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<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11437" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-r300-bookshelf-speakers/attachment/1-58/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11437" title="1" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/170.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="536" /></a>Full-line speaker manufacturers, like Focal, B&W and the brand featured in this review, often deliver the most bang for the buck in the middle of their product ranges.* These products may not have the ultimate performance of the flagship, but they don’t cut corners either, as can often be the case with entry-level models.* And while KEF has been garnering a lot of justified praise on its specialty speaker models, like the Blade and the LS50, the potential buyer looking for a relative audio bargain would do well to investigate the KEF R Series.* There’s some fine stuff happening in this range, folks.</strong></p>
<p>The R300 is the larger of the two bookshelf models in the R Series. *And unlike its smaller sibling, the two-way R100, the R300 is a three-way bookshelf, which is not the most common of layouts for a stand-mounted speaker.* It is interesting to note that the smallest speaker in KEF’s Reference Series, the 201/2, is also a three-way stand-mounted model.* I’ve heard the Reference 201/2 on a number of occasions and have always been really impressed with its honest presentation of music.* I’m here to tell you that the R300 gets within a stone’s throw of the 201/2, doing so at a much more reasonable price; the R300s cost $1,800 per pair, compared to $6,000 for the 201/2s.</p>
<p><strong>Technology and Performance</strong></p>
<p>Unlike KEF’s former middle range, the XQ Series, which were great sounding and gorgeous to boot, these R Series products won’t win any beauty contests.* They are simple-looking boxes, albeit ones that are superbly finished and constructed.* The review pair of R300s arrives in a nice black-gloss finish.* (Rosewood and walnut veneers are also available.) *The beauty of this range is in the technology and performance.* Some nice touches with this line include the magnetically attached grilles and the strapless bi-wire capability, which makes for easy bi-wiring and lets you forget about losing the gold-plated brass strap usually supplied with speakers in this price category.</p>
<p>The R300 features yet another generation of KEF’s Uni-Q driver, which is central to most KEF products, giving them their signature coherent sound. *For those unfamiliar with the Uni-Q, it is KEF’s way of making the midrange and treble drivers into a point-source radiator—the often sought-after but rarely attained ideal for a lot of speaker manufacturers. *This generation Uni-Q benefits from the same technology in KEF’s flagship Blade speakers.* The midrange cone is made from an aluminum-magnesium composite, which makes for much-desired lightness and stiffness. *Ribs across the surface of the driver cone minimize resonance, while the surrounding material provides further dampening.* The tweeter, which is made from the same material, is rear vented to reduce backward pressure, minimize distortion and increase power handling. *KEF’s tangerine wave guide fits over the tweeter diaphragm to further control the already wide dispersion characteristics, particularly those at the highest frequencies.</p>
<p>The 6-inch bass driver is also a stiff and strong aluminum affair, anodized with a satin-like material, with a large aluminum voice coil and a vented magnet assembly behind it.* One quickly realizes that this rather conventional-looking box is anything but—there is a lot of technical sophistication packed into this small cabinet.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11438" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-r300-bookshelf-speakers/attachment/2-56/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11438" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/266.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="387" /></a>Initial Assessment</strong></p>
<p>I play music through the R300s for 80 hours before optimizing them up for serious listening, with perfect placement via a pair of 26-inch Sound Anchor stands to put the Uni-Q driver at ear level relative to the sitting position from my couch.* With this placement, the front plane of the speakers is 3 feet from the back wall, with each unit 3.5 feet from the sidewalls.* A slight 5-degree toe-in puts the optimum listening point with the most-stable imaging just over 9 feet from the speakers.</p>
