KEF Blade audition this Sunday!!!

pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
edited April 2012 in Speakers
Got an email from Stephen Monte, owner of Quest for Sound in Bensalem, PA inviting me to attend a showing of KEF's new Blade speaker & the new "R" series this Sunday. I'll be there with bells on!!! This should be an awesome event for sure. These bad boys will all be powered by tube gear because Stephen is a die hard tube freak & is literally thriveing as a 2 channel store even in this economy. It's remarkable how well he does without getting involved with HT. He is now one of the few dealers selected by KEF to represent their Blade speaker along with their entire line. I called him & he's totally psyched about carrying the Blade & I can't wait to get my ears on them. This should be a lot of fun. I wonder if I can sneak a pair past my wife???
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,606
    edited April 2012
    Very cool!! Let us know what you think of them and the 'R' series as well. I'm curious about the R series bookies.
    ALL BOXED UP for a while until I save up for a new place :(

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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2012
    I heard the R series towers last week, they sounded very nice.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,189
    edited April 2012
    You lucky dog !!

    The Blades are supposed to be AMAZING. Can't wait for your write-up.


    ENJOY..
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • doctor r
    doctor r Posts: 837
    edited April 2012
    I heard the Blades at the Axpona show in a large room with Ayre SS amps driving them. It was my favorite room even though I favor the tube side of the world, and I returned to listen to them many times during the show. The Blades are something very special and you will enjoy hearing them. The R series was also very nice but difficult to fully appreciate after hearing the Blades so,hopefully they will demo them first. $30,000 is alot for a set of speakers, but KEF claims they have a backlog of orders and somehow I did not doubt the KEF rep on that one. Enjoy!
    integrated w/DAC module Gryphon Diablo 300
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited April 2012
    Good luck getting those things past the wife. They probably sound wonderful but, they are sooooooo fugly!!!!!! My opinion, of course.
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2012
    IMO, they look smaller in person.

    T1sfE.jpg
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited April 2012
    I'm curious about those R series as well! They may be my next upgrade,but i havent heard them yet! As far as the blade goes,I'd love to hear those as well but,I know there's never a chance in hell i'll ever be able to attain them! Unless I win the lottery,and get a divorce! Oh wait,get a divorce,and then win the lottery! The R series are so damn sexy!
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2012
    jEQuj.jpg
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited April 2012
    ^Drooooooool!^ Gorgeous!
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited April 2012
    I'm sure the Blade will knock it out of the park but I'd be more interested to hear how the R series compares to the Q series. My 900's are fabulous sounding. The R series are about 2-3 times the coin so one has to wonder. I think a lot of the extra cost is tied up with the gorgeous finishes as compared to the Q series rather ok finishes which are just fine by me. Sunday will be a fun day for sure.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited April 2012
    I'll be interested in your thoughts on the R vs Q series comparision!
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited April 2012
    From what I read about the NY show last weekend, the Blades were underwhelming. Of course, good sound at any show is a crapshoot at best especially with larger speakers. Hope you get to experience them in all their true glory.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
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    2 Ch. System
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    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • grimmace19
    grimmace19 Posts: 1,429
    edited April 2012
    I heard the blades today at a store called Hear No Evil Hifi out of Westminster Colorado. They were powered with the Marantz reference line including the ma-9s2 mono blocks and sc-7s2 pre. Holy crap is about all I have to say. I don't want to even try and make more comments other than I wish I had about 50k to get them and some stuff to run them with.

    Enjoy your audition, and like others have said make sure we hear about the R series.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited April 2012
    markmarc wrote: »
    From what I read about the NY show last weekend, the Blades were underwhelming. Of course, good sound at any show is a crapshoot at best especially with larger speakers. Hope you get to experience them in all their true glory.

    Stephen has great listening rooms & he'll be using 100% tubes, tubes, & more tubes. I have no doubt that these puppies will be spot on for an audition. The R series will also be all tube driven, man a poor SS guy like me is lost at his place. But in the end it's all good. I get my jabs in though!!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited April 2012
    grimmace19 wrote: »
    I heard the blades today at a store called Hear No Evil Hifi out of Westminster Colorado. They were powered with the Marantz reference line including the ma-9s2 mono blocks and sc-7s2 pre. Holy crap is about all I have to say. I don't want to even try and make more comments other than I wish I had about 50k to get them and some stuff to run them with.

    Enjoy your audition, and like others have said make sure we hear about the R series.

    Next time I'm visiting family in Broomfield/Arvada part of Denver I'll have to check them out. What's the cross streets Grimmace?
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • grimmace19
    grimmace19 Posts: 1,429
    edited April 2012
    ^ Right around wadsworth and 108th. It's on Dover street. Hearnoevilhifi.com is their website. Pretty close to the first bank center up that direction.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited April 2012
    grimmace19 wrote: »
    ^ Right around wadsworth and 108th. It's on Dover street. Hearnoevilhifi.com is their website. Pretty close to the first bank center up that direction.

    Know the area very well, like when it was nothing but farm fields right up to the turnpike. Thanks!
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • grimmace19
    grimmace19 Posts: 1,429
    edited April 2012
    ^ The owner Craig was a real class act. My buddy and I (both 25) don't have the means to buy much of what he has to sell but he is genuinely interested in helping you in any way possible. He spoke with us for around an hour and went into a ton of detail on how he got hooked on the hobby and business and everything in between. Another great program that he offers is if you buy a pair of speakers from him (anything he sells) he will give you your entire purchase price back if you upgrade to something twice as expensive later on provided they are kept in good condition. Truly a great program in my opinion considering they have a lot to offer in lower priced speakers like the KEF Q series. Start with some 300s and work to the 900s or beyond without losing any money in the middle.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited April 2012
    bobsauto49 wrote: »
    I'll be interested in your thoughts on the R vs Q series comparision!

