Kef vs Thiel

I vote for the KEFs, their midrange is among the most pleasing available. I fell in love with the KEF 101s, 103.2s, and 105 series many years ago. Man did those speakers sound good!! They DO love to have some power thrown their way, but they are oh so rewarding when you do...

-RW-

I'm a current Thiel (1.6) owner and have owned the KEF Reference 3-II in the past.
I was disappointed with the 3-II (used with ARC VT-100 Mk III & ARC pre-amp).
I thought it lacking in overall resolution (could not play it very loud in my apartment, however).
I've never heard a bad word about the Thiel 3.6s (as long as it's used with a muscle amp).
I am trying to acquire some KEF 201 reference at the moment which means I'm both a KEF and Thiel fan and have no obvious bias.

I've always like both, but ultimately chose Thiel. The better Kefs share some qualities with Thiel, but IMHO the Kef's are usually warmer, less articulate and dynamic than the Thiels. With that in mind I suggest you consider Vandersteen as well.

Apples vs Oranges. I think the solution is to own both and change back and forth. They offer such differing sonic signatures, both pleasurable...

I've made this kind of decision with regard to amps, owning one tube integrated and one solid state integrated.

And now I own Silverline Sonatina Mk II and Thiel 1.6's, and I'm thinking, hmmmm, instead of choosing just one, given how different they sound and both great, why not keep both.

Great gear tends to hold it's value so the actual cost of ownership over several years might not be so great.

I know at least one other audiophile who adopts this same attitude.

Of course if you carry it to extremes then your home ends up looking like a dealership....

Art

ps: Your first move though is to get a REL sub!

Depends on type of music you play your room and system. I am sure they can both please when everything else upstream is right.