Back to the original topic. I did get the Blade 2s and the Salon 2s are now sold. Overall I am happy with the switch. I was amazed to hear that the Blade 2s completely dominate the Salon 2s in the bass in my room. I was a little worried that the Blade 2s wouldn't cut it in the bass. Not the case, they are better over here. To me the Blade 2s are as good in the tweeter as the Salon 2. Just not the same transparency and air. That Salon 2 has a great tweeter! Everything else about the Blade 2 I like better than the Salon 2 though so it's a trade up in my opinion and the looks of the speaker is better to my eye as well. Such a cool and futuristic art piece that looks great in my room which matters to me a lot. I can imagine that the Uni Q driver has many mixed opinions about it. Overall I think the speaker plays music well and I've had many thrilling moments sitting in front of it.
Thinking of Kef Blade 2 to replace Revel Salon 2
Is this just a sideways move or an upgrade? I am leaning partly just for looks. The Salon 2 is nice and pretty unflappable maybe a little on the ruthless revealing side. I don't really have the ability to go hear these before I buy and really every dealer audition Ive had has left a very bad taste in my mouth for it. I like the idea of a speaker that sounds good all around the room not just in the sweet spot as I tend to not listen as much that way. I would hope to not give up to much bass to the Salon 2 with the Blade 2.
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@ejlif Here are some thoughts on the Blade 2s from my encounter with them at the LA Audio Show 2017. "Please take it for what it is worth: I heard both the H360 and the Hegel Reference separates - pre/amp/DAC with Blade IIs at the Los Angeles Audio Show. The demo used the H360 and its internal DAC vs. the separates and though there was a difference, I found it fairly small. There was much more of a difference between the Rost, their new integrated, and the H360 and to me the price spread between the two was very worth it. The H360 was able to control the Blades with finesse and sounded great." I have also heard the big Blades with the Luxman C/M 900 combo . Very smooth sound with vinyl as the source and big soundstaging, though not as lively as I like. And that is of course just my personal preference. I heard them at Excel Audio in Newport Beach. If you are anywhere close, give Mike a call. He is an excellent dealer. |
@audiotroy The two speakers sound very similar, the Blade 1 is the bigger of the two and has a bigger overall image and more deep bass. That's interesting, consider the Blade 2s are basically -3db at everything below 50hz, and zero a 20hz, while the Salon's are practically flat all the way down to 20hz https://www.stereophile.com/content/kef-blade-two-loudspeaker-measurements https://www.stereophile.com/content/revel-salon-loudspeaker-measurements-2 how do you explain the Blades having more deep bass? (not meant to be accusatory and generally interested in your input, since I have only heard the Salon 2s, and for nowhere long enough for my liking! :) |
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