8040B as LCR

[delta76]

I am set on Kef Q Meta and actually ordered Q6 Meta as my center. But now there are used 8040B listing locally with stand, and I'm intrigued.
Would they work as LCR? Or would it work between 2 8040B as LR and Q6 Meta as center :-?

I couldn't find measurements on 8040B, only 8030c and 8050B...

 

[voodooless]

I had those as LRC. They are very good speakers, so they will work as LRC just fine. But if you don’t have 3 the KEF trinity would make more sense.

 

[AnalogSteph]

Would they work as LCR?

Space permitting (upright position), I don't see why not. The recommendation has always been using identical speakers if possible, it's just that accommodating a conventional speaker as center is often tricky.

I couldn't find measurements on 8040B, only 8030c and 8050B...

The specs are fairly comprehensive. They are a fairly wide-radiating speaker leading to some directivity mismatch in the midrange, but it's not overly troublesome. The KEFs would presumably be narrower. Choosing between them would be a matter of listening distance and acoustic treatment level, I'd think.

 

[kyuu]

If you are okay with its SPL limits the 8040b would be terrific as LCRs. If this is a far-field (more than 1 meter away) setup and you expect any sort of dynamic capability, you will definitely need to offload the bass to a subwoofer. The built-in amps will limit/compress pretty audibly along with likely a fair amount of port noise if they are pushed too hard.

 

[voodooless]

If you are okay with its SPL limits the 8040b would be terrific as LCRs. If this is a far-field (more than 1 meter away) setup and you expect any sort of dynamism, particularly in the bass, you will definitely need to offload the bass to a subwoofer.

It’s not so bad really. With 3 of them you can easily fill a medium sized room with plenty loud noise Subwoofer is mandatory anyway for AV.

 

[a4eaudio]

...I couldn't find measurements on 8040B, only 8030c and 8050B...

Not as comprehensive as full Spinorama and distortion measurements, but there are some measurement on p.5 of the User Manual. (Downloadable HERE)

 

[delta76]

If you are okay with its SPL limits the 8040b would be terrific as LCRs. If this is a far-field (more than 1 meter away) setup and you expect any sort of dynamic capability, you will definitely need to offload the bass to a subwoofer. The built-in amps will limit/compress pretty audibly along with likely a fair amount of port noise if they are pushed too hard.

99dB long term, 2x speakers means +6dB and room mode +3dB. At 4m it will be something like 99dB long term which is still a lot right?

I had those as LRC. They are very good speakers, so they will work as LRC just fine. But if you don’t have 3 the KEF trinity would make more sense.

Yeah my head says both will be just fine, but my heart is leaning toward Kef setup. Looks nicer and because I already ordered Q6, a pair of Kef Q Meta for LR will be very nice.
If I were richer maybe I can buy two 8040B and use it for the bedroom

 

[Mort]

I don't think there will be many moments you notice the difference. I ran similar and it's very high quality audio.

To me it would be more of a decision about active vs passive