HELP: KEF iQ7 for $500 a pair, worth it?

[GomGom]

Hi guys, I got a brand new KEF iQ7 for US$500 a pair from a local shop and wondering if it is worth it to keep or not. I'm in the market to find the best speaker for my musics and movies for the money.

As some of you may have read the post that a sales man from another store suggested me to get a bookshelf B&W 685 because it sounds better than KEF iQ7 from his perspective. He told me that I can get B&W 685 plus a sub for my money but I tried to find B&W online retailer and I don't think there's any (I can't find it). Is it true?? If I get a floorstanding speakers, I might live without a sub until I save up enough money for a sub. I can live with the floorstanding only because I listen to the iQ7 and it has enough mid-bass and bass for my needs, even though I will eventually add a sub and rear (maybe) in future.

I will go to other stores again to shop around but I want to hear from the experts in this forum too.

I know that I should hear it myself to judge it, but I honestly take your honest review and suggestion into my consideration.

 

[lsiberian]

Hi guys, I got a brand new KEF iQ7 for US$500 a pair from a local shop and wondering if it is worth it to keep or not. I'm in the market to find the best speaker for my musics and movies for the money.

As some of you may have read the post that a sales man from another store suggested me to get a bookshelf B&W 685 because it sounds better than KEF iQ7 from his perspective. He told me that I can get B&W 685 plus a sub for my money but I tried to find B&W online retailer and I don't think there's any (I can't find it). Is it true?? If I get a floorstanding speakers, I might live without a sub until I save up enough money for a sub. I can live with the floorstanding only because I listen to the iQ7 and it has enough mid-bass and bass for my needs, even though I will eventually add a sub and rear (maybe) in future.

I will go to other stores again to shop around but I want to hear from the experts in this forum too.

I know that I should hear it myself to judge it, but I honestly take your honest review and suggestion into my consideration.

You can only know what you prefer by listening to the speakers yourself. No one can tell you what sounds the best to you because we don't have your ears. IMO. The iQ7 is one of the best floor standers in the sub 1000 range.

Finding two for 500 is a really good deal. Price doesn't matter except in limiting your budget. So I suggest listening to every speaker you can under your price range. If it's some cheap HTIB that wins your heart who am I to tell you otherwise. Everyone has preferences. Some people are perfectly happy with less expensive options. My suggestion is if you like the iQ7s then spend your money on a sub.

Honestly if you can have towers why in the world would you go to a bookshelf.

Usually B&W can be found locally

http://www.amazon.com/Freud-76-102-4-Inch-Diameter-2-Flute/dp/B00004T7K3/ref=pd_sim_hi_1

I suggest you read through their guide for help and use their dealer locator service. When you go to a hi-end dealer make sure to dress business like. Not suites, but not shorts either. Don't buy any cables from their store. They are ridiculously ugly and overpriced in most cases. Remember your ears should pick your speakers not someone else's opinion. Unless of course you are buying that company that starts with a B and end with an E is overpriced. Also never be afraid to drive for a deal. You never know.


You should know that the best bang for your buck is a DIY speaker as long as you have the tools and follow a smart person's design.

 

[GomGom]

You should know that the best bang for your buck is a DIY speaker as long as you have the tools and follow a smart person's design.

Was the iQ7 nominated as the best floorstander for its price? I wonder why not many people here do not use KEF.

Too bad I don't have any tools to do DIY. Can you even use car speaker for home audio? I have a focal sub on my car and wondering if I can just plug the sub to the receiver to the sub and make it work.

 

[CraigV]

Liking mine more and more each day

 

[lsiberian]

Was the iQ7 nominated as the best floorstander for its price? I wonder why not many people here do not use KEF.

Too bad I don't have any tools to do DIY. Can you even use car speaker for home audio? I have a focal sub on my car and wondering if I can just plug the sub to the receiver to the sub and make it work.

I don't suggest Car Drivers except those specifically recommended on this site Like the 12" Kappa Perfect MidVQ. Madisound has a good selection of drivers along with Parts-express that are suitable for home use. I suggest referencing the DIY section if you are interested. Too build a speaker you will need a router, saw and drill.

Who cares about reviews and best in class? None of that matters. All that matters is how they sound to you.

Not everyone likes the same speakers. The same way we all like different beers.

KEF is primarily a british brand.

 

[GomGom]

I finally had a chance of auditioning B&W 684 and 683. 684 has a great high-end frequency but really really lack of bass. I definitely need a sub to compliment it.

683 is just awesome. It produces clear, bright and precise tone of the songs. I played couple jazz songs and also acid jazz such as incognito. The bass is okay, more pounding than the 684 for sure.

It's hard to say that it's better than KEF since they don't have KEF iQ7 at their store but price wise, it's CA$700 (~US$500) compare to CA$1900 of B&W 683. I will try to bring the KEF iQ7 if they allow me to compare them side by side and see how far superior B&W 683 is.

Also, the salesman is very nice by showing me the CA$36K McIntosh tower speaker that has 22 tweeters and mids plus 2 big subs powered by a monstrous McIntosh amp 1200W each tower.... Also I saw B&W 800 powered by 2 classe amps each tower. What a dream setup....

 

[GomGom]

I'm bringing KEF iQ7 tomorrow to audition with B&W 684. Both of them powered by Rotel amp and Rotel CD player... We'll see how it goes

 

[lsiberian]

I'm bringing KEF iQ7 tomorrow to audition with B&W 684. Both of them powered by Rotel amp and Rotel CD player... We'll see how it goes

Honestly I think the KEFs are better. Their UniQ drivers present a very wide sound stage and a very even response. When setup properly it's easy to disappear in the music of KEF speakers. There is no lobbing issues period.

At your price point you could get a much higher end KEF speaker FYI.

http://www2.kef.com/us/Retailers Look up a dealer and have a listen to any speakers they have.

http://www2.kef.com/ca/Retailers(canadian link)

I've heard a lot of speakers, but KEFs are the only ones I would buy now. I liked my KEF speakers better than the Beta's I owned.

Especially in music listening. And I'm using KEF 2001 eggs.

But everyone has preferences. So give everything a listen.

I don't suggest spend you 2000 on any speaker you think lacks bass. You would be a moron IMO. Just tell the dealer you think they lack bass and move on.

For the 1500 price difference you can get 2 very nice subs. 750 each. I say get the KEF iQ7s if you like how they sound and then pick up a couple SVS subs.