Kef 201/2 your impressions and comparisons

I think you should listen to USHER CP-777 or CP-8571 if you already own USHER BE-718.
My opinion on the KEF 201/2 : i think there are not transparent speakers but more focus on the medium and bass medium on the spectrum. Many top of the line products cheat on medium frequencies to create an artificial "musical" speaker. I auditioned them on my quest to the best transparent speaker. It's not as colored as Tannoy but too warm for me. I'd rather buy a warm electronic on a neutral speaker than a neutral electronic on a warm speaker cause it's more difficult to go back on a speaker. With non-transparent speakers, it will be also difficult to optimize the system with cables cause it will be impossible to ear much differences between wires.

So try to go up the ladder on USHER AUDIO speakers and i think you're gonna change your mind. If you like a little warm on neutral, try the CP-777.

Iblieve, I listened to these on a tube amp and I did not hear anything remotely warm about them. If anything they were bordering on too much detail. To my ears my Ushers are are the warm side. I guess we all hear differently. Just curious what was powering these when you heard them? The old Reference series 1 I have heard were warm but series 2 are one of the most neutral speakers available according to measurements. The Ushers for sure are great sounding speakers but IMO only on certain types of music (not rock music). I cannot speak for the other models only the BE 718.

Stay on USHER AUDIO and try the CP-777 speakers.

Before buying my BE-10, i tried the KEF. Even if those speakers are better than B&W 800 serie or other high-end speaker, there were no contest facing the Usher...

@Mofojo :

I heard the KEF serie 2 with pass labs integrated amplifier and a exposure CD player. May be the electronics were too warm but when i tried those electronics on other speakers, the warmth was gone...
The USHER CP-777 is far better than the BE-718. The MINI-ONE is more neutral than the BE-718. The 718's monitor shape is probably the one to blame. The new MINI-X is more neutral. If you're able to try the CP-8571, you'll be amazed by the impact of this speaker. It shakes your guts!
Anyway i can't find the same level of precision on highs without the DMD tweeter from USHER. It's sharp and smooth at the same time. harshness it's a big issue on many other tweeter technology. I think USHER created probably the best driver ever...

Interesting that the OP found the 50W Cayin A100T had enough juice to drive the KEF 201/2. I have had a pair for about two months and found it a difficult load to drive. They like power and high current, with lots of reserve to maximize dynamics. When I switched to Pass X250.5, the 201/2s snapped to life. The 201/2 puts out a very clean and hall forward presentation. Bass, however, is not a standout feature of the 201/2, and I use them with a sub (but then, IMHO, all monitors need a sub). I am currently A/B'ing the Linn Akurate 212 (a super monitor that plays huge and musical) and the KEFs. I still can't quite get used to KEF''s uni-q tweeter -- its not that I don't like it, I do, but at times (i.e., with some recordings) it gets a bit hard/fatiguing. That said, I'm liking the speaker overall.