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Speaker upgrade question.

Hi all, 
I haven't been here for quite a while as I've been happy with my KEF Reference Three-Twos driven by a Musical Fidelity A308. They're both vintage but they sound great together and fit my somewhat weird room. I'm pondering spending some bucks in the 3-6K range for new (used) speakers and I have a few questions. Thanks ahead of time for anyone who's not too busy to help.
First, would I be  upgrading beyond what my amp is capable of keeping up with? The MF is fairly powerful, but I'm not sure of its limitations since they don't show up in my current system.
Secondly, how high up the price ladder would I need to go before I'd find speakers that offer an obvious improvement over my KEFs to most ears. There would be little point to pony up money for a comparable sound, however much I subjectively prefer subtle differences.
Finally, for reference purposes, can anyone tell me how the following modern speakers might compare or contrast with mine? (Some aren't in my price range, I know) Triton 1R, Kef R7, comparably priced Monitor, Revel, Gato, Paradigm, etc. I wouldn't mind a bit more punch and a bit more bass than I have now, mostly just to experience a different sound - I respect the KEF signature sound.
I know that sometimes it's hard to accept the premises of these types of questions since such matters are so subjective and a lot of folks like to lobby for their favorite brands. I guess I'm not seeking advice about what to buy. I just want to understand the benefit to me of more modern speakers. It's quite possible it makes no sense for me to upgrade.
Thanks again.
Marc
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terry9
2,333 posts
 
Any decent tech can do it. You just need to get him a schematic. All he has to do is lay it out (because the components are bigger) and solder. And test, of course.

What about the dealer who sold you the KEF's? His service tech is probably damned good, and he might be quite keen to do it, just to see how good the speakers can become.
terry9
2,333 posts
 
Look up DIYAudio, thread entitled "Kef Reference Model 3 Schematic."
daros71's avatar
daros71
118 posts
 
I sow the Tekton product for the first time yesterday...really impressive. They have also a few smaller products. If you put the grilles they look like simple a monoliths, far more my taste as the silly modern designs. The 30 day money back is very interesting too. Reading the reviews they have exactly what I'm looking for, natural timbre and precise instrument placement..i do not need nothing more. I really would be curios to try them out.
kingbr
288 posts
 
In that price range I would take a listen to Dynaudio Evoke 50. I had Audience 82's way back in the day and my long and twisted journey had led me to Dynaudio and in particular Audience 82. I still remember that sweet, warm, magnificent sound like it was yesterday (divorce forced me to sell off all of my gear 20 years ago)...I recently spent time with Excite 38's and they just didn't bring that Dynaudio sound that I remembered back, something was missing. I have however gotten that back with the Evokes. And according to Dynaudio the Evoke is one of the most successful product launches ever for them....Give them a listen they hit hard, deep, fast, and accurate. I have honestly not heard such deep powerful bass from a floorstander before...Good luck!
kingbr
288 posts
 
And there is a lot of truth in daros71' earlier response. I do love my Evokes but I would still put my old Audience 82's up against anything I've heard since. And I listened to many many this latest go round even though I was already partial to Dynaudio. Though I still ended up back there with my Excite 38's, I was truly expecting to be blown away now by everything from Paradigm, B&W, PSB, etc with supposed "advancements" in technology. Not so at all. Sometimes newer is not better...
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