KEF X300A problem. :(

mistersprinkles

mistersprinkles

mistersprinkles

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I have the KEF X300A (non wireless)

They have had an ongoing problem since I bought them in 2015 where the sound quality fades out and I lose depth, presence, punchiness and bass. This happens after the speakers have been on for awhile. disconnecting the speakers, turning them off, reconnecting and turning back on corrects this issue.

KEF tech support thinks I need to change the USB cables out (this seems sketchy to me) while people on computer audiophile forums think there is an issue with the amplifier or the speakers themselves.

(These speakers have a built in dac and amp)

I am seriously considering getting rid of them and getting something else. AFAIK there is no firmware upgrade available for these speakers only the wireless version, which I do not have.

The manual actually has, in trouble shooting, a part where it says PROBLEM: sound fades out SOLUTION: turn speakers off for fifteen minutes and turn back on

so this problem seems to be known to KEF but they somehow released these speakers anyways. What a joke.

I paid $1100 for these speakers (CDN) and it would be a real shame to ditch them but I see no alternative.

Can you guys help me? <3
 
Get a refund and purchase ATC SCM11. I can't really help with your KEFs, since I'm not a speaker engineer and it sounds like it needs one to fix the problem. If you get a replacement on warranty, you risk the same issue cropping up again. They don't sound fit for purpose and KEF certainly are a joke if they know about the issue and still sell them.
 
Undesirable said:
Get a refund and purchase ATC SCM11. I can't really help with your KEFs, since I'm not a speaker engineer and it sounds like it needs one to fix the problem. If you get a replacement on warranty, you risk the same issue cropping up again. They don't sound fit for purpose and KEF certainly are a joke if they know about the issue and still sell them.
Click to expand...

KEF is definitely a joke. I could tell you some stories but I don't want to ruin my current wine buzz.
 
If you're going to spend a grand on some high end speakers, you need reassurance that you're buying from a reputable company who will deal with critical issues like these instantly, removing them from shelves and putting out an updated model. So there's not much to be done if KEF can't provide such reassurance, but to try and get a refund and buy from a company that is reputable. Speakers like these shouldn't have quirks.
 
Undesirable said:
If you're going to spend a grand on some high end speakers, you need reassurance that you're buying from a reputable company who will deal with critical issues like these instantly, removing them from shelves and putting out an updated model. So there's not much to be done if KEF can't provide such reassurance, but to try and get a refund and buy from a company that is reputable. Speakers like these shouldn't have quirks.
Click to expand...

I agree with you completely
 
I hope Andybtsn doesn't see this thread. :o

If this has been happening since you got them, why didn't you just return them?

What was put in the manual as a solution for fading audio does suggest it's an issue they have encountered. Support suggesting the issue lies with the USB cable is laughable, when they know turning the speakers off after this occurs gets round the issue. I'm sure it's something their customer service won't admit is a problem and is a 'normal' feature of the speakers. :rolleyes:

Makes me appreciate passive speakers connected to an amp all the more; less to go wrong. :p
 
To late! :p

Sorry to hear of the problems with yours, it's always worrying hearing of problems of something you've bought but I am really happy with mine (touch wood) I hope they continue to do so! Listening to them very loudly now
 
I am listening to mind through the 3.5mm jack connected directly to my iMac's headphone output. The problem is gone. Completely. I'm also hearing significantly more detail which absolutely should not be the case.

Faulty USB cables! Easy to fix!
I'm sooo happpyyyyyyY!!!!
 
Surely it's not so simple as a faulty cable? I would be amazed if you have had this issue since you've had them and not tried a different cable in 2 years! :o

Looking at some negative comments on the US jungle site for these and the wireless version and also the UK site, there seems to be some people having USB connection issues; with at least two having trouble with Apple products.

Not surprised you're hearing more detail when using analogue input; it's working as it should be; unlike USB. :p
 
Problem is gone. I played music all day today to see if it would fade out and it did not. Should I stick with this crappy analog 3.5mm cable or should I drop $100 on Audioquest forest USB cables? (not forest as in the rainforest, there's an actual line of Audioquest cables called forest)
 
Firstly; are you still using analogue?

If so, then clearly the issue is USB; but not necessarily cable though, as I put above.

Secondly; have you tried another USB cable at all since you got the speakers and started having this issue?

Why the heck do you think you'd need a USB cable costing $100?

A decent well made USB cable can be had for a fraction of that. By paying $100 for one, you're just buying into the magic cable nonsense. I've used a cheap USB cable to my DAC and it never put a foot wrong.

If you pay $100 for a USB cable infused with magic fairy dust, and you still get the same problem; what will you say?

It could be some incompatibility issue with Apple, as at least two other people have experienced; or it could be some other issue related to USB.

What about the port you have them connected to; I assume you've tried different ones? Do you have a latest iMac with all USB 3 ports. Maybe these speakers have an issue when connected to USB 3.

I know the ports are backwards compatible with USB 2, but I've seen someone say they've had problems connecting a Sennheiser GSX to USB 3.
 
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