KEF R11 Full Review

[@Kpaceguy]

Time stamp: Center channel guessing game: 1:50 Malaya Review: 06:25 Kpaceguy review: 14:06

[@howardskeivys4184]

Years ago I was the proud owner of a ginormous pair of Acoustic Energy speakers. I loved them. They filled the room with full range, relaxed and effortless music. When my girlfriend and I decided to cohabit, she would not entertain having them in our apartment. She described them as ‘too big and too ugly’. I literally had to choose between them and her. They did not become part of our new home. Over the coming years, as our understanding of each other’s wants and needs grew, I started to rebuild my hifi. Unfortunately I don’t have the pleasure of a dedicated listening room, so my hifi has to fight for it’s right to be, in our family lounge. So, aesthetics have a greater influence. After listening to dozens of pairs of similarly priced speakers, I purchased a pair of Kef R11 speakers in piano gloss black. I have them augmented with a pair of matching Rel T9X subs. Where as my old Acoustic Energy effortlessly filled the room with music, the Kefs form more of a wall, a highly focused soundstage. They lack the mid-bass punch of the Acoustic Energy, they punch lower down. That doesn’t suit one of my preferred musical genres ‘female vocal trance’ with it’s ubiquitous 120BPM, but as you rightly point out, nothing is perfect, not even my girlfriend!!! You have to minimise the compromises and maximise the strengths, I’m referring to the Kefs of course, not the girlfriend. I have to be honest and say that initially, I was a little disappointed with top end presence, but found that towing the Kefs in far more than I normally would, really brings that top end to life. The old Acoustic Energy were short, squat wide and dumpy and ridiculously heavy. The Kefs are tall, slim, deep and weighty, but far more aesthetically pleasing. They don’t fully meet with the girlfriends approval, she mildly tolerates them. I guess that would also fit her description of me. So, I’ve had the Kefs now for approaching 3 years. They are undoubtedly superb speakers offering great ‘bang for the buck’, excellent ‘performance to price’ ratio. But they did take some dialling in, and I did have to adapt to their sonic presentation. I have absolutely no purchase regrets. Their strengths are that they don’t demand mega amplification power, though it helps. They retain excellent tonality at low volume. At higher volumes 85db and above, they come alive, with stressing. I hope this helps anyone considering purchasing a pair.

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

KEFs generally need quite a bit of toeing in, Im just 5 degrees off axis with my LS50s, with the axis crossing just half a meter behind me. No KEF is sparkly and airy up top, for that you will need to resort to the likes of Focals.

[@phillm156]

Focal’s or B&Ws

[@007g35]

Yesss!!! I've been anxiously awaiting this full review!! Woohoo!!!

[@Mjaybird]

My wife is like that, She understands discs are better then streaming but could not tell you why. She just wants our setup to work for what she watches. I get excited when I hear things coming from different speakers and the quality it is. I have been into movies and music since I was a teenager because of my grandfather and him playing the piano

[@stevenoconnor5693]

I think in the end, no matter what speaker or set up you have at least in my experience I think you realize you have a gain and you’ve achieved something really special when you have the experience of a deeper perception of the sound and presentation being portrayed to you by the speakers.

[@luvtechLynn]

Great review! I love the KEF sound! I only have the KEF LSX II with REL T5X subwoofer in a small room and I’m amazed by how Big and immersive they sound!

[@rickshaw5595]

Just bought a pair of R11's in white and the R2C. Thanks for your reviews of these. Not many reviews out there.

[@Kpaceguy]

Glad to help

[@wa2368]

When your friend said something along the lines of "it projects more", I think she was catching on to the holographic imaging representative of well designed concentric drivers. Very nice review...this is the type of review that will attract new younger people into the hobby.

[@Kpaceguy]

I greatly appreciate it

[@taseti4803]

You're 100% correct. The concentric drive in the middle of the midrange driver makes a huge difference in sound dispersion. The Andrew Jones pioneer elite towers uses this same setup.

[@benjaminjensen7402]

You Lucky man, you have kef r11 and this cute girl on the sofa.

[@justchilling4491]

👍💪

[@GioDrago]

just found you on recommended. watched like 10 vids. decided to sub, great content.. :)

[@Kpaceguy]

I greatly appreciate it! Welcome to the crew!

[@sds4810]

i know you guys arent dating..but shes definiteLy a keeper..and remember the best long lasting loving relationships derive from great friendships! AND SHES INTO HT!! Great review btw! :-D

[@Kpaceguy]

Haha I appreciate it

[@devinchaney2541]

How’s the bass response without the sub? How do these sound with Hip Hop , R&B and acoustical soul?

[@Kpaceguy]

They sound great with everything but you're always going to want a sub to take it over the top

[@RecoveryoneDrone]

When it comes to comparing speakers has to start with the source, most often people don't pick good sounding/well engineered recording. Also people need to remember that speakers are made to replicate the sound of real instruments and not the often used electronic sounds that are used today.

[@McFamily86]

Just stumbled onto your channel and have already subscribed!! You're one of the few I have found who have tried both the R3s and then moved up to R11s. Could you comment on the differences, especially for home theater? I'm really debating whether it would be worth it since I already have a big time sub (Rythmik FV18).

[@Kpaceguy]

I'd still go R11s, especially the Metas, because those extra drivers and bigger cabinet really help hone in on that quality sound and blend so so well with a big sub

[@McFamily86]

@@Kpaceguy Thank you for the reply! Do you feel like the R11s gave a taller soundstage as well compared to the R3s?

