KEF 104.2 Floorstanding Speakers
KEF 104.2 Floorstanding Speakers
[Apr 25, 1998]
Dale Beshansky
an Audio Enthusiast
I have had a pair of 104/2s now for 13 years! I think they are great. Since the demise of the Raymond Cooke version, about 2 years ago, they are still very competitive as used speakers! I use them as my fronts in a home-theater, and really don't miss a sub that much. And when I just want to play music, they play to me as sweetly as they did when new.They don't require a KUBE like the much more expensive 107s, or the newer 103.2s, but you can add it for bass extension. But much better are the JPS Labs equalizers, available on the web. (they are called Golden Flutes). They do wonders with the bass, without touching that KEF clarity, or smoothness in the mid and high range. |
[Aug 04, 1998]
Nick
an Audiophile
I first heard the Kef 104/2 in 1987 and instantly fell in love with them, butI couldn't afford them then. I bought a 10 year old used pair last year and I am still extremely satisfied every time I listen to them. Their build quality is outstanding but more important is the sound. Detailed yet smooth highs which allow you to listen to them for hours without getting tired and the bass is awesome, not overbearing at all. No need for a subwoofer when I am watching a video, in fact no need for a home theatre at all. Definitely one of the best speakers ever made. |
[Aug 05, 1998]
Brian Webb
an Audio Enthusiast
I have reviewed and listened to hundreds of speakers over the years, and the best set I have ever heard are the Kef 104/2's. Yes, this speaker is pushing 15 years old, but I believe that they are STILL the best speaker out there. The bottom end and midrange blend very seamlessly, and the highs are a presence rather than a nuisance. Listening to my jazz or R&B cd's has created a whole new plateau of sound that my now sold Vandersteen 1B's could never reach. If you want sonic excellence, the buck stops at the Kef 104/2. |
[Oct 29, 1998]
audiophile wanna be in Chicago
an Audio Enthusiast
I just bought a pair of 104/2's without kube. These are probably the best sounding speakers I ever heard under $2,500. I was wondering whether I need to buy the kube or not but I'm sure I'm going to spend that money into better speaker cables.I just can't stop listening to music after getting the 104/2's. |
[Dec 30, 1998]
Darren
an Audiophile
I bought a pair of these speakers about 5 years ago and am quite pleased with them. The most impressive thing about these speakers to me are the outstanding built quality. I have never seen such beefy built speaker for this price.Now on to the sound quality. I was also quite impressed with the sound these babies reproduce, they are quite true to the recording you feed them. They are actually quite unexciting at times because they do not "lie" too much about the characteristics of the music. They will also go extremely loud without too much of a sweat. Myself owning a Tandberg and a Bryston I have had the Kef full out with both of these amps and they didn't even seem to beak a sweat they just kept humpin' out whatever I gave em. I give these speakers a 5 star rating. They have served me well and if you decide you don't like them you can always use the boxes as jack stands |
[May 02, 1999]
Jacob
an Audiophile
Had the units for a long time now. Clean accurate sound, uncolored,and very neutral. Excellent effeciency, requires very low power for |
[Jun 27, 1999]
Ken Winfield
an Audiophile
I have owned a pair of KEF 104/2s for over ten years. The best audio/video product I have ever purchased (and I have purchased several). The inital audition is still fresh in my mind. Incredible sound for such a compact and rather slim design. The midrange and bass response were and still are outstanding. The highs are were I like for them to be soft and detailed. These speakers have weather the test of time from being a musical source of sound to the fantasic world of digital audio/video. I have not heard of anything worth the substainal price to upgrade for. If able to purchase a pair do not hesitate. I have driven these speakers with Yamaha M-85 and NAD 2200 AMPs mono blocked and stereo. The speakers responded well in either case. Enjoy! |
[Sep 07, 1999]
Norm Clarke
an Audio Enthusiast
I have owned these speakers for over 10 years and am still very happy with them. They seem to truly reflect the source components and can do justice to the finest equipment. Have used them with solid state amplifiers up to 500 watts per channel down to 12 watt single ended triodes. Although they were designed before the SET craze, this speaker's efficiency and friendly impedence curve seem to be a wonderful match. I am suprised that the SET crowd doesn't make more of this. |
[Nov 16, 1999]
Poul
Audiophile
Strength:
Good sensibility. Can play almost any type off music with good result.
Weakness:
Bass and midrange is out of phase. The bass is slow. These speakers has an almost cultstatus among a lot of audiophiles. The 104.2 was the first speaker that used the special bassarrangement. 2 woofers turn opposit and with an ironbar between them. Each playing in a closed room, and a big port. This system has a lot going for it, but the first ones build had a loose bass, and was to slow for the midrange. Also could they not play very low, -6db at 49Hz. So the year after KEF made a KUBE. An electronic device that pulled the lower frekvens down to 24Hz at -6db. But unfortunetly put a layer to the sound, and al though the bass was more powerfull, it made the week things about the system even more week. So I can't recommende the speaker used with the KUBE. This speakers best side is it's midrange. Clean powerfull, and very dynamic. The top is a little to bright to my taste, all though some might find it just perfect. However if the rest of your equipment already is to the bright side, it think it could be to much. The sensibility is good (92db) but because the bass is a little woobly don't try to use the 104.2 with a tube-amplifier with little power. For exsample an AudioNote P1SE is NOT enough. You can get ok volume in small or medium sized rooms, but the bass is not tight, and lives it's own life. Similar Products Used: KEF REF 4, KEF 105.2,KEF 105.3 AudioNote AN-K, Infinity Modulus + sub. |
[Nov 20, 1999]
andrew berens
Audiophile
Strength:
Very dynamic bass, with almost reverb quality that gives illusion speaker is extending much lower than it is. Must be do to the port and woofer set-up. Very ingenious design. Will rock your entire house on 75 watts ( i am using a linn classik with amazing success).
Weakness:
No longer made. This is one of the best speakers i have listened to. I have owned much more expensive speakers including Watt/Puppies, and these babies rock! Have an eery reverb quality to the bass that makes the sound appear very "live." Very ingenious design and build quality. Do not find bass "flabby" as one reviewer summarized. It will shake my hard wood floors while only being powered by a Linn Classik (75watt/channel into 4 ohms). Very highly recommended, especially if you like that "live" sound and volume level. Also good on classical music with large soundstage and good pinpointing of instruments and sounds. This speaker does it all. Similar Products Used: JBL L212 |