Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 65 or KEF XQ20

[prerich]

Any thoughts on these for 2 channel audio? I will express my thoughts later as I have heard both speakers.

[velociti]

Haven't heard those models, but I've met the guy who designed the 65s (and visited his design lab), and own KEF's larger R900. The Uni-Q is something special, but I know that those DefTech bookshelf speakers are well-designed. I would imagine both to be very good, with perhaps a slightly different presentation. The DefTech's tweeter is probably a bit crisper sounding, with the KEF more relaxed - my two cents. You going to buy?

[DerrellB]

For me, I would go with the Kef's. I have owned the IQ series and auditioned the R series. The 207/2's are on my shortlist to own one of these days. I have never like Def Tech for music. Thats just my personal opinion. I like the Detail of the Kef's. Awesome clarity.

[Big Daddy]

Both speakers are very good. You may have a more difficult time finding the KEF speakers. If the bass performance in a two-channel setup is important for you, get the Definitive Technology speakers. They will have much better lower frequency performance.

Audioholics was very impressed with them:

These may be the best bookshelf speakers I've ever heard for under $1500. The best part is, a pair of these only cost $900. And these studio monitors have more bass than several towers I've listened to in the last few months.

Additionally, as one of the previous posters said, the Definitive Technology speakers are more crispy and score very high on your Crispometer, but very low on your Squishometer.

Those of you with limited knowledge of Crispometer and Squishometer should read Crispy or Squishy? - A Beginner's Guide to the Edible Insects of Thailand.

[prerich]

I'm not buying either of them, the Mirage thread was turning into something else so I made this thread to answer one of the questions and solicite answers from others.

I've herd both and I prefer the Kef, the Def Techs have great reviews but I was a little disappointed in them at Axpona 2012, they were playing on Cary tube amps and the sound was very lean...not what I expect from them.

The Kef's were smooth and balanced...classic Kef sound.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by prerich

I'm not buying either of them, the Mirage thread was turning into something else so I made this thread to answer one of the questions and solicite answers from others.

I've herd both and I prefer the Kef, the Def Techs have great reviews but I was a little disappointed in them at Axpona 2012, they were playing on Cary tube amps and the sound was very lean...not what I expect from them.

The Kef's were smooth and balanced...classic Kef sound.

Perhaps the tubes were the culprit and not the speakers. Also, listening to speakers at audio shows is not exactly the right place to audition speakers.

[s33s]

Originally Posted by prerich

I'm not buying either of them, the Mirage thread was turning into something else so I made this thread to answer one of the questions and solicite answers from others.

Guilty as charged....
it was me who made the question there...
you see I am looking for much feedback as I can for a low budget 2.0/2.1 system.
After gathering 30 Mirage speakers,enough to create four cinema systems,the acquisition of the top notch Klipsch THX subwoofers last month,ended my expectations for the big ones (omd15/omd28) which are not easy and cheap to be imported to Greece....
So I started to look for a pair of bookies with sealed cabinet or front firing bass reflex for relaxed internet radio music or coming mostly from my computer or HDD etc...
Combined maybe with a integrated amp at the low cost of $3500-$4000 in total. I found while Googling the KEF's XQ20,and loved their design...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT_ZT-R8dUg

Soon enough I found out that these 2008 EISA awarded speakers where -like my beloved Mirage's- out of production line but still available for sale in Holland and Germany.The cheaper price I got was $1250/pair delivered.

I set the question to the Greek community about them and I was surprised that many audiophiles were recommending active speakers,until one guy said a word about the D.T.'s which are found $250-300 cheaper in the domestic market than the KEF's...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOuirxeSRWY

the problem seems to be the distance from where they are going to be placed (10-12ft apart from each other) as it reaches the 12ft from the couch or even longer by 6-8ft from my PC study,where I usually am seated in the afternoon....

Obviously, I have no experience from either of them,and something tells me that in case I make a move I will be needing a subwoofer too...
The good news are that I am not a "hi-end" guy and I like to see the whole forest and not the tweaks on a tree of it...
I like good rock music,Italian French,pop,R&B,jazz,almost any kind of music when the mood is right...