[@Kpaceguy]

@McFamily86 no it's pretty even. There's just a lot more sound in the wall

[@stevenoconnor5693]

A lot of people go with the idea that it’s how are speakers, the end all and I’m not saying they’re not, but from my experience, you can use some amazing results from well placed speakers, even if they are bookshelves with a combination of subwoofers that tower speakers would definitely have a run for their money. I also think that people underestimate some of the settings on receivers and because people just like the idea of purists or pass-through only there’s a lot of missed opportunity for the potential of sound to be improved. The only way I think you can get better sound ultimately a strong knowledge which requires learning, which requires experimentation. And no matter how many people come before you and especially this field or any there’s nothing wrong with experimenting example I was able to achieve the 805 D4 sound for bowers and Wilkins on my 805 D3 and yes, there is a distinctive difference. The 805 D4 is a better sound in my opinion, but with the settings and everything I did, I would say I did achieve the sound of the D4 through the D3 by 99.99%. Had a not experimented the calibrations and everything else I would’ve never achieved it just by saying everything has the pass-through only my sound has better by at least 60% through experimentation maybe more actually so my whole point of this is to show my experience, but also don’t be afraid to try something that everybody is against or a group of people say well you’re not supposed to do this so I wish you well in your audio quests no matter what you do whatever you set up I hope you get the best sound that you like possible

[@steeveabitbol2466]

What brand speaker wires are those?

[@Kpaceguy]

GearIt

[@jp_booi7791]

“Alright so just stand in front of the speaker and pretend like your listening”

[@malayacunningham8093]

“Great now tilt your ear towards me….no not that much!”

[@Shift4g]

This is me and my wife every time I add something to my HT lol

[@David-bb7mt]

And her pretending to care 😄

[@gaurd3]

I echo your opinion about the sweet spot. In that they are sublime. Out of the sweet spot with music, while still great it's not as good. Good thing I'm the only that cares. With speakers of this quality it is important to say what you got powering them in the review I got mine on sale earlier this year plus a haggle discount from a local AD. Worth every penny. I was thinking about getting an amp but after research I found out that my SR8015 is more than enough since I have them crossed over at 80. I have 2 monolith 16 THXs handling low frequencies. I may get a processor but the separation is pretty damn good using the SR 8015, I'm not sure if its a 3000 improvement.

[@Kpaceguy]

Yes I WISH I had said my equipment in the video BUT it's easy to find out. I'll put it in the description

[@gaurd3]

@@Kpaceguy AVM 70 Big boy processor

[@Kpaceguy]

@@gaurd3 love it

[@P-LOWN1997]

You should try the klipsch rf7-iii ‘s they are legit amazing

[@Kpaceguy]

I'm sure they're good

[@KJ_S1K]

Too bad the RC64III has terrible lobing. That’s the reason i sold the whole system and started over….

[@PaleVillian]

She’s a hottie. Include more of her in your videos.

[@Kpaceguy]

Subscribe to me and I'll do it

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

@@Kpaceguy 😅🤣😭

[@andreemilsen369]

🤣😂🤣😂 So.... You sure your not high? 🙈🙊 Nah man...just joking... I totally get your reference, I use music as kind of healing myself😊 Herd the R11's at a show along the Blades, and I actually like the R11's better. They had more presence in that room😊

[@saizn9sr]

KEF always passes the WAF

[@rickshaw5595]

Yes, mine was always commenting on my Cornwalls. Now she'll be happy. She said they are "pretty"

[@jimfalco8302]

What a cool girl and a fantastic speaker! Date the girl and keep the speaker sir!

[@timfloyd9397]

Love your videos, but I think certain speakers sound better in different rooms. In my room vento have more bass a bigger soundstage. Not saying ones better than the other, just different. Kef are definitely more neutral and sound great. Maybe the difference I experienced is Kef sound good almost all the time but never sounded great to my ears. Canton on some material and gear sounded ok but not even good at times. Get canton right though with right gear and source and it scales higher. Vento are more revealing of your gear but hits a higher level. R600c was a much better center too. More equal to your canton vento 866.2. In your video you mention price a few times, but 896.2 retailed for $3299 each and Kef r11 at $2999 each. Most people paid way less for these speakers with sales. The newer canton vento 90 are $6000 to $6300 a pair depending on finish. Just saying all that because they are really equal in price.

[@Kpaceguy]

Yes I agree. I probably have no chance of getting the new Canton ventos in for review

[@timfloyd9397]

@@Kpaceguy you never know what’s in your future. You do an incredible job and are very intelligent, like able, and informative. You’d do an excellent job helping canton reach more people in our country.

[@Kpaceguy]

@@timfloyd9397 I appreciate it my friend

[@howardskeivys4184]

Sorry, that should have read ‘without stressing’!

[@gaurd3]

I'm going to say. No. Imaging is what they do.

[@Baas_Fumani]

Your girlfriend should babysit you two

[@Kpaceguy]

I don't have a girlfriend lol

[@justchilling4491]

She can babysit me anytime

[@BrianGarside]

@@Kpaceguy That may change after a few more listening sessions ;-) JK

[@Baas_Fumani]

@@Kpaceguy I have been your subscriber since the beginning, I remember a white lady being part of your videos introduced as girlfriend.

[@Kpaceguy]

@@Baas_Fumani yes that was Holly. She was my girlfriend for a few years and made it in to a few videos

[@RecoveryoneDrone]

Potential Wifey material 😎😎😎😎

[@malayacunningham8093]

Try to tell him! Lol very nice.

[@Hec901]

I looked at her feet the whole time

[@Kpaceguy]

Lol was their something wrong ?

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

Men can be so creepy 😳. Please stop being so weird on the internet.

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

Dude... wtf...

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

@@AbsoluteFidelity right!!!?? I mean that is some Hannibal Lecter behavior

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

@@keepingupwiththejones2933 some weird mofos around here, there is a comment up there requesting for the girl to be included more in upcoming vids because she is a hottie... I mean like wtf... creepy and disgusting.