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Kef R3s with Tube Amp?

I'm thinking about going back to stand mount speakers. Currently I have Tekton Lore II and PrimaLuna Integrate. Currently running KT150s which did help compared to EL34s but not too much over KT88s. The Tektons seem to like the extra horse power, however, despite the 98db sensitivity. Brimar 12AU7s.I'm looking at KEF R3s but as they are 86.1DB not sure they will match too well with tubes. Also considering B&W 705 S2s or B&W 706S2.My listening room is 15x25x7.5, carpeted with a good bit of furniture. The only other speaker I've considered is the Klipsch Heritage Heresy III. Not a stand moun, obviously, but smaller than the Lores. They (Lores) need space to thrive and I don't think they are well suited for this room.So if anyone has direct listening experience with the KEF R3s & Tube amp I'd appreciate any input. Open to other suggestions too. Unfortunately, where I live I have to travel at least an hour to get near any Audio outlet, and I'm done buying via on-line reviews by so-called "professional" reviewers!
wcc10
audionoobie's avatar
audionoobie
357 posts
 
It's also a shame that you can't audition the R3 in person. Me personally, I would never base my decision from Youtube videos or even other people's opinions. like mine! Where do you live?
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,938 posts
 
KEF R3 is a speaker I would own. WIll likely not go as loud as Tektons off the same amp. They are not designed to operate best with tube amps but the results could still be very good (they are fantastic speakers). I’d want to audition before committing on a tube amp with KEF R3s.

If your floors are suspended plywood, isolating the floorstanders from those better would probably help tighten up bass and clean up the sound.
wcc10 OP
119 posts
 
Thanks Joe. Good idea contacting Kef. Yes, I went with the Lores because of the high efficiency rating. Been messing around with different tubes (now KT150s, different pre-amp) and just not "getting it." But they were better with the Cronus, thus my feeling they like high wattage.I've found a Kef dealer not too far from here. I believe he is also a PrimaLuna dealer so that should work out well. Hopefully he has them on display to audition. I'll post again with my impressions!Thanks.
wcc10 OP
119 posts
 
If your floors are suspended plywood, isolating the floorstanders from those better would probably help tighten up bass and clean up the sound.
Tekton speakers are currently on carpet, floors are hardwood over plywood. Yes, will audition prior to purchase any speaker. I’m done with buying a "pig in a poke." Thanks, "mapman."
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,938 posts
 
Tekton speakers are currently on carpet, floors are hardwood over plywood.

Yes that sounds like typical suspended plywood floor used in most homes these days. If the bass sound too big and muddy, with detail lacking top to bottom, I’d strongly recommend trying isolation pads, like Auralex sub-dudes or something similar under the floor-standers. The floor interactions not only muddy the bass, but that muddied bass also obscures detail in the mid-range. It’s a fairly inexpensive tweak that usually pays big dividends.

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