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Thread: KEF REF3 Review
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March 29, 2017, 06:42 PM #1
KEF REF3 Review
My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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June 5, 2017, 08:29 AM #2
Re: KEF REF3 Review
Good review. Eventually I want to get a pair of KEF reference speakers. I have been a huge fan of KEF since way back ....
McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105
“One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
"You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
― Neil deGrasse Tyson
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September 15, 2017, 07:11 PM #3
Re: KEF REF3 Review
I have the reference 5s and love them. They’re wonderful speakers.
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September 15, 2017, 07:32 PM #4
Re: KEF REF3 Review
Welcome to the forum Phishphan. Thank you for joining.
Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.
Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE
NAD C 658 streamer.
First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)
Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.
Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.
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September 15, 2017, 07:45 PM #5
Re: KEF REF3 Review
Thanks. I’m pretty active over on another one of these sites. But like to shake it up and discuss other brands no featured over there.
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September 15, 2017, 08:26 PM #6My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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September 16, 2017, 01:08 PM #7
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
- Location
- St. Louis, MO, USA
- Posts
- 3,054
Re: KEF REF3 Review
I broke in a pair of Ref 3's for my friend who sells/installs. I had my Pass X250 at the time and only my Revel F52's to compare them to. I marveled at the amount of bass the Ref 3's produced. The 3's had a more in my room type of sound stage, the speakers disappeared as well when listening. Really good detail.
The Ref 3's were white with blue drivers. Friends thought they looked cool but they didn't match my room, I wasn't quite sold on the look personally.
I've only heard the Blades in large rooms and not with the type of systems you'd expect to drive the Blades with. From what I have heard my ears tend to prefer the Reference at this point. The reference I wouldn't classify as a "warm" speaker but by comparison to the Blade the Reference are warmer and easier to listen to, for me.
This same friend has Ref 5 driven by Levinson monblocks, the new ones, I forget the number, they are capable of tremendous bass, both quality and quantity. His room is large, open to surrounding areas and a high ceiling to due a loft design, so ample bass don't come easy in there.Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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September 16, 2017, 01:08 PM #8
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
- Location
- St. Louis, MO, USA
- Posts
- 3,054
Re: KEF REF3 Review
I broke in a pair of Ref 3's for my friend who sells/installs. I had my Pass X250 at the time and only my Revel F52's to compare them to. I marveled at the amount of bass the Ref 3's produced. The 3's had a more in my room type of sound stage, the speakers disappeared as well when listening. Really good detail.
The Ref 3's were white with blue drivers. Friends thought they looked cool but they didn't match my room, I wasn't quite sold on the look personally.
I've only heard the Blades in large rooms and not with the type of systems you'd expect to drive the Blades with. From what I have heard my ears tend to prefer the Reference at this point. The reference I wouldn't classify as a "warm" speaker but by comparison to the Blade the Reference are warmer and easier to listen to, for me.
This same friend has Ref 5 driven by Levinson monblocks, the new ones, I forget the number, they are capable of tremendous bass, both quality and quantity. His room is large, open to surrounding areas and a high ceiling to due a loft design, so ample bass don't come easy in there.Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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September 16, 2017, 01:38 PM #9
Re: KEF REF3 Review
Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
HT Processor: Bryston SP3
Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
Sub: REL Carbon Special
Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks
-Kyle
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September 16, 2017, 05:53 PM #10
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
- Location
- St. Louis, MO, USA
- Posts
- 3,054
Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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September 17, 2017, 08:59 AM #11
Re: KEF REF3 Review
Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
HT Processor: Bryston SP3
Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
Sub: REL Carbon Special
Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks
-Kyle
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September 17, 2017, 02:43 PM #12
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
- Location
- St. Louis, MO, USA
- Posts
- 3,054
Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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September 17, 2017, 04:05 PM #13
Re: KEF REF3 Review
Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
HT Processor: Bryston SP3
Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
Sub: REL Carbon Special
Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks
-Kyle
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September 17, 2017, 04:59 PM #14
Re: KEF REF3 Review
My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
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Boulder 866 app