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Submitted by
CharlieBrown
a AudioPhileDate Reviewed: August 10, 2010
Bottom Line:
Bought these from the original owner in excellent condition.
For me, they're one of the most 'complete' speakers one can have, a true full range transducer that excels mainly in acoustic music ( Jazz, Classical, Opera), but if asked, will also rock.
The bass is deep and powerful and it's generated by two internal 8" paper cone drivers, while the two front drivers look after the lower and upper midrange.
The Uni Q tweeter is co centric with the upper midrange driver, and has an excellent sound to it, there's no sibilance or hardness in it's presentation, opting instead for a very articulate and elegant presentation of high frequencies.
The KEF Reference 3.2 are biwirable and have a small compartment at their base for loading with led or dry sand, which makes their bass response faster and even more tuneful.
Talking of bass, if the user finds the 'sweet spot' in the room, the speakers will reward him with extra low frequency extension down to 32 Hz. Definitely, no need for a sub woofer!
Even though these speakers are quite efficient at 91 dB / 1 watt / 1 mtr, they require powerful amplification as their nominal impedance is 4 Ohm and, quite often, goes lower than that.
Kef recommends 300 watts for optimal performance.
Of course, they will work with an amplifier of 100 watts or so, but you won't get the best out of them until you give them plenty of power.
Overall a very serious speaker, one that will keep the owner satisfied for many years, and in many cases, it will be THE speaker to keep as, to better them, you'll have to spend very serious money ( .. most likely in the $ xx,xxx territory..)
Highly satisfied with them and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone who thinks seriously about music.
Used product for: 3 Months to 1 year
Duration Product Used: AudioPhile
Product model year: 2002
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
CharlieBrown
a AudioPhileDate Reviewed: August 10, 2010
Bottom Line:
Bought these from the original owner in excellent condition.
For me, they're one of the most 'complete' speakers one can have, a true full range transducer that excels mainly in acoustic music ( Jazz, Classical, Opera), but if asked, will also rock.
The bass is deep and powerful and it's generated by two internal 8" paper cone drivers, while the two front drivers look after the lower and upper midrange.
The Uni Q tweeter is co centric with the upper midrange driver, and has an excellent sound to it, there's no sibilance or hardness in it's presentation, opting instead for a very articulate and elegant presentation of high frequencies.
The KEF Reference 3.2 are biwirable and have a small compartment at their base for loading with led or dry sand, which makes their bass response faster and even more tuneful.
Talking of bass, if the user finds the 'sweet spot' in the room, the speakers will reward him with extra low frequency extension down to 32 Hz. Definitely, no need for a sub woofer!
Even though these speakers are quite efficient at 91 dB / 1 watt / 1 mtr, they require powerful amplification as their nominal impedance is 4 Ohm and, quite often, goes lower than that.
Kef recommends 300 watts for optimal performance.
Of course, they will work with an amplifier of 100 watts or so, but you won't get the best out of them until you give them plenty of power.
Overall a very serious speaker, one that will keep the owner satisfied for many years, and in many cases, it will be THE speaker to keep as, to better them, you'll have to spend very serious money ( .. most likely in the $ xx,xxx territory..)
Highly satisfied with them and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone who thinks seriously about music.
Used product for: 3 Months to 1 year
Duration Product Used: AudioPhile
Product model year: 2002
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
ArthurGatos
a AudioPhileDate Reviewed: May 14, 2006
Bottom Line: This is a posting to confirm that the KEF Reference 2 - two are still with me and, so far, no speaker that I have heard, either at dealer demos or at friends places, have made me want to change them!
They have 'mellowed' a lot and it took the best part of the first year of ownership to 'burn in' and sound their best.
In these 4 years of ownership, I auditioned speakers from B & W, Ruark, Sonus Faber, Naim, Totem, Audio Physics and Usher and none of them had me thinking that perhaps, I should be upgrading my speakers.
Electronics have also changed, they're at the end of Naim CD5i , Linn LP12, Meridian 501 preamp. Meridian 556 power amp and sometimes, a Densen DM 10 amp.
Still as relevant and sounding exciting in 2006.
Used product for: More than 1 year
Duration Product Used: AudioPhile
Product model year: 2002
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rajesh Kunchur
a Audio EnthusiastDate Reviewed: July 28, 2003
Bottom Line: I came across an advt so I bought the Kef Ref 3.2 a big leap for me from a proac tablette. My room size is 33'x15'. My speakers are about 5' ahead from the rear wall and 3'6' from the side wall. I have aSonyXA7ES cd player,a custom built pre amp, 2 custom built monoblocks 100w each, a seperate custom built power supply for the monoblocks. Cables are Van Den Hul revelation and van den hul 1st ultimate. With these cables the piano sounds better than many expensive speakers. The saxophone,violin simply great. The notes never get shrill. The only drawback a slighly laid back sound . vocals are also good. Like I read in 1 or 2 reviews the singer appears to be at a distance deeper than the rest of field. I would have prefered the bass like that on the proac response 3.8. It sometimes just does not feel right. Let me not disappoint any potential buyer there is hardly anything at the price of a3.2
Used product for: More than 1 year
Duration Product Used: Audio Enthusiast
Product model year: 2001
Purchased At: India
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jostrowski
a Audio EnthusiastDate Reviewed: May 9, 2003
Bottom Line: I'm an advent KEF fan/owner. I truly love KEF speakers and have had the privilege to own many different models through out my life and induction into “high end” audio. I started with my Q55’s and went through the ranks until I finally had the money to purchase one of the reference line speakers. It was a choice between the Reference 3.2 and the 4.2. I went with the 3.2 model over the 4.2 model simply based on room size. I was impressed, on levels that I can’t articulate, with the 3.2 model and even more with the 4.2. But, my room size would have actually been a detriment to the 4’s and probably would have stifled them. The 3.2s are speakers, when partnered with the right equipment, can bring tears to your eyes. It can be the tool that is used to evoke the very emotions that the media you’re listening to is trying to bring out. On the flip side, it can reveal all the faults of a media as well. I put in an old CD of Ozzy’s first album and I ran out of the room for cover. I had to stop the CD with the remote from the hall way!! I know this is slightly dramatic, but that’s how horrible it sounded!!! This CD sounds better on my brothers’ boom box!! Yet, Korn’s issues CD sounded great! I enjoyed it as much as my Jazz/Classical CD’s that shine all so much. These speakers will reveal weaknesses through out your system so, be prepared to partner these with some worth components. When you do finally find the right combo, you will be in for enjoyment on a level you could never imagine!!
Used product for: More than 1 year
Duration Product Used: Audio Enthusiast
Product model year: 2001
Price Paid:
$3000.00
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