Tekton Double Impact SE vs Kef R7 Meta
Hello everyone, I’m looking for some help with my eventual upgrade path. I currently have a pair of Kef Q350 being powered by a Willsenton R8. I enjoy the clarity, detail, and instrument separation of the Kef’s, but they can be a bit polite. Soundstage is great as well, tonal balance is good as well. I’ve been looking at the R7 metas figuring they have similar sound characteristics as the Q350s just with more refinement and overall better sound, but I realize the Willsenton might be a bit underpowered (especially in triode mode) to really make them sing. Tekton is a name that keeps coming up in my research. I realize they can be a bit of a controversial choice do to some of the issues they’ve had with reviewers. All I really am concerned with is, how do they actually sound. I really want to keep that clarity that the KEFs have. We listen primarily to rock, metal, and electronic music. My room is rather large. It’s a 19’x 39’ great room (living room, dining room, and kitchen.
I’d like to hear from people that have had experience with either of these speakers with similar amplification and what their thoughts are. I’m also open to other speaker suggestions. Thank you!
“Tekton tends to slay and filet the kefs, wilsons, etc, at a fraction of the cost,”. April fools is a month away! ROFL!! Years ago I heard the best Tektons and they reminded me of the old old cerwin Vega speakers, no tonality, just loud. The Kef’s are a musical speaker. Will they play as loud as the tektons, probably not, will they have the bigger louder bloated bass like the tektons, no. So if you like a musical sounding speaker that plays at normal listening levels, get the Kef’s |
Thank you for the responses and insights everyone. On the plus side, this isn't a decision I need to make tomorrow or anything. Obviously the real answer here is that I need to listen to them to really make a decision. Every now and then, I see some Tektons for sale in my area, so I'll just have to see if I can audition them. The KEFs are obviously much easier to hear being that Best Buy carries them. Thanks again everyone! |
Hi, I have both the R8 and Tekton Moab’s the R8 did an awesome job with them as temp situation. The Moab’s now residents my Music Room. I love the sound, full, well bodied and not bright, just right. The bass after break in was amazing I don’t use subs with them there’s no need. I replaced B&W 804’s with the Moab’s and haven’t looked back! I’d call Eric at Tekton give him your musical listening tastes and The R8 as the power source. I was originally targeting the DI’s and he suggested the Moab’s as the better for my preferences. You’re right anything Tekton raises eyebrows on here, I’d buy another pair if something happened to my current Moab’s! |
Get on the tekton speaker owners Facebook group and ask if there are guys living near you who'll let you audit some tektons. If the orem/salt lake city area is drivable/accessible to you, you can go by the tekton building for audits. Let your ears be your guide. @dstryker77 wrote
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@devinplombier , so what speakers did you get for your new 2 channel system? I agree with you about the old stuffed boxes that had too many speakers and crap components for a crossover. Back in the 70’s I ran JBL’s and tube mono’s, a Gerard TT with AT cart, and an Akai reel. The Tektons are the absolutely ugliest speaker I’ve ever owned, but they sound pretty good. My over funded friend had Meta’s and early Blades. I’ve never heard a bad Kef. My friends that play music use Bryston and Westlake speakers at home or old Hafler and vintage JBL. I like that sound, but for recreational listening it’s too clinical. I have some JBL 4312A’s in the closet and they rarely come out. When I bought the Tektons I was budget restricted and wanted a big party speaker. I went from low power tubes with Zu and modded Heresy’s to big tube amps and the DI’s. At the time I was considering the MoFi 888’s and the entry level Fynes as I can’t afford Tannoy’s. As a kid I grew up on Mac and Fischer tubes powering big EV coaxial drivers at Grandpa’s house. I had a conversation with TJ ( Terry London ) explaining what sound I wanted ( live concert ) and that I have a Rogue Hera and Dark M-180’s and he recommended Tekton Moab’s. I chickened out and bought the DI’s . The funky tweeter array definitely looks unconventional and Mike really hypes his stuff which caused a ton of haters that have never heard them to come out in droves. I must say that in my 18’ X 28’ room with a 14’ ceiling and the now broken in DI’s they throw an amazing soundstage. I have a modded Thorens TT with a Grado wood body cartridge and a Schiit Yiggy with an Innuos streamer. Morrow level 5 cables , Cardas Clear , and a Starlight Platinum 8 USB. It’s mostly gear that I bought used , was gifted or traded for. I have a Richard Gray 600, an Oppo 105, and a Muiscal Fidelity transport. The Tekton’s I bought new and the Townshend Seismic Podiums and cables new. I am/was fully intent on getting a significantly better speaker , but the DI’s are really quit nice. @dstryker77 , I’ve run my DI’s with a cheap 50 wpc modded Akitika and it wasn’t too bad. But they really come alive with some power. The Kef’s are bitching but need some power , like a tube pre and a big SS amp. FWIT if you go for tektons many have been produced and the boxes they ship in are a joke. So you will see people with nice used ones that are Local Pickup Only. But the clean DI’s usually fetch $1800-1900 for excellent condition. I’d urge you to use Best Buy’s return policy for the Kef’s and find someone you could hear their DI’s and see if you can bring your amp. Happy Hunting , Mike B. |
