Nice to see a setup where everything fits on the rack instead of leaving components strewn all over the floor. Personally I'd throw a nice BDI Corridor in there, but I suppose the current shelf is functional.
The Reference 5 is the most beautiful speaker of it's price range IMHO, they look really premium in real life. Glad you like the sound as well. I think the description of "balanced" and "majestic" makes a lot of sense to me acctually.
A really beautiful room. The combination of the brick wall, the diffusion panels and those gorgeous speakers... really attractive. Thanks to the owner for sharing.
Yes Thomas, what an amazing system there ! I love the fact that it can either go 2-channel or 7 channel which is great and convenient when moving from audio to video. Further to your point on the cost of fine audio equipment, I would just like to add that those who criticize the cost and consequently, the people who buy high-end equipment really need to put things into contexte. For instance, how much money do the critics spend on things like cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, gambling, fast food, etc. in just one year. When they realize the bill they paid for it maybe they'll open their eyes and ears as to the notion that spending a lot of money on audio gear is nothing less than a great investment. Cheers !
I am desperately trying to figure out best way to go between audio and video. But I am using Apple TV 4K apps for TV Netflix UA-cam Tidal etc I am thinking there are two options: get a new AVR with a better built in DAC or get a decent integrated with Home Theater Bypass. Just curious about folk’s thoughts.
Nice system. Weak link is the number of front end components. Each interconnect link always introduces loss, as good as the cables may be. I suggest going with a preamp with dac included. Or simply 1 box all included like a Hegel H590. It’s 2020 guys.
Well, all in one solution also have it's issue. I love hegel product myself so not saying H590 is not a good solution however there is pro and cons for integrated amps.
Awesome system! Incredible component system, love all that Bryston. I am also an Atmos fan, I have a 5.2.2 sytem. Great choice of speakers. Those acoustic treatments are gorgeous. Thomas thank you for another great video. Great work on the commentary, as always. Please thank your friend for sharing this incredible system with us viewers.
@@ThomasAndStereo - so glad you noticed the comment / request. I have hope.. may be some comparison in your upcoming (much awaited) Denafrips DAC reviews as well.. :)
I'm so glad you came across this system and did a review Thomas. One of my top dream speakers are the Kef Reference 5's. There aren't many videos on UA-cam featuring this speaker so when I came across your video, I thought, AWESOME. Hope to meet you at a future audio show. Keep up the good work.
People have the same bias against wealthy people in general. I once did too. Now I can say most of the really wealthy people I've met are some of the nicest. On the flip side I once sold a $30,000 system to a guy who had a very tiny home. He did not care about having a huge house and yard, he just had a small bedroom, kitchen and a good sized living room for his gear. He took the bus to work too. Let people enjoy what they want and do what they want with their money! (Polk SRT System, NAD Pre and Power Amps, Sony top of the line DVD, Pioneeer Elite Rear Projection (they were amazing tv's!). This is all in the 90's btw and once it was set up properly sounded incredible.)
Another interesting Video Thomas. I guess you are privileged to be able to hear and experience your friends High End systems because as you pointed out, it's a lonely world being an audiophile and i know very few people who appreciate a quality music system. Saying that i'm lucky in that my wife actually appreciates our system and enjoys listening to her own music, which makes justifying the next system purchase a little easier!
Trigger an emotion within them. Spot on, Thomas! Thank you for speaking on behalf of us audiophiles. Those are true words that could only come with experience. It really is a lonely hobby and family members dont appreciate the 'noise' they're listening to off-axis. When i went to the toilet and as i make my way back to the living room, i often find myself surprised by how loud i was listening to my music. It was that immersive once i got stuck at the sweet spot.
+Thomas & Stereo You hit the nail on the head with this one. I sometimes feel so alone in this beautiful hobby, you are so empathic and right. Thank for doing these videos and keeping the fire going for audiophiles. This a wonderful system, as you said dream speakers.
Wow love Bryston. If anything we should use it as an aspiration\goal to work towards. Any one can have a high end system. With yours and others help we may even get an idea of what we want from such system.Thanks for sharing your experience through the vids.
That's damn bloody right. These speakers Kef is only missing super tweeter, either 4 way design. Than 3. Yes I've read reviews that a pin can be heard when dropped. That's how super ultra sensitive these speakers reveal ultra precise images Congratulations to Kef finally targeting studio concept pure clean signal transmission path line like PMC speakers.
@@ThomasAndStereo Your room deserves this speaker’s innate ability to create an effortless sense of scale, projection and clarity, with vocals and instruments that hang in clearly defined space, so realistic you could almost touch them. No matter what your desired output level, from whisper-quiet to levels you feel rather than hear, the fact.12 signature brings you the magic in the music, with nothing added or taken away.
Great phrase, "Bought out of love". Thomas, I have been to several hi end exhibits, and truthfully, not all gear that is expensive, equates to better gear. I demo'd 150K Bauta speakers that did not sound better than 15K Wilson Sohphia's or 30K Vandersteen Carbon. I also demo 1 Million dollar speakers that were stunning to the eye with brass horns, and exotic Amazonian wood veneers, but sounded no better than the Wilson Sophia's. And finally, yes, a lot of non expensive gear is being made available that sound impressive, like the ELAC 6.2 Debut.
Yes, not all gear that is expensive equates to better sound. There is also the problem of synergy, size vs room and so forth. I guess that is what makes this hobby fun for me. I love going to someone's place to buy something that sound like crap because my goal is to make it sound amazing at my place.
Love the Kef Ref range.... demo'd the Ref 1 and loved it but my god it was power hungry... it made a 75w Pathos classic tube/ss hybrid amp cry out and clip at moderate volume!! Serious power/current required!! In the end i am a valve guy and went Tannoy Kensington GR new opened box which was about the same price as new Ref 1 and before the price hike of the Tannoy to £18k new!!!!
