Can someone describe the sound of KEF IQ30's ?

move the polks around a bit..they're fine. don't go sideways or backwards, even if it means not buying anything for awhile.

i read reviews and they are all over the place. here is some straight advice tho.. if you must replace those polks move up an entire notch or two and buy a used set on a gon that will outperform the kef. i am basing this on the reviews i read of them and the knowledge that you can find a 1K used spkr that would open you up to a whole new level over those polks. good luck. it will be the difference between a new chevy and a small barely used bmw.

They are voiced similar to the Polks you currently have. Polk's LSi series is much warmer than the RTi/RTiA.

I'm so hesitant to buy used speakers

your polks are better than fine.

If you "must" buy some new speakers to replace your Polks, and want to stay "south" of the $500 line, then I would recommend that you take a listen to the Energy RC-10s.

Also, since you mentioned that you like the NHT Classic Threes, you might keep checking to see if your dealer is going to reduce it's price. NHT is closing it's doors on March 31, so there could be some "good sales" on their remaining speakers, as most dealers will probably be dropping the line. Kind of sad to see them go, and hopefully wiil see then (NHT) on the "other side".

Btw,

I listen to both the Energy RC-10s and NHTs Classic Three through a Denon system and enjoyed the sound of both, although I must say my preference was for the Energy RC-10. Definely think either one would be a step up from the Polk Rti28. Actually IMHO both the Energy and the NHT compared well with the Polk Lsi7.

I will have to check Energy. They seem to have some good speakers at lower price points. The Polks are fine..I'm just noticing things of late. Also, I plan on keeping them for spares (when I get a house) so I could always go back. I thought that maybe the KEF's may be a good, lower cost alternative to the B&W 685. I'll do searches on the Energys

hesitant to buy used speakers, hmmmmmmmmmm. you might want to post a thread here and ask what other a goners say about this. if you trust this membership to recommend spkrs you may as well trust them with this question. you may one day realize these big name brand spkr makers offer less real value than countless smaller producers who have no heavy marketing budgets and rely on word of mouth. nothing wrong with polks and b and w but you may find a whole new demension in a used $5oo set of some lessr known brand. just my advice tho, i have owned nht, bw, and polk and they could not hold a candle to the used meadowlarks i owned that i bought on agon.

I am only hesitant because I have reservations about how others may have driven the speakers. I'm not saying goners would sell me junk....I have my extra Polks for sale here on Audiogon. The speakers sound fine under most normal playing conditions. When I play a low volume test tone CD, I get drastic static at only certain frequencies. I play the same CD on my main set, no static.

as you own a damaged? pair now i can see why this would be on your mind. the noise you describe leads me to think you may have fried these. is it in both spkrs? nht is closing shop so you could get a great deal now ... . fwiw, people here seam to be older and they tend to baby their $$$ spkrs because they have vision to see they will need to resell to another 'hi ender'. which is why mid fi spkrs are subject to wear and tear from younger rock and roll blasters over driving amps etc. happy hunting!

I'm also looking at the NHT Classic 3's. Some retailers are already marking down the prices.