beautiful midrange, decent upper bass, compact size good for bookshelf/cabinet mounting, excellent value, nice finish

high end a bit confined

Building a new 18x20' family/theatre room with built-in cabinetry required that I replace a pair of floorstanding KEF Calinda's that I enjoyed for 25 years. I always liked the very natural sound of KEF's so I ordered a pair of the KEF RDM2's. True to this manufacturer's history, these speakers offer a beautiful and true sounding midrange that brings vocals into the room, and in spite of their small size they also have decent upper bass down to about 80hz that provides warmth to the sound, altho not a lot of punch. The soundstage is well spread and open, with vocalists front and center. On some CD's the high end can sound constrained and harsh, but I suspect it's more due to the recording's quality rather than the speaker because this "fault" stands out only on some recordings. I've added a KEF model 100 center, Klipsch RSW12 sub, and KEF Q85s surrounds, powered by an Outlaw 1050 a/v receiver, and the overall sound is GREAT. (The Klipsch is an excellent sounding sub, BTW, but there's not a topic to discuss it in these forums!).

In the 70's when I originally bought KEF they seemed to have a more significant presence in quality hi-fi stores than they do now, and it's a shame because their sound is so natural and beautiful, without coloration or distortion of the music intended to be heard by the performer. I can only imagine what their floorstanding reference series must sound like!!! In any case, if you're in the market for a very high quality bookshelf size speaker, find these.

I just finished my hunt for what (to my ears) were the best sounding bookshelf speakers I could find.
I was fortunate to be able to compare these RDM2 in my home against Paradigm Studio 20 and PSB Stratus mini (the finalists.

To me, the KEF were more open and rich sounding than either of the others. Piano on studio 20s sounded like "piano in a box" compared to the KEF.

The PSBs were closer but lacked mid-high attack, and sounded very laid back.
The KEF were brighter and vocals were at the front of the stage, not buried somewhere in the back.

I would highly recommend them to any with space problems. I am using them with NHT SW2Pi sub and have not been able to find a better sound for the size.

Having read the virtues of the UniQ at kef.com and the reviews here,i went for the Q65s. But it did no take too long to agree with the only reviewer who found their midrange resolution very average. Moreover, bass was strange and detached. It sounded like an accurate machine that makes sound that resembles music. Soon i ended up in the dealer to try something else and i took the RDM2s though the concept of monitors was far from me. These speakers are nirvana for the cost of giving up bass! So clear vocals and detailed cymbals..The word Soundstage was a story to me before i met these..Having upgraded my equipment to an Onkyo a-9911 amp and an Onkyo dx-7711(excellent)cd player the overall result is a neutral system. Some claim a harsh treble which i haven't experienced maybe due to onkyo components' slightly soft character and some others claim a slightly nasal character i too have observed but it seems to disappear when i keep the system turned on all the time. These really deserve five stars..

I already gave my opinion about the RDM 2s. Look in the RDM 1 review. There wasn't a place for me to post my review about the RDM 2s a month ago. But like I said, I highly recommend them. They're very pleasing even with inexpensive electronics. Get a decent tube integrated or solid state that has good dynamics and stereo soundstaging-and you're there!! The realism is incredible!A good musical sounding sub is also a nice addition that you could later add, because these speakers can't reach the low lows.

These monitors have really stood up and grown some hair. I've matched them with a Monster Power HTS3000 AC line conditioner, Marantz PM-17 integrated amp., Marantz CD-17 Mk II, ST-17 tuner, Monster 950i interconnects and Monster M 1.4s bi-wire speaker cables w/ spades. The sound is good and makes me happy. With no other point of reference, I cannot be more descriptive. Life is too short to worry about whether this sounds better or worse then a Krell powering a pair of Dynaudios via Tara labs cable. All one can do is be happy. Have I mentioned that these monitors have stood up and grown some hair.

A friend has loaned me his pair of RDM-2's while I wait delivery of my new Aerial 6's. Have just bi-amped with a Bryston B60RP and 2B-LP. I had felt that these speakers were very nice and did a good job for their size, but were pretty ragged on certain sources (Fiona Apple, Miles Davis, etc.), but better than nothing (much better actually). However, the bi-amp has done a tremendous job of solving these problems. The RDM-2's have smoothed out and the raggednous has essentially gone away. Now is truely a nice little speaker. Obviously restrained on the bottom end, but is a small package. I would put them next to Soliloquy's 5s, Hales R1 or B&W CPM's and well above the Paradigm Studio 20. I listened to all before Steve Bell's gracious loan. The RDM-2's have given a most pleasureable listening experience. If you can bi-amp, then are definitely a keeper. Must be the crossover. Five stars for the bi-amp mide but only four without.

Clarity, depth, (overall imaging), midrange, treble, bass is tuneful

No deep bass, but that's not the point

This is a follow-up to my review I made about a year ago. I still love them. Since my last review I have purchased an MSB Link DAC, Musical Fidelity A2, Kimber 4TC speaker cable. I love the sound. The detailed sound from the Link balances out the warm, smooth, sound of the A2. The 4TC has really made a big difference in the openness, detail, imaging, and even improved the gain too(compared to AQ Type 4). I think I have finally achieved the sound I've been wanting out of my KEFs (sound that is natural and almost lifelike). As far as problems with my KEFs- there hasn't been any. I'm guessing I got a pair of the older ones. The degradation in quality of KEF units made about a year ago or more may be due to that KEF was bought out by another company about a year ago (If I remember right). I think they went bankrupt or something. This may explain their cutting corners on some units made at that time. Don't take my word for it, I'm going by what I can recall. Anyways, it's too bad, because the RDM 2s are GREAT. From my experience, I'm still going to have to give them a strong 5 stars. 4 for value because they're in the price range of B&W CDM1-SEs and I don't think they're quite up to the B&W standard of build- I think this is what separates them from being in Stereophile class B (Sound is GREAT). Don't get me wrong, they have a nice modern look and I like the stylish side panels, but the B&Ws are just a cut above. I bought mine for under $900 which is well worth it (normally $1200). KEF, I'm sure, has pulled out of their poor quality control ordeal by now. I went to the local place and they had a NEW pair of Reference 4s and they look and sound AWESOME. Could be a sign. I wouldn't recommend buying the RDM 2s online though, some of the BAD units are still probably floating around and selling cheap. Go to an audio store and make sure they get you a fresh pair. You won't regret it.

Similar Products Used:

NHTs, Missions, PSBs, other KEFs etc

I would like to let everyone know just how airy these babys are. If you are looking for a pair of speakers which provides three dimensional sound staging and asense of airiness of the instruments or singers, this is it.

You don't need a powerful amplifier to drive them (I'm using the AudioLab 8000S - 60 watts into 8 ohms) and the result is pure, uncoloured sound. I have also
heard them on a VTL pre-power combination which sounds even more airy. You won't believe how good these speakers can sound with good tube amp until
you've tried them. The bass (at 80 Hz) are quick and punchy but you won't feel that they are exagerated. Source is very important as every single little detail is pronouce faithfully with these speakers. I'm using the Marantz CD10.