    That's #1 on my list! Should be interesting to see if they warrant the extra coinage. The Q900's are spectacular so it's got to be a substancial sonic difference to wet my whistle. They might sound different but that doesn't mean better. That's left up to the individual listener & there musical tastes.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited April 2012
    Alright... so where is the review?
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited April 2012
    And where's the pictures?
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2012
    Since those speakers need a beefy SS amp, I'd be surprised if he liked the low end.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,010
    edited April 2012
    I think the law of diminishing returns will apply to this one. They maybe better, but 30g's better ? I dunno....
    HT SYSTEM-
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited April 2012
    OK here we go...first off, no pics sorry. I'll start with the Blade & follow up with the R series. Stephen had his main room completlely cleared out with only the Blade's & gear. The owner of VPI & his son were there spinning the vinyl on their VPI TT, (the model escapes me) & they were powered with JAS tube amps. For the digital side Stephen was using a Raysonic player. The amps stayed the same for the day. Members of the Philadelphia & New York audio society were also present. Folks came from all over for this one.

    This is a tough one because I don't know where to begin! The sound from the Blades was something that I never encountered before, simply stunning & literally transported you to a different place altogether. I sounded like there were no speakers & you weren't in a room...kinda like if you closed your eyes & you placed yourself in a concert hall somewhere else. It surrounded, & enveloped you with this musical presence that left everyone shaking their heads. One couple actually bought a pair as soon as they heard them, I kid you not!!! A few others were working out details with Stephen on the possibility of ordering a pair themselves. We're talking about 30K here. I can go on & on but I think you get the picture. If you can, go & get your ears on them. And I'm not talking about a show but in a properly set up room so they can really strut their stuff. You won't be dissapointed.

    Now for the R series. Another product that KEF simply blew it out of the water with & were set up in other rooms. I listened to the 300's (bookies) 500's (smallest tower) 900's (largest tower) the 700's (mid size tower won't be in till early May) They were powered with an Anthem int amp. Granite audio tube mono blocks & JAS Bravo tube amp. Vinyl was again from VPI & digital was Stephens own design SoundQuest tube CD player.

    The finishes (ebony & rosewood) were spectacular & would pass any WAF test with flying colors. Now how did they sound??? In a word...marvelous! The KEF rep was there all day & really gave a nice history of the Blade, R series & Q series designs. In fact he owns a pair of the Q700 towers. I'll start with the R300 bookies in ebony. They literally dissapeared in the room, now I know that lingo is touted alot but I mean literally it was as if there were no walls holding them back. Again everyone that listened to them made the identical comments. The bass was just perfect, not at all boomy nor lacking. The mids & highs were spot on & drew you into the music. Pianos sounded so real it was uncanny.

    Now for the R500 in rosewood. The bass these produced literally took everyone by surprise & they were in a large room but had no problems at all. The UniQ driver just has to be heard so you can get the full understanding of how well these speakers sound. The R900 in ebony were almost identical to the 500's except for a bigger presence & bass slam. Not that the 500's were lacking but physics was kicking in here with much more cabinet air volumn. I'll be going back once the 700's arrive.

    Now comparing the R series to the New Q series would be a personal choice because the Q series also has trickle down technology from the Blade whereas the R series has a bit more of the Blade in them. Head to head the R series are the clear winners but not by a margin one would think. I know that my Q900's won't be leaving for quite some time because they sound amazing themselves but when the itch needs scratching the R series will be my next move. Now don't forget the R series is good 2-3 times more $$$$$ than the Q series & I think a lot of that is in the excellent finishes as compared to the Q's very nice finishes but not in the same league as the R series as far as the looks go. Sound wise you'll have to listen to both series & make that decision.

    It was a great day for sure...not only for audio but also for hockey as the Flyers disposed of those pesky Penguins!!!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited April 2012
    Thanks for the review Phil. Concerning your experience with the Blades, I know exactly what you mean. A casual friend has been an audio wholesaler for 30 years and a few years ago he finally assembled what to him was his dream system. All Meridian front end gear and Mark Levinson Mono blocs and he had a pair Revel Salon's see here in a completely treated listening room. I have not heard anything close to the sound of those speakers in that room before or since. Simply blew me away, so I know exactly where you are coming from. The Salon's retailed for about $20K depending on how extravagant you wanted the finish to be.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited April 2012
    Thanks for the review. Was there a "no photographs" rule in place?
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  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited April 2012
    Awesome review Phil! Wow! I envy you! Only for a day:cheesygrin: Great job!
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited April 2012
    Nope...I'm just not a big camera guy. I take mental pics & keep them all to myself!!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • DMara
    DMara Posts: 1,434
    edited April 2012
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    Nope...I'm just not a big camera guy. I take mental pics & keep them all to myself!!

    [video=youtube_share;wh3yBmvwZ8A]http://youtu.be/wh3yBmvwZ8A[/video]
    Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited April 2012
    tonyb wrote: »
    I think the law of diminishing returns will apply to this one. They maybe better, but 30g's better ? I dunno....

    I'm with you but some have the means & a mere 30K is nothing more than petty cash. I almost fell on the foor when the middle aged couple told Stephen to write up the sale. They were on a quest & after hearing the Blade...that was all she wrote. Dang!!!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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