Neutral tone, effortless highs, solid bottom

Size

I've owned these since'85. I've tried to replace them but am shocked at what I would have to spend for a miniscule improvement. When shopping for speakers every salesman I talk to, without fail, recommends I keep them despite the fact they could easily sell me something in the big $$$ range.
I'll probably take these to my grave, if they don't die first.
An undeniable classic

Similar Products Used:

None

Clarity, neutrality, suitability for use with wide range of components

Too big to lug around on the road

During the 8 years I've owned the 104.2's, we've upgraded every other component in our system several times, from a top of the Kyocera receiver, to a mixture of Audio Research and Bryston stuff to our current configuration with a Wadia 850 and an RPM table running through a Balanced Audio VK-40 preamp and Rowland monoblocks. Every time we upgrade, my wife (who is a professional musician) and I will audition new speakers, in our home, but we always decide the money would be better spent elsewhere. Whether we're playing Duke Ellington, the Berlin Philharmonic, Thelonius Sphere, Mitsuko Uchida or Lucinda Williams, we couldn't be happier, and the improved sources and amps only allow the old boys to show more of their stuff. You can't teach old dogs new tricks, but in this case only a fool would try, as it would be both stupid and wrong!

Similar Products Used:

KEf Ref 2-2, KEF Ref 4, Totem Forest, Audio Physic Virgo and Tempo 3i, Thiel CS 1.5 and 2.3

Smooth, balanced, and articulate sound reproduction while presenting the listener with a truely 3 dimensional listening experience.

The grills on the front are very delicate, and since I had to move the 104.2s several times....well, the grills are now held in place with duct tape. I'm lucky, blind musicians don't mind duct tape. Although not a weakness, these puppies can sound quite ordinary if not placed correctly. I found mine to sound better about 3 feet from wall surfaces.

Once I sat dowm with my friend, a brilliant pianist with per fect pitch and an equally critical mind when it came to music, I handed the salesman a cd to play. After about 30 seconds into Freeway Jam off th Jeff Live cd, we looked at each other and just smiled. Nervona. Next I tested several cds I has selected in that each one provided different challenges, such as the canon shot heard on Telarc's 1812 Overture. From Led Zepplin to Beethoven's 9tn, the Kefs continued to impress. After living with them for about twenty years I still get thrills when playing old or new material. The Beach Boys boxed set on the making of Pet Sounds in unbelievable in a surround system with the Kefs serving as the main speakers. I have a policy of not buying on impulse. I returned to the store two more times with different cds, to make sure what I heard wass real and that I hadn't been caught up in the moment. I had to take out a loan to purchase these puppies. The best 1600 dollars I have ever spent.

Similar Products Used:

My previous speakers were Bose 901s I purchased in the early seventies. I did go to a college with a sizeable music department, This translates to a lot of students who care and know music and gave a great opportunity to listen to many speakers for prolonged periods of time accross a large cross section of music genres. I then auditioned most of the highly touted speakers over the next seven years....B^W, DQ 10s, Magneplaner, AR, Altec Lansing, and some electrostatics , all costing 1000 to over 6000 dollars

Imaging, soundstage, dynamics, easy ro drive

Kube, muddles up the sound, low bass

I bought these used for $450 a few months ago. I have always been a big Kef fan and British speakers in general. I agree with some of the other reviews here; they are a very well made speaker. I was amazed at the jump factor these speakers have, VERY Dynamic. They can play very loud without strain when used with a good amp and equipment. I strongly recommend NOT to use the Kube, IMHO....I run my Kefs full range and use a Infinity Modulus subwoofer to fill in the bass between 20-50hz. I think the Kube adds too much coloration to the mid-bass, and the bass that it does add is not very good anyway. Without the Kube they can play louder and cleaner, and there is one less component in the signal path. The last list price I had for these was $3600 w/kube in 1997, so for $450 I got a steal !! These are going to be keepers !! I just had custom stands made for these; 6in tall whic gets them off the ground and improves bass and imaging, I highly recommend them. Lovan makes a 6" stand for $200, the Jazz 600. You can buy them at Audioadvisor.com.

Similar Products Used:

KEF 102, 103.2, 105, 107's

Dynamics and accuracy. Great bass

Same as everyone else said. . can't buy them new

I bought may 104's in 1986. Alot of money but alot of
enjoyment too. With a good power amp with good current
drive and damping factor these speakers have incredible
dynamics. A speaker for the rock and roller and audiophile.
If you like your music loud get a 150+ WPC amp. I blew
my tweeters out when my 100 WPC amp clipped. These speakers
are efficient (92Db) so 75 to 100 watts should be fine
with most folks.

I recently tagged along with a friend as he listened to
a few of the new speakers. Not even close!!!

I sure hope these speakers don't die on me. I have a feeling
I would have to spend $5000 to match them. An audio reviewer
told me there was nothing special about them . . . join
the real world please.