Hey Thomas, terrific video! As a KEF guy of 40 years I surely do love the brand. Growing up a a kid the Reference lineup began with the 101 which was a small bookshelf and worked it's way up to the 105/105.2. Over the years that lineup changed models many times. I still own a pair of 104.2 after selling the 105.2 a couple of years ago because they were too big for my small room. Over the decades I have considered myself an audiophile only in the sense that I wished to listen to music on the best possible gear of which I could afford and currently my power amplifier is what some audio snobs would consider garbage, it's an Emotiva XPA-2 which is big and robust and which sounds good enough for me. The system shown here is far beyond my means, must sound incredible and I suspect the owner must love it. It's really nobody's concern what a person spends their own dough on so no negative comments from me, just a simple thanks for allowing us to see a really terrific system.
Thanks Tom. I also have the 104/2 at my place right now. That thing pairs well with the IOTAVX SA3/PA3 combo. I put my 104/2 up forsale, the night before the sale, I plug it to the IOTAVX, heard it and called the buyer I am keeping the speakers. I had the XPA2 before 2 and Emotiva are pretty good for the price. If you ever have the urge to upgrade, try the IOTAVX combo with the 104/2, after break in, you might be surprised how well the combo is. Thanks for the comment.
you are absolutely correct. being a true "Audiophile" is a lonely hobby that very few can actually appreciate. For those of us who love music....strive for the best sound possible....we are often misunderstood or discounted as quacks by the masses. Sadly, ignorance is bliss i guess.
I’m not rich. I’m a band 4 NHS worker with a family to support. I am a music and hifi enthusiast and over many years have built up a similar system, so I can fully appreciate his values. Project Prospect turntable, Rega Isis CD player, Onkyo network streamer, Hegel H590 amp and Kef Reference speakers!
Really nice. Many people whom I have met with very nice systems are not rich too. It is just a question of priorities, saving up and finding good deals.
Thomas & Stereo Yeh, I estimate my total system is worth between £45000 and £50000! Friends, family and colleagues think I’m mad, but, they wouldn’t have batted an eyelid if I had spent that money on a new car.
The HDMI input on a DAC can be used for i2s where the time and data are seperated. Better than S/PDIF but need an i2s outputting source, e.g. PS Audio transport, etc.
I think it’s about priorities. You make time and money for the things you really want. Some folks just have the passion and commitment for good music and not necessarily audio gear. But, yeh, you have to admit this setup looks really cool.
HDMI has become necessity for me. Can feed directly from computer and other digital devices like sacd, bluray player, ps4 etc. Nice video - this is a fantastic setup! Glad to see Bryston cube amp driving high end speakers like KEF ref 5s. More I got into this hobby, I use my brain and intellect more to listen for sound, not just with ears. So what I appreciate here is that thought and care that went into building a high end setup like this- i mean just look at all those beautiful isoacoustic footers! The only thing that’s missing here is Furutech NCF boosters! J/K hehe.
Awesome. Always looking forward to your vids! Very true about friends that are into stereo. I just have 1 person i know thats into this but hes on another level woth his gear.. my regular friends just want more bass lol.
Incredible system someday someway thanks for sharing say thanks to your friend for Having the courage to put this up because a lot of people will ridicule him it's his money he could spend it anyway he wants
Another excellent video, thanks Thomas. I have to say that I´m like a kid with a new toy enjoying my 707´s. Look forward to your review. I have a definitive technology home theater speaker system 8060´s upfront and 8080 in the back , using the subwoofers of the front speakers so system is 5.2 due to the shape of the room not sure I can do 7.2 but thinking about going the atmos route and doing 5.2.4 so thank for your comment on it maybe that´ll be my next purchase.
@@ThomasAndStereo Hi Thomas. I´m not an expert, but really like these speakers. As you mentioned the bass is impressive so much so that I don´t think a subwoofer is needed. They are very revealing providing a lot of detail. Don´t know if this qualifies a revealing of the sound stage or spatial info the provide, but a number of times I´ve had to check that my center channel speaker is disconnected because I can distinctly feel sound coming from the center of the room. The speakers can be unforgiving with poor recordings, i.e. they´ll reveal the exact sound they are being fed. Other than that you can listen to them for hours w/out getting tired. hope this helps.
Great video, very nice system indeed. Love the observations about what us crazy Audiophiles will enjoy over sane people. I wish I had a nickle for every times my bride got bored listing to my record collection and went to the living room to watch a movie. Finding joy in doing nothing but listening to the music is in IMHO is what defines us Audiophiles, no matter if the price of the gear is very expensive, or at sane world prices. That being said, only an Audiophile will appreciate the quality of what a system at $50k plus can offer.
Thanks for this video! It was great to see such a wonderful system. I can't point a finger at people who spend large amounts of money on quality music gear, simply because i know that if I suddenly came into a large amount of extra money, one of my first stops would be a high end audio store! I have heard systems with Bryston, Sim-Audio, etc., and they can be a real joy when set up right. Right now I am limited to what I can do by both income and space, so my goal for now is to make sure I know just what kind of sound I am looking for and matching that with the budget gear that can give that to me. We are so fortunate to be living in a time where audio technology has advanced enough that even budget gear is capable of so much if chosen properly. ..... and then there is the second-hand market, which can often double your spending options! It's like a big easter egg hunt with a wonderful sonic reward waiting to be discovered!
Yup, also it's room dependant. Sometimes, a less expensive system is a better choice if the room cannot handle the more expensive system. Although I have experienced many high end systems, I cannot deny the fact that entry level systems are also amazing. Right now, I am listening to a pair of Klipsch RP8000F at my home and loving it. I think I prefer it over the RP600M and that is maybe because my room can handle the bigger speaker.
Dolby atmos is nice, have a 5.1.2 in my HT setup, which is connected to my 2 channel setup. Nothing like this system of course, I have had houses that were cheaper. Great system, only thing wrong... its not mine. Where are you Canucks getting all of that money?
Nice system! The Ref 5's were on my short list when I shopper for new mains this year. I agree that you get what you pay for (with most gear). Even the exceptions tend to be less refined.
@@ThomasAndStereo I demoed up to Scala Utopia v2's with Focal (that's how I ended up with Sopra 2's as secondary speakers). Replacing my old Martin Logan ESL 15A's took some time and I don't believe you can judge gear from store or show demos so it took some trial and error.
