Polk Monitor 5 vs. Kef C55
I recently picked up both pairs for $75 locally. These are internet photos I posted here for those not familiar with the C55. I almost snagged a set of DCM TF-600's but they had some issues, tweeter not working, something rattling around inside one cabinet etc.
Anyway...I hooked both pairs up in the store just to make sure they worked, all drivers seemed good.
I had never heard either of these models. Didn't take but a few minutes to figure out the Monitor 5's were the clear winner. The Kef's are not bad at all. More bass than the 5's but more up front in you face sounding too. Which I didn't really care for. The 5's are so much more laid back sounding to me than the C55's.
So kids.....stick with the Polk's! :biggrin:
Yeah I know...**** review...just wanted to share. Gotta love consignment stores!
--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
Post edited by halo71 on
Comments
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So kids.....stick with the Polk's!
Sounds like you learned something last year. Good grab. Congrats>
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>This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.< -
Yeah, that I still like my Monitor 10's better!
--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out. -
I'd take the 7's over either one.
HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
I'd take the 7's over either one.
This particular store had a paid of SDA's listed just a few days ago. They were gone but I couldn't pass up these. They also had DCM TF's, TW's, some rather large JBL monitors, denon poa3000z (at $995 :rolleyes:), old Technics. But no SDA's left. :frown:--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out. -
halo, any reason in particular you didnt pick up the time windows, did you listen and not care for them, always wanted some.humpty dumpty was pushed
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I almost snagged a set of DCM TF-600's but they had some issues, tweeter not working, something rattling around inside one cabinet etc.scottyboy76 wrote: »halo, any reason in particular you didnt pick up the time windows, did you listen and not care for them, always wanted some.
Congrats on the Monitor 5's!
I've yet to find any vintage monitors out here, other than the overpriced pair 1hr away from me.Truck setup
Alpine 9856
Phoenix Gold RSD65CS
For Sale
Polk SR6500
Polk SR5250
Polk SR104Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec. -
scottyboy76 wrote: »halo, any reason in particular you didnt pick up the time windows, did you listen and not care for them, always wanted some.
Scott, when the store keeper called the owner and let them know about the problem with the TF's. He wouldn't budge off the price then said he would come get them and try to fix them himself.
The TW's I am not familiar with at all really. Plus ya can't inspect the drivers on either. So I was a little hesitant. I took that as a sign to stay away from them at that point!--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out. -
Not a huge surprise since the tweeters are totally opposites by design. Thats a great pair of KEF....wanna get rid of them?CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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I've owned some of the c series and still do, and I liked them alot. The Polk 5's are nice but can't believe they sound better than those C55's. Maybe a close match but man, my KEF's sound nice, and that's with delaminating tweeters.
Anyway, GREAT finds on both and for a great spot to pick from.
Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
Thats a great pair of KEF....wanna get rid of them?
Whatcha got in mind? Trades? I didn't take actual pics of mine, I can though. Mine have the light birch colored vinyl.--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out. -
tony millard wrote: »I've owned some of the c series and still do, and I liked them alot. The Polk 5's are nice but can't believe they sound better than those C55's. Maybe a close match but man, my KEF's sound nice, and that's with delaminating tweeters.
Anyway, GREAT finds on both and for a great spot to pick from.
Tony, the only reason I say that is because the Kef's just don't have the clear upper end the Polk's do. Maybe I need some more listening time with them though.--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out. -
Whatcha got in mind? Trades? I didn't take actual pics of mine, I can though. Mine have the light birch colored vinyl.
Are they mint or beat up?CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
I would not say they are mint, but they are in very good shape. No dings or dents to the cabinets, drivers clean. Really the only drawback is they did not have the grills.
I will take some pics of them tonight and post in this thread.--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out. -
I'll pass but it's a cool speaker.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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lol....that is cool Mark. So what was it....no grills or the cabinet finish?--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out. -
Both really. I've owned enough loudspeakers in my travels that unless they're mint I don't bother anymore. I would just part them out personally....much like I do to most of the SDA and such that I come across.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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I understand.
Not sure but I think those grills are magnetic? If they are I may try and make something to appease the wife.--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out. -
The Kef's. I need to build some stands! lol I listened to these last night for several hours and must admit that my initial view of their sound has changed. I think I will be holding onto them for a while.
Looks like the 5's are going to my daughters room. She says the Mirage speakers in there are too big.
--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out. -
KEF images like a champ and are one of the few manufacturers that actually make an Al dome tolerable. Big fan of them....now that's vintage KEF. The only newer version that really stand out for me are the very expensive models.
The Q series is ok...kinda like Dali. When Dali was only high end, they were awesome but when they trickled down and made the more affordable series, I lost interest and they didn't sound that great to boot.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
The TW's I am not familiar with at all really. Plus ya can't inspect the drivers on either. So I was a little hesitant. I took that as a sign to stay away from them at that point!
If the sock is still flexible on the TW's and hasn't become brittle it is possible to inspect the woofers. Also, If they are the origianl TW's ripping off the sock isn't a bad idea; DCM changed materials because they found that the foam-like grilles were highly flammable. But as far as the drivers go, they have butyl surrounds, so if they sound like they're working well, it is likely they are in good shape.design is where science and art break even.
