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Kef Blades (1), being auditioned...please share your experience.

I am auditioning the Blades in my home. Aside from placement issues, I find a consistent anomaly in the low mid band frequencies and upper base frequencies. It is most recognizable in male vocals, for example, Gregory Porter. There is a crossover point where the voicing goes from warmish to just a bit thin with "edgy" overtones. Female vocals are stunning. Does anyone have any insight/experience that might help. This is consistent with CD, server, and vinyl sources.  It is also consistent with most male voices.  Your feedback is most welcome.
128x128jay53
yyzsantabarbara
4,811 posts
 
Room acoustics are the main reason I cannot get the Blade2 at the moment. My side walls are too close. Love those speakers though.

One option would be to look at DSP using convolution files as I use in my office. In this scenario you place the speakers where you want and let the DSP magic to it's things. However, I would only use this with streaming sources, not analog sources. It would also help if you are a ROON or JRvier user.

I use the following which was remotely setup for me. It will "fix" the room if that is an issue, which it usually is.
https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/ca-academy/acourate-digital-room-and-loudspeaker-correction-software-...

http://enjoythemusic.com/magazine/manufacture/0420/Understanding_Digital_Room_Correction_For_Audioph...

james633
1,023 posts
 
Honestly I feel what you hear is similar with the Kefs. I can’t comment with the blades as I did not spend much time with them (as they were more than I wanted to spend) but I felt like the Reference 3 had a similar sound. 
The mids lacked dynamics a bit and the bass was strong but lacked texture. I walk away thinking the Reference 3 sounded like a sub satilight. All in all ok but I like the Olympica Nova III and Wilson Sabrina better. 
dfansler
5 posts
 
Did you have some other speakers in the same location before? What does your frequency response look like?

I've found the Blade1 need a lot of space to work with.  Keep them away from the walls and treat the first reflection points.
daveman2's avatar
daveman2
58 posts
 
What amp/preamp are you using, and what cabling?
ilyavorozheykin's avatar
ilyavorozheykin
3 posts
 
Fatiguingly bright with a distinctively recognizable sound of KEF; terrible sound, IMHO.
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