The guitar on nothing else matters is spot on with the Kii's, not sure if it was a little higher dB then the Linkwitz playback, but the texture of the low E note was perfect on the Kii's. would not complain about owning either system. Great video.
The volume level was a bit higher with the Kii if I recall, so good noticing that. There are so many variables and hard to tell via a video, but I'm glad some things came through.
These are out of my budget, however my bamberg series three with the minidsp is the same approach. Hypex amps for each driver and a dedicated dac for each driver. It really is a fantastic way to get high resolution. And with this approach it really allows the designer to show off his filter design chops in ways impossible with passive, so you may really be hearing things for the first time so to speak.These kii's sound really nice. I bet the bass in the room was dynamite 🧨.They sound smooth. For me this approach is the future. A single cable to the control speaker and a single cable from the control to the satellite. Connect the top to the bass bins and voila. Everything kept in the digital domain. I like music with impact so if money was no object, id choose the kii's out of these two. If i listened to orchestra mostly' id choose the linkwitz. Both fantastic systems. Buchardt and kef now have actives that are i believe in the under 10k range, and i bet for a lot of people either buying their first high end or simplifying their system these should bode well. Get a steamer and the speakers. High resolution solution. Thanks for the videos!
Seems like the Kii speakers pull in a little more of the recorded venue acoustics than the Linkwitz LX-521. Both are very clean sounding on the Teenage Wasteland cut. I like the Linkwitz a little better on the Ed Sheeran cut. This one sounds a touch brighter/more congested (maybe that is the way it is mixed). Both really come across as very nice. Looking forward to hearing your conclusion.
The Linkwitz were better. Sounded fuller in the mid range. Music flowed better and soundstage was bigger. More musical. These Kii sounds good too but on the cooler side, leaner and less engaging, smaller scale and imaging.
Stating the obvious- Of course this video gives just a glimpse of what the systems sound like. For one thing they are being recorded using inexpensive mics in a cell phone. Second the mic setup is not controlled as it would be for a proper recording. Third what you listening to is mostly the system you are using to play this. Be that headphones or speakers this is is only an approximation. Lastly is the quality of UA-cam audio. To really understand what these sound like you must listen to them properly setup.
Yeah... Most people know those things, but it's a good reminder. The bigger issue is when you ONLY get someone's verbal take on a speaker. There's just as much if not more variability between people's tastes and ears. Thus, as I always say, if you're spending this kind of money, it's best to budget a little more to fly to a dealer a audition them yourself.
Kii seems more “controlled” and the Linkwitz seems more musical? I meant I knew I am listening to very expensive system when listening to the kii, but my head notch along more with the linkwitz…..
Everybody has different tastes in music, so no need to grab a gun. In terms of recording quality, I think most people think the opposite is true. As good as the Who are as a band, their recordings are far from great in terms of high fidelity.
@@AudiophileJunkie I'm often reminded of the Alan Parson's quote "Audiophiles don't use their equipment to listen to your music. They use your music to listen to their equipment." I get musical tastes vary, but my guess is that version of Baba O'riley found its way in the audio system not because it is someone's musical taste, but because it is someone's aural taste. Perhaps the new test for whether we are listening to the piece of music for its sound versus music content should be, and you can quote me on this, "If you'd not listen to the piece of music in your car, but you would on your home audio system, you are probably listening to the piece of music for its sound rather than its musical content." I am therefore curious how often anyone has enjoyed that version of Baba O'riley in their car.? I'm guessing never. Which is fine. But I fear that chasing sound ultimately devalues music.
Here's the ironic thing. My friend Jose (who I've featured in videos) hates the Who version and says he never listens to it. When I played this one for him at my house, he was like "I don't even like that song, bit I loved that version". When it comes to auditioning, you should obviously play whatever you want, but music like this lets you isolate a standing bass and vocals. It can be extrapolated to a ton of music regardless of tastes. If you can't hear the value of using this track, that's fine, but I would say your opinion is in the minority. It doesn't make it invalid, but your attempt to create the opposite narrative is "invalid" for many.
The guitar on nothing else matters is spot on with the Kii's, not sure if it was a little higher dB then the Linkwitz playback, but the texture of the low E note was perfect on the Kii's. would not complain about owning either system.
Great video.
The volume level was a bit higher with the Kii if I recall, so good noticing that. There are so many variables and hard to tell via a video, but I'm glad some things came through.