@@anjin_x wow, Sopra 2 as secondary speaker!! Those are my dream speakers! It's a big difference going from Martin Logan ESL to sopra though, different kind of sound. So I assume you like Sopra2 kind of sound given you are interested in the KEF 5. If you can afford KEF 5, perhaps also audition the Raidho series or Borressen.
@@ThomasAndStereo The Sopras definitely have some of the magic you only find in certain speakers that have been made over the years. I think they represent a good value as well.
Very expencive and very nice system. A quick question. So many receivers...why Arcam avr 550? I know the brand, I'm looking at it too but I am curious why this one.
I noticed there were IsoAcoustic disks under EVERYTHING. I assume there were IsoAcoustic carpet spikes under the speaker support disks. Maybe $10000 total just for those isolation disks alone.
Hi Thomas :) beautiful system. I recently bought a KEF REF 5 myself. The speakers are currently powered by the NAD M33. but I'm afraid that's not enough for these speakers. I'm thinking of adding a tube amp to the system. Considering a Willsenton R8 or R800i, which one would you recommend for KEF ? or would you recommend another amplifier ? thanks for advice
Congrats, well if a M33 is not enough, neither would a R8 or R800i, unless you want to buy it as a second amplifier just to experience the tube sound. If you can wait for my upcoming video on the Cayin soul 170i, Synthesis DC98 monoblocs or even the amplifier I am about to bring to the market, Galion TS120, maybe those would be more appropriate. Even then for me, you would get the most expensive amp your wife or husband will allow you.
@@ThomasAndStereo :) I want a second amplifier just to experience the tube sound. I'm not sure if it will work in combination with the NAD M33 as a DAC. I need to find out if the M33 can only work in DAC mode.
When you have done well enough in life that you can afford a $70,000 stereo system you can buy whatever you want, whatever sounds good to your own ears. Not the speakers I would have chosen but everyone's taste are different.
Impressive setup. Obviously, well thought out, and the owner addressed those little details--isolation footers, acoustic treatments, etc.--that can take a good system over the top. Don't sweat the nasty commentators.
Hi Thomas & Stereo, superb! Appreciate the very short moment about the price, just to give us advices about how much it cost. So anyone can understand that the price doesn't do anything. The satisfaction is a matter of ear and it's only personnal. You demonstrate it very well. Just a question according to the floor. What kind of floor is there in that room? I'm preparing my room and for the moment the floor is still on blockwork. I want the right choice of floor to treat the sound correctly. The reference3 can be my next choice of speakers. Thank you.
That room has carpet. However, becareful since if you over treat it, it can sound too dead. My room had a rug before and I had to remove it. I heard KEF REF3 before too, very nice.
I really like the Kef Reference 5’s and seriously considered buying them. There very tall speakers and I have quite a small room so I feared they would overpower my it. Sometimes you have to make compromises.
Thanks Thomas. Yes, most of us know, only too well, the downside to being an audiophile hobbyist (we can be quite lonely), so hi-fi shows are the highlight of our social calendars, usually! This is a beautiful setup, by the way. :)
Just went to my first audio show in Washington DC over the weekend, hoping to be bowled over by great sounding systems , but it was not so for me. There was a small area where KEFs were set up but it was a cramped side room where all the speakers put out muddy, not convincing bass. I also heard the Blades, and again was not wowed by them. The show was a mixture if cramped hotel rooms with the beds removed and trying to get the best sound they could, and mega meeting rooms with mini-cities of glowing tubes and speakers I’m not sure I could even get in my front door, much less being able to find a place in my house to set them up. Note to company reps: TALK BETWEEN SONGS OR OUTSIDE, not on the side of the room while the music’s playing. Still, it’s great to see and hear a lot of gear in one place, with a bunch of people who don’t look at you like you have two heads when you start commenting about gear.
Yup, one piece of advice, when I go to an audio show, I only listen for the good and ignore the bad. Many systems I am familiar with sound like crap at audio shows. There are sometimes surprises and I get blown away.
Thomas & Stereo Funny story about the Audiofest. I walk into one room (Salk speakers, I believe). The presenter invites the ones who just came in to get further into the room, so we moved into the center-back. “Guantanamera” by The Weavers starts playing (I didn’t know the song at that time); Spanish guitar, quietly playing at first. Then the chorus starts and EVERYBODY around me starts singing, as if I was standing in the middle of choir. I was shocked - is this a song that everyone but me knows so well that they just start singing it like it was “Take me out to the ballgame” or something? After it was over I told the rep that they were the best speakers I ever heard, because music came from all around me! Talk about soundstage. I think we were punked.
blue zylon Not really the point I was trying to make (that KEFs suck); more along the idea that they weren’t set up IMO to make them sound their best. I heard many speakers and systems there that were stuffed into little rooms and not given a proper presentation. I had a paid of LS50’s and I knew what they sounded like with my equipment, but that’s not what I heard at the show.
Most people don't listen to audio gear or music at home at all not because they're enlightened. They don't do it because it's not fashionable anymore. Most people just follow the crowd and do what everyone is doing.
@Csab I'm not talking about audiophiles, I'm talking about my brother who refuses to buy gear I recommend but goes and buys some horrible surround sound in a box system!
HDMI inputs on a Stereo DAC. WOW. Thats exactly what I want. With most modern Sources being digital and HDMI connected, we need stereo devices that accept HDMI inputs. Firestick, Chromecast, etc to name a few. Could you have a video on those ISO Acoustic islocations? Are they needed under DACS? Any cheaper alternatives?
Oh, those iso acoustics...my close friend has it, they are quite expensive. I would say this, it does change the sound, even those you put underneath amps. For the speakers, just the fact you are raising the speaker higher changes the sound. Now, is it for the better? It depends on you.
I prefer B&W and Dynaudio to KEF but i wouldn't complain if i had these in my living room lol. The "garden hose" speaker cable looks like Purist Audio. Very nice cables.
