My mains might be too good for my system...what to do?

[Tiers1]

Hi Guys,

First off let me just say that I am not an audiophile, but more a guy who really likes music and audio gear (I think the two categories have some important differences)

In any case, I recently came into a pair of beautiful KEF reference 4's that I really love...but the problem is that I kinda lucked into these and I don't have the budget to buy similar quality speakers for rears and center. What you recommend doing in this situation? should I just stick to stereo rather than have a wildly disproportionate HT setup? are there any inexpensive speakers old or new that are similar to the KEF in terms of sound quality? or should I just worry about the center and not the rears because they are so seldomly used in many HT soundtracks anyway?

please keep in mind I don't listen to any type of surround sound audio, I just use it for movies. Most of my listening is an adcom cd player through the stereo direct mode of my receiver

please advise
Matt

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

Yeah, "audiophile" has a certain connotation to it. I think that most people (especially on this forum) are just like you, though.

Personally, I like the effect of surround sound, so I'd lean towards getting the center channel and rear speakers. Running stereo speakers is also just fine if that's what you like. My receiver (Pioneer 1015) does a really nice job of downmixing 5.1 material into stereo, and I've accidentally watched shows in stereo without noticing. With some movies, though, it would have been obvious because they have more sound going to the rear channels.

Modern day receivers can do a really good job, IMO, of automatically equalizing the frequency response of speakers, so it's not as critical as it was ten years ago to get timber-matched speakers. You could always get an external equalizer and get all fancy, if you were that interested. So...you don't need to get matching speakers to have some benefit.

You are totally right about the rear speakers. They are not as critical. However, you shouldn't just ignore them. I noticed a distinct difference in quality when I upgraded my rears from $10 speakers to $300 speakers. Okay, yeah, that should be expected - but I'm just giving an example.

So, I think that you are on the right track. Get a good center channel because that speaker is used a lot in shows, and get decent speakers for the rears. I'd recommend buying from someplace that will let you take them back - that way, you can try them out and decide for yourself if they are better or worse than just using your two front speakers.

 

[tcarcio]

I agree with Adam, concentrate more on your center. The surrounds are less critical and if you have something half way decent they should do fine. Matching your mains and center as close as possible will yield the best result in your case. You can always save a little and pick up some better surrounds later.

 

[Geno]

Like the others have said here, the matching center is an important part of the surround experience, while the surrounds are much less so. While you're saving for a compatible center for your KEF's, configure your receiver for a "phantom" center. That will use the two mains to simulate a center channel, which should give you a pretty decent effect.

 

[jostenmeat]

+1 x 3.

Just run phantom for the front stage. You can add a couple of KEF surrounds from a lower line. You don't even have to do that, but its still better to stick with the same brand if you can, and there have been some pretty affordable KEFs lately.

As for the future, I'd contact KEF and ask them which of their models, both current and former, would match the best. Of course, another exact ref 4 would be best, but most people cannot accommodate another tower.

Once you know what models to keep your eyes out for, start saving up, and bookmark Audiogon and other similar sites for excellent used deals. Well, that's what I would do.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi Guys,

First off let me just say that I am not an audiophile, but more a guy who really likes music and audio gear (I think the two categories have some important differences)

In any case, I recently came into a pair of beautiful KEF reference 4's that I really love...but the problem is that I kinda lucked into these and I don't have the budget to buy similar quality speakers for rears and center. What you recommend doing in this situation? should I just stick to stereo rather than have a wildly disproportionate HT setup? are there any inexpensive speakers old or new that are similar to the KEF in terms of sound quality? or should I just worry about the center and not the rears because they are so seldomly used in many HT soundtracks anyway?

please keep in mind I don't listen to any type of surround sound audio, I just use it for movies. Most of my listening is an adcom cd player through the stereo direct mode of my receiver

please advise
Matt

This SEAS Loki speaker will be an excellent match for your KEFs

Nice going getting such nice speakers inexpensively.

I remember them having a prodigious bass. The two 10" drivers inside the enclosure, are in a second order coupled cavity system. The bass from that system all emanates from the port below 160 Hz. Crossover to the bass mids is largely acoustic and not electronic.

Roll off is second order, 12 db per octave, starting around 28 Hz I believe, so you won't need a sub. Conventional ported subs roll of at 24 db per octave. So those speakers produce lots of deep bass.

There was a mini craze for coupled cavity bass systems at that time. I got caught up in the enthusiasm at that time also, and did three designs. I have pictures of two. I put these subs back into service last year. And these speakers, I put back into temporary service in our Eagan town home. If the economy does not turn round soon, and my investments gain back some of their lost value, they will be a permanent temporary!

Anyhow enjoy and take care of those speakers, they are worth the trouble.

 

[A/VUSMCSGT]

My receiver (Pioneer 1015) does a really nice job of downmixing 5.1 material into stereo, and I've accidentally watched shows in stereo without noticing.

Me too!!!!

 

[mike_wassell]

Looks like you picked up some nice speakers. Buy in stages. Buy the speakers that are meant to go with the KEF reference 4's not another brand. Look on Audiogon.com and eBay for used speakers. I would start with a center then some surrounds then a sub. However I would probably pick up whatever is available. When buying used you have to jump on whatever is available before it is gone. It is important to stick with the speakers that were meant to go with the KEFs to create a seamless surround system – timber matched speakers.

Mike

 

[TLS Guy]

Looks like you picked up some nice speakers. Buy in stages. Buy the speakers that are meant to go with the KEF reference 4's not another brand. Look on Audiogon.com and eBay for used speakers. I would start with a center then some surrounds then a sub. However I would probably pick up whatever is available. When buying used you have to jump on whatever is available before it is gone. It is important to stick with the speakers that were meant to go with the KEFs to create a seamless surround system – timber matched speakers.

Mike

The Seas Loki will be an excellent match. It is a coaxial driver just like his KEF has. It is first class, and most people think it is actually superior to the KEF driver, and I'm one of those. It is a very neutral speaker, he won't go wrong with it.

Those SEAS coaxial drivers are real sleepers. They should be used by far more manufacturers than they. I suppose it is because they are pricey for an OEM driver. They are worth every penny.

 

[mike_wassell]

Read any HT publication and it will tell you to match your speakers to the brand and model. You can take a chance and use some other brand that might match up well but you are playing Russian Roulette. Follow what the professionals say and match your center and surrounds to your front mains.

 

[alexsound]

Hi Guys,

First off let me just say that I am not an audiophile, but more a guy who really likes music and audio gear (I think the two categories have some important differences)

In any case, I recently came into a pair of beautiful KEF reference 4's that I really love...but the problem is that I kinda lucked into these and I don't have the budget to buy similar quality speakers for rears and center. What you recommend doing in this situation? should I just stick to stereo rather than have a wildly disproportionate HT setup? are there any inexpensive speakers old or new that are similar to the KEF in terms of sound quality? or should I just worry about the center and not the rears because they are so seldomly used in many HT soundtracks anyway?

please keep in mind I don't listen to any type of surround sound audio, I just use it for movies. Most of my listening is an adcom cd player through the stereo direct mode of my receiver

please advise
Matt[/QUOTE
Try these guys out. www.accessories4less.com. They are an authorized KEF internet dealer, and they have great pricing on KEF speakers. At the very least, you can stay within your brand.