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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 4 responses by sls883

sls883
708 posts
 

@dmiller01 yeah, they are pretty revealing.  They play well with my Coda amp and LTA MicroZOTL preamp.  I've tried several cables and the Silversmith Audio Fidelium speaker cables and Black Cat Silverstar 88 interconnects work well. 

sls883
708 posts
 

I went through the same decision making process a couple of years ago. I was happy with my original Von Schweikert VR-4s which I had purchased new over 25 years prior. I was concerned that I’d spend money on new speakers and not end up with something better.

I called around the local shops and didn’t come up with anything that I thought I’d like. I decided to stay with Von Schweikert since I liked what I had. I spoke to them about their new Model One and asked if it would be noticeably better. They said it would be, so I bought a pair.

No regrets at all. I kept my VR-4s and will let my son have them when he has space for them.

sls883
708 posts
 

The VR-4 are a great speaker for the money. I think I paid $3500 for them around 28 years ago. Their huge soundstage was what I was most afraid of losing when I changed speakers. The Model One also has that, but better imaging, clarity, and separation of instruments. I think it’s fair to say that it’s better in every respect, but it’s a much more expensive speaker. The VR-4s have deeper bass, but not as tight. 

Von Schweikert’s design philosophy is accurate reproduction of the music sent to them. It does that in spades. Excellent detail, but not at all sibilant in my system. If your hardware is sibilant, you’ll hear it.

My son is a musician and he’s done some recording, so he’s a geek about recording techniques, mastering, etc. The other night, he and his former bandmate spent a lot of time listening to recordings to analyze the recording. I kept wanting to play recordings that I knew sounded good, but they wanted to listen to popular music to analyze the recording quality. It was interesting.

sls883
708 posts
 

Just noticed that you are running a pair of REL S/510 subwoofers like I am. Coda amp.  Are you able to demo Von Schweikert? 

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