Bought these used on Ebay. One needed a new surround, which was impossible to find. I had to cut a replacement surround in half, stretch the inside edge and then patch each gap, which were opposite each other, with pieces of another. It worked, but not cosmetically.
Anyway, I already own some JM Labs (focal) and Ess AMT 1B and Tempests.
I have them connected to a Luxman RX-101. These Snell K III make a mighty sound for their size. They are so kind to the ears. Simply a pure pleasure. I love them.
Submitted by
Giampiero
a Audio Enthusiast
from Italy
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2003
Strengths: Tonal balance, soundstage, detail, musicality, low range control, building, ease in placement, good efficiency, A/V ready, tweeter optimizers, very great overall value for money.
Weaknesses: Looks a little like early 70's speakers...
Seriously, absolutely none (apart from the price).
Bottom Line:
I purchased my Snell K III on the second hand market as a bargain, they were almost new and not completely ran in. K III's sound can be definite as the union of neutrality, tonal propiety and high musicality. I think these loudspeakers have a rare quality, they sound complete and very well balanced between the frequency ranges. They aren't "special effects" loudspeakers, but an excellent instrument to enjoy music. Listening at K III's isn't an hard work, expecially if you use tube amps, and they are however very detailed at mediums and highs, and not only for their segment. I've owned Sonus Faber Minima Amator for about 5 years, wich were very impressive from this point of view, and in respect of Snell sounded more open, but on the extended listenings K III's turn out more pleasant and not less detailed at the same time. I can say they sound on one hand like a monitor system (Sonus Faber, Proac etc.), on the other hand with a great harmonic tickness, combining the best of both worlds with control and airness. Also coherence is very high, and i recommend to use a good tube amp about 30/40 watts pc (i use to my great satisfaction a Copland CTA 401 with Philips EL 34 tubes), since the Snell's good efficiency (90 db), to increase coherence and detail as well. The bass is also very good, but only after an extensive running in (K III is a sealed box design) and by the placement on stands of 60 cm in height (i use a couple of self assembled marble stands wich also improve the bass control). Room placement is much less critical than many other loudspeakers: 40/50 cm from rear wall is already enough to obtain a good depth of image and the speakers have not any problem with the mid-low range, wich results rich and detailed the right. K III's sound very great in my 25 mq normally absorbent listening room.
To come to the point Snell K III's, if understood and satisfied in their little leggitimate demands, can compete with twice or triple the price systems. Their building quality and their ease in placement establish a further point at their credit. Try to get a second hand K III if you're looking for a "Real Audiophile" loudspeaker (at a very modest price!). Don't be mistaken about price and size, K III can be a DEFINITIVE loudspeaker in most of usual listening rooms.
My system:
Thorens TD 325/Rega RB 300R/Ortofon MC 10 Super II
Meridian 506/20 (master clock upgraded)
Van Den Hul D 102 III Hybrid (for both analog and digital sources)
Copland CTA 401 (w Mullard/Philips tubes)
Monitor PC Silver Cable 20mm 2.5 mt
Snell K III (on marble stands)
Nadir SC 0.5 kw Power Conditioner
Cablerie D'Eupen Volga 2 mt (from Nadir to AC plug).
These speakers are amazingly crisp and the bass is phenomenal...I have not heard any speaker in this prce range being so crisp and accurate...I use them as fronts but would be switch them to surround soon...I rate them above definitive tech and paradigm, simialr speakers....
This review is just an update of my previous review of this speaker with some comments i failed to mention previously.In the last several months i have engaged in the common occurrence for an audio enthusiast of listening to many speakers in a feeble attempt to find that magical better sounding speaker.Well,for me,i have failed.I have auditioned Dynaudio Audience,JM Lab,Paradigm,NHT,Pro Ac and some others.All of these speakers are very good but none are as overall musical as my Snell K-111.I believe Peter Snell and his team did the best job of producing a speaker that is less placement critical and produces accurate tight bass response that as their brochure states"not only can be heard but felt as well".As these speakers have aged and become broken in,they sound even better.Absolutely no compression at higher volumes,just wonderful accurate music.I also would like to note that in a blind speaker test done several years ago(can't remember what publication)the Snell K-111 was chosen best out of 17 bookshelf designs.What i enjoy best about them is their dynamics.Handling dynamic shifts and contrasts in music in a way which makes you stop to listen.I believe their sealed design contibutes to this accuracy.Also,this speaker sounds great with any and all types of music,not favoring rock over classical or jazz over pop.Sorry for being so longwinded.I just wanted to let people know how good i think this speaker is.They are discontinued,but if you can locate a used pair,just buy them and enjoy the music.
Similar Products Used: Paradigm Compact Monitor,Mirage Bookshelf,NHT 1.3,AR Bookshelf.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Audio Enthusiast
from Murfreesboro,TN
Date Reviewed: December 7, 1999
Strengths: Dynamic highs, realism, accurate soundstage, build quality
Weaknesses: Shallow low end
Bottom Line:
The K-III is an extremely accurate speaker for it's price. I bought mine for almost half retail price as they were being discontinued for the K-5. I use them as front end monitors with a K-II-V center for my modest A/V system. I have only powered these speakers with a 115 wpc Sony integrated and a 65 wpc Denon receiver. Although these are fairly sensitive speakers, I was more impressed with the higher wattage amplifier. There seemed to be a more filling sound with more power. These speakers, paired with a tight powered sub, should not fail to satisfy someone looking for a very realistic soundstage at a very modest price.