I've seen many on auction for $1000 +. GREAT SPEAKER!!!!

Similar Products Used:

Boston Acoustics, Infinity, KEF 103.2, Polk, Klipsch,
Paradigm

Kef 107.2When God invented the speaker I am sure he had the Kef 107.2 in mind. I have listened to many speakers over the years, and being a past high end audio consultant for over fifteen years there is no other speaker like the Kef 107.2. The 107.2 was the last of the Raymond Cooke designed speakers, and in my opinion the best speaker Kef has ever made to date. Many people feel that the 107.2 is one of the outstanding speakers of our time. So, what makes this speaker so great. First I would have to say it's imaging. The other night I was listening to Led Zep. Physical Grafitti, the music image was so real I though Robert Plant was going to tap me on the shoulder and ask me for a beer. When you close your eyes and relax you swear there is a middle channel playing the main solo instrament or vocalist. Many people complain that these speakers are boomy. To that I reply, the key is placement and room dynamics. My speakers are in a room that is 15' X 20' with cathedral ceilings that are 12' on the wall which the speakers are placed near to across the room where the back wall is 20'. So, in my opinion it is the ideal environment for these speakers. Bass is well defined (no need for a sub) clear and concise--not over whelming. Oh this is without the infamous Kef KUBE in line. Oh, for those of you who might think I am just another pot smoking Led Zep fan I am not, I also listen to straight ahead jazz, Classical, and Big Band Jazz. All of which sound incredible. I could go on and on about these speakers but I won't. If you can find a pair of Kef 107.2 preferrably built from 1992-3--buy them you will not be dispointed. They should sell between $1800-2500. I bought mine for $2200. in mint condition. Good luck and LONG LIVE KEF.

Soundstage, bass, and imaging

Quirky grill attachments on early version

I purchased these speakers new while stationed in Germany. The dollar was extremely strong (Thanks, Reagan!!), and the price above was too tempting for even a young soldier to pass up. I'd become familiar with KEF during the early eighties when stationed at Fort Ord. Many hours in 1984 of auditioning speakers at Monterey Stereo had me craving a small set of KEFs. My only purchase there was a used Nakamichi cassete deck and some headphones, enough to get by while I assembled a worthwhile system. Before returning to the US, I was ready to make my speaker purchase and this speaker wwas shown at the Vogelweh Electronics Fair. Until hearing these, my heart was set on a pair of Polk 10b's (snicker if you want, this was a nice speaker at the time and cheap for just $410 the pair, before Matt Polk made only strange stuff). What a nice surprise to hear an English set of speakers with a wonderful soundstage AND REAL BASS!! Talk about extension and coupling to the room. I've had these originals spiked into every front room ever since. A Kube was added in 1988 (thanks Water St. Stereo, Santa Cruz) and the dowels implanted once and foor all with a thin mixture of Shoe Goo in 1989. I'm a dot commer that hasn't lost his shirt and have auditioned several pairs of speakers in my home, but always crave this KEF sound I'm accustomed to having. BTW, I'm an accomplished semi-professional trumpet player and spent my share of time in wind, jazz ensembles, and orchestra pits for local productions. Nothing comes close to a live performance, but a pair of 104.2s will bring you into a new realm. Sorry the tradition doesn't continue.

Mid-range like no other

None

My KEF 104.2s are about 15 years old now, they were a hand me down from my Dad. My Dad must really love me. ANyway, these have the MOST ACCURATE imaging I have ever heard. I just went to the local high end stereo store to audition new speakers, figuring that after 15 years soemthing better had to be available. Well, I listened to speakers that went upto $5,000 and they still did not sound as good as my KEFs. I guess I'll just have to hold on to them forever, since they will probably last that long. Did I mentino that they sound every bit as good today as when they were new! You just can not buy a better speaker for the money.

Similar Products Used:

Everything under the sun.

deep bass, overall musicality

They don't last foreever

These are by far the best speakers I've ever had. I do not
want to repeat what it has already been said about these speakers but rather contribute with some findings I have made after owning them for more than 10 years. Certainly they are very efficient -specified at 92 db SPL- and sound exceptionally well with just about any amp. This fact has created a general belief that you can save a lot of money on electronics by having these speakers and indeed there exist a large number of owners of the 104/2's who are extremely satisfied with their sound without even imaging what they could get. My advice is to get good electronics with them. I do not mean power, but rather speed, transient response.
I mean Tandberg, Accuphase, Linn, the old threshold's and you will realize what Audio Nirvana is all about.

Similar Products Used:

Bozak, AR, Tannoy

Excellent Image, Highs, midrange and bass.

None (Kef no longer make them)

I bought them in February 22, 1993. I have been very happy with their sound. Beautiful speaker. I don't know what I'm going to do when they fail completely. Solid State PSE Mono amplifiers 120wpc and Tube Audible Illusions M3a Preamplifier.

Similar Products Used:

B&W, Thiel, Vandersteen & Martin Logan