KEF LS60w - The Ugly Side of the Active Speaker Market

[Chrispy]

Just seems poor Kef management to me. Delivering defective parts more than once, good grief, taking 7 months with not even an offer of a spare speaker, sad.

 

[Ron Texas]

Naked drivers may be sexy, but does a grill cloth really protect them? Maybe the problem is the drivers are thin metal which are easily damaged whether covered or not. There are other materials which don't dent when touched.

 

[MattHooper]

I for one welcome the new trend of magnetically adhering speaker grills. The old model of the speakers that I own had grills that are affixed via those old style knobs into holes. (sorry I’m not sure what that’s called). The newer version I got uses magnetic grills. I’m so glad because I’m taking the grills on and off all the time and it makes it so easy. Sometimes I like the sound with the grills off sometimes on, and sometimes when I have friends over who are likely to sit near the speakers, I feel a little safer with the grills on.

I think magnetic grills could be a nice solution for KEF.

 

[diddley]

I got my KEF R 3 with one speaker both of the plugs broken of.
I telefoned the company where i bought them and explained what happened, they immediality screwed the cross over out of another pair and came to me and fixed it. Within 2 hours it was fixed.
This company was Bender HIFI in the Netherlands. a good company.

 

[diddley]

How is that different from customers taking apart, replacing or rewiring a 240v wall outlet itself, or any other electrical device? Is this illegal in the EU now?

No it's not.

 

[Verig]

That's the difference between companies committed to after sales service and worldwide spare parts distribution and those who are not.

Sure. This is why I asked. Even the best packaging can't withstand a forklift running through so there's a clear difference between simple transport mishap and poor packaging by the manufacturer.
My experiences with logistics companies haven't been the best lately.

 

[Mart68]

I did look at getting some Kii3 speakers but it's this sort of problem that puts me off, and the cost of them means buying a third one as a spare isn't really realistic.

I keep a pair of Audiovector towers as spares, bought used quite cheap. Not quite as good as the Focals I usually use (although some visitors preferred them) but more than adequate to slot in and carry on listening should the worst happen.

Added to which I know that the hassle of arranging a repair and boxing and shipping the speaker to be repaired is possibly something I would not be bothered to do (I work long hours, don't like to do more work when I get home) leaving me with an expensive white elephant.

'Know thyself'.

In any case, I find the touted advantages of active over passive to be overstated, sometimes alarmingly so. The Kii3 were a little better in the bass, that was about it. But I use a Krell power amplifier which doesn't really notice that it has a loudspeaker to drive, lesser amplification may not be so nonchalant.

 

[Esprit]

How is that different from customers taking apart, replacing or rewiring a 240v wall outlet itself, or any other electrical device? Is this illegal in the EU now?

You can do it, but if something happens you risk a criminal charge.
All interventions on electrical systems must be carried out by professionals who assume responsibility and must certify them.

 

[TonyJZX]

i live in a country where you cant work on your own electrical systems without being licensed

so yeah, cant change a socket or open up 240v gear

that just aint done

you can change your own lightbulbs though

 

[Esprit]

Sad. If they keep this up, the next generation will be unable to tie their own shoes without calling in "a professional".

AC kills.
For this reason all electrical sockets must be tamper-proof and it must not be possible, for example, for a child to insert objects into them.
Obviously any switch, electrical outlet or light must be earthed.

You can "play" with the plumbing system, at worst you flood your house and neighbors.

 

[TonyJZX]

you cant do your own plumbing in this country either lol

 

[Esprit]

you cant do your own plumbing in this country either lol

If you're talking about a heating system, no because this must also be up to standard and certified but no one is stopping you from changing a tap

 

[Purité Audio]

I did look at getting some Kii3 speakers but it's this sort of problem that puts me off, and the cost of them means buying a third one as a spare isn't really realistic.

I keep a pair of Audiovector towers as spares, bought used quite cheap. Not quite as good as the Focals I usually use (although some visitors preferred them) but more than adequate to slot in and carry on listening should the worst happen.

Added to which I know that the hassle of arranging a repair and boxing and shipping the speaker to be repaired is possibly something I would not be bothered to do (I work long hours, don't like to do more work when I get home) leaving me with an expensive white elephant.

'Know thyself'.

In any case, I find the touted advantages of active over passive to be overstated, sometimes alarmingly so. The Kii3 were a little better in the bass, that was about it. But I use a Krell power amplifier which doesn't really notice that it has a loudspeaker to drive, lesser amplification may not be so nonchalant.

I find their constant directivity produces a very uncoloured presentation, full range of course , the ability to adjust the bass output allowing placement close to the wall, built in peq and sophisticate tone controls, we didn’t sell many to older audiophiles who had spent a great on their existing kit.
Keith

 

[Sokel]

I guess. We also don't burn down our houses due to electric fires very often, so there's that. But jokes aside, I agree the regulations are a bit over board.

Regulation and care-free products aside,not all drivers are as easy to take out as if unscrewing some screws.

The nice looking ones without visible screws or with weird assembly or specific torque (like Purifis for example) are not as easy for the end-user nor could give them the responsibility for a bad end-result.

Any fixed speaker has to be remeasured after all.

 

[sigbergaudio]

Regulation and care-free products aside,not all drivers are as easy to take out as if unscrewing some screws.

The nice looking ones without visible screws or with weird assembly or specific torque (like Purifis for example) are not as easy for the end-user nor could give them the responsibility for a bad end-result.

Any fixed speaker has to be remeasured after all.

Yes, how easy it is to service a product is of course an active choice by the manufacturer.

 

[Sokel]

i live in a country where you cant work on your own electrical systems without being licensed

so yeah, cant change a socket or open up 240v gear

that just aint done

you can change your own lightbulbs though

It's not only about regulations which is justified.
The most important part is insurance coverage.I can assure you that they are willing to search every non-CE or UL or whatever spec product they can find in a fire place so to avoid paying.

Their absolute joy are the thingies produced in far east with no control whatsoever or fake certificates,etc.
It's not that simple or care-free buying electrical stuff.

 

[Mart68]

I find their constant directivity produces a very uncoloured presentation, full range of course , the ability to adjust the bass output allowing placement close to the wall, built in peq and sophisticate tone controls, we didn’t sell many to older audiophiles who had spent a great on their existing kit.
Keith

I have the opposite problem to most people in that the speakers have to be placed a long way from the wall so that advantage is nulled. Already have PEQ.

It did take three separate demos to convince me not to buy them, so it was a close run thing! And their bass was better, just not 12 grand better.

 

[sq225917]

My first ones were Meridian M2, in about 1985. There were others even earlier, going back to the 1970s.

S.

Lots of active BBC monitors and Spendors with amp packs from Quad and other UK brands into the 70s. First true active was the OY from Klein Hummel in 67. Jbl did powered speakers in 64.

 

[kelesh]

You can do it, but if something happens you risk a criminal charge.
All interventions on electrical systems must be carried out by professionals who assume responsibility and must certify them.

Are you allowed to build your own power supplies, amplifiers, computers, etc? If not, that is killing DIY/enthusiast/experimental activity which is half the fun in life!

 

[kelesh]

If you're talking about a heating system, no because this must also be up to standard and certified but no one is stopping you from changing a tap

That's funny, because changing a tap requires a lot more skill and experience than changing an AC outlet