Kef Q300/Focal 706v/B&W 685 for Onkyo 609

[vraned]

Just acquired a new Onkyo NR609 and looking for matching bookshelves. The options I am looking at are the Focal Chorus 706v, Kef Q300 and the B&W 685. I don't see a lot of reviews on the focal speakers although they are considered legendary. In fact, whathifi ranks the KEF above the 706v.

I currently have a Yamaha 5.1 satellite speaker set (which came packaged with my Yamaha amp in 2003). I plan to replace the front speakers with one of the above bookshelf options (I will retain the centre and surround for now). The main goal is to listen to music (2.1) and movies (5.1).

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ShaQ.Blogs]

ditch BMW...overpriced....explore PSB Image B6 instead.
you will require a matching center...so dump the old center too!

 

[spirovious]

Tannoy & Q acoustic are also to be considered.

 

[RAAGA]

Had done a direct comparison of the KEF 300 and the Focal 706V. I found the KEF to be much better.

 

[vraned]

What amp was used for the comparison between Kef and Focal?

I have also read about the concept of pairing "bright" amps with "warm" speakers. I also read that the 609s are bright amps. How would you classify these speakers - Focal Chorus 706v, Kef Q300, Monitor Rx1, Quads and the B&W 685?

Thanks

 

[RAAGA]

With the Denon 3311 AVR , 1510 stereo amp, Marantz AV 8003 & the PM 7004.

Have not heard the Quad & B&W.
KEF - I liked the midrange reproduction.
MA - I bit on the enthusiastic side
Focal - Muddy...I should say

 

[vraned]

After months of research (and ending up even more confused), I finally bought a part of Kef Q300s yesterday from ProFx Bangalore. Spent a few hours auditioning the Q100s, Polk Audio and Monitor BX2s. The Q300s sounded the best to my ears (best judge). I had concerns pairing it with my new Onkyo AVR NR 609 (due to the supposed brightness of the amps) but I "hear" no problem. It sounds incredible. Have just used it in a 2.0 (stereo) mode, and not in a 5.1 setup, which I plan to over the weekend.

As they say - this is a bottomless pit. I upgraded my amp from my Yamaha to the 609, then found myself needing a new pair of fronts. Now that I have the Kef, I feel the need for a nicer (simpler) AV rack in the room. I hope my wife is not on this forum. ;-)

Will update again after spending more time with the new darlings.

 

[Kittu]

Get a pair of nice stands for KEF's , they will perform even better.

 

[prithivi]

hear B&W and decide or else yu will feel a lot as me

they speak for their value OMG !

 

[vraned]

yeah, I definitely need better stands than the current bedside tables that I am using. Where can I buy good stands in Bangalore? and how much would they cost?

Thanks in advance.

Get a pair of nice stands for KEF's , they will perform even better.

 

[RAAGA]

Congrats , Bro' ! Good Choice !

After months of research (and ending up even more confused), I finally bought a part of Kef Q300s yesterday from ProFx Bangalore. Spent a few hours auditioning the Q100s, Polk Audio and Monitor BX2s. The Q300s sounded the best to my ears (best judge). I had concerns pairing it with my new Onkyo AVR NR 609 (due to the supposed brightness of the amps) but I "hear" no problem. It sounds incredible. Have just used it in a 2.0 (stereo) mode, and not in a 5.1 setup, which I plan to over the weekend.

As they say - this is a bottomless pit. I upgraded my amp from my Yamaha to the 609, then found myself needing a new pair of fronts. Now that I have the Kef, I feel the need for a nicer (simpler) AV rack in the room. I hope my wife is not on this forum. ;-)

Will update again after spending more time with the new darlings.

 

[gobble]

Whats this? A what to buy thread without a price listing of the wonderful gear you bought?!!

Please tell us the price you paid for the KEFs.

Thanks
-G0bble

 

[navin advani]

In fact, whathifi ranks the KEF above the 706v.

Dont listen to magazines. Listen to the speakers.

Had done a direct comparison of the KEF 300 and the Focal 706V. I found the KEF to be much better.

How would you classify these speakers - Focal Chorus 706v, Kef Q300, Monitor Rx1, Quads and the B&W 685?

I assume you mean the Quad 11Ls. Are the RX1 in the same price bracket in India? I thought the Q300 was priced with the RX2 and that the 706 was a little less and the 806 was a little more.

Please tell us the price you paid for the KEFs.

as well as prices for the Focal, MA, and B&W offerings.

 

[vraned]

I think I paid around 27-28K for the Kefs......been a few months now and the speakers have been run-in for a bit. Loving the sound from it.........good balance between highs, mid and LF. I have bi-amped them now and there is a clear difference in SQ (it was very good to single-wired anyway).

Whats this? A what to buy thread without a price listing of the wonderful gear you bought?!!

Please tell us the price you paid for the KEFs.

Thanks
-G0bble

 

[milestoneseeker]

Bi-amping is highly recommended for KEFs so good move ! So did you do bi-wiring and bi-amping, both?

 

[ShutterX]

hi..

congrats on the KEF buy. i have also been considering these for my first stereo setup.

you are using a home theater amp. what stereo amp would you suggest? preferably with a sub out..

cheers.

 

[vraned]

I bi-wired first and then bi-amped. While the difference between biwire and biamp is not that much, there is a clear difference when you compare it with a single wire setup, which as I said before also sounds good.

Bi-amping is highly recommended for KEFs so good move ! So did you do bi-wiring and bi-amping, both?

 

[vraned]

Good choice....do audition it at ProFx if you can and take some known sound tracks along.

I use an AVR, but there are tons of choices for a stereo amp.......I think there is an offer on the Marantx PM5004 on hifimart. Its a pretty good entry level stereo amp...check it out. It also pairs well with the Kef.

hi..

congrats on the KEF buy. i have also been considering these for my first stereo setup.

you are using a home theater amp. what stereo amp would you suggest? preferably with a sub out..

cheers.

 

[spirovious]

Congrats,though ONKYO avrs are said to be bright,609 is balanced & so matching well with Q300.