<p>Serious listening begins with some small-ensemble jazz selections. *First up, the self-titled <em>Bill Frisell, Ron Carter and Paul Motian</em> <em>Trio</em>, from three musicians needing no more introduction.* On the album’s Miles Davis/Ron Carter bluesy composition “Eighty One,” the R300 captures the interplay of these musicians in a seemingly large acoustic space.* The speakers reproduce Carter’s muscular acoustic bass without bloating, but with a tightness, depth and scale that is surprising given the small stature of the speaker.* Drums appear dramatic, with a snapping snare that shows off the quick acceleration of the Uni-Q driver.* Cymbals sound physically higher in the mix and have a textured shimmer with plenty of decay—this tweeter is indeed a honey. *In the midst of all this, Frisell’s quirky guitar stays locked front and center, as occasional biting chords punctuate the mix. *The R300 paints an engaging and natural portrait of this trio playing at the top of their game.</p>
<p>Next up, the Tord Gustavsen Quartet’s newest CD, <em>The Well</em>,<em> </em>on ECM; the soulful R&B composition “Circling” proves highly satisfying.* The R300 puts Gustavsen’s piano squarely between the speakers in a very deep space, keeping the recording well organized amongst the rest of the players. *The brushwork on drums emphasizes the low distortion of the Uni-Q driver—there is some real magic going on in this small cabinet.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11439" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-r300-bookshelf-speakers/attachment/3-50/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11439" title="3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/360.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="806" /></a>The Best for Last</strong></p>
<p>I turn to vinyl for some female vocals, starting with Ella Fitzgerald’s “Black Coffee,” from the soundtrack to the 1960 film <em>Let No Man Write My Epitaph</em>.* This sparse ballad is no more than Paul Smith on piano accompanying Fitzgerald, and brings to the forefront the precise imaging capabilities of the Uni-Q.* Fitzgerald’s lead vocals are focused dead center, yet you can hear her moving around the mic during the tune, with soft piano dancing in the background all the while.* This level of realism keeps me riveted to the chair for the entire album.</p>
<p>Patti Smith’s voice is a tough one to capture without it sounding overly harsh or shrill, and can go awry with speakers based on metal drivers, degenerating her vocals into a ball of harshness.* The ease with which the R300s handle this intricate voice instantly reveals just how effectively KEF has tamed stray resonances.* Howard Tate singing his 1960s hit, “Get it While You Can,” illustrates the integration of these drivers, with the rise and swell of his raspy, wide-ranging voice revealing no anomalies.* Rocking out with Television’s album <em>Marquee Moon </em>is just good fun, yet playing this rock classic louder than is prudent demonstrates how much punishment these speakers can handle—they are much like the Blades in this respect.* And it does get the juices flowing!</p>
<p>As with all small speakers, the R300s do a fantastic job spatially with large-scale orchestral music.* They excel at delivering the timbre and tonal richness of <em>The Reiner Sound </em>via Classic Records’ 200-gram reissue of this Living Stereo classic.* And while the fundamentals of the plucked double bass remain true to sound and texture through the R300s, there is definitely a limited reach to their low-frequency abilities. *Should your musical taste require more extension, consider KEF’s R400b powered subwoofer, a perfect companion to these stand speakers.* But that’s another review…</p>
<p>With so much attention focused on KEF’s amazing LS50, the R300 holds its own surprisingly well.* It shares the LS50’s Uni-Q driver technology and to some extent its voicing, but it is a different animal indeed.* The LS50 offers a slightly wider frequency response, with a smidge less midrange purity. *However, it does appear to play slightly louder, so each will appeal to a different user.* Think of the LS50 as a European version of the Lotus Esprit, and the R300 as its slightly heavier yet slightly more-comfortable U.S. sibling.</p>
<p>It should be noted that the R300’s reasonable 88-dB sensitivity means anything over about 25 watts per channel is a go—depending on your room size, of course.* Tubes or solid-state power amplifiers work equally well, and the R300 is more than resolving enough to illustrate the differences.* In the end, the R300 is proof positive of an exciting product from a legacy company that understands vertical integration.</p>
<p><strong>KEF R300 Bookshelf Speakers</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: *$1,800 per pair</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kef.com/">www.kef.com</a></p>
<p>Peripherals</p>
<table width="100%" align="left" class="easy-table easy-table-default "><tbody readability="4"><tr readability="2"><td>Analog Source</td>
