2. home-theater
  3. 187830-187105

Assistance in selecting new speakers…

Welcome advice on selecting a new set of speakers for our “great room” home theater set-up.  We have KEF Reference Model Two (FL, FR) Monitor audio silver (C), and KEF 103.2’s (SL,SR), and Emotiva s12 powered  subwoofer.  Emotiva Xmc2 processor, Rotel RB-985 multi-channel amp.  The room dimensions are 17’ x 25’ with vaulted ceilings (~12’ at the peak).   I will likely need to upgrade my amp and possibly my Sub. Priority is  listening to music (except heavy metal and rap) and I have a family who likes to watch movies, so I have to consider this as a close second.  I’ve purchased KEF for the last 25+ years, so that is a factor.  I’m looking at two options for the types of speakers, architectural and free standing, with the trade off being the architectural set-up is a cleaner look, which for a multi-purpose room is desirable, but not at a considerable loss of fidelity. Since I lean toward KEF, I am looking at Ci3160RLM (FL,C,FR), Ci200Rs-THX (SL, SR) for the architectural option, and R7 or R5 (FL, FR), R2 (C), R3 (SL, SR).   I’m not sure about what subwoofer to choose.  My budget is ~ $15K-$20K (including a new Sub and power amp). 

Would appreciate if you could provide advice on what I’m not  considering, what assumptions I’m making which may not be accurate etc.  For example,  in the proposed new set-up could there be a noticeable difference in the fidelity between the architectural speakers and the free standing speakers?   What are alternatives to KEF, whether new/used, e.g., Focal,  which you would recommend I consider?   Any thoughts on a multi-channel amp and subwoofer upgrade?
 

Thanks for your time and consideration. 

 

 

johnmcnaughton
yyzsantabarbara
4,793 posts
 

I love KEF. I like companies that have a big research budget and make their own drivers. Not just buy drivers and put it in a box.

I wanted to buy the KEF Blade 2 Meta. But did not due to concerns that they would not be safe in my Livingroom (no grills and easy to knock over). A great choice in hindsight seeing as what goes on in that room.

I had the following 2nd choices that I was considers for my Livingroom:

  • KEF Reference 3 Meta
  • Vivid Kaya 90
  • Magico A5
  • Magnepan
  • Yamaha NS5000

I went with the NS5000 since it was the most coherent sounding speaker of the bunch. The Magnepan’s are similar. The NS5000 has a 12 inch woofer made of the same material as used in the tweeter and mid-range. The material named Zylon is supposed to be lighter and faster than BE. Now that is called research. Good luck getting box fillers to do research like that. KEF and a few others do research like that.

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,777 posts
 

We are a Kef dealer for 20 years we also design and build movie theaters

 

check out the kef thx theater r we designed for rev run

 

rev runs renovation season 2 secret cinema

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect nj

kef dealer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nj

 

johnmcnaughton OP
3 posts
 

Thanks to all of you who responded to my post.  Looks like my 2024 will be spent exploring a lot of other options - including KEF.  
 

best regards,

JRM

kennyc
1,450 posts
 

@johnmcnaughton 

Are you asking for matching surround speaker brands?

Ag insider logo xs@2x
dbphd
1,628 posts
 

For HT I recently replaced KEF Reference 1s and LS50s driven by Ayre gear and a Bryston SP3 processor with Sony HT A9 & SW5.  For music I'm using KEF LS60 and a pair of KC62s.  I think the sound of both setups is superb in their own ways, and so convenient I use them dailey.  

My previous favorite was KEF Reference 107/s and 204/2C driven by 3 JC-1s monoblocks, a setup worth repeating.

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