I am thinking about building a pair of these ( bass reflex version ) and was hoping to get some feedback on how these compare to the kef 104/2 . I have a pair of 104/2's and don't want to build something that isn't at least as good.
Hi,
Chalk and cheese. Around 80dB/W for the ZD5 (yes they are that low)
compared to 90dB/W for the KEF. No contest in a descent sized room.
The ZD5 could be better if the 104/2 volume capabilities are seriously
underused in typical usage, such that it is essentially irrelevant.
If so, the purity of the ZD5 will be better, I assume.
The ZD5 vented has great bass extension due to the low sensitivity.
If the Kef's are the wrong speaker for your case, they could be right.
But in no simple way can you call the ZD5 as least as good as the 104/2's.
In many ways probably better, but simply outgunned in all SPL terms.
rgds, sreten.
Check the Kefs for internal foam rot on the bass drivers .....
Chalk and cheese. Around 80dB/W for the ZD5 (yes they are that low)
compared to 90dB/W for the KEF. No contest in a descent sized room.
The ZD5 could be better if the 104/2 volume capabilities are seriously
underused in typical usage, such that it is essentially irrelevant.
If so, the purity of the ZD5 will be better, I assume.
The ZD5 vented has great bass extension due to the low sensitivity.
If the Kef's are the wrong speaker for your case, they could be right.
But in no simple way can you call the ZD5 as least as good as the 104/2's.
In many ways probably better, but simply outgunned in all SPL terms.
rgds, sreten.
Check the Kefs for internal foam rot on the bass drivers .....
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The room size is about 15' X 20'. I don't play anything loud, but I am wanting something with very good imaging. The kef's have to be about the best I have heard ( even better than my Magnepan 1.6's ). Just looking for something with a better low end.
Hi,
FWIW the 104/2's had an optional Kube to retune the bass
to Q=0.5 (-6dB) @ 20Hz. Search on Linkwitz Transforms.
Your bass problems may be internal foam rot, needs checking.
rgds, sreten.
FWIW the 104/2's had an optional Kube to retune the bass
to Q=0.5 (-6dB) @ 20Hz. Search on Linkwitz Transforms.
Your bass problems may be internal foam rot, needs checking.
rgds, sreten.
The foam has been replaced on all 4 woofers. The 104/2's are the best speakers that I personally have ever listened to, I am just looking to build something better if possible. I'm sure with enough money you could build something better than the kef's, I'm just trying to do it without breaking the bank.
Hi,
The ZD5 floorstander is very probably the best DIY 5"/1" you could build,
at any sort of sensible price. Its limitations are basically SPL related.
rgds, sreten.
The ZD5 floorstander is very probably the best DIY 5"/1" you could build,
at any sort of sensible price. Its limitations are basically SPL related.
rgds, sreten.
I'm sure those Zaph speakers would be great but you might get more input if you define exactly what you want to achieve and look for suggestions to get there. I doubt a 5" woofer is going to better the bass of your KEFs but I've never heard either.
The 104's are great sounding speakers but the low end seems a little muddy to me. I'm looking to build a set of speakers that still has great soundstage but with a less boomy low end ( lower Q if I'm thinking right).
Hi,
Building stuff hoping to fix an alleged bass problem
is not a good idea. Easily could be the room, not
the speakers, investigation is required.
rgds, sreten.
Building stuff hoping to fix an alleged bass problem
is not a good idea. Easily could be the room, not
the speakers, investigation is required.
rgds, sreten.
Interesting, the ZD5 is said to be an LR2 at 2400Hz and this is achieved by a second order electrical and a LCR trap. I see the values of Krutke`s LCR to be slightly different from what I used with the same tweeter, but the difference is within 20% and I achieved a perfect LR2 @ 2500Hz with a single 5.6uF cap. The L2 impedance and the baffle placement are very likely contributing to his differing approach. Anyways, from the summed response I can tell you the ZD5 will sound bright and sensitivity is too low.
There are a lot of goodies in 104. High sensitivity with only 55Hz (+/-2dB) of 3-way (5 drivers) will ensure very easy LONG TIME listening.
What is the maximum budget?
Don't want to go over $1000. I agree that the bass muddiness could be the room. I've even been thinking about a sat and subwoofer system that way I can play with various placement of the sub to get the best response. Problem is I don't have a clue about buying or building a sub. And yes, you can listen to the 104's without getting fatigue and this would be a requirement of any speaker I build. As far as sensitivity I'm not to concerned as I have plenty of amp and don't listen to loud levels.
Room treatment and/or a sub are probably good things to investigate first. The ZD5 is a great speaker but I'm not sure a 5+1 and in particular the ZD5, is what you're looking for if you're trying to improve bass response primarily. If 1k is your budget and you're dead set on building one of Zaph's kits, there always ZRT which has a much more extended response. Otherwise, I'd play around with a DSP Sub first. You might find some unexpected room modes which no loudspeaker can get around without equalization. (Bass is hardly going to be the strength of a 5+1, even a revelator 5+1 but I think you already had that feeling)
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