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RE: kef c45 questions

Yeah, it is a very late reply to this question but I consider the really weak info available on the net about these really great 'speakers I can pass my own addition. Currently having a pair in my main system so here I try to pass some information about sound quality and placement advise.
To keep it short and suggestive enough (hahaha..) just read...
1. KEF's are generally GREAT speakers, whatever model you have.
2. Even the 20-30 years old pairs are beautiful sounding, if not really suited to modern Trance-dance, rap or other Crazy Music (for crazy people...Ottawan, remember? :-))) )
3. Sound quality of ANY audio system is based on the electronics mainly, just in a fraction on a good speaker system (in fact, taking audiophile oriented speakers,like KEF's, Linn's, Audio-Note or other, similar brands)
4. C-45. KEF engineers knew what they did. Nowadays we are a touch less enthusiastic seen a metal dome tweeter (often associated with cold and edgy sound) but in this case this one is well integrated into the KEF sound (that was ever slightly on the warm side of neutral). If you hear edgyness, it IS there by the source, and not by the speakers themselves.
5. Bass is very controlled (as far as a closed box this size allows) and there is an extension well deep enough to feel it with my body in my 14x12 ft listening room. Someone posted an opinion that C-45's were woolly sounding. Nope, do not believe, his source system sounds so, the C's just show it to you, faithfully.
For more than 20 years I fight in the local audio community for a different thinking in system matching. "Balanced" system matching (ie.to spend cca. the same money for each components) is completely wrong and useless. My advice is: Buy a really good amplifier. Not "so called", REALLY GOOD. Starting point is KRELL KAV-300. And upwards. 60% of the money. Then buy a good SIZE audiophile pair of speakers (see above) matching to your room size. (25%) Then a good DAC.(15%) Over. You get a KILLER system, way better than a 35-35-35 portioned method allows.
A second hand C-45 pair here (60 UK Pounds from eBay...) do the job with my 5K Pounds power amp and a Wolfson DAC.
Good news: the better your electronics are, the less money should be spent on cabling (Furutech cryogenic treated ones for real world high-end).
C45. Dynamic. A touch veiled, not totally transparent. Mids a bit (just a bit) emphasized. Lacks the 30% depth of soundstage. Needs a good stand. 1 ft from rear and 3 from side walls. BUT! Music flows...The size of image presented is real, believeable. Clean.Clear.Almost monitor quality (I am thinking in a crossover tweak with improved quality components available today)...yes. That good. Unmistakably...KEF.

Paul G.Nagy , Budapest

Ps. I was a KEF distributor here in Hungary, I know all models from the 90's to 2005... From the C-45's the next step up is (No, not a Q65...) a Reference One. In fact...




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  • RE: kef c45 questions - Paul_G 01/23/1216:21:18 01/23/12 (0)

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