Kef iQ7s $150 > Wharfedale 9.5s ?

[JK_Livin22]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my first post concernig speakers, I really learned alot. I have narrowed my search down to the Kef iQ7s ($900) and the Wharfedale 9.5s ($750). The $900 pricetag on the Kefs would stretch my budget a bit, but I'd be willing to make some sacrifices if need be. Is one of these a better buy for the money? Also, would you not worry about which is the better buy and just get the best sounding of the two, which ever one that happens to be, even if I have to go over budget a bit?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[JK_Livin22]

Perhaps I should refrase my question... Does anyone have any knowledge of theses two speakers that would allow you to give an educated assessment as to whether there is a discernable difference between these two speakers that would justify an extra expense of $150?

 

[JK_Livin22]

What I'm looking for in a speaker...

Perhaps I can ask some more specific questions:

1) Which is the brightest of the two?
2) Wharfedale has a kevlar/silk tweeter while the Kefs have an aluminum tweeter/mid-range hybrid? How might this difference affect the sound?
3) Does either of these speakers have more distortion than the other at either very hi's or very low's?

Currently, my favorite genre of music is probably funk (i.e. Parliament) and especally "acid jazz" (i.e. Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, the Greyboy Allstars, Brand New Heavies, Groove Collective, etc.) The point of all of this is that I am looking for speakers that will reproduce the horns and drums as though the band was in my living room. I also like accoustic guitar (i.e. Jack Johnson, Ben Harper) and really like that raw live music sound to be reproduced as accurately as possible. My favorite instruments are the congas, sax, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and misc horns (trumpet, etc.) Oh yeah, I also like the vocals to come through very clearly; again I want it to sound like it is a live performance as much as possible.
Don't know if that helps at all, but thought I'd throw that out there just in case.

Tks.

 

[no. 5]

easy JK give us some time to think.
this is my experince with my iQ1's (smaller driver, same tweeter - I think); I would not classify KEF's as "bright", and thay are very good with vocals.
and any speaker thats "good" will make a live performance sound LIVE.

 

[zumbo]

For that money, you could have B&W 603.

http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.models/label/Model DM603 S3

Or Monitor Audio RS6

http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/product.php?range=2&product=4

I would choose Monitor Audio at this pricepoint.

Locate a dealer, and audition before you purchase the other options you listed. I am certain you will choose MA.

 

[JK_Livin22]

Yeah, I definitely want to throw the B&Ws into the mix. The Monitor Audio's are proving to be very difficult to find in the U.S, at least via my intial internet searches. Any suggestions on where I might be able to price them online in $US?

 

[JK_Livin22]

Ultimately I know I'm going to go and have a listen, but I thought I would get as much advice as I could prior to making the 7 hour round trip drive. Also, if there is no store that carries both speakers, I'm wondering how beneficial that is going to be if you listen to one pair of speakers at one store with a Denon amp, and then drive 30 minutes across town and listen to another pair of speakers driven by a Marantz amp. First of all, how are you going to be able to keep the nuances of the first speakers sound in your head after driving across town, talking with new reps, and then listening to the other speakers? and secondly, wouldn't the amp be just as influential regarding any audible differences? Not to mention the use of different dvd/cd players, the speaker positions, etc.,etc.....

 

[JK_Livin22]

I just hate the thought of spending a hundred dollars in gas (money that could be spent on the speakers) and a whole day to end up right back where I am now. Is there any general feeling amongst you audiophiles regarding speaker brands and their characteristics (i.e., brands a,b and c are known for having clear vocals but not so much for their bass, and can be a bit bright for those who like a lot of bass; and brands x,y and z have excellent bass with virtually no distortion, but lack clarity when listening to instrumental music, etc., etc.)

It seems that fans of the type of music that I like (mentioned earlier in this post) give a lot of positive remarks about Kef, Wharfedale, and B&W (in the $750 to $1000 price range anyway). Is there any general agreement on the characteristics of these brands as to their brightness, bass, midrange, vocals, distortion, muddyness, clarity, etc?

After reading the literature from the manufactures, they all sound perfect which makes me want to run out and buy which ever brand I read about last..lol! I'm so confused...

 

[zumbo]

The B&W 603 are going to be around 1k.
Very clean, detailed high-end. Similar to MA. (IMO)
Superb vocal, mid-range. Cleaner than MA. (IMO)
Tight, but light on the low-end. Weaker than MA. (IMO)

The Monitor Audio RS6 are going to be around 1k.
Very clean, detailed high-end. Similar to B&W. (IMO)
Excellent vocal, mid-range. Not as clean as B&W. (IMO)
Excellent low-end. Stronger than B&W here. (IMO)

The Monitor Audio are better looking, not that it matters, but it is a plus. I can't find any good current reviews on the B&W's.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/floorloudspeakers/1205monitor/
http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/306monitor/

 

[JK_Livin22]

Many thanks Zumbo. That's was excellent feedback; just what I'm looking for. That way when and if I get to audition them, I'll have a better idea of what I may should be listening for.

Maybe now someone can offer a similar reply concerning Wharfedale and Kef, in case I'm forced to yield toward the lower end of my price range. I have acutally found a pair of Kef (brand new and not cosmetically flawed) iQ7s for $634 for and iQ9s for $848 (before shipping anyway) although the iQ9s are black, and not one of the woodgrain (cherry, maple, walnut, beech) finishes I was looking. But at that price it is most definitely food for thought.

By the way, I will be using either a Denon AVR-887, or Onkyo TX-SR804. Is the quality of these receivers too low to make a difference between the speakers I've been asking about. Or would I have to jump up to $1500+ receiver to be able to tell a difference anyway?

 

[zumbo]

I would recommend Yamaha. The 659 got a strong review.
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/YamahaRX-V659p1.php

I would prefer the 1600 on sale at Crutchfield.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-WHgzTyuE9n7/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=yamaha+1600&i=022RXV1600

A lower price can be found, but not from an authorized dealer that I know of.