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Advice on making a speaker change

I am looking for thoughts and members experience when it comes to making a speaker change in their systems.  I am not looking for any specific speaker recommendations. 

I am using KEF Reference 107-1 speakers that I purchased new in 1987. They are the only speakers I've used for 38 years! The speakers were refurbished professionally 4 years ago with new surrounds, tweeter maintenance, and upgrades to crossover components and wiring. Everything else is original, including the KUBE outboard bass equalization, that was part of the speaker design.  

Over the past few years, I have upgraded my amplification and digital front end to my "end game" electronics of CODA16 amp and CODA 07X pre-amp, Playback Designs DAC, and Innuos Statement NG Streamer. My speakers are the last components from my original system.  I love many attributes of these KEF 107 speakers, but also recognize their weakness. They are 38 year old technology after all. 

My dilemma is twofold. I still think my speakers sound great in many ways. They are musically involving and still dazzle me on occasion. They have some weak points as do ALL speaker designs.   Secondly, auditioning new speakers is difficult at best, as it is so dependent on associated equipment and listening rooms. I know my ears are the ultimate decision maker, but getting a realistic comparison to my current speakers from shows or sessions at audio shops is not easy.  

Am I crazy to consider replacing these speakers? Have other members had the same dilemma and what was your outcome? Regrets or audio bliss? Talk me off the ledge or should I jump? Thanks!

dmiller01

Showing 1 response by deep_333

deep_333
1,806 posts
 

 

My dilemma is twofold. I still think my speakers sound great in many ways. They are musically involving and still dazzle me on occasion. They have some weak points as do ALL speaker designs.

I value a big soundstage, imaging, tonal accuracy, musical involvement vs the ultimate in detail and resolution, Having said that, my KEF’s are a little lacking in high frequency air/transparency and perhaps a little TOO polite.

@dmiller01     You could get some PEQ and salvage the situation a bit... bump it up with suitable Q in approx frequency range shown below. That’s how you could start creating "air", a sense of "transparency" etc...

If it’s acting too polite, maybe add a very low Q bump further lower on the frequency range. That could prevent you from rabbit hole diving and let you hang on to your current speaker.

But, if you plan on letting go of the KEF anyways, look at some measurements at the least as it can give you a feel for the sound signature you’re looking for (help narrow down the pool since everyone and his uncle offer a speaker these days from their garage).

I get the feeling that this is the speaker you’re looking for, it certainly isn’t very polite (real musical instruments are not that polite), quite airy, transparent, etc. Its called the Yamaha NS-2000A, price = 8k. If Schweikert or Magico tried to make you something of this quality, price could go up to 50k atleast.

 

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