Yeah, for the cables, everything is Audioquest. Power cables are Hurricane, interconnects are Earth and speaker cables are Oak, also a patch cable Luna Rouge is integrated along the Oak.
@@ThomasAndStereo Audioquest is what i am using too in my system. Not that expensive but close. Excellent system, everything seems well thought. Experience shows.
Thomas, a handsome setup, very nice video. Curious why Bryston amplification over Moon? Both offer excellent performance and the owner has familiarity with both. Thinking 2 400Ms would fit in the same rack space, must have been tempting...
Hi Thomas, this is a great system from your friend! Could you tell us more about the IsoAcoustic gear (under the DAC, under the speakers)? Also, could you tell us more about the rack? TYVM!
The rack is Quadraspire. I dont' know much about it but plz google it. The isoacoustic, my close friends also have it. It does changes the sound, for the better? Depends on your taste.
I also heard that the new R series speakers are an excellent value because they represent about 95% of the quality of the KEF Reference series. Did you have a chance to compare them?
I got a chance to hear the R11 but with a Yamaha AS1100 (not 100% sure) at the store and it does not have the same control.I guess it depends who is listening to it. Some people 'get it' when it comes to 'nuances' while others don't. The difference might be subtle but for me, I heard a world of difference in refinement and bass control. Having said that, just listening like that, I would love to bring the R11 home. It's pretty good.
@@ThomasAndStereo - I guess the R11 may need more power than Yamaha could give them. After all, KEFs are not Klipsch Heritage Forte III or Corwalls, which happily sing with 100W per channel.
It is a lonely hobby indeed. Of the 50 people who have seen and heard my dedicated music system over the last few years only two knew what a DAC was. Since you have listened to both, how would you compare the bass performance of these KEF to that of the Double Impact?
Nice to see a setup where everything fits on the rack instead of leaving components strewn all over the floor. Personally I'd throw a nice BDI Corridor in there, but I suppose the current shelf is functional.
KEF Really have the aesthetics nailed. Fabulous system.
what an incredible system that is wow.
Thanks for the video Thomas! Beautiful system, great overview
I'm getting that Oppo.
The Reference 5 is the most beautiful speaker of it's price range IMHO, they look really premium in real life. Glad you like the sound as well. I think the description of "balanced" and "majestic" makes a lot of sense to me acctually.
Thanks, rarely do I call a speaker majestic sounding.
@@ThomasAndStereo Do you remember the back wall clearance on the speakers? Kind of hard to see from the video, 40-50cm?
I think about that, maybe even 60cm.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks, testing to place my Reference 5s similar to your friend, seems like he knows what he is doing. :)
A really beautiful room. The combination of the brick wall, the diffusion panels and those gorgeous speakers... really attractive. Thanks to the owner for sharing.
I love KEF so much must admit my favorite !!Amazing system! Thank you Thomas for all the knowlege you share with us all
Thanks Tee-Jay, always great to see you drop by.
Yes Thomas, what an amazing system there ! I love the fact that it can either go 2-channel or 7 channel which is great and convenient when moving from audio to video.
Further to your point on the cost of fine audio equipment, I would just like to add that those who criticize the cost and consequently, the people who buy high-end equipment really need to put things into contexte. For instance, how much money do the critics spend on things like cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, gambling, fast food, etc. in just one year. When they realize the bill they paid for it maybe they'll open their eyes and ears as to the notion that spending a lot of money on audio gear is nothing less than a great investment. Cheers !
I am desperately trying to figure out best way to go between audio and video. But I am using Apple TV 4K apps for TV Netflix UA-cam Tidal etc I am thinking there are two options: get a new AVR with a better built in DAC or get a decent integrated with Home Theater Bypass. Just curious about folk’s thoughts.
Nice system. Weak link is the number of front end components. Each interconnect link always introduces loss, as good as the cables may be. I suggest going with a preamp with dac included. Or simply 1 box all included like a Hegel H590. It’s 2020 guys.
Well, all in one solution also have it's issue. I love hegel product myself so not saying H590 is not a good solution however there is pro and cons for integrated amps.
Thomas & Stereo Sure Thomas, you have a point.
@@pacificateur3630 Well, this is one explanation.
ua-cam.com/video/KXcPNegMIJ0/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/buzUKKi4J9k/v-deo.html
Great review !!!! Yes, a sound system is for the person and his/her music collection, and not the other way around.
Great comments on people who buy high-end systems!
Awesome video, Thomas. I think obtaining high-end gear is more about the journey than the destination.
For me it's the journey, for this friend, it's the destination since he no longer upgrades or change gear. Thanks for dropping by.
I kinda agree. For me right now I’ve reached Mont Blanc and my journey will probably end once I reach Mount Everest 😊
I have my KEF Reference 5 hooked up with a Naim Uniti Nova. Wonderful sound. Clear and dynamic.
Congrats! I would love to have REF 5 myself.
Thomas, you have awesome friends man!
Dig the passion and content of your videos, keep them coming!
Awesome system! Incredible component system, love all that Bryston. I am also an Atmos fan, I have a 5.2.2 sytem. Great choice of speakers. Those acoustic treatments are gorgeous. Thomas thank you for another great video. Great work on the commentary, as always. Please thank your friend for sharing this incredible system with us viewers.
Your welcome. I did consider to upgrade to Atmos but didn't want to start drilling holes in my ceiling.
Hi, @@ThomasAndStereo - anyway you can please do a review of the Bryston BDA-3. Have heard it’s good, but would definitely like your thoughts on it.
@@ThomasAndStereo - so glad you noticed the comment / request. I have hope.. may be some comparison in your upcoming (much awaited) Denafrips DAC reviews as well.. :)
I'm so glad you came across this system and did a review Thomas. One of my top dream speakers are the Kef Reference 5's. There aren't many videos on UA-cam featuring this speaker so when I came across your video, I thought, AWESOME. Hope to meet you at a future audio show. Keep up the good work.
Yeah, most likely I will be at the Toronto and Montreal audio show next year.