<td>VPI Classic 1/Sumiko Blackbird</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Digital Source*</td>
<td>Simaudio MiND streamer * *Rega DAC</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Preamplifier</td>
<td>PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium * *Klyne SK5-A</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Power Amplifier</td>
<td>PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium * *Krell KSA-50</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-r300-bookshelf-speakers/]
<p>The R300 is the larger of the two bookshelf models in the R Series. *And unlike its smaller sibling, the two-way R100, the R300 is a three-way bookshelf, which is not the most common of layouts for a stand-mounted speaker.* It is interesting to note that the smallest speaker in KEF’s Reference Series, the 201/2, is also a three-way stand-mounted model.* I’ve heard the Reference 201/2 on a number of occasions and have always been really impressed with its honest presentation of music.* I’m here to tell you that the R300 gets within a stone’s throw of the 201/2, doing so at a much more reasonable price; the R300s cost $1,800 per pair, compared to $6,000 for the 201/2s.</p>
<p><strong>Technology and Performance</strong></p>
<p>Unlike KEF’s former middle range, the XQ Series, which were great sounding and gorgeous to boot, these R Series products won’t win any beauty contests.* They are simple-looking boxes, albeit ones that are superbly finished and constructed.* The review pair of R300s arrives in a nice black-gloss finish.* (Rosewood and walnut veneers are also available.) *The beauty of this range is in the technology and performance.* Some nice touches with this line include the magnetically attached grilles and the strapless bi-wire capability, which makes for easy bi-wiring and lets you forget about losing the gold-plated brass strap usually supplied with speakers in this price category.</p>
<p>The R300 features yet another generation of KEF’s Uni-Q driver, which is central to most KEF products, giving them their signature coherent sound. *For those unfamiliar with the Uni-Q, it is KEF’s way of making the midrange and treble drivers into a point-source radiator—the often sought-after but rarely attained ideal for a lot of speaker manufacturers. *This generation Uni-Q benefits from the same technology in KEF’s flagship Blade speakers.* The midrange cone is made from an aluminum-magnesium composite, which makes for much-desired lightness and stiffness. *Ribs across the surface of the driver cone minimize resonance, while the surrounding material provides further dampening.* The tweeter, which is made from the same material, is rear vented to reduce backward pressure, minimize distortion and increase power handling. *KEF’s tangerine wave guide fits over the tweeter diaphragm to further control the already wide dispersion characteristics, particularly those at the highest frequencies.</p>
<p>The 6-inch bass driver is also a stiff and strong aluminum affair, anodized with a satin-like material, with a large aluminum voice coil and a vented magnet assembly behind it.* One quickly realizes that this rather conventional-looking box is anything but—there is a lot of technical sophistication packed into this small cabinet.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11438" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-r300-bookshelf-speakers/attachment/2-56/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11438" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/266.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="387" /></a>Initial Assessment</strong></p>
<p>I play music through the R300s for 80 hours before optimizing them up for serious listening, with perfect placement via a pair of 26-inch Sound Anchor stands to put the Uni-Q driver at ear level relative to the sitting position from my couch.* With this placement, the front plane of the speakers is 3 feet from the back wall, with each unit 3.5 feet from the sidewalls.* A slight 5-degree toe-in puts the optimum listening point with the most-stable imaging just over 9 feet from the speakers.</p>
<p>Serious listening begins with some small-ensemble jazz selections. *First up, the self-titled <em>Bill Frisell, Ron Carter and Paul Motian</em> <em>Trio</em>, from three musicians needing no more introduction.* On the album’s Miles Davis/Ron Carter bluesy composition “Eighty One,” the R300 captures the interplay of these musicians in a seemingly large acoustic space.* The speakers reproduce Carter’s muscular acoustic bass without bloating, but with a tightness, depth and scale that is surprising given the small stature of the speaker.* Drums appear dramatic, with a snapping snare that shows off the quick acceleration of the Uni-Q driver.* Cymbals sound physically higher in the mix and have a textured shimmer with plenty of decay—this tweeter is indeed a honey. *In the midst of all this, Frisell’s quirky guitar stays locked front and center, as occasional biting chords punctuate the mix. *The R300 paints an engaging and natural portrait of this trio playing at the top of their game.</p>
