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KEF Reference 1


Hi Guys, in my journey in the hobby I had made a few mistakes, but shooting blindly I ended up with a pair of KEF Ref 1. Simply the most satisfaying speakers I ever owned!
After the break in period it feels like I have membranes or a pair of hifi man HE1000 on a big scale in my living room that is a lot to say. They simply dissapear.
I power them with Hegel H30, Gamut CD3, PS audio BHK Preamp (another amazing piece of audio plus outstanding headphone amp), Also DS DAC and AZ cables plus Nordost IC.
Plinius Koru Phono + Rega RP10.
I had owned much more costly setups but nothing as musical as this one.
Speakers I had owned:
AZ Crescendos I.
Harbeth C7es3, M30.1
Dali Helicons MKII 800. Nolas, Ref3A, System audio, Linn, Silverline, Focals, Totem and many others.
I simply want to share this thoughts after trying so many combinations and never been as satisfied.
Lets the music play..
Nice weekend.


128x128mountainsong
theothergreg
222 posts
 
The Hegel H30 is a really great amp and most people who have the Ref 1 seem to like to drive them with higher watt amps like that. 

I first drove my Ref 5s with a Levinson 23.5 and they sounded awesome with lots of tight bass.  I'm now using an MC275 with equally excellent results but with an even smoother upper mid presentation. 

The KEF Refererence line can be run with high watt SS or even lower watt tubes, but they just always present the music in a very natural, organic way.
toddraymond's avatar
toddraymond
13 posts
 
mountainsong, how do you find they compare to Focal's Utopia speakers (assuming you've heard that particular line)?  I'm considering a pair of used Micro Utopia Be, and later the Diablo Utopias.  Actually, I'm a bit concerned that the Focals and Totem's new Element Fire speakers could lack some of the musicality that the more 'classic' Totems seem to offer (tonal shadings, whathaveyou).  I've wondered if the Reference 1s could potentially also be a bit dry or analytical.  Having said that, above all else, I prefer a rather neutral, transparent presentation, and don't want an overly coloured sound either.

I like the idea of being able to push the Reference 1s to a louder level than where my Totems can go.  Hopefully my V-1xe would be up to the task.
toddraymond's avatar
toddraymond
13 posts
 
By the way, saying they sound like a giant HE1000 is a damn fine endorsement.
leeagc
67 posts
 
Having heard (and owned) a huge spectrum of the current high-end speakers out there, I feel reasonably confident to reply.
Most recently, in search of the ever elusive "right-sound" I ended up with a pair of Focal Utopia Diablo's.  KEF Blades, Ref 3/5's and Magico were high on the list but ultimately non had the transparency and resolution the little Utopia's had, the Scala's I listened to were equally good, though much bigger.   I've not heard the Grand, Stella or Maestro.  Obviously bass in the smaller Utopias is limited but a JL Audio Fathom subwoofer fixes that and bring 95% of what any larger reference speaker brings.  In my experience the Utopia line has it all, the utmost musicality and enjoyment coupled with state-of-the-art detail and clarity.  The only problem is where from here!
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