I think the the XQ20's with that Mahogany veneer,are more presentable even when the are silent and my scale tends towards them,unless people with more experience convince me otherwise...

I kind like the B&W 805s but they are hard to find and probably out of my budget....
So, I am open to suggestions....

[callas01]

you said your old Mirage dealer is now a Dynaudio distributor? Why not look into the Excite X12? Its small, looks great, and is musical on all scales. For more bass drive you could look at the DM2/7 as well.

Monitor Audio RX2 would be a solid choice in your price range as well, and should be local in Euroupe.

Wharfedale would be another UK brand that should be local. Sonus Faber from Italy the new Veneer line is liked by a lot of people and very musical.

[s33s]

Originally Posted by callas01

you said your old Mirage dealer is now a Dynaudio distributor? Why not look into the Excite X12? Its small, looks great, and is musical on all scales. For more bass drive you could look at the DM2/7 as well.

Monitor Audio RX2 would be a solid choice in your price range as well, and should be local in Euroupe.

Wharfedale would be another UK brand that should be local. Sonus Faber from Italy the new Veneer line is liked by a lot of people and very musical.

Yes he is,and a very good friend too,but correct me if I am wrong.
no matter which may be the winner it's back will be 2-4 inches from the wall which makes the bass reflex on the back a no play speaker,and has to be 10" wide max or else the 123" Stewart screen will be crushing on them when deployed.....

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Perhaps the tubes were the culprit and not the speakers. Also, listening to speakers at audio shows is not exactly the right place to audition speakers.

That thought crossed my mind. Especially after the great reviews they received about 4 months later!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by s33s

Yes he is,and a very good friend too,but correct me if I am wrong.
no matter which may be the winner it's back will be 2-4 inches from the wall which makes the bass reflex on the back a no play speaker,and has to be 10" wide max or else the 123" Stewart screen will be crushing on them when deployed.....

Can you post a pic of the room they are going in?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by s33s

Yes he is,and a very good friend too,but correct me if I am wrong.
no matter which may be the winner it's back will be 2-4 inches from the wall which makes the bass reflex on the back a no play speaker,and has to be 10" wide max or else the 123" Stewart screen will be crushing on them when deployed.....

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-53406-w...eakers-pr.aspx

sealed speaker meeting your width requirements.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by callas01

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-53406-w...eakers-pr.aspx

sealed speaker meeting your width requirements.

Don't spare the juice when using a Jade series!!!!!

[s33s]

Originally Posted by callas01

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-53406-w...eakers-pr.aspx

sealed speaker meeting your width requirements.

Do you think that they are better than the other two?
I find them in U.K. for $1380 delivered or in Portugal for $1150 delivered in Vintage Cherry....

[s33s]

Originally Posted by prerich

Can you post a pic of the room they are going in?

coming up....

the first two are from me seating at my couch....





the gaps left &right from the Stewart were ment for floor standing speakers,but now they are going to be filled in...
one will be cornered in and the other has plenty of room as a short corridor leads out of the apartment or into the bedrooms...



the third one is as I see the room from the opposite side.... (a bit messy today,I know...)

[Bluvette]

I know they are ported, but I really like the KEF LS50.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by s33s

Do you think that they are better than the other two?
I find them in U.K. for $1380 delivered or in Portugal for $1150 delivered in Vintage Cherry....

With good amplification, they will do well in your setting.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Bluvette

I know they are ported, but I really like the KEF LS50.

A very good speaker indeed.

[Bluvette]

Yes, same technology as they use on the Blade.

[velociti]

Originally Posted by Bluvette

Yes, same technology as they use on the Blade.

Very similar, but not quite the same. On the Blade the Uni-Q has a titanium tweeter, and it doesn't handle the bass frequencies. In the LS50 it has a larger surround to accommodate bass response, and uses an aluminum tweeter. In all, the LS50's driver produces a bit more distortion because its asked to do more, and its tweeter probably has a lower breakup point, and so doesn't sound quite as smooth through the midrange.

All that said, I can't recommend anything else than the LS50 for someone looking to spend $1,500 - they're that effing good.

Still, DefTech does make good stuff. They know what they're doing, and those Studio 65s probably don't sound like bookshelf speakers...