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Looking to up grade speakers. KEF Reference 201/2 vs. WILSON BENESCH ARC.

Which is better, the KEF Reference 201/2 monitors or WILSON BENESCH ARC's?  I can get both for the same amount of money.  I could not afford them when new, but now I can get a pair in good condition at an affordable level.  Or do you feel another brand would be better?  I currently have the KEF XQ20's.  Thank you.
128x128srokjh2001
bcgator's avatar
bcgator
355 posts
 
I've never owned the KEF 201/2, so I can't help with those, but I do own the WB Arcs currently and am listening to them as I type this.   I use the Arcs in an 11x10 room and they work beautifully.  In my larger room, around 16x17, I prefer my other speakers, a pair of BMC PureVox.   If it's any help, or maybe you've owned some of these, I can tell you that in my space (and I compared in both my 11x10 and 16x17 rooms), I prefer the Arcs to Proac D2, B&W 805 and B&W PM1.  Without resorting to hyperbole, I can tell you the difference between the Arcs and the Proac D2 was not minor.  So maybe if you're familiar with the Proac monitor sound, this comparison will be helpful.

What size room do you have?  And have you listened to the Arcs yet?
srokjh2001's avatar
srokjh2001 OP
2 posts
 

Thanks for the info,

The room is 12 X 13.5.  I have heard the Proac's.  I have not heard the Arcs but have heard only great things about them.  It's hard to find somewhere to hear them in the States.  I have the KEF XQ20's which have been compared against the B&W 805S's.  I have had the owned the B&W 850 in the past.  I can hear the PM1's.  I do have a B&W PV1D sub with the KEF's.  The PV1D can handle all the needed bass work.  I read it's important to get the best speakers that you can afford when upgrading your system. 

bcgator's avatar
bcgator
355 posts
 
That room is perfect sized for the Arcs.  The Arcs sound different because of the steel and carbon fiber cabinet - they disappear so easily, but for some people they disappear too easily.  You lose that slight coloration that comes from wooden cabinets. 

To a lot of listeners, that coloration warms the sound, which they like.  I think this is why you'll often hear people describe speakers like YG, Wilson Benesch, Magico, and others that use metal cabinets as "clinical" or "analytical" because the speakers are a little too transparent for them.  It may sound counter-intuitive, but not everybody wants to hear exactly what is on the recording, especially if it's a mediocre or bad recording.  

My reaction was overwhelmingly positive - I liked the sound so much, and the effect of removing the wooden box from the sound, that I went and bought more speakers with non-wooden cabinets (the PureVox).  I want my speakers to completely disappear in the room, I don't want to hear any coloration.  It's true - bad recordings sound bad on the Arcs, they don't mask anything and they don't "help" bad recordings, but good recordings sound wonderful.

The difference between the Arcs and the PM1 - which you do have access to for reference - is huge.  I've done this comparison in my home, and at a dealer, with the same result.  PM1 sounded like it had a wet blanket thrown over it.   You just have to decide what sound you want - the transparency of the Arcs is amazing if transparency is what you're after.
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