New KEF Reference 5 speakers


After many months of auditioning speakers (and probably testing the patience of several salesmen) I finally decided to get the KEF Reference 5s.  I just loved the wide sound stage and almost holographic imaging, among other things.  They were delivered in February and I’ve spent many hours listening.  At first I was disappointed.  They just didn’t produce the same imaging at my house with my equipment as in the store.  Also, they sounded bright and harsh with violins and high end music.  The dealer came to my house along with the regional sales rep from KEF to provide advice.  They urged me to allow more break in time (at that point they had been played about 100 hours). After many more hours, I am becoming more acquainted with them.  They are still improving with time.  Them break in period seems to be very lon. They’ve played several hundred hours and are still improving. They are extremely source sensitive—meaning that a poorly engineered record or CD will sound terrible and a well recorded one can be great.  I suppose this is a good thing with the KEFS-that they reveal flaws so well says something about their accuracy. Unfortunately there seem to be more bad recordings than good ones so I’m finding many of my CDs and records very difficult to listen to.  I am still experimenting with speaker placement, learning which recordings are really good and which aren’t and other tweaks.  Not totally convinced it’s love but we are at least in like and the relationship is moving in a positive direction. I’ve delayed posting anything until now because I didn’t want to share any premature conclusions.  
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Showing 5 responses by yyzsantabarbara

@allhifi There are 5 Blades on sales today on A'gon, 4 of them by dealers. Dealers hardly ever sell Blades on A'gon in the past. It was mostly consumers. My money is on an new upgraded version of the Blades in the pipeline.


The Kef Blades have deeper puncher bass and throw a bigger soundstage. They do not disapear as well.

I always though the Blades were great at the disappearing trick, the best I have heard. If the 9H are even better than this then that is something to keep in mind.
I agree with room acoustics and the LS50. I had them in a bad room for years and I liked them a lot. Now I have them in a treated room, perfect size for them and love them. Everything has improved across the board. Of course, the bass is lacking but that is expected. 

Anybody else wondering if KEF is going to release a newer version of the REFERENCE line or even the Blades. The REFERENCE line currently has a huge sale going on. I spoke with a dealer a few days ago about the Blade and my jaw dropped when I heard the quote for a new Blade2. I won't repeat the number here but me thinks the are clearing out the old stock for some new top end line at KEF.
@audiotroy I thought Rosewood and Walnut were 2 of the nicer colors.

I have to agree with you that the TAD ME1 is a little better than the Ref 1 but the TAD is overpriced in my view, especially when TAD were OK in reducing it to $10K for a few months.

I am going to locally audition another set of electronics you carry, CODA, I want to consider it with KEF Blade2 or LS50. The 07x preamp and #8 amp (they do not have #16).

Anyways, sorry to divert this thread. As I mentioned in the past a telephone call will be coming your way before I put money down on the Blade2.