Opinions requested

Randy Myers

Randy Myers

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Joined
Nov 7, 2015
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Location
Kansas
I am a huge KEF fan from way back. I owned Reference 104aB speakers for years; loved them!

I have the LS50s now with a small REL sub. I do not have the space in my room for a floor standard speaker, but at some point I may want to improve my speakers.

I recently looked at and heard the Reference 3s and was very impressed. Not only in sound quality but in build quality and looks! Simply amazing...

So my question is comparing the Reference 1s versus the R300 versus what I currently have. I would love the Ref 1s, but $8k is out of the question at this point.

The R300 and Ref 1 have very similar specs, which I know means very little. Is there a night and day difference between the two speakers, R300 -vs- Ref 1? I assume the Ref is better and I know the enclosure is a tad bigger and I understand that the Refs are built in the UK while the R300 come out of the China plant. Is it worth almost 4.5 times the price. I mean, holy crap that is a big price difference.

Another point, is the R300s a huge improvement over the LS50 with the REL sub or would I be better to just stick with what i have?

Thanks for the input and opinions....
 
I have been reading some reviews and forums. It appears as if both the R300 and LS50 garner very solid reviews and a lot of respect. Most talk about the R300 producing more bass but the LS50s being more open accurate (small degree on both). Many mention that the LS50s with a Sub giving more versatility being a tad more fluid, if accuracy and openness is what you are after....

Well, dam, sounds almost like the R300s would not be an improvement... wonder if adding a second sub might be in order :).... I assume I would want a matching one (I have an old Klipsch sub in storage)....

Again, I still would love to hear your opinions.
 
Mike, I have read some really goods things on the ELAC, so thank you for the suggestions. At this point KEF just holds a very special place in my heart; what can I say, I guess I am loyal as the day is long and I just love the KEF sound.

Another question then... at this point it appears to make the most sense to stick with the fantastic little LS50s until I can afford something like the KEF References... then this brings me to another thought, the little REL does a very nice job adding in some of the low bass (or certainly for my needs anyway).

The REL has specific suggestions on wiring a fully balanced amplifier and setup using a Class D amplifier. All of which seems to really bring the sound in focus. So any thoughts on adding a second REL? I am looking for sound quality, smoothness, sound stage and imaging... Will a second REL improve here or is it just to add more bass (which is probably not needed in my opinion).
 
Randy

Dual subs are always preferable placed just outside or inside of the speakers. If crossed over correctly they become a part of the main speaker. On a side not with the REL's speaker level connection is always preferable.
 
Hey Jack, Yea REL makes this point VERY clear in their manuals :).... I have gone back and forth between low level and high level inputs. I do not like their high level input cable, but dammit if it doesn't sound better, the little punks :)...

So you feel a second REL would make a nice improvement in the system? Quality wise the REL are very nice and being another British company seem to match up nicely with the KEF. They also cover the specific suggested wiring for using two subs in their manual.
 
Randy

Yes a second REL would make a difference and if I had to do it I would sell the Zero and buy two REL's farther up the "food chain." As to the "supplied" REL cable it is free in the box kind of like the cheap IC's or Power Cords that come with gear. They do the job. There are plenty of vendors that sell upgraded cables for the REL. Contact Patrick at Cullen Cables, who lives close to you and whose Dad is one of EJ's business partners. I am sure he can make what you need. The cable that Vandersteen supplies in the box for his $1700 dollar subwoofers are just Monster in-wall cable with RS banana connectors.
 
Thanks Jack for the input. Some good thoughts. I might look into upping the sub woofer cable. The one REL sells is very expensive, but I might look elsewhere. Certainly Cullen is worth looking in to.

Not sure I would want a larger sub. I am not looking to add tons of bass, certainly not looking to rattle the walls :).... I was never a fan of larger drivers. 12" and especially 15" always sounded too boomy to me.... tight bass drivers has always been my preference. For example, Blade Twos and all of the Reference series utilize 6.5" bass drivers. Now I am not saying that the TZero has the same or as good drivers as the KEFs, just using as an example that smaller faster drivers give the type of bass that I prefer. The little REL sub does a fairly amazing job filling in bottom end, with similar sound characteristics as KEF (British sound)...

A second sub might be in order though :)...
 
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