Help me choose - KEF Reference 200 or XQ Series?


My system will be used primarily for home theater (85%). I plan on using a Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi receiver (130 watts per channel over 7 channels at 8 ohms) which I expect will do everything I want. I figure I can always add amps or go to components later if I desire. I currently have a 10” Velodyne subwoofer that I will use until the budget allows an upgrade. The room size is about 23’ wide by 31’ long. I will be using a little more than half of the area for our home theater (14’ x 31’) with the sofa about 12’ back from the HDTV (hopefully a hot new 55” to 80” LCOS display next spring).

My wife and I have listened to a wide range of speakers and really love the sound and imaging of the KEFs. Sorry B&W fans, the sound just didn’t fit our particular tastes though we checked out both the 800 and CDM NT series. I believe this is a one-time, 20+ year shot at buying speakers since we have three young children to raise and educate. With that theory in mind, I think we’ll be best served by buying the best speakers we can possibly afford as we can always upgrade other components later as our budget allows. As we all know, a wholesale change of speakers for a 5.1 or 7.1 HT setup is horrendously expensive to do at once if you are concerned with timbre matching.

As for the speakers, here are my contemplated options:

OPTION #1
Qty Model MSRP Street Used
4 Reference 201 7,000 5,498 3,600
4 KEF Stands 990 856 856
1 Reference 202c 2,000 1,588 1,040

TOTAL 9,990 7,942 5,496

OPTION #2
Qty Model MSRP Street Used
2 Reference 203 5,000 3,949 2,600
2 Reference 201 3,500 2,749 1,800
2 KEF Stands 495 428 428
1 Reference 202c 2,000 1,588 1,040

TOTAL 10,995 8,714 5,868

OPTION #3
Qty Model MSRP Street Used
2 XQ5 3,000 2,445 N/A
2 XQ3 2,000 1,545 N/A
2 KEF Stands 495 428 N/A
1 XQ2c 1,450 1,250 N/A

TOTAL 6,945 5,668 N/A

OPTION #4
Qty Model MSRP Street Used
4 XQ3 4,000 3,090 N/A
2 KEF Stands 990 856 N/A
1 XQ2c 1,450 1,250 N/A

TOTAL 6,440 5,196 N/A

As you can see, the used prices of Options #1 and #2 for KEF Reference Series speakers compares favorably with the street price of the new KEF XQ series to make my decision more challenging. While I would prefer either Option #2 or #3 in order to get the 203 or XQ5 floorstanders, our concern is the ability to fit the larger speakers into the décor of our next home. While floorstanders would work great in our current dedicated HT area, I’d hate to seem them not work out in our next home. The advantage to going with four Reference 201 speakers now is that if it worked out in the future, I could add 203s to the front for an awesome 7.1 setup. Alternatively, I could also do four XQ3s now and add a pair of XQ5s later.

So far, we haven’t been able to demo the KEF Reference Series against the XQ series in the same room. My wife and I feel we can’t go wrong either way assuming that we can find the used Reference series speakers over time. My wife also prefers the look of the Reference series – an always important issue.

Now to my most important question – which option would you choose and more importantly – why?

Thanks much!
zorax2
Thank you Mark for your response.

Do you think the Pioneer 49TXi will be underpowered for the KEFs if I use a 203 or 205 in front? I usually don't listen to HT or music all that loud. My theory is that the 49TXi is a good reciever and that I can add an amp to it down the road if needed.

Were you aware that you can use the 49TXi to bi-amp the speakers? This can be done by using the A & B channels for the main. The downside is that you can then only go 5.1 for HT rather than 7.1. Remember, the Pioneer drives all 7 channels at 130 watts.

I've read so many positive threads and reviews on the 49TXi and I must say - I love the gadget nature to it. It has a ton of programmability and the MACC which seems impressive.

Are the Kef Reference 2~2 series magnetically shielded? Where do you think I can hear them? Have you ever heard your speakers side-by-side vs. either the new Reference or XQ series? I'm curious as to how you thought they compared.

In the meantime, I'll see if I can dig up some information on the KEF site regarding your speakers.

Thank you again for the feedback!
I think the Pioneer will do a nice job driving them. You will not fully realize their capability using a source at 130wpc. Similar to my experience.
They are magnetically shielded. My speakers fall closer in sound to the new 200 series but the XQ is not that far away either. The XQ is slightly leaner in the mid-range but definitely above the Q line. You could use the XQ line till the 200 series can be had used.

Hate to throw a monkey wrench in ,but I listened to some Thiel CS 2.3's a few weeks ago and was quite impressed. FWIW.
I got a chance to listen to new KEF 203s and 205s again. I really do love their sound. I think either would make a good choice for my fronts. I have seen more used 203s than 205s. Being so new, I think it will be a long while before the XQs will be available on a used basis - so from that perspective, I hope to find the used 203s or 205s which is approved by the wife in terms of sound and looks.

One of the tough things will be to decide whether to hold out for the more expensive 205s and go a bit cheaper for the rears. I'm not sure whether this will be the best approach or not. I've heard of a few people using the KEF Eggs for the surrounds and being quite happy with them. It seems as though you are saying that having Reference grade speakers for the rear isn't nearly as critical as it is for the fronts and center. Please correct me if I am wrong.

You're probably right - the Pioneer will drive them just fine but someday a bit more power may be in order.

I looked into the Thiels on their web site and on a few reviews. Based on what I read, it seems as though they have a design philosophy similar to KEF. Is the sound fairly comparable? Do you prefer them to your KEF 2~2s? After all the reading I did about them - and they do seem worth consideration - I found out the two nearest dealers are both over 250 miles away in different directions - bummer!

Thanks again for the analysis!
Yes getting reference for the front left and right is important especially if there are times you want to listen to 2 channel music. If you like the sound of the 203 and 205, I would pick the 205 for the added bass extension long term. You could use almost anything for the rears. I would probably not do the satellites though. Look for some Q or RDM or something similar with the Uni-Q drivers.
For the center channel, you dont have to use the extra large reference center. I think the step down would probably be fine. Remember the larger the speaker the more that receiver has to work to drive it properly.
The Thiels sound very similar to Kef. I only listened for about 10 minutes but the similarity is so close I could not accuartely characterize the differences. I'm thinking of using their in-wall for my second zones.
The XQ and the 200 ref series came out at the same time.
Hopefully I'll eventually be able to find a deal on some used 205s. You're right - for the center the 202c should be fine with no need for the "killer" 204c as nice as it may be.

The KEF Eggs are an interesting thought, but the 201s or something from the XQ or Q series depending on budget may be a better choice.

I'm glad to hear the sound of the Thiels is very close to the KEFs. I was considering the 250 mile trip but given you say that the sound is close and I really do like the sound of the KEFs as is, it's probably not worth the marginal difference.

Thanks again for all your help!