People have the same bias against wealthy people in general. I once did too. Now I can say most of the really wealthy people I've met are some of the nicest. On the flip side I once sold a $30,000 system to a guy who had a very tiny home. He did not care about having a huge house and yard, he just had a small bedroom, kitchen and a good sized living room for his gear. He took the bus to work too. Let people enjoy what they want and do what they want with their money! (Polk SRT System, NAD Pre and Power Amps, Sony top of the line DVD, Pioneeer Elite Rear Projection (they were amazing tv's!). This is all in the 90's btw and once it was set up properly sounded incredible.)
Same experience, a lot of the wealthy people I meet are really nice, down to earth and smart people.
@@ThomasAndStereo Yes exactly, and usually very generous with their time and money as well.
loved how you ended the video with that speech. very true
yeah I always wanted to add something so people have something to think about.
I was about to write the same, I love that insightful thoughts that Thomas gifts us in his videos.
Another interesting Video Thomas. I guess you are privileged to be able to hear and experience your friends High End systems because as you pointed out, it's a lonely world being an audiophile and i know very few people who appreciate a quality music system. Saying that i'm lucky in that my wife actually appreciates our system and enjoys listening to her own music, which makes justifying the next system purchase a little easier!
Ah, you hit the jackpot to have a wife like that.
Beautiful system. Lovely well balanced commentary too. Loving your videos.
Thanks, I did not just want to make a simple room tour but something for people to think about too.
Trigger an emotion within them. Spot on, Thomas! Thank you for speaking on behalf of us audiophiles. Those are true words that could only come with experience. It really is a lonely hobby and family members dont appreciate the 'noise' they're listening to off-axis. When i went to the toilet and as i make my way back to the living room, i often find myself surprised by how loud i was listening to my music. It was that immersive once i got stuck at the sweet spot.
Yes, thanks to youtube, we find others with the same passion as us.
No matter the gear, you always keep it down to earth.
Another great video.
Thanks, I am a down to earth person in real life :)
@@ThomasAndStereo It comes across in your videos, which is why I look forward to new uploads. Thanks again and keep 'em coming!
+Thomas & Stereo You hit the nail on the head with this one. I sometimes feel so alone in this beautiful hobby, you are so empathic and right. Thank for doing these videos and keeping the fire going for audiophiles. This a wonderful system, as you said dream speakers.
Yup, I just need to win that lottery ticket.
@@ThomasAndStereo I hope you do, maybe even to afford the Kef Muon ;)
@@chillandnothing Ah yes, the KEF Muon, that was the unknown speaker I mentioned that is above the blade II
Thanks for another thoughtful video, Thomas! Your friend has a fantastic system. Love Moon gear.
Yeah, I found Moon gear pretty good. Some of them can be a bit too 'clinical' but a lot of their product is to my taste.
Those or the Triangle Quatuor are my dream speakers.
Great video as always ❤.
Thanks, I should be getting the triangle borea soon to test.
That’s a pretty nice system. Anyone who hasn’t yet heard Dolby Atmos is in for a real treat when they eventually hear it, as am sure you did, Thomas.😊
Wow love Bryston. If anything we should use it as an aspiration\goal to work towards. Any one can have a high end system. With yours and others help we may even get an idea of what we want from such system.Thanks for sharing your experience through the vids.
Thanks, yeah I would like to try the New Brytson cube series at my place.
That's damn bloody right. These speakers Kef is only missing super tweeter, either 4 way design. Than 3.
Yes I've read reviews that a pin can be heard when dropped. That's how super ultra sensitive these speakers reveal ultra precise images
Congratulations to Kef finally targeting studio concept pure clean signal transmission path line like PMC speakers.
Talking about PMC, I will be getting a PMC bookshelf speaker to try.
@@ThomasAndStereo try getting hold off PMC Fact14, omg the depth of the cabinets reach 50cm deeeep. It looks incredible.
@@ThomasAndStereo Your room deserves this speaker’s innate ability to create an effortless sense of scale, projection and clarity, with vocals and instruments that hang in clearly defined space, so realistic you could almost touch them. No matter what your desired output level, from whisper-quiet to levels you feel rather than hear, the fact.12 signature brings you the magic in the music, with nothing added or taken away.
At the moment you said 'by paying extra money' one of the henchmen in the realistic documentary film got a sword thru his head. Art imitating life.
Canadian made Bryston ! I recommended Bryston to an audiofile and he upgraded to them and is very happy.
I have their little brother Reference 3 and really love them
I’ve always loved this video mate
Great phrase, "Bought out of love". Thomas, I have been to several hi end exhibits, and truthfully, not all gear that is expensive, equates to better gear. I demo'd 150K Bauta speakers that did not sound better than 15K Wilson Sohphia's or 30K Vandersteen Carbon. I also demo 1 Million dollar speakers that were stunning to the eye with brass horns, and exotic Amazonian wood veneers, but sounded no better than the Wilson Sophia's. And finally, yes, a lot of non expensive gear is being made available that sound impressive, like the ELAC 6.2 Debut.
Yes, not all gear that is expensive equates to better sound. There is also the problem of synergy, size vs room and so forth. I guess that is what makes this hobby fun for me. I love going to someone's place to buy something that sound like crap because my goal is to make it sound amazing at my place.
Very true. I have a small list of preferred gear, I would like to get from someone that is not happy with. LOL! At fire sale prices of course.
Love the Kef Ref range.... demo'd the Ref 1 and loved it but my god it was power hungry... it made a 75w Pathos classic tube/ss hybrid amp cry out and clip at moderate volume!! Serious power/current required!! In the end i am a valve guy and went Tannoy Kensington GR new opened box which was about the same price as new Ref 1 and before the price hike of the Tannoy to £18k new!!!!
As always........., another insightful take on said system.
I truly enjoyed your video! Thanks :)
Hey Thomas, terrific video! As a KEF guy of 40 years I surely do love the brand. Growing up a a kid the Reference lineup began with the 101 which was a small bookshelf and worked it's way up to the 105/105.2. Over the years that lineup changed models many times. I still own a pair of 104.2 after selling the 105.2 a couple of years ago because they were too big for my small room.
