R700 en R300 as fronts
Since my main setup is stereo, there was actually listened more to the R700s than to the other components. I really appreciated it´s behavior. KEF, according to their own words, equipped the speakers with a rather flat tuning. While listening, this will put the focus more on the sublime Uni-Q driver. The low frequencies are relatively less pronounced. Let it be clear that this does not mean that something is missing in the low frequencies, but they are perhaps more attuned the British way. The spaciousness is really phenomenal. Placement of voices and instruments are razor sharp and extremely clear. All details in the recording are exposed. I own a set of full range horn speakers, not really the ´livingroom-friendly´ type. The R700 is, of all previous speakers I´ve tested, the one that comes closest to these in terms of tone and detail. And that is definitely meant as a compliment. The KEF’s pick the middle range, say the vocal range, a little forward in the setting. Very impressive.
The R300 were also listened to in stereo mode, naturally on standards. Despite the absence of a 2nd bass unit, this bookshelf unit is no less than his bigger brother. The same magnificent positioning and micro-details, the same clear intelligibility. Less pressure in the low range, but not as much as I expected. However, for usage in smaller listening rooms, this is no problem if you use the system as a multi-channel solution. And in any other case, when needed, there is also the sub, which can provide the necessary assistance.
As reinforcement next to my Harman Kardon 7500 receiver, containing some old-fashioned features , but up-to-date towards the reinforcing part, I used a self-built KT88 tube amplifier. While the HK sounded somewhat darker, the KT88 made especially the midrange sparkle. The combination with the R700 was here perhaps a little more successful than those with the R300, where the bass sounded a little too restrained. The midrange, however, was downright sublime.
