Speakers Shootout: KEF 104/2 vs TANNOY CHEVIOT
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- Опубліковано 29 гру 2019
- ** Hi-Res Audio recorded at 24bit/96kHz with dedicated XY microphone setup **
** Listen through a good pair of Headphones/IEMs for the best listening experience **
***Note: KEF 104/2 speakers are about 3dB louder than the Tannoy Cheviot, this is due to difference in each speaker specs, i.e. Sensitivity and Impedance. Please keep this in mind when comparing :-)
Power-Amplifier: YAMAHA CA-2010
Pre-Amplifier: OPPO BDP-105D
Speakers: TANNOY CHEVIOT vs KEF 104/2 Reference Speakers
Source: OPPO BDP-105D
Music: Pink Floyd - Money
Enjoy!!!
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/48PxwspDvrE/mqdefault.jpg)
This is not really a fair comparison. When speakers have different sensitivity ratings, the one with the higher sensitivity will sound louder at the same volume setting. The louder speaker is often falsely perceived as being better. The only fair way to compare is to use a decibel meter to set the volume level to be the same for each speaker. Then you are comparing sound quality and not loudness.
The Kef still sounds better even adjusted for level. Kef's faster rigid poly cones reproducing mids vs a heavy 12 inch paper cone in the Tannoy.
I quickly turned up for the Tannoy and down for the KEF. The Tannoy sounded more coherent and less smeared to me.
Oooooh Seems there's a difference in opinions here. I totally agree with wildbill3006. First of all it seems the KEF's sound 'clearly' better but once I also began to adjust for sensitivity differences, I found the following. The Tannoy's appear to have more bass extension and maybe more high frequency extension. The KEF's however 'may' have a more detailed midband. I have a pair of KEF 104.2's and I must say I am constantly at odds with the midband. Sometimes it seems great, sometimes I hate it. At the moment I am running them with the top drivers disconnected!!! which has upset the balance a lot but it got rid of a phasey quality which was annoying me. With the EQ balanced I can live with them a lot better...
And the Tannoy has a front panel control for cutting high frequencies and an energy level. I don't know how it is set. I use mine in (-1 energy level) and no roll off and it sounds wonderfully warm.
@@1ralton1 I suggest you take your KEF crossovers in for service. This is not normal.
Nice one! Have had both of these, myself. Think both benefit from having space around them. Personally I prefer the 104/2s they do so much just right. I had the Tannoys reconed and did like them, but overall find the KEFs to have a better balance, better dynamics and more of a sense of realism.
I share your opinion, same between my Tannoy Arden and my KEF 105.4. But, there IS a BUT, depend of amp/pre-amp and music style, more voice or more music, there is very fine details but this make the pleasure of listening
Again very big thank to that wonderful man with speaker switch in one hand! You do magic!!! That kind compare is very very good. Can hear difference! :)
Switch one you prefer? I think the tannoy sounds better,?
@@boseandfriends9284 Tannoy tone higher than KEF. KEF is more bassy, Tannoy more high frequency. Choose by your taste
Not a 100% fair comparison, as we can't see what your roll off settings are on the Tannoys.
Both settings as per default. Thanks
I could happily live with either one :-)
Bought my Kef 104/2s back in 1989. The model had been in the hifi market for several years by then and the reviews had been mixed. Many reviewers couldn't get on with them. They were difficult to drive for many amps. When I went purchase mine I simply tested them alongside as many similarly priced speakers (they were £805.00 new at the time) as I could. Most other speakers were blown away, but several were only just pipped. They've since travelled with me around the world and back (with my other Linn/Naim gear) and still sound superb and alive, and are in great condition. They demand a clean signal from the source and being controlled properly by the amplifier, but it's actually difficult for them to sound properly bad. Friends and visitors still wow at their sound and looks. So do I. Obviously the best speaker purchase I ever made, because I've never felt a reason to replace them.
Great story, I completely agree and that has been my experience as well.
Thanks for sharing! Cheers
Guys which is the right receiver or amplifier for the KEF 104.2? Please help me out thanks
@@luisdiaz3887 Well, Naim amps would vertainly drive them, because mine do. They sound very alive and fast.
Ho avuto le Kef 104.2 per diversi anni. Veramente ottime.
Kef is the winner ... I bought Kef speakers in 1984 and still till this day they sound fantastic
In this comparison, the music on the KEF 104/2 loudspeakers sounds canned, while on the Tannoy Cheviot it sounds spaced and more realistic. Tannoy Cheviot sounds better.
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Late reply - but the Ref sound far more live and real. Tannoy are trapped in their cabinets...the beauty of the 104/2 design with the midrange unit so isolated and clean...clearly better...sorry Tannoy fanboys
Kef was in the '80ies and 90 ies of the rare companies that delivered reference speakers with a textbook flat phase curve.....easy to drive resistive load ,so less peaky for the amp.....
Per me meglio le Kef, suono più pieno e completo su tutta la gamma, ottima comparazione, complimenti
KEF sounds pretty good !
Love the kefs
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i just bought a pair of refurbished kefs. i paid way over the odds for them, i know. i won't be able to listen to them til i finish my contract but can't wait to set them up and hear them based on this video and the comments. how do you think they will go driven by a macintosh 7200 amp? any advice on speaker cable greatly appreciated also.
The KEF would sound best with a powerfull amp, pure class A even better
Hahaha you're awesome man!!! with that fingerpointing haha just genius!
Thanks 😊👍
I think that each one looks better in a certain style of music, it is difficult to judge only by the video, but Tannoy seem to have the least tiring sound.
Yet the most annoying I can’t listen to them for one hour mate; sound it’s very metal. KEF sounds and gives more space and comfort.
Very good video demonstration bass of tannoy. I recentrly bought Tannoy SRM12 and feel lack bass. It's have bass at 60-80hz, after that 100-250Hz have down around -3db bass, and more high frequency is normal. I don't know why 100-250hz have laydown, maybe because was reconed in professional workshop . But I always prefer add db 100-200Hz in eq. Vocal sound is goddness, but problem with deep in sound. Maybe need to burn speakers after reconed, or change amp :(. Enigma, Mark Knopfer, Allan Taylor sounds not good (not enough bass), but Yao Si Ting, Tong Li and other high vocal singers sound goddness!
I've a video when I went to try a pair of Tannoy SRM12 and I agree with you, they are excellent with vocals but they do not go deep on the bass. From my experience with other Tannoy speaker, the main reason is the size of the cabinet vs driver. Usually they need a bigger box to sound their best, in general terms. Thanks
KEF no doubt i wanted these speakers back in the 80's but could not afford them at the time.
Now it’s time lad.
Same for me. Go for them if you can.
Hello. Which cables do you use for the tannoys? And how? Only a thin cable can fit in with this kind of terminal.
The speaker terminals need to be upgrade to a five way bidding post, that was the first thing I did when I got these speakers. It's a pretty straightforward affair on these Tannoy models.
I've been listening a couple of times to your video, and I much preferred the KEF 104.2.
I will add that I played the same on my cd-player Copland CDA288 Mk. II with some mods, my Copland CSA14 hybrid amplifier and on my modded B&W 640i Mk. II.
I know it's unfair completely to compare this live to the youtube add, but I will remark, that I found the Tannoys screaming and mid no real mid and lack of bass and punch. I found the KEF 104.2 to be somewhat narrow and lacking an integrated treble.
It's abit strange, because many years ago I listened to the brand new KEF 104.2 in a very good hifi shop, and they played really well. For example the high freq was more pronaunced and the stereo perspective far wider.
On my own setup, I lack none of this. I am interested in buying a set of old KEF 104.2, renovate them completely with bass rings, inners, the filters with new better components and possibly get rid of the spade connectors. Maybe also better internal wireing. Maybe also a newer treble soft dome.
I'd like to ask you if you've done any mods or renovated yours?
Please let me hear what you did/have done.
Kind regards,
Jacques
The previous owners had the crossovers recapped with Falcon caps as it's recommended. He also replaced the donut caps and surrounds. He kept the original tweeters but changed the ferro fluid in them. I was lucky to have had them refurbished before I purchased them. Great speakers by the way. Hope this helps
@@vintagehifilover Thanks for your comments. I will go look an dlisten to a pair.
Kind regards,
jacques
Without level matching, this really isn't an easy comparison.
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Tannoy is for jazz, Kef is for rock, pop, etc. I am a user of Tannoy Gold with Corner GRF.
Very good your observation.
In the 80ies speakers were tested in 'la nouvelle revue du son', and very few speakers had a textbook straight phase response like kef reference. ...so after a while 'the revue' stopped publishing these results probably under pressure of those performing low...tannoy are duplex but no nice phase response results.....
Acoustic research.... Are technically perfect.. too
The Tannoys seemed a bit thinner but I've sold quite a few pairs of 104's & a couple of 107's so it might be that I'm biased!
Both great speakers in their own right.
