Help me choose - KEF Reference 200 or XQ Series?


My system will be used primarily for home theater (85%). I plan on using a Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi receiver (130 watts per channel over 7 channels at 8 ohms) which I expect will do everything I want. I figure I can always add amps or go to components later if I desire. I currently have a 10” Velodyne subwoofer that I will use until the budget allows an upgrade. The room size is about 23’ wide by 31’ long. I will be using a little more than half of the area for our home theater (14’ x 31’) with the sofa about 12’ back from the HDTV (hopefully a hot new 55” to 80” LCOS display next spring).

My wife and I have listened to a wide range of speakers and really love the sound and imaging of the KEFs. Sorry B&W fans, the sound just didn’t fit our particular tastes though we checked out both the 800 and CDM NT series. I believe this is a one-time, 20+ year shot at buying speakers since we have three young children to raise and educate. With that theory in mind, I think we’ll be best served by buying the best speakers we can possibly afford as we can always upgrade other components later as our budget allows. As we all know, a wholesale change of speakers for a 5.1 or 7.1 HT setup is horrendously expensive to do at once if you are concerned with timbre matching.

As for the speakers, here are my contemplated options:

OPTION #1
Qty Model MSRP Street Used
4 Reference 201 7,000 5,498 3,600
4 KEF Stands 990 856 856
1 Reference 202c 2,000 1,588 1,040

TOTAL 9,990 7,942 5,496

OPTION #2
Qty Model MSRP Street Used
2 Reference 203 5,000 3,949 2,600
2 Reference 201 3,500 2,749 1,800
2 KEF Stands 495 428 428
1 Reference 202c 2,000 1,588 1,040

TOTAL 10,995 8,714 5,868

OPTION #3
Qty Model MSRP Street Used
2 XQ5 3,000 2,445 N/A
2 XQ3 2,000 1,545 N/A
2 KEF Stands 495 428 N/A
1 XQ2c 1,450 1,250 N/A

TOTAL 6,945 5,668 N/A

OPTION #4
Qty Model MSRP Street Used
4 XQ3 4,000 3,090 N/A
2 KEF Stands 990 856 N/A
1 XQ2c 1,450 1,250 N/A

TOTAL 6,440 5,196 N/A

As you can see, the used prices of Options #1 and #2 for KEF Reference Series speakers compares favorably with the street price of the new KEF XQ series to make my decision more challenging. While I would prefer either Option #2 or #3 in order to get the 203 or XQ5 floorstanders, our concern is the ability to fit the larger speakers into the décor of our next home. While floorstanders would work great in our current dedicated HT area, I’d hate to seem them not work out in our next home. The advantage to going with four Reference 201 speakers now is that if it worked out in the future, I could add 203s to the front for an awesome 7.1 setup. Alternatively, I could also do four XQ3s now and add a pair of XQ5s later.

So far, we haven’t been able to demo the KEF Reference Series against the XQ series in the same room. My wife and I feel we can’t go wrong either way assuming that we can find the used Reference series speakers over time. My wife also prefers the look of the Reference series – an always important issue.

Now to my most important question – which option would you choose and more importantly – why?

Thanks much!
zorax2
Beavis - Thanks for your comments.

I am concerned that you say to wait until I get a room to demo the speakers at home. So far, I've listened to the KEFs at 5 different stores and liked the sound at each of them. If speakers are that sensitive to the specific room, I am very concerned as to how they will perform in future homes. My whole point in getting a high-end speaker is that it will perform well wherever I live over the next 20 years.

I do believe placement is critical and I believe AVIA, a sound meter or the MACC feature of the Pioneer 49TXi will help me adjust my speakers to best fit my room.
Thedautch - I'm ROFLMAO at your response as I'm as "thrifty" as you when checking out magazines. Would you happen to remember what month you read the luke-warm reviews? I'd love to read it.

I had a chance to listen to the XQ vs. the Q series in the same room and thought that there was a very big improvement from the Q7 to the XQ5. To me, the XQ5 had a much better sound across the board and better imaging. My wife felt the same way.

It's really a bummer I haven't been able to listen to the KEF 203 or 201 vs. the XQ series. Assuming I can find the 203s or 201s used, they will probably be the best choice. I would feel especially lucky if I could find a set of 205s at a great price to go with a set of 201s. I've listened to this particular setup a number of times and have absolutely marveled at the sound in a home theater setup. Maybe I can convince my wife that since the floorstander would work for our current space, we could always find a new home for them in another room or sell them if we couldn't find an appropriate space down the road.
As a current owner of Kef Reference 2~2's, these are my thoughts. The rears do very little when it comes to music and HT. The fronts and center do most of the work besides the sub. The XQ is way ahead of the Q series. You could also look at last years model of Reference (2~1,2,3,4). You need to decide if this setup will also do 2 channel or not. If it does, then buy the 205's or 2~2's at least and add the XQ3's as rears or even some RDM's(used). The Kef uni-q sound is important to maintain but it is not neccessary to have the same group in one room.(ie all reference or all XQ or all Q)

My only regret in my system is not going separates from the first. buy a used good receiver and a great amp if you can't find a reasonable processor. I just picked up an Anthem MCA5 series II(200w per channel @8ohm) amp to go with my Integra 8.2 receiver. The Integra drove the 2~2's okay but the amp added lots of dynamic and sonic improvements. These Kef can really use lots of power to show their true colors. (BTW, a THX select receiver has the exact same processor as a THX ultra receiver except that it's amp is rated for a smaller room.)

Sorry about the rambling.
Thank you Mark for your response.

Do you think the Pioneer 49TXi will be underpowered for the KEFs if I use a 203 or 205 in front? I usually don't listen to HT or music all that loud. My theory is that the 49TXi is a good reciever and that I can add an amp to it down the road if needed.

Were you aware that you can use the 49TXi to bi-amp the speakers? This can be done by using the A & B channels for the main. The downside is that you can then only go 5.1 for HT rather than 7.1. Remember, the Pioneer drives all 7 channels at 130 watts.

I've read so many positive threads and reviews on the 49TXi and I must say - I love the gadget nature to it. It has a ton of programmability and the MACC which seems impressive.

Are the Kef Reference 2~2 series magnetically shielded? Where do you think I can hear them? Have you ever heard your speakers side-by-side vs. either the new Reference or XQ series? I'm curious as to how you thought they compared.

In the meantime, I'll see if I can dig up some information on the KEF site regarding your speakers.

Thank you again for the feedback!
I think the Pioneer will do a nice job driving them. You will not fully realize their capability using a source at 130wpc. Similar to my experience.
They are magnetically shielded. My speakers fall closer in sound to the new 200 series but the XQ is not that far away either. The XQ is slightly leaner in the mid-range but definitely above the Q line. You could use the XQ line till the 200 series can be had used.

Hate to throw a monkey wrench in ,but I listened to some Thiel CS 2.3's a few weeks ago and was quite impressed. FWIW.