KEF reference 3 vs R11

[Kingnoob]

I went with KEF R11 only. Later, I added Parasound A 21+ and I also changed my subs to two SVS SB16-Ultra from single Monolith Ultra 15inch

What amplifier were you using before did you notice any improvement with the new Parasound?? Was there any price difference ?
Mono vs svs ? Which was better 1v 1
And how much better are kef r11 then the top q series ?

 

[wgb113]

I did a thing

Still getting them dialed in but honestly shocked at how different they sound from the R11.

 

[wgb113]

Are those Reference 3 Meta? If reference (Meta or not), no one I know has ever been less than amazed at how Reference series could possibly be that much better than R series.

Nada, previous version in Silver Walnut which, from my understanding was a subtle iteration from the original Reference 3. Found a killer deal on these about an hour away that I couldn’t pass up.

I really didn’t think there’d be this much of a difference. In particular I expected a decrease in bass but these plumb as deep or deeper and the minds and highs are at another level of resolution. Less forward, more….effortless.

 

[KenM10759]

Nada, previous version in Silver Walnut which, from my understanding was a subtle iteration from the original Reference 3. Found a killer deal on these about an hour away that I couldn’t pass up.

I really didn’t think there’d be this much of a difference. In particular I expected a decrease in bass but these plumb as deep or deeper and the minds and highs are at another level of resolution. Less forward, more….effortless.

I have the same Silver Satin Walnut finish on my 2019-2021 Reference 1's and was equally blown away with how much better these were than my R500's or LS50 Meta. We both have the rare 2019-2021 "interim" models that got the single plate of aluminum front baffle that eliminated the trim ring with its shiny thin outer ring on what were (all) black woofers. They look identical to the Meta series, other than lacking the plate for that on the back.

In my KEF Enthusiasts group on FB, I'm always trying to convince people considering R7's or even R11's that even the Reference 1's would shock them with the sound quality jump. It's hard to convince those who haven't heard them the way we have just how much of a jump it really is!!

Congratulations and...Welcome to the Reference club.

 

[Kingnoob]

I did a thing

Still getting them dialed in but honestly shocked at how different they sound from the R11.

Are those r3 meta ?? I can’t dream of probably ever affording anything that nice how much more do they cost them r11? And do they sound better ? I’ll probably be stuck with q series if I ever get kef. If I ever find a job they mostly pay peanuts here, .. entry level is servitude .

 

[KenM10759]

Are those r3 meta ?? I can’t dream of probably ever affording anything that nice how much more do they cost them r11? And do they sound better ? I’ll probably be stuck with q series if I ever get kef. If I ever find a job they mostly pay peanuts here, .. entry level is servitude .

He's already stated that they're not the Meta version, but the interim 2019-2021 version that got the mechanical/cosmetic changes to the cabinet (mainly the front baffle) just before the Meta version came out. They look identical except for not having the plate on the back specifying Meta version.

Where are you located that a job is so hard to find? I'm in the northeast USA and employers everywhere can't find enough people to fill the job openings.

 

[Kingnoob]

He's already stated that they're not the Meta version, but the interim 2019-2021 version that got the mechanical/cosmetic changes to the cabinet (mainly the front baffle) just before the Meta version came out. They look identical except for not having the plate on the back specifying Meta version.

Where are you located that a job is so hard to find? I'm in the northeast USA and employers everywhere can't find enough people to fill the job openings.

It’s standing, lifting and anxiety limitations that make it hard to find A desk job or non standing job. My car is junk I considered using it for deliveries but it probably won’t last long . Can’t even go on highway anymore well without being slow everyone passes me can’t go past 55 it gets super loud at 60-65 . I’m running out of ideas for what to apply for .
insomnia is just as bad can’t sleep til 4-6am.
Any cure for insomnia you know of would be biggest step for finding a job , I’m going to a specialist on sleep eventually.

 

[wgb113]

Are those r3 meta ?? I can’t dream of probably ever affording anything that nice how much more do they cost them r11? And do they sound better ? I’ll probably be stuck with q series if I ever get kef. If I ever find a job they mostly pay peanuts here, .. entry level is servitude .

Nothing wrong with Q series…those are where I started my journey with KEF. I still use them in our family room 5.1 setup.

I also buy a large % of my HiFi gear used since depreciation is so high. In this setup the used pieces are:

• KEF Reference 3
• SVS SB-2000
• Anthem STR preamp
• McIntosh MC302 power amp

 

[KenM10759]

Nothing wrong with Q series…those are where I started my journey with KEF. I still use them in our family room 5.1 setup.

