Which bookshelf speakers to choose: Focal Sopra 1 or B&W 805D3 or KEF Ref 1?

Wow t66supra - the opportunity to audition all three at the same place sounds like a rare chance.

Thank you for your input.

Thanks everyone for your advice and experience.

I reached out to KEF who gave me a local contact to demo the Ref 1.

Turns out the local contact is a custom installer only and does not have a showroom facility to demo.

When I reached back out to KEF to update them and ask for another contact they simply said the one given to me is the best they have.

Wow!  How has KEF fallen!  

KEFs return policy is really not attractive.

If you return any product for any reason other than shipping damage or defective YOU have to pay for return shipping and YOU have to pay a 15% restocking fee.

Again, I'm very surprised at how poor a company like KEF goes to market.  I live in Denver, CO and no one has KEF Reference Series to demo.  Recently I checked with Best Buy's Magnolia division as they carry a lot of high end brands (MacIntosh, B&*W, etc) and they stated that KEF is dropping the ball!  They can't even get the Reference Series in their stores.

Thanks - I appreciate your help.  That was nice of you to search.

I did the same and found out the dealers listed are outdated.  KEF help-desk only confirmed one.  

What's sad is I remember KEF from years ago when they had a strong presence locally.  

It just doesn't make sense especially when you seek B&W and even Focal with strong dealer networks.

Funny you should mention Paradigm b_limo.  I've owned a great pair of Paradigm Reference speakers for over 15 years now.  They are part of my surround sound system.  Excellent speakers.