KEF Q-90s

ND13

Anyone have an opinion on the KEF Q-90s? I've got a pal that has a really clean pair that I can get for a reasonable price.

Anyone???

Toka78

Heard these a long time ago, very nice speakers. Clear, and they image well (but how well compared to your SDA's, I don't know). I'm not sure how reasonable 'reasonable' would be, but if you have new-gear fever, they would do nicely.

BTW...a pair of Q80's are on A'gon right now for $200, just for reference.

ND13

From what I can gather, the Q90 is MUCH MUCH rarer than the Q-80. I'll check em out when I go to get the Carver Silvers. If they're in nice shape and priced right I may just have to try them out on some tubes.

Toka78

Tubes would sound great on those IMO...when I heard them it wasn't with anything special (don't even remember) but I was impressed all the same. Please report back with your thoughts! And post pics.

univera

I own a pair of the Q-70's which I have never found reviewed on a consumer site. I see mentioned that the 80's are somewhat rare, so that would explain it.

I absolutely loved my Q-70's, powering them with mid-level NAD equipment for several years. When I came across the SDA-SRS's, it was hard to access. The soundstage on the Q-70's is great, with the voices centered perfectly. The manual says NOT to toe them in for best performance. I really love the Kef sound and it took me a while to get used to the SDA's. The KEF's are very non-fatiguing. I could listen in tight quarters are very high volumes without wearing out my ears.

I found these speakers to be very smooth and have a very laid back sound. Very quiet as well. If you like a smooth sounding tweeter and mids, you will enjoy. My 70's don't have super deep base. I paid $800 for the the only pair my shop had, the floor models. They retailed for $1200. They are sitting idle now that I have the SDA's....

I have never come across the Q-70's on Ebay when searching from time to time, so this series must be tough to find. I am not certain, but I think they may have continued using the numbers but changed the design to the 6x9 racetrack drivers, but don't quote me on that. Mine are NOT that design, but have 3 identical, stacked drivers. If the Q-90's are anything comparable to my 70's, they won't compete with the SDA-SRS soundstage or encompassing sound. Let me know what happens.

Update. I just checked Ebay and actually found the 70's. They sold for under $200.00 which is insanity. The 90's sold for Buy It Now for $250.00 They were listed previously for $259.00 opening bid with no takers. I am telling you right now, people are missing the boat and are totally uninformed on these speakers. Kef doesn't have the flashy name as some of the others, but these were made when Kef was still making good stuff and you will be hard pressed to find speakers of this caliber at that price.