I also buy a large % of my HiFi gear used since depreciation is so high. In this setup the used pieces are:

• KEF Reference 3
• SVS SB-2000
• Anthem STR preamp
• McIntosh MC302 power amp

Of those items in your setup, that SB-2000 is now your glaring weak point. Honestly, it doesn't take much to beat it. When I got my first KEF Kube 10b I sold my SB-2000. Now that I've got a pair of them, it's a completely different game. I will say that the Kube 10b's aren't paired with my KEF Reference 1's though. There I have an old M&K V-90 sub cabinet that's been reworked with the help of @TLS Guy to adapt an SB Acoustics SB34-WSPL76-4 driver and a Dayton Audio SPA250DSP plate amp. Either sub choice sounds FAR better than the SB-2000 did.

 

[Kingnoob]

Of those items in your setup, that SB-2000 is now your glaring weak point. Honestly, it doesn't take much to beat it. When I got my first KEF Kube 10b I sold my SB-2000. Now that I've got a pair of them, it's a completely different game. I will say that the Kube 10b's aren't paired with my KEF Reference 1's though. There I have an old M&K V-90 sub cabinet that's been reworked with the help of @TLS Guy to adapt an SB Acoustics SB34-WSPL76-4 driver and a Dayton Audio SPA250DSP plate amp. Either sub choice sounds FAR better than the SB-2000 did.

So the kef Kube 10b's subs are better then the svs SB-2000.. what’s the best affordable sub with a small size 10-12” I can’t upgrade til I find a job though . My space is too small for the rsl 12”.

 

[john20182050]

What amplifier were you using before did you notice any improvement with the new Parasound?? Was there any price difference ?
Mono vs svs ? Which was better 1v 1
And how much better are kef r11 then the top q series ?

Previous I had no separate AMP. I used only Denon AVR 4400h. It used to heat up and stop when I play music at 85dB to 90dB for 30 minutes or so. That's main reason I bought Parasound A21+. With Parasound A21+, it doesn't stop but recently I'm facing issue with it it's heats up so much and struggle to pump, the music stops 1 second or so in-between when it struggle push when I play music at 85dB for 30 or so. Why does this happen? I'm so disappointed now.

 

[Kingnoob]

Previous I had no separate AMP. I used only Denon AVR 4400h. It used to heat up and stop when I play music at 85dB to 90dB for 30 minutes or so. That's main reason I bought Parasound A21+. With Parasound A21+, it doesn't stop but recently I'm facing issue with it it's heats up so much and struggle to pump, the music stops 1 second or so in-between when it struggle push when I play music at 85dB for 30 or so. Why does this happen? I'm so disappointed now.

Something clearly isn’t working right , you could add an avr fan see if that cools it down . Only when I played music for a hour or longer on my onkyo does it heat up, just if I’d set fronts on full range .

 

[KenM10759]

Previous I had no separate AMP. I used only Denon AVR 4400h. It used to heat up and stop when I play music at 85dB to 90dB for 30 minutes or so. That's main reason I bought Parasound A21+. With Parasound A21+, it doesn't stop but recently I'm facing issue with it it's heats up so much and struggle to pump, the music stops 1 second or so in-between when it struggle push when I play music at 85dB for 30 or so. Why does this happen? I'm so disappointed now.

Those speakers dip as low as 3.2Ω and that could be a heavy load, but that dip is very transitory in nature. I'm trying to figure out why you're having trouble, so perhaps you can describe the situation better.

When you are measuring that 85dB to 90dB level, is that at the listening position or is it nearer the speakers? How far from the speakers do you sit?

In my room I've got Reference 1's (which are probably a tiny bit harder to drive) sitting exactly 8 feet apart, and I sit in front measuring 8 feet from my head to each speaker. I have used both an app on my phone and my son's Radio Shack decibel meter, and I get 70-80dB at the listening position very consistently. My amp is a Luxman L-505uX Mark 2 class A-B integrated amp, rated at 100w/ch @ 8Ω. It never misses a beat, never approaches heat protection shutdown or clipping.

It would be highly unlikely, but are your speaker cables capable of handling the high current that your magnificent Parasound A21+ power amp generates? Are you in a large room sitting very far away from the speakers? I'm not accusing you of doing anything wrong, just trying to help you diagnose what could be causing the problem.