I must say, that the investment of KEF Ref 4 is one of the best investments i've efter done. My old speaker, the KEF 105.2 is in every way succeded by the Ref 4, despite the fact that they were modified with new cable and components. The Ref 4 has a powerfull bass, with very low destortion. It seems to go as deep as needed. The midrange is in absolut reference quality. The top is smooth and clean. The scenaria is big, and the easy way you can listen to a single item, and still get the full perspektive is a powerfull experience. There are speakers that in single disiplins gives a better result, but overall, I do think that the REF 4 wins. Despite the fact that I only have 50w in 8 ohm, there are more than enough power.

PLENTY OF BASS, NICE SOUND STAGE, FLUID MIDS, UN-EXAGERATED HIGHS

NEEDS LARGE ROOM, VERY SENSITIVE TO PLACEMENT

I COMPARED THE KEF MODEL 4'S WITH MARTIN-LOGAN ELECTROSTATIC HYBRIDS AND THE KEFS SEEMED LESS "SHRILL" ON THE HIGH-END WITH MORE REALISTIC BASS AND ALSO DEFINITELY HAVE A "BRITISH" MIDRANGE SOUND. HAVING RECENTLY MOVED, THE ONLY PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS NOT HAVING A LARGE ENOUGH SPACE FOR THEM TO BE UNENCUMBERED BY ROOM DEFECTS. SO I WILLINGLY END UP SPENDING EVEN MORE BUCKS ON ROOM TREATMENTS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE 4'S. I USE THEM FOR STEREO LISTENING AND AS MAINS FOR 5-CHANNEL HOME THEATER. NO SUBWOOFERS NEEDED. FOR THE PRICE I DON'T THINK THAT YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THESE, AND THEY LOOK GREAT, TOO! (GET THE ROSEWOOD)...

Similar Products Used:

KEF MODEL TWOS;MARTIN LOGAN 3

Great clarity, seperation, and imaging. These can play any music very, very well.

Price

This review pertains to my new Model 4 twos. I tried to get this site to list them, but it has not shown up in 2 months, so I'm listing it under the 4.

I was looking for a speaker that could reproduce the music very accurately and still be able to play at room shaking levels. I listen to all types of music - from clasical to Jazz to Rock to Punk to Country (and even have one or two Rap CDs).

I have two NAD 2200 bridged running in mono (500+ wpc). One powering each speaker and I love the levels I can play at. I like listening at real life levels be it classical at the music hall or the Who smashing guitars. I am tempted to try bi-amping, Hi-Fi News said it is the way to go with these speakers.

But the strong point these speakers posses is their ablity as "all arounders". They can play anything very well.

One Quick comment - If you have trouble swinging the price for the model fours, the model threes would also be great. They have been getting great reviews.

Other I tried:
B&W Nautilis - 803 $5,000 : Very accurate, nice, not anything to get excited about.

Martin Logan Areles and Request - Very nice mid and high, very transparent - power hogs, can't play the Who at 115 db. $2,500 to $5,000.

Paradigm - muddy, not even in the running.

Klipsch - their reference series, I was surprised how good these were. Not quite the openess in the mid-range that I liked about the KEF's and also the bass was not as quick and tight.

Veinna Accoustics (I think that's the name). Very nice jazz or clasical speakers!!

There were several other that I can't recall.

But the KEF's have been great so far!

Similar Products Used:

None - other auditioned see below.