By far the most crystal clear sound (for budget speakers) which emphasizes instrument details.

might sound bright at higher volume, not quite dynamic due to lacking of lower frequency.

System:
1) NAD C340 Integrated Amp.
2) Marantz CD63-Mkll (IK Signature version) CD Player.
3) Kef Cresta 2 Bookshelf Speakers.
4) B & W DM302 Bookshelf Speakers.
5) QED Qunex 2 Interconnects.
6) QED Original Speaker Cables.
7) 'Squash balls cut-in-half' underneath the amp. & player.
8) non-branded component rack & speaker stands.

Being an audio enthusiast for only 2 months (all above equipments were bought within the period), my comments might sound shallow or superficial to many audiophiles, yet they are truthful from me. Thus, kindly correct me for any mistakes.

As a result of detailed (from my view point) audition, listening, magazine esp. "What Hifi" reading, website viewing, comments from hifi shop etc., I bought both DM 302 & Cresta 2, mainly due to the popularity and "crystal clear" sound of the former and the review's high rating and "dynamism" of the latter.

After I have "run-in" both pairs of speakers for 2 months, with both normal CDs and "Test CDs", this might be time to give initial comments on their performances.

The DM302 absolutely sings wonderfully with its slightly forward and bold mid-range, crystal clear tweeter's "highs", though at certain expense of understated "lows". The difference between the 302's clarity and other similar priced competitor is quite clearcut. Listening to the percussion of Kari Bremnes's "A lover in Berlin" from the Album "Norwegian Wood", the extremely strong "imaging" gives a feeling of live concert. If you argue that this clarity is due to the "Audiophine" recording of the Kari's album, then please take a listen at Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the night" & "Theme from New York, New York" from "My Way - The Best of Frank" album with ordinary recording. The 302 plays Sinatra's magnetic vocal and string tuttis in tremendous detail. The so-called "brightness" of the 302 claimed by some reviewer is actually "clarity and detail" for my listening.

On the other hand, the highly acclaimed Cresta 2 (Best Buy award of "What Hifi" magazine) will only beat the 302 under following circumstances, by playing the same Kari's and Sinatra's album:

1) to play the Kari's CD at relatively much higher volume to listen to more details of instruments. Only with this higher volume level the Kresta 2's lower frequency (bass) will create the dynamism which can offset the "detail loss" during its playing at lower volume. Comparatively, the 302 undeniably provides more musical details at the said lower volume.

2) play "audiophile recorded CD" - the dynamism only appear when the Cresta 2 plays 24 bit audiophile CDs which are costly, or some minority excellently recorded 16 bit CDs. In this case the Cresta definitely plays the Kari's (24 bit recorded CD) much better than the Sinatra's (ordinary recorded CD). The other alternative to improve the Cresta's performance is to couple these speakers with more expensive higher graded amplifier, which might be out of budget of most audio enthusiasts.

In conclusion, the Cresta 2 will only out perform the DM302 at generally higher volume playing, on expensive audiophile CDs, and when coupled with dearer (non-budget level) equipments.

Before I forget, true enough, the DM302 sounds bright at higher volume. But why should it be bothered, as most audio fans should put their amp. at average, but not at high volume level. Who bother to put up a high volume, as at low volume one will be satisfied and joyed with all musical details and clarity.

Rating: *** for Kef Cresta 2, ***** for B&W DM302.

Similar Products Used:

Kef Cresta 2.

Excellent sound quality
Economical

Not shielded (but who cares except for me)

I use these speakers hooked up to my laptop computer through a cheap Sony stereo amplifier, and they work wonderfully. MP3's, games, CDs, it all sounds good. When compared to other hifi speakers in its price range, these have better sound reproduction than anything i've heard. They have decent bass extension, although they're only rated down to 72Hz.

When compared to computer speakers, these absolutely blow everything else away. No computer speakers could touch it in terms of sound quality, treble clarity, bass coherence at high volumes -- when used as computer speakers, $250 and an amp will buy you the sweetest pair you ever heard (i have a laptop with an LCD so i don't care too much about shielding).

The only small bookshelf speakers that sounded better than these were the Linn Tukans, but those cost three times as much. The Rega Alyas also sounded good, especially in the high range where they might be more crisp than the B&Ws, but the 302s have stronger bass, and therefore are so much better for feeling rocket impacts in Quake3 or pumping techno beats.

I am one satisfied customer.

Similar Products Used:

B&W 601, Rega Alya, Mission 731, Linn Tukan, Bose Acoustimass, NHT SuperOne, PSB Alpha, Altec Lansing crap, Cambridge Soundworks crap