Kefs 😁
Those tannoy seemed to be missing some tones, like less mid sound.
Hmm
Agreed. An almost tin like sound in there somewhere or lacked a degree of warmth that benefits this song. Kef all the way without a second thought.
tannoy 👍
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If you place the KEFs with free space around them, you might get a surprise... Top speakers!
Yes I know what you mean, they definitely benefit from having plenty space around them for sure. Thank you
I liked the Kef the most. But regarding tonality, the ideal might be something in between 🤔
Hmm... could be
вот как надо сравнивать !!!
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I think on that particular choice of music ( excellent)... I actually like the Tannoy's... seems like a better rocker top and would get more emotionally involved.
KEF's hands down in every way under the sun!
They are good indeed
Guys I need help please give me the name of the receiver that works best with the KEF 104.2. Thanks.
The Tannoys may not be as efficient. A 4 ohm speaker will be more forward with less power. Lastly, I think if you make adjustments with your equipment to the Tannoys, they will sound a lot better. For sure with volume.
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You touched the key mate KEF reference go from 4ohms to 8 ohms. A good amp will make them shine
Would like to know if you have keept the Kef ??
Have kept neither of them.
@@vintagehifilover Ok thx, What do you have now ??
Sounds like the KEF 104/2 are more sensitive - you might need to drive the Tannoy harder?
not really, Tannoy 91dB @ 8ohms, KEF 92dB @ 4 ohms
Question were KEFs recapped ?
yes with the falcon acoustics kit, works done by the previous owner.
I have a pair os 104.2 for over 20 years and I love them. The video does not show their real sound. Paired with the right amplifier they are amazing speakers.
You're spot on, listening in the flesh is best. Cheers
Molto meglio la KEF secondo me
Bel confronto, molto facile da capire.
Thanks for your feedback.
Kef 👍👍👍
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I thought this comparison was unusual. Between these two speakers I was thinking the Tannoys being slmost in the same mold as the Klipsch's would have been louder than the KEF.
Hmm
Is not a matter of louder mate we’re looking for sound quality
@@luisdiaz3887 I know and agree. However two speakers of different sensitivity are not exactly equal in every aspect.
Brilliant demo, think I preferred the kef, but they sounded a bit boxy at the same time. Treble may be better on Tannoy and less boxy. Better midrange on kef perhaps. Both ugly speakers
Thanks for your feedback. Cheers
I think Tannoy is better because of more detailed and pure sound.
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Kef is the winner!
Excellent speakers indeed.
Однозначно Кефы!, намного больше звуков услышал!
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On a technical level, DB levels can differ depending on what they are set up with...In fact smaller bookshelf speakers can take a lot less power to activate them and drive them at full potential...so Aside from DB differences...I can’t tell which is best unless the volume levels are matched to better gauge dynamic response, definition, organic to the instrument quality, and which sounds like it has more breath and instrument separation. Don’t be fooled by DB comparisons. I guarantee you give those a tube amp that brings drive it right, those Tennoys will come to life and 🤯
You are spot on Lee.
Ho le nuove Cheviot, che non suonano così piatte come quelle del video. Queste sembrerebbero avere qualche problema! Le Kef hanno un effetto loudness in confronto! La differenza di volume comunque può influire sul giudizio finale...
Maybe the Cheviots need new caps
Not a fair comparison . KEF is more in your face and forward as their placement in on the inside . Secondly the true test is when both speakers are playing at the same position in the room at same SPL level
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我喜欢 tannoy
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They both not perfect, as a Tannoy owner, surprise I like the KEF little better in this case! BUT those Tannoy sound like they need recap.
Yes, I think you've got a point there, the KEF are great speakers though
KEF for sure here. Maybe it's the difference in dB's, but Tannoys have very little bass or midrange.
Thanks for sharing your opinion
Tannoy is more open and clear , voice is natural and vith more power they should shine . Kef is louder but kind of dark .....
Yes, the KEF can sound a bit dark I agree, they need a lot of power/current to sound their best in my experience
Listening through UA-cam it seems like the Tannoy have a more 'holographic' cant tell where the sound is coming from type sound compared to the KEF....but at a cost of very weak lows...the Tannoy you barely hear the bass guitar or the power of the keyboard, no power to any of it really. In read life with live music a song like this would have a ton of bass guitar power, you would feel it with a lot of punch too it. But maybe they sound different in person.
What was it like in person? I've been considering getting a pair of KEF 104/2 that are for sale.
I think I'd like the KEF better but with the bass barely backed off.
Keg gives more reality to the instruments specially to the drums
Tannoy for me.
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Cheviot!
You got it
TANNOY CHEVIOT🤟
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Those Tannoy are meant to be a monitor, thats why they sound so flat. They were never really intended for home use.
okay
Низкая громкость и Танной не может раскрыться.
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Kef
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Kef is the clear winner
Hmm
KEF sound boxy
Hmm don't know
The KEF speakers win this one.
KEF is far more better in terms of dynamics, low range, midrange and stereo images
yes you've got it 👍🏼
Kef 👍🏻
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104 all the way
You got it
Tannoy Cheviots all the way.
The Tannoy HPD315 are excellent drives, but unfortunately they are hindered by the Cheviot cabinets IMO
Con tutto il rispetto..non conosco le Kef e non so se suonano meglio delle Tannoy. Ciò che posso dire, per certo, è che l'amplificazione in prova, non è adeguata a pilotare le Cheviot. Buona musica 😊
What would be your amplifier recommendation?
KEF 104/2 have the better mids.
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KEF AND AGAIN KEF.
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Kef reference 104/4 is beter personele!! 👍
Yes, same for me 👍
Surprised how much bottom end the Tannoy's DO NOT HAVE!!! 🙄🙄🙄
That's not the case in my view. I find the bass on the Cheviots less bloated when compared to the KEF with the amplifier used in the video.
@@vintagehifilover Ok maybe it's just the sound I can hear on the video then as the Tannoy's sound very bass light indeed to me
Prefer the treble and mids on the Tannoy
Tannoy's has more huge soundstage than kef's.My zingali's plays like this.it has airy and huge soundstage too.
You are perfectly right.
In this video Tannoy wins for me. I am a Tannoy fan but also like KEF, especially the 105`s. For me the KEFs here are much too loud, to upfront, in the mids. The sound almost like German speakers. Tannoy is more spacy and laid back, less tiring. Mind you, speakers of this age will all sound (slighty) different from when they first came out the factory. I will recone my Tannoys and give them a blast. With the right amplifier they sound stunning
Thanks, yes you're spot on.
like comparing apples to oranges.
Still one can taste the different flavours.
KEF gives cheap drone instead of bass. HF are inexpressive.
Tannoy offers more correct but cut bass.
MF and HF are quite musical.
Therefore I prefer Tannoy.
КЕФ даёт дешёвый гул вместо баса. ВЧ невыразительны.
Танной предлагает более корректный, но урезанный бас.
СЧ и ВЧ достаточно музыкальны.
Поэтому предпочитаю Танной.
I had a similar impression myself. Too much bass on the KEFs but lacking control and refinement.
After select the Tannoy it is made me feel like the lights turn off.Kef sound is better.
Hmm
Tannoy better!
Cheers 👍
Kef seems to be better.
Tannoy much more sophisticated. You have to get beyond the huge advantage of louder Kefs
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The Kef is better no contest. Tannoys are nasal and colored in the mids. About what I'd expect a from high mass 12 inch pulp cone cone crossed over at 3000 hz. Tannoys have always been overhyped.
Hmm
kef more detailed
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Here we can see the tannoy is a larger size, so it needs more power then Kef. If you give them same power, Tannoy will become weak.
Hmm
What ? Efficiency counts, not size.
Kef ! More better sound !
KEF wins
Thanks 👍🏼
Такой на порядок лучше звучит: деликатно и музыкально. Кефы грубоваты и прямолинейны в звуке.
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таной как в тумане звук , 104/2 кеф порвали их как тузик грелку , на пинкфлоиде там где много инструментов, в середине композиции таной все оттенки пропустил ,даже в ютубе слышно
Kef...
Thanks
KEF 🔥,Tannoy ☹️
Another comparison that is totally not significant. Obviously your amp can't keep up with the Tannoy Cheviot. The Cheviot is a more complex speaker than the 35 year old Kef 104/2. Secondly, your setup is all wrong, having speakers bunched up together. They need room around them.
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Tannoy is way better. The Kef sounds hollow.
Both speakers are very good in their own way
kef fall off
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Kef sounds better and smoother
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pointless
Ok channel balance mismatched aside, I can see why a listener who loves bass would prefer KEF with it's twin internal bass drivers over Tannoy but to my ears (i own 12" Tannoy Golds) the Tannoy has more space and air. The KEF sounds more constricted and boxy. The Tannoy with more gain would have ample bass and I've never heard any Tannoy owners complain about lack of midrange. Thanks for posting.
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