Rega Aya/Kef/wharfedale speakers

[Alexx]

Hello everyone.

I would like to buy new speakers for the Rega Elicit MK5 amplifier.

I tried to read online but it's not easy, I ask you have had the chance to listen to them.

I am undecided between:

Rega Aya
Warfedale Linton
Wharfedale Aura2
Kef R3 Meta

Linton, I have heard them (not on the Rega) and I liked them a lot, I only fear that in the long run they could be too closed in the medium-high range ( the Rega amplifier is quite advanced in this range, and it could be a good match).

Aura2 I have read reviews of "Erins" and I don't like the fact that on the high frequencies it defines them a little forward and annoying (tiring) otherwise it would have been a perfect speaker from every point of view.

Rega Aya, I read good reviews but every dealer I ask tells me that he doesn't have them because he doesn't like how they sound...

Kef R3 Meta? I had the classic R3s and they weren't that bad, a little ahead on the highs but the new metas should be more balanced in the high range.

Listening to them is practically impossible, in Italy you can't find anything in the shops, everything has to be ordered).

Thanks in advance.

 

[Verig]

Wharfedale Aura tiring highs?

Erin's review:

• Excellent sound quality and exceeded expectations
• Visually appealing with three different color options
• Priced at $2,500 per pair, worth the investment
• Impressive output capability with no audible distortion at high volumes
• Wide soundstage, precise imaging, and good separation
• Excellent linearity, except for a slight breakup around 13 kHz
• Highly recommended speakers

My own experience is that the highs are very smooth and refined. FR is such that you perhaps don't want to toe them in much, if at all, but that's within matters of taste (and your hearing). They are a great listen.

In home audition I preferred Lintons for the sheer scale and power. But then again I mostly listen to metal/punk/electronics. For a smoother ride I can very well see many people hugely preferring Aura. They are very different speakers, Aura being technically much cleaner. Matters of taste again what kind of music you listen to and how loud.

I haven't tried R3 Meta. My cousin has LS50 Metas and they're clearly cleaner than the previous version so perhaps something similar applies to Rs. Edit: checked Erin's review, looks like the same applies, very nice.

No idea about those Regas but I haven't much liked any speaker from them I've heard.

 

[DSJR]

Very sad the Aya performs as poorly as it does (shame on you Rega!!!) although a noob hearing them on their own may like the tonal balance if used with one of their better lean-toned turntables playing suitably chosen dem music! Not sure the previous RX3 was ever properly tested, but these had a delightful midrange (free space siting) and the top was pleasant and never drew unnatural attention to itself. bass varied with placement a lot though.

I'm inclined to look at the Wharfedales myself here. I don't like the KEF looks these days (too showy 'bling' for me and the tweeters aren't always good over 20kHz, the excuse 'we' can't hear that high doesn't cut it for me as some sources and amps can have noise and/or distortion harmonics up at these frequencies I'd rather not see reproduced) and the Linton Heritage performs extremely well despite the deliberate late 60's styling.

People owning speakers with a designed-in hf lift, often toe them in too much (sharper perceived image in the listening seat) or face them straight ahead so sitting off axis (PMCs and B&Ws are often used this way), so maybe the Aura 2 could be set up this way? It's the *quality* of the sparkle that needs to be taken into account, as if basically sweet, it's more easily tolerated, rather than an acidic paint-stripping 'sting' that certain models can offer.

 

[Verig]

I'm inclined to look at the Wharfedales myself here. I don't like the KEF looks these days (too showy 'bling' for me and the tweeters aren't always good over 20kHz, the excuse 'we' can't hear that high doesn't cut it for me as some sources and amps can have noise and/or distortion harmonics up at these frequencies I'd rather not see reproduced) and the Linton Heritage performs extremely well despite the deliberate late 60's styling.

Modern Kef tweeter break up is around 40kHz. That's the same or better than some ceramic and beryllium designs. Wouldn't worry about that. Also, I think the problems KEF has had historically are not so much related to tweeter break up than to coaxial design in general but that's a subject of its own. Luckily they're a living company and their r&d seems to work.

People owning speakers with a designed-in hf lift, often toe them in too much (sharper perceived image in the listening seat) or face them straight ahead so sitting off axis (PMCs and B&Ws are often used this way), so maybe the Aura 2 could be set up this way? It's the *quality* of the sparkle that needs to be taken into account, as if basically sweet, it's more easily tolerated, rather than an acidic paint-stripping 'sting' that certain models can offer.

Going with highly subjective wording, yes, the ATM tweeter is sweet. It does not sound offending even with very harsh music. One of the smoothest I've heard in the price point. Some critisized the vertical directivity being tight but it actually helps a great deal with room placement and sound cohesion. Linton in comparison is all over the place.