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Monitor Audio Pl 300ii vs. KEF Reference 5

I own the KEF Reference 5s.  I borrowed the Monitor Audio Pl300 ii speakers for comparison, which is still under way.  Thoughts so far:  Both are good speakers.  The KEFs provide a lot of detail.  Listening to classical music, you can hear orchestral instruments and sections pretty clearly.  Background and counter melodies can be identified. Piano music is very realistic.  The MAs do not provide as much instrumental detail but they do have a more mellow, deeper, broader sound.  Which is better is really a matter of personal choice.  As I said, I’m still listening so these are some quick preliminary reactions.  More later.  
fast
pwhinson
158 posts
 
I briefly tried listening to the PL200ii and Pl300ii and couldn't get past how dark and uninvolving they sounded.  I heard them at a dealer who I generally respect with regard to proper setup and system matching to get the best out of each product he sells but perhaps they hadn't had the MA items that long.  I meant to get back to try to figure out what the problem was and address it with the dealer but just never did.  I also wondered what the PL500ii which he also had setup sounded like...I did not have an opportunity to listen to that.  I recently had to completely rule out the Magico A3 due to a similar dark dull and lifeless tonal balance (different dealer).
allhifi
59 posts
 
fast: KEF Reference (2014-current) are AWESOME loudspeakers.

Enjoy ...

pj
allhifi
59 posts
 
sutts: Good call on the KEF Reference-1's: I was stunned/incredibly impressed
upon first listening to these babies -subsequent evaluations and to this day.

ONE LISTEN -seconds really, and you'll realize these are amazing music makers !

if only KEF could see to it to offer up a less flashy (look-at-me) front baffle; matte finish with Black or Charcoal-color driver's and similar 'neutral/dark-color front baffle would do the trick. BUT, no-can-do, says KEF UK/America.
Instead, pick a finish from our (6-year old now) options -Turkey's.

Now, if the Kent Foundry Edition had a flat-black cabinet (or even American Walnut/with black baffle/driver's -even with copper Uni-Q), I'd be good-to-go. But no, KEF does not have the vision to update, or offer custom finishes on their top models.

Great loudspeaker: Yes.

But the company .... ????

pj   
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,045 posts
 

So what? If the sound is that good, live with the color. That coppery color isn't that bad. I think you're being a little too picky.

Are we not men?

fast OP
92 posts
 
I am the O.P. for this thread. I have the Kent Foundry edition KEF Reference 5 in white. In my house (which has a modern decor) they look fantastic.  In fact, a couple of dealers have talked about working with KEF to get professional photographs for advertising (I’d post a picture here if I knew how). As for sound, I wasn’t sure when they arrived but after a year plus, they are broken in and sounding great.  I especially like the wide soundstage and holographic imaging.  I was at a live classical symphony performance recently and came away thinking that my speakers could never capture the power of that performance.  When I got home and played the same music, I was surprised at how close it sounded to the real thing.  
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