Over the decades I have considered myself an audiophile only in the sense that I wished to listen to music on the best possible gear of which I could afford and currently my power amplifier is what some audio snobs would consider garbage, it's an Emotiva XPA-2 which is big and robust and which sounds good enough for me. The system shown here is far beyond my means, must sound incredible and I suspect the owner must love it. It's really nobody's concern what a person spends their own dough on so no negative comments from me, just a simple thanks for allowing us to see a really terrific system.
Thanks Tom. I also have the 104/2 at my place right now. That thing pairs well with the IOTAVX SA3/PA3 combo. I put my 104/2 up forsale, the night before the sale, I plug it to the IOTAVX, heard it and called the buyer I am keeping the speakers. I had the XPA2 before 2 and Emotiva are pretty good for the price. If you ever have the urge to upgrade, try the IOTAVX combo with the 104/2, after break in, you might be surprised how well the combo is.
Thanks for the comment.
you are absolutely correct. being a true "Audiophile" is a lonely hobby that very few can actually appreciate. For those of us who love music....strive for the best sound possible....we are often misunderstood or discounted as quacks by the masses. Sadly, ignorance is bliss i guess.
Thanks goodness there is youtube so we know there are many out there like us.
I’m not rich. I’m a band 4 NHS worker with a family to support. I am a music and hifi enthusiast and over many years have built up a similar system, so I can fully appreciate his values.
Project Prospect turntable, Rega Isis CD player, Onkyo network streamer, Hegel H590 amp and Kef Reference speakers!
Really nice. Many people whom I have met with very nice systems are not rich too. It is just a question of priorities, saving up and finding good deals.
Thomas & Stereo Yeh, I estimate my total system is worth between £45000 and £50000! Friends, family and colleagues think I’m mad, but, they wouldn’t have batted an eyelid if I had spent that money on a new car.
Wonderful video, thank you for celebrating the owner's passion.
Thank you too!
Thank you for the enlightenment and giving me a whole new perspective on extremely expensive setups!
A Wannabe KEF owner!
My pleasure!
The HDMI input on a DAC can be used for i2s where the time and data are seperated. Better than S/PDIF but need an i2s outputting source, e.g. PS Audio transport, etc.
Ah, no wonder I saw I2s on my perfectwave dac.
I think it’s about priorities. You make time and money for the things you really want. Some folks just have the passion and commitment for good music and not necessarily audio gear. But, yeh, you have to admit this setup looks really cool.
yes , it was one of my talking point that I edited out of the video because I was trying to shorten it. yup, you nailed it, it's about priorities.
I really like these speakers!!
Cool setup. Those wooden diffuser panels are very nice. Good to see a bit of patina and protective dust on the gear 😆
yeah, made by someone local.
HDMI has become necessity for me. Can feed directly from computer and other digital devices like sacd, bluray player, ps4 etc. Nice video - this is a fantastic setup! Glad to see Bryston cube amp driving high end speakers like KEF ref 5s. More I got into this hobby, I use my brain and intellect more to listen for sound, not just with ears. So what I appreciate here is that thought and care that went into building a high end setup like this- i mean just look at all those beautiful isoacoustic footers! The only thing that’s missing here is Furutech NCF boosters! J/K hehe.
Haha. Glad you appreciate all the details and thought that went into building this system.
This what my dream system looks like! Wish it comes true soon
Awesome. Always looking forward to your vids! Very true about friends that are into stereo. I just have 1 person i know thats into this but hes on another level woth his gear.. my regular friends just want more bass lol.
yeah, we are a lonely bunch.
Incredible system someday someway thanks for sharing say thanks to your friend for Having the courage to put this up because a lot of people will ridicule him it's his money he could spend it anyway he wants
Yeah but fortunately I have a very understanding crowd that watch my videos.
@@ThomasAndStereo thank you for replying back it's good to have access to you anytime I feel like it LOL a big fan
Steve Costello
i think once u start spending 100k and up on speakers. the returns of “better sounding” are extremely diminished.
As with anything in life - humans are always searching for something more, maybe 1% better for every doubling in price.
I think you put in an extra 0 there.
Another excellent video, thanks Thomas. I have to say that I´m like a kid with a new toy enjoying my 707´s. Look forward to your review.
I have a definitive technology home theater speaker system 8060´s upfront and 8080 in the back , using the subwoofers of the front speakers so system is 5.2 due to the shape of the room not sure I can do 7.2 but thinking about going the atmos route and doing 5.2.4 so thank for your comment on it maybe that´ll be my next purchase.
Hey Alfredo, I am about to make the video on the 707. Any comments and tips? Your thoughts?
@@ThomasAndStereo Hi Thomas. I´m not an expert, but really like these speakers. As you mentioned the bass is impressive so much so that I don´t think a subwoofer is needed. They are very revealing providing a lot of detail. Don´t know if this qualifies a revealing of the sound stage or spatial info the provide, but a number of times I´ve had to check that my center channel speaker is disconnected because I can distinctly feel sound coming from the center of the room. The speakers can be unforgiving with poor recordings, i.e. they´ll reveal the exact sound they are being fed. Other than that you can listen to them for hours w/out getting tired.
hope this helps.
@@alfredoltinocol Yes, this is excellent. Thanks!
I am an analog guy, but even I can appreciate this! Cool video!
Great video, great message. Cheers!
Thanks for a great video! Love your high end system tours!
Great video, very nice system indeed. Love the observations about what us crazy Audiophiles will enjoy over sane people. I wish I had a nickle for every times my bride got bored listing to my record collection and went to the living room to watch a movie. Finding joy in doing nothing but listening to the music is in IMHO is what defines us Audiophiles, no matter if the price of the gear is very expensive, or at sane world prices. That being said, only an Audiophile will appreciate the quality of what a system at $50k plus can offer.
Well said and I am glad my channel has created this space where audiophiles can just drop by to say hi and know they are not alone in this universe.
Nice! Want more videos like this!
curious the appreciable sonic differnces you get on these ref 5s vs R11's. Looks like same speaker but 4x's price diff. Lol
Dreams!!!!! Nice video
Thanks for this video! It was great to see such a wonderful system.