<p>Next up, the Tord Gustavsen Quartet’s newest CD, <em>The Well</em>,<em> </em>on ECM; the soulful R&B composition “Circling” proves highly satisfying.* The R300 puts Gustavsen’s piano squarely between the speakers in a very deep space, keeping the recording well organized amongst the rest of the players. *The brushwork on drums emphasizes the low distortion of the Uni-Q driver—there is some real magic going on in this small cabinet.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11439" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-r300-bookshelf-speakers/attachment/3-50/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11439" title="3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/360.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="806" /></a>The Best for Last</strong></p>
<p>I turn to vinyl for some female vocals, starting with Ella Fitzgerald’s “Black Coffee,” from the soundtrack to the 1960 film <em>Let No Man Write My Epitaph</em>.* This sparse ballad is no more than Paul Smith on piano accompanying Fitzgerald, and brings to the forefront the precise imaging capabilities of the Uni-Q.* Fitzgerald’s lead vocals are focused dead center, yet you can hear her moving around the mic during the tune, with soft piano dancing in the background all the while.* This level of realism keeps me riveted to the chair for the entire album.</p>
<p>Patti Smith’s voice is a tough one to capture without it sounding overly harsh or shrill, and can go awry with speakers based on metal drivers, degenerating her vocals into a ball of harshness.* The ease with which the R300s handle this intricate voice instantly reveals just how effectively KEF has tamed stray resonances.* Howard Tate singing his 1960s hit, “Get it While You Can,” illustrates the integration of these drivers, with the rise and swell of his raspy, wide-ranging voice revealing no anomalies.* Rocking out with Television’s album <em>Marquee Moon </em>is just good fun, yet playing this rock classic louder than is prudent demonstrates how much punishment these speakers can handle—they are much like the Blades in this respect.* And it does get the juices flowing!</p>
<p>As with all small speakers, the R300s do a fantastic job spatially with large-scale orchestral music.* They excel at delivering the timbre and tonal richness of <em>The Reiner Sound </em>via Classic Records’ 200-gram reissue of this Living Stereo classic.* And while the fundamentals of the plucked double bass remain true to sound and texture through the R300s, there is definitely a limited reach to their low-frequency abilities. *Should your musical taste require more extension, consider KEF’s R400b powered subwoofer, a perfect companion to these stand speakers.* But that’s another review…</p>
<p>With so much attention focused on KEF’s amazing LS50, the R300 holds its own surprisingly well.* It shares the LS50’s Uni-Q driver technology and to some extent its voicing, but it is a different animal indeed.* The LS50 offers a slightly wider frequency response, with a smidge less midrange purity. *However, it does appear to play slightly louder, so each will appeal to a different user.* Think of the LS50 as a European version of the Lotus Esprit, and the R300 as its slightly heavier yet slightly more-comfortable U.S. sibling.</p>
<p>It should be noted that the R300’s reasonable 88-dB sensitivity means anything over about 25 watts per channel is a go—depending on your room size, of course.* Tubes or solid-state power amplifiers work equally well, and the R300 is more than resolving enough to illustrate the differences.* In the end, the R300 is proof positive of an exciting product from a legacy company that understands vertical integration.</p>
<p><strong>KEF R300 Bookshelf Speakers</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: *$1,800 per pair</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kef.com/">www.kef.com</a></p>
<p>Peripherals</p>
<table width="100%" align="left" class="easy-table easy-table-default "><tbody readability="4"><tr readability="2"><td>Analog Source</td>
<td>VPI Classic 1/Sumiko Blackbird</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Digital Source*</td>
<td>Simaudio MiND streamer * *Rega DAC</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Preamplifier</td>
<td>PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium * *Klyne SK5-A</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Power Amplifier</td>
<td>PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium * *Krell KSA-50</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-r300-bookshelf-speakers/]