KEF Upgrade

[sriee]

Dear Expert audiophilies ,

My current speaker system ( L/R ) is getting upgraded from KEF Q500 to KEF Q900. Reason being, I am including a power Amp 200wpc very soon.

I am yet to place the order..... so, before placing the order, wanted to know your experiences with KEF Q900.

B&W or KEFQ900 ?? - caught in confusion - which one to go for. I understand auditioning is important, but, from a product standpoint, which is superior and in demand among audiophiles ??

Your inputs pls.....

 

[apk]

Just my 2 cents.....

You are looking at expensive speaker purchases. No matter how good any speaker may look on paper or on reviews, finally it is your and only your ear that has to be happy with the sound.

So please audition before you plunge. Chennai is a place with decent access to hi-fi stores, and many friendly FMs who may let you hear their systems if you approach them. Please listen before you buy!

 

[sriee]

Yes, I agree that's what I m gonna do. However, what I wanted is the industry excellence among the two brands and the most preferred ones, ignoring the price difference.

 

[john_k_antony]

Yes, I agree that's what I m gonna do. However, what I wanted is the industry excellence among the two brands and the most preferred ones, ignoring the price difference.

When I was auditioning for a speaker system few years back, I was choosing between B&W 684 and KEF iQ7. Though I liked B&W better for tighter bass and pretty dynamic presentation, I went with KEF as I got a better deal. IMHO B&W 683 will be a great alternative to KEF Q900. Please audition thoroughly before you spend your money. I think 683 will be expensive than Q900.

-John.

 

[sriee]

Yeah John, you are right. B&Ws are expensive than KEFs.

I enquired the rate, B&Ws are around 1.3 lac while KEFQ900 is around 96,000.

I 'll mostly go with KEF Q900 , since,

a. I can trade in my existing KEF Q500 easily

b. Timbre matching between the centre and the front L/R will be better, since the centre is a KEF too.

c. Price is good for the quality it offers

d. I'm familiar with KEF already, as I own it and I have auditioned the KEF Q900s also.

e. Most of the reviews online also in praise of KEF Q900 than the B&Ws. ( I'm mentioning this as my last point, since, my taste is more important than the online reviews.

 

[aashish351]

Just wondering... why do you need to change your speakers? is it only because you are including a beefy power amp into the mix or are you missing something in Q500?

 

[sriee]

Aashish,

First reason is the 200wpc power Amp. The speakers should obviously be capable of handling the 200 watts, else its gonna be a overload on 'em.Current ones are 150 wpc, which may suck for the 200 watt power Amp.

Second reason is Q900's music re-production is more detailed and the depth, width and the whole music imaging is very good (obviously)

Third reason though really not logical, is the psychology of owning the BIG Tower Speakers. You know it's like, a jeep with BIG Tyres( I like it that way ) and a jeep with the regular tyres.

The frist two reasons are the deciding factors though.

 

[Vijay_s]

Hope you have a Big Room, Q-900 need a good breathing space to open up. In small room you may not be able to get the optimum performance.

I have upgraded from PSB B6 to Focal 816 FS and later downgraded to Focal 807 due to the above fact. My room was 14x17

 

[john_k_antony]

Yeah John, you are right. B&Ws are expensive than KEFs.

I enquired the rate, B&Ws are around 1.3 lac while KEFQ900 is around 96,000.

I 'll mostly go with KEF Q900 , since,

a. I can trade in my existing KEF Q500 easily

b. Timbre matching between the centre and the front L/R will be better, since the centre is a KEF too.

c. Price is good for the quality it offers

d. I'm familiar with KEF already, as I own it and I have auditioned the KEF Q900s also.

e. Most of the reviews online also in praise of KEF Q900 than the B&Ws. ( I'm mentioning this as my last point, since, my taste is more important than the online reviews.

Sure dude. Seems like you have done all the home work . Go for Q900 man.. its a great speaker for its price and seems like it will satisfy all your requirements. All the bests and please do post the pictures and your listening impressions.

-John.

 

[sriee]

Hope you have a Big Room, Q-900 need a good breathing space to open up. In small room you may not be able to get the optimum performance.

I have upgraded from PSB B6 to Focal 816 FS and later downgraded to Focal 807 due to the above fact. My room was 14x17

Good Point. :et me see how it is with this Big Boy!!!

 

[sriee]

Sure dude. Seems like you have done all the home work . Go for Q900 man.. its a great speaker for its price and seems like it will satisfy all your requirements. All the bests and please do post the pictures and your listening impressions.

-John.

Thanks John. .. I am as usual excited with this new plan.. let me see. Man... this craze never stops huh.. I'll have to stop myself, I guess....

Still in my 'Yet to Buy' list are Oppo BD Player, a DAC, a projector .....But Nooooo... I am gonna keep myself quiet after this Power Amp and Q900.:licklips:

 

[aashish351]

Tell you what. Keep the q500 till your power amp comes. Try it and then decide. More power rating in the amp does not mean speakers will not handle. Speakers are dynamic and have non linear power requirement. It is better to have an amp with more headroom rather than a speaker which matches the power rating of the amp.

Having said that, who can argue with the urge to buy a new, higher level component. By all means, go ahead .

 

[alphacentury100]

like aashish said, it is always good to have a power amp with higher watts than the speaker. Speakers impedance may drop drastically at certain frequencies and during that time, a high power POWERAMP may drive the speakers without clipping (clipping may destroy the speakers ) and controlled the speakers very well and also improve the dynamics. Try the Q500 with the amp before changing them.
Also look into KEF R300 (bookshelf speakers) or even the R500(if you can stretch the budget a little bit), Monitor Audio RX6, RX8 and Tannoy DC6T are some alternatives that you can consider.

 

[sriee]

Hi Experts,

I just came from vacation and didn't get a chance to read your posts. Just came yesterday while my Q900 got delivered and set yesterday - sounds soo different , soo nice and same songs that I heard in Q500 sounds different in Q900 in a nicer way. I'm liking it.

and movies.... lot of difference between Q500 and Q900 - I should agree, it's really really good - good depth, good music staging and details of the music is revealed more....

 

[john_k_antony]

Awesome. Great to hear that you liked it.

 

[heliumflight]

Sriee, now that the boyz are home, please post some pics. Thanks

 

[sriee]

Yeahhhh... sure.. will do it soon ..

 

[alphacentury100]

Expecting your pictures dude.

 

[sriee]

Here you go.....This is just a temporary setup.. there will be a dedicated room soon.

 

[AshD]

Sriee,

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

If I can digress a little..

What would you say about the E Series- E305 Home Theatre Speakers - E Series - Overview - KEF International

1. Are they good for a 60/40 Movie Music combination?
2. Will they pair well with a Denon AVR? (topping the list is Wharf & Tannoy)
3. Can they be mounted on the wall? From the pics, doesn't look like, but will a L shape angle work?