2. speakers
  3. 127647-84830

Amps for KEF Blade 2

I am looking for advice from owners or dealers of the KEF Blade 2 loudspeakers. I am concerned my current pair of amps will not be sufficient for the B2s because of an article written about the original Blades published on July 5, 2013 in The Absolute Sound:

"The Blades have a nasty kick in their crossover that will suck an amplifier dry quicker than a student downing free tequila shots ... Just don’t be tempted to cheapskate on the driving amps, or you’ll live to regret it. Tube amps at least have an output transformer to hide behind, but when the Blades suck out a solid-state design, they celebrate by spotlighting their tweeter something chronic. To give you some idea of the lengths required, the otherwise excellent Rowland 625 [550 watts into 4 Ohms] wasn’t up to the job, it taking a pair of the 725 monoblocs [650 watts into 4 Ohms] to restore order. "

Are the Blade 2s just as demanding as the original Blades in terms of amplification? I would guess not due to the smaller 6.5 inch woofers, but this is just an uneducated guess. I own a pair of Benchmark AHB2 amps, which according to the manufacturer produce “a little over 500 watts into 4 Ohms”. Will this be enough?
e91811
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,814 posts
 
No Ghosthouse, I am not. Pokey has not had the opportunity to compare a product at the Hegel level to the T+A on the same speakers like what we did when we were shopping for replacment electronics. 

We are always amazed at how good some reasonably priced components can sound, the difference is are you getting all you can out of the speakers?

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,316 posts
 
I think you did.  He wasn't touting the Hegel as endgame electronics for the Blades, merely commenting that the sound was good even given the disparity in price between that speaker and those electronics - possibly indicating the Blades are electronics-friendly.  Regarding your comments, I've no doubt the T+A brand is a well-qualified member of the highest echelon of audio gear.    
pokey77
1,269 posts
 
Hi Dave,

I appreciate your comments. But in this case, ghosthouse better understood the essence of my comments. Yes, I have not heard the T+A gear with Blade Two's, just the Hegel H360 and that is what I was trying to convey.

I have heard much of the T+A HV series gear with Wilson and liked it alot. Had hoped to hear it with the Persona's, based on your comments, a few months ago, but when I was at the dealer the HV integrated was on loan.
jrfa
1 posts
 
own b2 for 2 yrs. driven by emotiva dxa1 GEN 2 and emotiva dc1 stealth dac / pre.

love the results. no issues whatsoever.

upgrading to blades and plan to use same components
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,814 posts
 
Jrfa, sure you may love the results but without auditioning  other gear on the speakers we don't think you  are scratching their true potential.

We have heard startling differences between $15k and $35k digital front ends how do you think a $500 dac will sound compared to such expensive digital front ends? N

Most people do find the Emotiva stuff to be great for the price but great for the price doesn't necessarily mean it perfoms great.

Personally we would never recommend such pairings as you are dramatically undercutting what the speakers can really sound like. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
More to discover