2. home-theater
  3. 187830-187105

Assistance in selecting new speakers…

Welcome advice on selecting a new set of speakers for our “great room” home theater set-up.  We have KEF Reference Model Two (FL, FR) Monitor audio silver (C), and KEF 103.2’s (SL,SR), and Emotiva s12 powered  subwoofer.  Emotiva Xmc2 processor, Rotel RB-985 multi-channel amp.  The room dimensions are 17’ x 25’ with vaulted ceilings (~12’ at the peak).   I will likely need to upgrade my amp and possibly my Sub. Priority is  listening to music (except heavy metal and rap) and I have a family who likes to watch movies, so I have to consider this as a close second.  I’ve purchased KEF for the last 25+ years, so that is a factor.  I’m looking at two options for the types of speakers, architectural and free standing, with the trade off being the architectural set-up is a cleaner look, which for a multi-purpose room is desirable, but not at a considerable loss of fidelity. Since I lean toward KEF, I am looking at Ci3160RLM (FL,C,FR), Ci200Rs-THX (SL, SR) for the architectural option, and R7 or R5 (FL, FR), R2 (C), R3 (SL, SR).   I’m not sure about what subwoofer to choose.  My budget is ~ $15K-$20K (including a new Sub and power amp). 

Would appreciate if you could provide advice on what I’m not  considering, what assumptions I’m making which may not be accurate etc.  For example,  in the proposed new set-up could there be a noticeable difference in the fidelity between the architectural speakers and the free standing speakers?   What are alternatives to KEF, whether new/used, e.g., Focal,  which you would recommend I consider?   Any thoughts on a multi-channel amp and subwoofer upgrade?
 

Thanks for your time and consideration. 

 

 

johnmcnaughton
johnmcnaughton OP
3 posts
 

Thanks to all of you who responded to my post.  Looks like my 2024 will be spent exploring a lot of other options - including KEF.  
 

best regards,

JRM

kennyc
1,189 posts
 

@johnmcnaughton 

Are you asking for matching surround speaker brands?

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dbphd
1,619 posts
 

For HT I recently replaced KEF Reference 1s and LS50s driven by Ayre gear and a Bryston SP3 processor with Sony HT A9 & SW5.  For music I'm using KEF LS60 and a pair of KC62s.  I think the sound of both setups is superb in their own ways, and so convenient I use them dailey.  

My previous favorite was KEF Reference 107/s and 204/2C driven by 3 JC-1s monoblocks, a setup worth repeating.

grislybutter
2,303 posts
 

here is a better list, sorry for my previous "speaker salad"

https://speakerchoices.com/

jrrvjr
12 posts
 

My theater room is 15 X 23 with cathedral ceiling.  It has the full Cinematech sound treatment.  Speakers are Focal 1000 series architectural, I think you have to get them through an "installer" because of Be tweeter.  The space features 4 - JL Audio eSub 112's.  The sound is stunning, in order of importance I'd rank multiple subs first, sound treatment second and speakers third.  For the kind of money your talking I think the space deserves consideration of all three "elements".  I did not have enough experience or knowledge to do this on my own, at the time I couldn't figure out why I had to have 4 subs!

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