Dynamic sound, imaging, soundstage, tight bass

None, expect that they're no longer in production

After reading many of the other reviews on the KEF 104/2's, I couldn't help adding my own two cents. So many of the other experiences related in the reviews are identical to my impressions of this legendary speaker. I bought my pair of 104's back around 1986 after listening to just about every other speaker available at my local stereo stores at the time. The KEF's were the only ones that provided such a combination of dynamic sound, pinpoint imaging and expansive soundstage at anywhere near their price range, which at the time was $1600 for the pair. What I never realized at the time, nor would have imagined would be possible, is that I after some 14 years I still find myself from time to time stopping what I'm in the middle of doing and just being totally amazed at the sound they produce. They have taken me from analog vinyl recordings to serving as my front main speakers in my home theater, handling DVD's without some much as a hick-up. Of all the audio equipment I've purchased through the years, these speakers stand out by far as the best purchase I have ever made. These speakers don't simply produce music, they sing!

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B&W, Klipsh, Dynaduio, Polk

Amazing Bass read other reviews

None i can find

For sale, For Sale!!!!

I have recently upgraded my 104/2 to B&W Nautilus 802 and am selling these remarkable speakers. They were the latest spec with the gold plated bi wirable terminals and improved damping. They are in mint condition (a minor mark on lower rear of cabinet) rosewood finnish. Any buyer must collect from Manchester UK.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

£950.00 ONO
Email me for further information

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Loads

Imaging,slam,bass,treble,finish,build,spares back up,warranty,just everything

absolutely nothing

These are without doubt the best speakers I have ever heard at any reasonable price I will never change them they are brilliant at everything

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mission 753 B+W 604 Bose 901

Great soundstage and imaging

none

This is the dream come true. I have been waiting for this speaker to come into my life and it is actually happening now after 16 years. The first time I heard this speaker was back in 1985 when the first time this speaker was sold to the market. My rich roommate had a pair and we listen to it everyday. At that time I was still naive about audio and I thought to myself how good the sound of my friend KEF speaker. So enough of my past. Today, I can only say to myself how lucky I am to be able to purchase my dream speaker. The one I have is Bi wired version and in a very pristine condition, just like new, no scratches at all.

The sound is still the same great sound I long for from 1985. Great sound with great mid and great balance of bass. The only speaker that perform greater than my KEF 104/2 is my main system ( Martin Logan Request ). The transparancy of the Request hands down the KEF. I also found out that KEF 104/2 is a very good match to tube amp. It provide a smooth sound without losing the detail and transparancy.
For pop or light sound music, KEF is my hearing Choice but for Classic, Instrumental,jazz or vocal, No speaker can touch Martin Logan. That's where they are best for.

SO judge for yourselves. Your ear is the one that will make the difference in any speaker and component you choose.

Class A component will provide class A hearing.
Money wise will never lie. You always got what you pay for.

Thanks and God Bless you all

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Martin logan Request

I remember in 1986 the year I purchased the 104/2 loudspeakers from A local retailer. I was about 19 years old and was going off to college. My muse in life at that point in time was music, I loved it, and lived it. I auditioned the KEF`s next to the B&W Matrix 801 and Revox`s top of the line, and I remember the KEF`s Bass being more defined,tighter and more dynamic. The 104/2`s midrange was excellent compared to the B&W`s; and the Revox had no lower end. The thing that baffled me was the price of the Kef`s: $1,800 compared to the B&W 801, and Revox at: $5,000. The KEF`s have out lasted my amp, turntable, and first generation cd player (B&O CDX) which just crapped out after 13 years of service.

None, I plan to give them to my most responsible child when I die!

The Loudspeakers are dynamic and neutral. I would have replaced them by now IF A COMPANY DESIGN SOMETHING BETTER (same size, and price), but that will never happen!!!!

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B&W 801 ($5,000)

Sound quality

No

KEF 104s, the best of KEF IMHO. What can I say that has not already been mentioned in the previous reviews? I don't know what happened to KEF -- their new stuff can't touch the 104s. In 1991, when I purchased my 104s ($1700/pr + tax), there was not a speaker under $3000/pr, that I knew of, that could compete. Canton had a speaker that could compare, but it cost $3400/pr and didn't look as cool. I still remember listening to Avalon for the first time on the 104s. I couldn't get the smile off my face. Need I say more.

