New Kef setup + a question

[badahab]

Hey everyone I was recently looking for some new speakers to replace some 6 year old Sony floor standing setup. They wernt the greatest speakers in the world but man did they put up with some serious abuse. Years later its time to move on and I found a couple of great deals on some Kef speakers. I was at an ultimate electronics and they were getting rid of all their kef stuff for unknown reasons. I managed to pickup new (display model new at least) IQ3s' for 220 for the pair. They were black but I wasnt going to nit pick. They also had a kef IQ2C and an older Q9C they were 90 each. I made on an the spot "well the q9c is bigger and the same price Ill take it". A few days later I found some Kef IQ7s' on ebay for 500 for the pair. Ive never bought anything on ebay that expensive before so I was really worried but they were just as described and they sound great. I really like the walnut color too. Overall I am really happy with the whole setup.

The Q9C sounds great but ... different from the newer iq series. Sometimes you don't notice it much but other times its right in your face. Are the old q and new q series so different that it makes a timber matching problem? I didnt want to go with the iq2c because it was a lot smaller then I was expecting. I was thinking about getting the iq6c but that thing is 500 by its self. It seams a little crazy buying a center that costs as much as your front L+R. I have been lucky finding some good deals though so who knows.

Now to be fair to the q9c its sitting on the floor right now (I don't know how fair that really is). When I put it on something to raise it up a foot or so off the floor it sounds a lot better but still a little bit off from the iq7s'. As soon as I move I am building a new tv stand to house all my gear and the center. I should move in the next couple of months so I can can easily live with the center on the floor till then.

So my question is Do you guys think that the new iq series center would be worth the money over my current old q series center?

Thanks for any thoughts!

-sean

p.s. sorry about the rambling

 

[sivadselim]

Well..................

Never compared the old Qs directly to the new iQs, but it'd bother me if my center was the "odd man out". I'd try and find a deal on the iQ6c.

But I hear you on why you didn't want iQ2c.

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

If it's going to bug you...then yes! It's all about the listening experience and if you're not pleased...then make the purchase.

Besides you saved so much on the L/R's it's still a solid purchase right???

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Oh and by the way, the reason you got such a good deal: Ult is no longer a KEF dealer...they've made some changes in their product line....so I also benefited from them practically giving away they're KEF gear. I was drowling over some of their ref towers they were selling at 40% of retail. I did however get my sub at that same 40%....hehe...Im thrilled!!!

 

[badahab]

A guy I work with picked up the Kef Refs' and said he loves em. I thought they were just a little... errrr a lot more than I wanted to spend. I think I am going to wait for some sort of crazy deal to pop up on the iQ6c.

On a side note: I was at Target the other day and noticed that they were selling a pair of Kef Bookshelf speakers for about 150 a pair. I cant find anything about them on the internet. I was kind of surprised. I guess everyone has to make a buck though. As long as all their other speakers sound as good as they do now then I say more power to them.

-sean

 

[no. 5]

RE: side note

I believe these are the KEFs in question: Cresta 10, see also: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26449

 

[badahab]

I thought I would find cresta when I got closer too but it was something completely different. The tweeter was on the top and it had some sort of plastic cross over it. The whole thing looked cheap. They called it the Kef 15 or something like that. I wish I had written it down or something.

-sean

 

[no. 5]

The tweeter was on the top and it had some sort of plastic cross over it. The whole thing looked cheap. They called it the Kef 15 or something like that.

hmm, I don't know .
I can't think of any current KEF modles that have the tweeter on the top.

 

[nhpm510]

Sean, welcome to the KEF Team

I like the new iQ serise better than the older Q series FWIW. I also have the KEF Eggs 2005.2 and an older pair of Kef ref spks. Clear crisp and neutral. Uni-Q gives excellent imaging and sound.

I have the iQ6, along w/ the iQ9 and they are phenominal. Using the 2ds for rear as they have the extra "mid range" driver.

I also use iQ3's in the masterbed room.

I may/may, be getting the ref201 and 202c. Maybe even the 203 (I've be nice all yr so lets see what Santa brings.)

I definatley recommed the bigger center as it is so important in HT. (I also have an old Q6c somewhere are here somewhere!

Can you say brand loyalty?

Good luck with whatever choice u make!

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

203's?!.....NICE!!!