I can't point a finger at people who spend large amounts of money on quality music gear, simply because i know that if I suddenly came into a large amount of extra money, one of my first stops would be a high end audio store!
I have heard systems with Bryston, Sim-Audio, etc., and they can be a real joy when set up right.
Right now I am limited to what I can do by both income and space, so my goal for now is to make sure I know just what kind of sound I am looking for and matching that with the budget gear that can give that to me.
We are so fortunate to be living in a time where audio technology has advanced enough that even budget gear is capable of so much if chosen properly. ..... and then there is the second-hand market, which can often double your spending options! It's like a big easter egg hunt with a wonderful sonic reward waiting to be discovered!
Yup, also it's room dependant. Sometimes, a less expensive system is a better choice if the room cannot handle the more expensive system. Although I have experienced many high end systems, I cannot deny the fact that entry level systems are also amazing. Right now, I am listening to a pair of Klipsch RP8000F at my home and loving it. I think I prefer it over the RP600M and that is maybe because my room can handle the bigger speaker.
Dolby atmos is nice, have a 5.1.2 in my HT setup, which is connected to my 2 channel setup. Nothing like this system of course, I have had houses that were cheaper.
Great system, only thing wrong... its not mine. Where are you Canucks getting all of that money?
Nice system! The Ref 5's were on my short list when I shopper for new mains this year. I agree that you get what you pay for (with most gear). Even the exceptions tend to be less refined.
I see, if REF 5 is on your list, what other speakers are you look at? Have you audition the Sopra 3 too?
@@ThomasAndStereo I demoed up to Scala Utopia v2's with Focal (that's how I ended up with Sopra 2's as secondary speakers). Replacing my old Martin Logan ESL 15A's took some time and I don't believe you can judge gear from store or show demos so it took some trial and error.
@@anjin_x wow, Sopra 2 as secondary speaker!! Those are my dream speakers! It's a big difference going from Martin Logan ESL to sopra though, different kind of sound. So I assume you like Sopra2 kind of sound given you are interested in the KEF 5. If you can afford KEF 5, perhaps also audition the Raidho series or Borressen.
@@ThomasAndStereo The Sopras definitely have some of the magic you only find in certain speakers that have been made over the years. I think they represent a good value as well.
Great system and showstopper the kef speakers amazing. I appericiate your videos. Hi end system is for music lover
Thanks, yes the speakers are gorgeous and hopefully one day I can bring one home.
Very expencive and very nice system. A quick question. So many receivers...why Arcam avr 550? I know the brand, I'm looking at it too but I am curious why this one.
I noticed there were IsoAcoustic disks under EVERYTHING. I assume there were IsoAcoustic carpet spikes under the speaker support disks. Maybe $10000 total just for those isolation disks alone.
So I uploaded a sound demo clip for this video.Check it out. ua-cam.com/video/jXHwf7qhnK8/v-deo.html
New version of Reference series soon? R-series already updated...
Sweeeeeet system. :) Especially like the fake brick which helps with diffusion.
Thomas when are you going to give us your thoughts on the 707’s
Very soon...before they sell out.
Yeah, man.... When are you going to do it.??
@@JuanLega like soon soon. In the meantime, go buy it if it is in special.
Hi thomas. Another great video! Btw the hdmi inputs for the DAC is actually i2s connection, better than usb
Ah, so good for SACD and hooking it up to a transport. Now that I think about it, I had that on my PS audio perfect wave dac.
Very nice system
Hi Thomas :) beautiful system. I recently bought a KEF REF 5 myself. The speakers are currently powered by the NAD M33. but I'm afraid that's not enough for these speakers. I'm thinking of adding a tube amp to the system. Considering a Willsenton R8 or R800i, which one would you recommend for KEF ? or would you recommend another amplifier ? thanks for advice
Congrats, well if a M33 is not enough, neither would a R8 or R800i, unless you want to buy it as a second amplifier just to experience the tube sound. If you can wait for my upcoming video on the Cayin soul 170i, Synthesis DC98 monoblocs or even the amplifier I am about to bring to the market, Galion TS120, maybe those would be more appropriate. Even then for me, you would get the most expensive amp your wife or husband will allow you.
@@ThomasAndStereo :) I want a second amplifier just to experience the tube sound. I'm not sure if it will work in combination with the NAD M33 as a DAC. I need to find out if the M33 can only work in DAC mode.
what type of stand are you using? Overall system and your choice of components are drool-worthy!!
When you have done well enough in life that you can afford a $70,000 stereo system you can buy whatever you want, whatever sounds good to your own ears. Not the speakers I would have chosen but everyone's taste are different.
Impressive setup. Obviously, well thought out, and the owner addressed those little details--isolation footers, acoustic treatments, etc.--that can take a good system over the top.
Don't sweat the nasty commentators.
Thanks, yeah I know many people do appreciate it.
Nice presentation...!
Holy moly 😁
I'm really digging that home theater setup.
spent all the money on the audio, and not a dime on the camera... like a true connoisseur!
Wow! That's an amazing system.
Hi Thomas & Stereo, superb! Appreciate the very short moment about the price, just to give us advices about how much it cost. So anyone can understand that the price doesn't do anything. The satisfaction is a matter of ear and it's only personnal. You demonstrate it very well. Just a question according to the floor. What kind of floor is there in that room? I'm preparing my room and for the moment the floor is still on blockwork. I want the right choice of floor to treat the sound correctly. The reference3 can be my next choice of speakers. Thank you.
That room has carpet. However, becareful since if you over treat it, it can sound too dead. My room had a rug before and I had to remove it. I heard KEF REF3 before too, very nice.
Thank you Thomas, so just a thick carpet is enough.
I really like the Kef Reference 5’s and seriously considered buying them. There very tall speakers and I have quite a small room so I feared they would overpower my it. Sometimes you have to make compromises.
Yup, you have to buy a new house on top of the speaker...
