent KEF Reference. But the ones I had were certainly more polite than my ATCs -- less detailed and in your face, for sure. As my Irish mother used to say (much to my confusion as a child): "It takes all kinds, said the lady as she kissed the cow."
Let me know if any other inane folk wisdom might be helpful.
M
Hi m669326

Yes I think the set up and room size/shape makes a immense difference. And I think the old kef references and the newer ones are probably on different ends of the sound spectrum. Eg with uni-Q and metal dome tweeters the new ref will sound more detailed and sparkling than the older ones. However maybe the old one sounds more musical? Not sure havent heard one before in person. But I'm sure they are totally different animals haha. Heard a kef 107 youtube demo before...sounds more old school/musical kind of sound. very different to the newer ones. 

And a lot of times, front end gear/dac/cabling will make a immense difference too in terms of system synergy. I dont think there's a need to compare esp online haha. Can go listen in person if you are interested - or just enjoy your current speakers :)

Regards
Ben