KEF Corelli SP 1051

It probably has been a long time since I posted in/on Audiogon. I guess I am still an audiophile. I have ranged from AR3a speakers to Acoustat 2+2s to a 2C3D with a complete Avalon/Spectral/MIT/ASC system. [ my review from 2004-05 might still be active here] But circumstances beyond my control have forced me to abandon a true audiophilic system. Though I did after many years reaquire my Acoustats and some of my older Spectral.  But in my retirement move to FL the moving company virtually destroyed the Spectral DMC-10/DMA-50 M and destroyed the transformers on the Acoustats.........sigh....

Anyway,  I decided to try an purchase some used gear.  There was an older gentleman who sold me in almost mint condition the KEF speakers and Marantz 50 watt integrated.  Both were in mint condition.  For my still very large CD collection I purchased a used Yamaha CD player.

The KEF Corelli speakers came with the T27 and B200 [lightweight] drivers in a chipwood enclosure with vinyl wrap.   What is unusual was it was sealed rather than ported like many of BBC LS5/~ types. 

I was going to hook it up with some older MIT cables but why not try something new?  So I purchased on Ebay, a set of GearIt 10AWG OFC speaker cables and interconnects.

Getting used to the "new" system did not take long to appreciate it.  The midrange was perhaps not exactly electrostatic-like but was pretty close The highs reminded me of the Avalon Radians with their Titanium tweeter......while sort of.....The lows for Jazz, Chamber music, and pop like Steely Dan were better than expected. I could cliche it and say it was not one note bass. Soundstage and imaging were good but not off the charts. The handoff between woofer and tweeter was in my view outstanding.

To go beyond, say 93-95dB is a waste of time.  Confusing and not very pleasant.

For ~$500 bucks, totally worth the effort to purchase and enjoy music again