Thanks Thomas. Yes, most of us know, only too well, the downside to being an audiophile hobbyist (we can be quite lonely), so hi-fi shows are the highlight of our social calendars, usually! This is a beautiful setup, by the way. :)
Thanks, yeah when I meet audiophiles in real life, even if we just met, we can chat for hours.
Big speakers little tv 👌 definitely a music guy
This guy needs an 85 inch screen for it to do justice to the system. That TV looks like 65 inches
Just went to my first audio show in Washington DC over the weekend, hoping to be bowled over by great sounding systems , but it was not so for me. There was a small area where KEFs were set up but it was a cramped side room where all the speakers put out muddy, not convincing bass. I also heard the Blades, and again was not wowed by them. The show was a mixture if cramped hotel rooms with the beds removed and trying to get the best sound they could, and mega meeting rooms with mini-cities of glowing tubes and speakers I’m not sure I could even get in my front door, much less being able to find a place in my house to set them up. Note to company reps: TALK BETWEEN SONGS OR OUTSIDE, not on the side of the room while the music’s playing. Still, it’s great to see and hear a lot of gear in one place, with a bunch of people who don’t look at you like you have two heads when you start commenting about gear.
Yup, one piece of advice, when I go to an audio show, I only listen for the good and ignore the bad. Many systems I am familiar with sound like crap at audio shows. There are sometimes surprises and I get blown away.
Thomas & Stereo Funny story about the Audiofest. I walk into one room (Salk speakers, I believe). The presenter invites the ones who just came in to get further into the room, so we moved into the center-back. “Guantanamera” by The Weavers starts playing (I didn’t know the song at that time); Spanish guitar, quietly playing at first. Then the chorus starts and EVERYBODY around me starts singing, as if I was standing in the middle of choir. I was shocked - is this a song that everyone but me knows so well that they just start singing it like it was “Take me out to the ballgame” or something? After it was over I told the rep that they were the best speakers I ever heard, because music came from all around me! Talk about soundstage. I think we were punked.
@blue zylon If they do suck, the company will not be where they are today. If you are going to wake a comment, please at least make it intelligent.
blue zylon Not really the point I was trying to make (that KEFs suck); more along the idea that they weren’t set up IMO to make them sound their best. I heard many speakers and systems there that were stuffed into little rooms and not given a proper presentation. I had a paid of LS50’s and I knew what they sounded like with my equipment, but that’s not what I heard at the show.
Most people don't listen to audio gear or music at home at all not because they're enlightened. They don't do it because it's not fashionable anymore. Most people just follow the crowd and do what everyone is doing.
@Csab I'm not talking about audiophiles, I'm talking about my brother who refuses to buy gear I recommend but goes and buys some horrible surround sound in a box system!
Truly a dream system 🤗
HDMI inputs on a Stereo DAC. WOW. Thats exactly what I want. With most modern Sources being digital and HDMI connected, we need stereo devices that accept HDMI inputs. Firestick, Chromecast, etc to name a few.
Could you have a video on those ISO Acoustic islocations? Are they needed under DACS? Any cheaper alternatives?
Oh, those iso acoustics...my close friend has it, they are quite expensive. I would say this, it does change the sound, even those you put underneath amps. For the speakers, just the fact you are raising the speaker higher changes the sound. Now, is it for the better? It depends on you.
I prefer B&W and Dynaudio to KEF but i wouldn't complain if i had these in my living room lol. The "garden hose" speaker cable looks like Purist Audio. Very nice cables.
Yeah, for the cables, everything is Audioquest. Power cables are Hurricane, interconnects are Earth and speaker cables are Oak, also a patch cable Luna Rouge is integrated along the Oak.
@@ThomasAndStereo Audioquest is what i am using too in my system. Not that expensive but close. Excellent system, everything seems well thought. Experience shows.
Thomas, a handsome setup, very nice video. Curious why Bryston amplification over Moon? Both offer excellent performance and the owner has familiarity with both.
Thinking 2 400Ms would fit in the same rack space, must have been tempting...
So he told me "moon amp at that power 600watts per channel would've cost me a leg and an arm"
Hi Thomas, this is a great system from your friend! Could you tell us more about the IsoAcoustic gear (under the DAC, under the speakers)? Also, could you tell us more about the rack? TYVM!
The rack is Quadraspire. I dont' know much about it but plz google it.
The isoacoustic, my close friends also have it. It does changes the sound, for the better? Depends on your taste.
Beautiful
I also heard that the new R series speakers are an excellent value because they represent about 95% of the quality of the KEF Reference series. Did you have a chance to compare them?
I got a chance to hear the R11 but with a Yamaha AS1100 (not 100% sure) at the store and it does not have the same control.I guess it depends who is listening to it. Some people 'get it' when it comes to 'nuances' while others don't. The difference might be subtle but for me, I heard a world of difference in refinement and bass control. Having said that, just listening like that, I would love to bring the R11 home. It's pretty good.
@@ThomasAndStereo - I guess the R11 may need more power than Yamaha could give them. After all, KEFs are not Klipsch Heritage Forte III or Corwalls, which happily sing with 100W per channel.
Is that a centre speaker above the rack? And what subs are he using (at the corner of the room)
yes, that is a kef center and a psb sub. He really like the sub but I don't remember what it was.
Wow, insane! I love KEF. Have you aver tried KEF with creek or Plinius amps?
No I never, my friend had a creek integrated amp and it sounded great but never heard a Plinius.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks, I am really impressed with KEF these days. 2nd choice would be Dali.
Awesome Jean Béliveau jersey!
Not harsh, not bright or irritating...
he probably has good power line management and noise suppression.
well, he does have special jacks and that audioquest thingy.
It is a lonely hobby indeed. Of the 50 people who have seen and heard my dedicated music system over the last few years only two knew what a DAC was. Since you have listened to both, how would you compare the bass performance of these KEF to that of the Double Impact?
I don't remember the DI bass actually so it would not be fair to compare.
Great system! How does he share.the KEFs between his Bryston and the Rottel ? Is he using the preamp as a HT bypass?
yup, you got it.
Is Rotel as good as Bryston then? There’s a difference in price there.