'low profile' speaker suggestions

mitch212k

mitch212k

mitch212k

Associate
Joined
27 Nov 2007
Posts
1,037
Location
Manchester
Hi all,

Moved house recently so my sturdy old floorstanders (hooked up to the TV via an AV receiver) are now a bit bulky and the wrong colour. I'm looking for some 'low profile' (i.e. flattish) speakers to replace them (ideally fronts, centre and rear). I've seen the KEF T101 and T301, which I've been considering, but they're absolutely slated in some reviews. Anyone have any thoughts on them, or any alternative suggestions? Budget-wise not looking to spend the earth, happy to buy used and ideally all would fall within ~£500 or thereabouts. Not particularly looking to go to war with the walls, for in-wall options, but it could be an option if absolutely necessary.

thanks!
 
I had the KEF T305 5.1 setup a good few years ago. The T series hasn't been updated since it was launched, and there hasn't really been any competition to drive KEF to do so.

For something so slim and directly wall mountable they were surprisingly good, but I was comparing them to what I had previous a Tannoy FX 5.1 sub/sat set that cost around a fifth of what I paid for the KEFs.

Full size bookshelves can absolutely be better for the money (hence why I upgraded), and the subwoofer included with the T305 set isn't the best.

I think you would need to pair the T301 with a sub in any case, they really are a sub/sat speaker not to be used on their own.

Going from a pair of floor standers if your situation allows you may want to consider some bookshelves with larger diameter drivers, and a third party speaker bracket - they may not be slim but they don't take up floorspace.

Dedicated on wall speakers tend to be more home cinema focussed and not cheap.
 
mitch212k said:
Hi all,

Moved house recently so my sturdy old floorstanders (hooked up to the TV via an AV receiver) are now a bit bulky and the wrong colour. I'm looking for some 'low profile' (i.e. flattish) speakers to replace them (ideally fronts, centre and rear). I've seen the KEF T101 and T301, which I've been considering, but they're absolutely slated in some reviews. Anyone have any thoughts on them, or any alternative suggestions? Budget-wise not looking to spend the earth, happy to buy used and ideally all would fall within ~£500 or thereabouts. Not particularly looking to go to war with the walls, for in-wall options, but it could be an option if absolutely necessary.

thanks!
Click to expand...

Might be a bit over your budget unless you can find a deal but "Dali Oberon On-Wall" and matching centre.
Rears don't do a lot so can be something less expensive.

I have the Opteron LCR I got on a deal and have been happy with them, though they are a little more expensive than the Oberon and the matching centre was way bigger than I expected.
 
I have had a set of KEF T speakers for about 10 years now. I have two T301 for the front, the T301c in the centre and two T101 for the rear speakers.I have the KEF T2 subwoofer.

I have owned a few different floorstanders in the past and in my opinion the KEF T speakers are just as good for watching movies and playing games. They might not be as good for music although they are still pretty good. I think the fact I have had them for approaching 10 years with no desire to ever replace them speaks for itself.

70yRayq.jpg
 
Last edited:
lovelyhead said:
I have had a set of KEF T speakers for about 10 years now. I have two T301 for the front, the T301c in the centre and two T101 for the rear speakers.I have the KEF T2 subwoofer.

I have owned a few different floorstanders in the past and in my opinion the KEF T speakers are just as good for watching movies and playing games. They might not be as good for music although they are still pretty good. I think the fact I have had them for approaching 10 years with no desire to ever replace them speaks for itself.

70yRayq.jpg
Click to expand...

That you're married and not allowed to have nice stuff?
 
hornetstinger said:
That you're married and not allowed to have nice stuff?
Click to expand...

:D Compromises need to be made.

Truth is though the Kef's sound just as good as the monitor audio floorstanders I had before. They also survived the inquisitive hands of a baby completely unscathed. The cones on floorstanders would not I suspect. Also no need to worry about them being pulled over on top of a child. Plus they take up zero floorspace.

If music is the main reason for the speakers and you have plenty of space and don't have kids or don't plan on having kids, floorstanders might be a bit better.

Just noticed that the price of the T205 set I have has went up quite a lot since I bought them. I think I paid £1200 back then. KEF want £1725 now. I still think it is worth it though as I know I will never need to spend any more money on speakers ever again so long as they don't breakdown or get damaged.
 
hornetstinger said:
objectively they are.
Click to expand...

What are you guys talking about? They are "objectively rubbish" are they?

The T series reviewed very positively when they were released.

What HiFi Review

Home and Cinema Choice Review

Techradar Review

AV Forums Review

Home Media Entertainment Review

Digital Trends Review

Please show me how the KEF T series are "objectively rubbish" as I am just not seeing it.

Although I can't be objective about it, having personally bought them, not once in the 10 years of ownership has the thought "these sound rubbish" entered my head.
 
Last edited:
Those reviews are subjective. This is objective

www.audiosciencereview.com

KEF T101 Review (Thin Speaker)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the KEF T101 slim/wall mountable home theater speaker. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $650 for a pair. This is a very solidly built thin speaker: It is clear a lot of engineering has gone into it. KEF developed a very shallow...
www.audiosciencereview.com www.audiosciencereview.com
 
hornetstinger said:
Your feelings are influencing your opinions. ;) Objectively, they sound rubbish.
Click to expand...

Did you completely ignore my last post?

I posted multiple reviews by professional reviewers who all thought the KEF T series were very good. I did a Google search and couldn't find a bad review.

Please explain to me how they are "objectively rubbish".
 
lovelyhead said:
Did you completely ignore my last post?

I posted multiple reviews by professional reviewers who all thought the KEF T series were very good. I did a Google search and couldn't find a bad review.

Please explain to me how they are "objectively rubbish".
Click to expand...

Read up objective and subjective meaning.

Subjective is personal opinion. Objective has none of that, and uses scientific method for unbiased testing.
 
I just noticed you posted that "objective" review from that forum.

In that review it looks like he might only use a single T101 speaker. Even if it was a pair of T101 speakers, he doesn't use them in the intended way, which is wall mounted in conjunction with a subwoofer.

You expect me to take serious a forum post review with such ridiculous flaws?

Are there any more reviews that are actually done properly that say the T series is "rubbish"?

Using special equipment to measure sound characteristics and deem it good or not is a nonsense anyway. Sound quality is an inherently subjective thing. Everyone hears things differently. The vast majority of people that have used the T Series think they sound good. That is what actually matters not some curve on a chart.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom