Kef 104.2 Speakers. Suggestions Discussion Forum


KEF 104/2 SPEAKER OWNERS.

Lets have a tips and suggestions forum on how to improve these wonderful speakers.

Topics could include speaker placement, speaker tweeks, best speaker cables (interconnects, power cords etc), best amps (receivers, cd players etc), best compatible center and rear surround speakers, care and maintence, repair shops and more.

Here is a review (see below) that I found on the web concerning KEF 104/2 Speakers.

In over 10 years of doing high end audio reviews, enjoythemusic.com has given out a total of 59 awards for product excellence. The KEF 104/2's were among them. Out of those 59 awards, only 5 were to speakers and that includes speakers in the $10,000+ catagory. The editor has a section he calls "my personal list of products that deserve to be heralded as something truly special" and the KEF 104/2 speakers are included.

The Review summary: Back in the 1980's KEF was a wonderfully British company making their own drivers with a top-notch team. While their top range model was the 107 that produced deeper bass (down to 20Hz), after careful auditioning the KEF 104/2 was the obvious winner. KEF's 104 model saw various versions and the 104/2 was the final result of the product's evolution. This relatively high sensitivity loudspeaker, at 92dB/W/m at 4 ohms, produced frequencies from 55Hz to 20kHz (+-2dB) with five drivers. The tweeter is KEF's T33 25mm (1") silk dome with slight horn loading. It was flanked above and below by the B110 100mm (5") doped Bextrene midrange cone in a D'Appolito technique. Bass was produced by a pair of coupled cavity B200 200mm (8") paper cone drivers with their center magnets connected by a metal pole.

The midrange/tweeter/tweeter panel (weighting about 25 lbs) is completely removable from the woofer cabinet (at nearly 45 lbs) and both loudspeaker cabinets are very rigid. Each midrange is enclosed in its own sealed section to reduce any interaction while the tweeter is press fit to the cabinet via a rear screw. The internal woofers' output exits via a flanged port the same size as the midrange units. And thus the brilliance! The tricks up the 104/2; proverbial sleeve is that the sound wave of the midrange and the bass drivers is the same size, plus add in the point source-like output from the midrange/tweeter/midrange D'Appolito configuration.

As for sound, the highs are smooth and midrange is very well presented. Bass down to about 50Hz is excellent and tuneful. Do not use the KEF Kube, an external box said to enhance bass down to lower frequencies, as this clouds the sound. If you need lots of bass below 50Hz get a separate subwoofer. The soundscape thrown by the pair of 104/2 is remarkable! When present, not only is the sound totally enveloping, but you get height information too.
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I welcome and look forward to your input.
buyfast1
Hi Aqualung

Where does one order the KEF R1548X? Did you get the tweeters directly from KEF? Thanks and advise when you can.
Wanted to let folks know that I had my 20 year old T33-Sp1191 tweeters cleaned and ferrofluid replaced (see e-bay for this service) and never knew how good these speakers really are! Apparently the ferro fluid in T33 tweeters slowly dries out, leaving s gummy residue which greatly reduces the tweeter output. It happens so gradually, you never notice a change.

I had tried some Vifa 5/8" dome tweeters at about $20 each while the T33's were out being "refreshed". They seemed like a definite improvement, but were not the least bit integrated into the "voice" of the speaker once I heard the fixed up T33's.

So... if you like the speakers but think they are overly "laid back" it may well be caused by "gummy" tweeters which only put out a fraction of their intended volume.
Questions:
1. What is the best Wood Polish (and/or cleaner) to use on the Kef 104/2 cabinets (or should we NOT use any polish or cleaner)?

2. The Kef 104/2 loudspeakers have either an A or B, after the serial number on the back of the cabinet. I have read that these speakers are supposed to be matched for sound at the factory, but some people have said that they can hear a difference between the A and B speakers.
So, does placing the A (or B) speaker cabinet in the left or right listening position, improve (or change) the acoustic experience?
Hi Buyfast1

I'm glad you participating on this thread again and Thanks for starting it.

For my older Rosewood KEF 104/2s when I have more time to clean them I'd use Old English cleaner. For a quick cleaning I dust the KEFs first and then use Pledge Orange cleaner/polish with the proper clean rag/cloth. I haven't seen any adverse affects with using these cleaners with my KEFs. Maybe other members who have experience woodworking can advise.

For your second question regarding A & B placement of the KEFs. With my 104/2s I've always been particular with placing the A & B order properly but with my KEF 103/3 which were easier to move I inadvertently put them in the wrong order. I put the B speaker 1st instead of the A speaker and I didn't notice any improvement or degradation of the acoustic/listening experience.

Thanks again
i used to use tung oil, which (unlike most commercial polishes) actually seals and protects the wood, in addition to giving a nice sheen. it's also long lasting--a quick coat should still look good after a few months.