View Full Version : My new speakers...
Hello All,
After visiting Geoff’s (Oldius) house for a listen to his system and taking his advice, I then left on the lookout for new speakers, he gave me a few vintage makes to consider, that were on the warmer side: Castle, Ruark and KEF. I can’t remember his exact words, but I left in particular with the impression that the KEF Reference 103.2s would be very worthwhile speakers to own.
A few weeks later I got my chance on Ebay for £230 and here they are.
They're very much in decent condition considering their age and have had new crossovers professionally done.
I will do a write up on them soon and post it.
https://i.imgur.com/uebOZCO.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/LaILgks.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4uzHd66.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/3Bs9v8w.jpg
I've bodged together a new binding post arrangement using 10mm thick plywood, I just couldn't live with those Currys/Dixons own brand type nasty cheapo hifi kit things.
https://i.imgur.com/3uAwyus.jpg
Bigman80
24-11-2017, 15:47
Very nice! How do they sound?
Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
Firebottle
24-11-2017, 15:48
Good move with the binding posts though they do look a little close to each other.
To be on he safe side I think I'd fit a plastic sleeve to one of the posts, just in case of rogue wire strands or paper clips or anything that could short the two together.
Lovely veneer :)
walpurgis
24-11-2017, 16:03
If the posts were mounted on the small plate diagonally instead of horizontally, they could be further apart.
id get some shrink on the plugs, or at least insulating tape.
They are class speakers. For me, one of the very best bookshelf designs with a beautifully balanced sound. I do hope the crossovers are original specification though!
I'm so pleased you felt the visit worthwhile. All the best and keep us informed.
Hello Bigman80,
When I first took them out of the box (even though I’d seen them on ebay) I didn’t exactly embrace them, looks wise I’ve gotten use to the black stealth look that all my modern kit usually has rather than the vintage look. Within a few minutes of starting them up I was smiling and hugging them!
They sound special.
They’re capable of playing with a gorgeous warmth with Bob Dylan and then with classical pieces giving a hugely detailed presentation.
I was initially listening to them through a Marantz PM6003 budget amp and they sucked every bit of soundstage, detail and bass out that amp. I’ve since moved on to a vintage flagship amp, It’s now a whole different ball park I’m in.
I’ll do a proper write up of these over the coming days.
Hello firebottle, walpurgis and struth,
Yes, the post are closer than I’d like them to be, but there is just about enough separation.
The actual piece of ply I’ve used is only 5.5cm across (it looks a fair bit larger in the picture) and the area available to place the binding post into is only 3cm.
“Measure twice cut once”, I measured these 4 times!
Hello Geoff,
Most definitely a worthwhile experience that visit.
I’ve only got the previous owners word for it about the crossovers, but these speakers do sound simply marvellous, just been listening to Cowboy Junkies, Trinity session ‘To love is to bury’. There’s a beautiful floated feeling about the sound, it sounds good.
Here’s a picture of the crossovers:
https://i.imgur.com/6hrlYFZ.jpg
walpurgis
24-11-2017, 18:54
Oh. Push on spade connectors. They'll be telling you off for leaving those in there! :)
Walpurgis,
They sound good even with the spades and I was in such a hurry to get the new binding posts in and the speakers playing again, I just left them.
As an aside though, when I set the speakers up for the first time my 12 guage cable would not fit in the clamps of the original binding posts and I was forced to use some old thin cable I had used on a AV setup (maybe 16 guage), that sounds as good as my 12 guage (to my ears), perhaps my ears aren’t what I think they are?
In any case, my 12 guage drops down to those 2 thin wires pictured, I probably should not of bothered with heavy cable.
So glad you like them Bob.
I really love the 103.2. I recommended them to a friend and he replaced a set of Dynaudios with them. The improvement was huge. Of course, the 103.2 would be a very expensive speaker if made today, as it was then. What's the amp you are using now?
walpurgis
24-11-2017, 21:21
I'm not sure I've actually heard a set of those. I guess they are sort of the replacement for the Corelli.
I'm not sure I've actually heard a set of those. I guess they are sort of the replacement for the Corelli.Higher in the range. Part of the reference range.
Hello Geoff,
"I really love the 103.2. I recommended them to a friend and he replaced a set of Dynaudios with them. The improvement was huge."
I'm pleased with these speakers, they're an addictive listen.
My new amp is a Sony TA-F770ES 90W/CH and it sounds good with the 103s.
I'll do write up after the weekend.
Cheers,
Rob
Hello Firebottle, Walpurgis & Struth,
"If the posts were mounted on the small plate diagonally instead of horizontally, they could be further apart. "
These kind of solutions are done by people who are capable of thinking clearly and laterally, but not by simpletons like myself who put their head down and charge at the problem like an angry bull. It's obvious but I didn't see it at the time.
I've added another photo top down, that shows a better seperation. I could tape or put some shrink/sleeve on them, but I think so long as there is enough separation and no stray copper sticking out the plugs I'm happy.
https://i.imgur.com/i6jts4W.jpg
Cheers,
Rob
Fair enough. I usually put red and black shrink on the plugs as accidents can and do happen, but maybe just for peace of mind.:) its pretty cheap from China. takes a while but it comes ok.
Zoidburg
25-11-2017, 19:03
Very nice looking speakers you have there dude. I bet your be in front of them most of the weekend!
Hello Geoff,
"I really love the 103.2. I recommended them to a friend and he replaced a set of Dynaudios with them. The improvement was huge."
I'm pleased with these speakers, they're an addictive listen.
My new amp is Sony TA-F770ES 90W/CH and it sounds good with the 103s.
I'll do write up after the weekend.
Cheers,
Rob
Nice amp. The high-end Japanese stuff of the period I rate highly. I have a similar amp in the form of a Denon PMA850, though probably 10 years earlier than yours (1978).
Hello Zoidburg,
I've spent so much more time in front of these than any other speakers I've owned, they're a real pleasure.
Frank Sinatra had an airing last night, "Somethin' stupid", the separation between his and Nancy Sinatra's voice is something I haven't heard before on any of my systems, marvellous!
Night and day difference to my old budget system.
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