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Canton, Infinity Kappa 8,

Bass, Mids, stability at loud volumes

now discontinued, replacement models very expensive

Initially being a music fan before home theatre (DVD) came along i didn't know what i was actually missing because i had substandard speakers which couldn't deliver the buzz factor i required. Well that was until i heard my friends Kef 104/2....i melted into the sofa and i was blown away by the dynamics. The gear my friend was running was an 1990 Sony CDP-338 ESD Player through and 1996 DENON D/A Convertor with a Adcom GFA-545 MKII 150 watt (4OHMS) P/Amp and Perreaux SM2 Pre-Amp.. No matter the music it just hit your scences head-on. So i endeavoured to emulate my friend's sound with purchasing a more powerful ROTEL RB-991 200 watts and the ROTEL 995 pre-amp based on all the reviews here on this site. I had this hardware but couldn't find a pair of KEF 104/2's anywhere. Luckily i obtained a wonder pair (black) in excellent condition. Got them home and got even more of a WOW factor. Play TECHNO / HIPHOP / ROCK / Contempory it just doesn't matter. I have a so so Yamaha CDC-835 CD Player (1993 5 Disc-er) running directly through the rotel pre-amp. Iam looking to get a better CD Player & or DAC and upgrade my interconnect leads to even try and make a sweeter sound if that is in all possible.
In summing up. I tested the other kef models above and i came out none-plus with the music fidelity. These standalone and are a one off sensation. I do suggest you get a beefy PowerAmp as the KEF's love Headroom and the more headroom the better detail you will receive. These deserve a 6 out of 5 stars !!! cheerz

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Kef 105/3, Kef Reference 1, Kef Reference 2.2 Jamo, Mission, JBL LX-1000,

All

None

I purchased my 104.2s in 1987. I had auditioned speakers in all the high-end audio stores I could find in the Philadelphia and New York City areas. I finally sat down in front of the 104.2s at Audiolab in Fairless Hills, PA. I couldn't tear myself away from them. If I can't take these speakers to the grave with me, I won't go! I have upgraded my other components over the years and now have all Classe seperates with all the expensive balanced interconnects. I had also purchased, along with the Kefs, the VPI 19 MKII turntable, Sumiko tonearm, and Madrigal Carnegie One MC cartridge. I started with Monster Cable on the KEFs and changed to Kimber solid core flat cable a couple of years ago. I am still entranced everytime I put on any type of music these 14 years later. I cannot comment with all the fine audiophile terms as I have no idea what they all mean. I can only say that what I hear is the sweetest sound I have ever heard and I never tire of listening to my KEFs. My daughter will one day have the pleasure of owning these great speakers.

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None

dynamic's,soundstage,natural sound,power handling,the list just goes on.

there is not enough hours in the day spare to listen to them.

incredible,warm,enveloping,dynamic,powerful,natural inviting sound,soundstage and dynamics not heard by any other speaker except the b&w matrix 801's.I listen to music right across the board e.g , ambient,chillout,world music,trance,accoustic rock,classical,etc etc etc.These kef's just melt me to my chair and take me to a place that i dont want to return from in a hurry.I use a diverse aray of equipment on the kefs, new zealand made 1982 class A Perreaux sm-2 Pre-amplifier,Adcom gfa-555mk2 high-current power-amplifier (200-watts rms in 8 ohms or well over 300 watts rms into 4 ohms),sony ES cdp-338ESD Cd-player-USED AS TRANSPORT (12KG'S)Running into a Denon da-500 20-bit DAC,Usa made Esoteric Audio speaker cable,Monster Cable Coaxial M-1000 CABLE Between cd-transport & DAC,Monster M-350 rca cables for other sources,the equipment i use just seems to be in harmony with each other and it just lets me enjoy the music naturally and dynamioally,you will need to spend an obscene ammount of money to attempt to match or beat the kefs for there strengths mentioned by so many people including me.They do require a high quality power amp with high current and headroom and they will reward you tenfold.if you are looking for a high quality,versitile pair of speakers for a bargain price then do yourself a favour and hunt a pair of these speakers out-you will not regret it.!!!!!!

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none as wonderful as the kefs

Sweet, musical, full range sound

None worth mentioning

I bought my 104/2's based on these reviews and happily was not disappointed in the least. I have never heard any speaker that could beat the Altec 604's for sweetness, accuracy, and transparency in the middle frequencies. However, the KEF's come very close and they extend higher and lower with the same quality sound as the Altecs. When I put on the E. Power Biggs recording of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor I could swear I was standing in the performance hall in front of the organ. Well recorded string quartets, and so many are not, sound like they are right in the room. I often think these speakers were designed to keep bassoon players happy. The I Solisti Italiani performances of Vivaldi bassoon concertos are so well served by these KEF's that I find it hard not to listen to the end every time. These speakers are good, very, very good in fact. Probably I will never replace them but my wanderlust for the perfect sound may not allow it.

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Altec 604E Super Duplex