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Review 1 of 1
Price Paid:
$100.00
from craigs list Summary:
First off I would like to state that I am not an audiophile, I do love two channel music, and I also love to shop all the local thrift stores and pawn shops and what-not, to find vintage audio gear.I can however differentiate between speakers and cables, and i can hear( usually) the nuances between certain formats. With that being said my audio experience has for the most part been relegated to American speakers. I am not going to be the elitist snob who is going to knock the domestic product, I feel that some of the best speakerst ever made has come from the good old U.S.A. Now with that statement behind me let me tell you when I first heard my Kef c40's I couldn't help but think,"wow!!!, the britts sure got there audio act together". These two- way speakers( two and a half way I have also heard them referred to as) with a single 1" dome tweeter and 8" active woofer and 8" passive radiator, really impressed me. The enclosure they provide is an acoustic suspension bass reflex design, which even though normally not the most efficient enclosure compared to a ported cabinet, are very modest in their power demands, and very capable of delivering robust low end in a small to medium- size room. When I first got a listen to them i definitely liked what i heard, but there is a getting acclimated period with these speakers. With American brands there is a up-in-you're face quality too them, or aggressive i guess, is the simplest way to describe them. With the kef's though, there is a relaxed air about them, almost like sitting next to the fire with a good book and warm brandy, and warmth and tonality that doesn't stress the ears, and detail that assures that all is represented along the entire musical spectrum. looks with these speakers are also a plus as well, though that is as subjective a matter as sound is, but with walnut veneered cabinets and a hight of 25" and dept and width of only about 9", these speakers should be wife approved universally.These speakers do need stands, when I did some research i found that out, and when i did find some( small end tables seem to be the best remedy), I was rewarded with an even larger more focused sound stage and a better representation of the lower portion of the frequency range than before. These speakers seem to excel in any genera of music, from classical to jazz and most in between( for rap I couldn't tell you, sorry that's not my cup of tea) , but it seems that these speakers really shine when you play some rock. They also are great for folk or any thing with small acoustic ensembles, like Bob Dylan or James Taylor, or small string quartets. I wish that I could tell you exactly the frequency range, but with most speakers, especially one's from the eighties, I believe it's in the 35hz-20,000hz range. I only mention this because high resolution formats like SACD and DVD-audio sound really good from these speakers despite the modest frequency response. Vinyl also is not left behind and is well represented with these speakers. So far I have only been complimentary of these speakers, but as with all things there are draw backs. For one thing, these speakers are not that big but they are not that small, and with the home theater craze with small speakers and sub woofer set ups these speakers will not appeal to every body, especially since speaker stands of the standard variety will not do, and as I mentioned earlier you will probably have to get some sort of end table( don't forget to put some sort of resonance- dampening material between the speakers and the surface of the table), which makes the speakers foot print even bigger. Speaking of home theater, I wouldn't suggest using these for front speakers in a theater set up, they are competent enough, but it just seems that's not their strongest suit. Finally, the only other draw back about these speakers is concerning music. they can handle most styles that you throw at them, but during the most complicated of arrangements, it seems to me, that they can get a little flustered. It wasn't a glaring fault, and should not let any one be dissuaded from giving these marvelous little bang-for- the bucks a test drive, and then, eventually, a home. Strengths:
Good mid range, voice is well represented. Highs are clear and crisp. Bass is strong for the size. Easy on the eyes( to me at least).There is some warmth and a very laid back sound. Bang for the buck is comparable to some of the best out there ( paradigm titans come to mind.....} Weaknesses:
A big book shelf thats not going to make love to every ones eyes. Laid back sound is also not a trait every one favors and these are definitely laid back. Not the ideal front speakers in home theater set up. Finally, these speakers do get " confused' , if only slightly, during the most complicated of sections. One more note; Audiophiles do not need to apply if you think you're going to find the most accurate speaker known to man that compares to you're $50,000.00 set up, for gods sake , they are only a hundred bucks :) Similar Products Used:
Polk's and Infinities of all shapes and models and have auditioned some other brands, but I won't wast you're time since I didn't buy them.
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