These are out of my budget, however my bamberg series three with the minidsp is the same approach. Hypex amps for each driver and a dedicated dac for each driver. It really is a fantastic way to get high resolution. And with this approach it really allows the designer to show off his filter design chops in ways impossible with passive, so you may really be hearing things for the first time so to speak.These kii's sound really nice. I bet the bass in the room was dynamite 🧨.They sound smooth. For me this approach is the future. A single cable to the control speaker and a single cable from the control to the satellite. Connect the top to the bass bins and voila. Everything kept in the digital domain. I like music with impact so if money was no object, id choose the kii's out of these two. If i listened to orchestra mostly' id choose the linkwitz. Both fantastic systems. Buchardt and kef now have actives that are i believe in the under 10k range, and i bet for a lot of people either buying their first high end or simplifying their system these should bode well. Get a steamer and the speakers. High resolution solution. Thanks for the videos!
Good to know about those options under $10k.
OH WOW.
Seems like the Kii speakers pull in a little more of the recorded venue acoustics than the Linkwitz LX-521. Both are very clean sounding on the Teenage Wasteland cut. I like the Linkwitz a little better on the Ed Sheeran cut. This one sounds a touch brighter/more congested (maybe that is the way it is mixed). Both really come across as very nice. Looking forward to hearing your conclusion.
they both sound great, Linkwitz LX-521 wins it for me thanx 4 sharing
The Linkwitz were better. Sounded fuller in the mid range. Music flowed better and soundstage was bigger. More musical.
These Kii sounds good too but on the cooler side, leaner and less engaging, smaller scale and imaging.
These seem to have a more relaxed and softer presentation. Not really very forward or dynamic to me. Soft and mellow.
Stating the obvious- Of course this video gives just a glimpse of what the systems sound like. For one thing they are being recorded using inexpensive mics in a cell phone. Second the mic setup is not controlled as it would be for a proper recording. Third what you listening to is mostly the system you are using to play this. Be that headphones or speakers this is is only an approximation.
Lastly is the quality of UA-cam audio. To really understand what these sound like you must listen to them properly setup.
Yeah... Most people know those things, but it's a good reminder.
The bigger issue is when you ONLY get someone's verbal take on a speaker. There's just as much if not more variability between people's tastes and ears.
Thus, as I always say, if you're spending this kind of money, it's best to budget a little more to fly to a dealer a audition them yourself.
Kii seems more “controlled” and the Linkwitz seems more musical? I meant I knew I am listening to very expensive system when listening to the kii, but my head notch along more with the linkwitz…..
Similar experience with me
I hate assessing a rig based upon a video but fwiw, it’s sounds stressed and lacks weight.
Could you please tell me what was the second track.
It should be in the description. UA-cam will put any track that is copyright protected in the description automatically.
@@AudiophileJunkie Thanks, it wasn't there the first time I checked but its is now.
When I hear the Who's version of Baba O'riley, I want to celebrate and sing along. When I hear this version I want to put a gun to my temple.
Everybody has different tastes in music, so no need to grab a gun.
In terms of recording quality, I think most people think the opposite is true. As good as the Who are as a band, their recordings are far from great in terms of high fidelity.
@@AudiophileJunkie I'm often reminded of the Alan Parson's quote "Audiophiles don't use their equipment to listen to your music. They use your music to listen to their equipment." I get musical tastes vary, but my guess is that version of Baba O'riley found its way in the audio system not because it is someone's musical taste, but because it is someone's aural taste. Perhaps the new test for whether we are listening to the piece of music for its sound versus music content should be, and you can quote me on this, "If you'd not listen to the piece of music in your car, but you would on your home audio system, you are probably listening to the piece of music for its sound rather than its musical content." I am therefore curious how often anyone has enjoyed that version of Baba O'riley in their car.? I'm guessing never. Which is fine. But I fear that chasing sound ultimately devalues music.
Here's the ironic thing. My friend Jose (who I've featured in videos) hates the Who version and says he never listens to it. When I played this one for him at my house, he was like "I don't even like that song, bit I loved that version".
When it comes to auditioning, you should obviously play whatever you want, but music like this lets you isolate a standing bass and vocals. It can be extrapolated to a ton of music regardless of tastes.
If you can't hear the value of using this track, that's fine, but I would say your opinion is in the minority. It doesn't make it invalid, but your attempt to create the opposite narrative is "invalid" for many.