KEF E305 5.1 speaker package Review

Discussion in 'Home Cinema Speakers' started by The News Bot, Jun 29, 2013.


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    1. Jun 29, 2013 at 7:15 PM
      The News Bot, Jun 29, 2013
      #1
      The News Bot

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      Reviewed by Ed Selley, 29th June 2013. The E305 still mimics many of the attributes of a hot hatch and like the evergreen Golf, it is still the design that everyone else should be looking to beat. It might cost a little bit more but it really is worth it.
      Read the full review...
       
      The News Bot, Jun 29, 2013
    2. Jun 29, 2013 at 9:02 PM
      nenito2k, Jun 29, 2013
      #2
      nenito2k

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      very good review....many people were waiting for it...since early may !!!

      We debated over KEF e305 vs MASS but now it seems there is a clear winner;

      question regarding movies only and taking into account only the satellites what package is better ? it seems like it is a tie...

      also the KEF 305 sounds "warm" and the MASS...according to review is not "that bright" ? its that right ?
       
      Last edited: Jun 29, 2013
      nenito2k, Jun 29, 2013
    3. Jun 30, 2013 at 11:02 AM
      gingerone, Jun 30, 2013
      #3
      gingerone

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      Looking forward to trying these out on the weekend, for me the mass are not an option as they are pig ugly and would stand out like a sore thumb in my living room, plus I've owned the first keg eggs and was more than happy with the sound they produced , given that these are a significant improvement I'm on to a winner.
      Will probably end up changing that sub though;)
       
      gingerone, Jun 30, 2013
    4. Jun 30, 2013 at 11:24 AM
      nenito2k, Jun 30, 2013
      #4
      nenito2k

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      you could just wait a few days to buy the KEF E305 5.0 version with no sub!!!

      some store have already the product on preorder....

      on a side note i never understood people that but a/v gear on how they look...but then again who understands human behavior....
       
      nenito2k, Jun 30, 2013
    5. Jun 30, 2013 at 11:47 AM
      gingerone, Jun 30, 2013
      #5
      gingerone

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      That's all very well if you have a dedicated room but in the families living room you want kit that blends in without looking ugly, that's the whole point of these lifestyle systems.
      You can buy speaker's that easily out perform these for the same price if looks don't concern you.
       
      gingerone, Jun 30, 2013
    6. Jun 30, 2013 at 11:45 PM
      Suave, Jun 30, 2013
      #6
      Suave

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      Hi,

      Says the guy who definitively decides which speakers are better than others based solely on reading reviews & not hearing them for themselves - you are right - who understands human behaviour - yours included!!

      Suave!
       
      Suave, Jun 30, 2013
    7. Jul 1, 2013 at 8:32 AM
      steveting99, Jul 1, 2013
      #7
      steveting99

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      I'm wondering how well the E305 compares to Cambridge Audio Minx 21? The E305 has a lower cross over frequency compared to the Minx which is a good thing - less location.

      What I understand is that the Minx has a wide sweet spot compared to ordinary speakers which tends to focus at one spot. I've had a chance to hear the older Minx 20 and wasn't that impressed. Someone mentioned that the newer Minx 21 is better?


      I'm thinking of a sat - sub system for the apartment.
      Steve
       
      steveting99, Jul 1, 2013
    8. Jul 1, 2013 at 10:03 AM
      mikelj, Jul 1, 2013
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      mikelj

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      I can't comment on the Minx or the E305, but what I can say as a Kef 2005.2 owner is that the Kef Uni-Q drivers (the latest version of which is used by the E305) offers very wide dispersion i.e. a very wide sweet spot, much more so than convention driver arrangements.

      To be honest, the lower crossover frequency of one satellite speaker compared to another doesn't mean anything; the ability to 'locate' lower frequencies all depends on the quality of the subwoofer and in practise you may prefer using a higher crossover anyway. For example, I use a 120Hz crossover with my Kef 2001.2 sats (the speakers themselves are rated down to 80Hz), but since I use a good quality subwoofer (KK DXD-808), it is not possible to locate the lower frequencies produced by the sub.

      Edit: To echo some other posts, I've never been impressed by the sub in any of the Kef egg packages, with the exception of the E305 as I've not heard it. If you like the E305 package then personally, I would save up for a sub upgrade, or just buy a 5.0 package plus a different sub if funds permit.
       
      Last edited: Jul 1, 2013
      mikelj, Jul 1, 2013
    9. Jul 1, 2013 at 10:23 AM
      Ed Selley, Jul 1, 2013
      #9
      Ed Selley

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      I think there is the desire to review a Minx pack of some description but it won't me that does it as I still have a close relationship with Cambridge Audio that might be seen to affect my impartiality.

      From the packs that I have reviewed, this is probably the best all rounder. I really like the Cabasse but it isn't as well made, nice to look at or as easy to get up and running as the KEF. The sub isn't the most ballistic thing going but it isn't bad and quite a convenient size.
       
      Ed Selley, Jul 1, 2013
    10. Jul 1, 2013 at 2:26 PM
      Suave, Jul 1, 2013
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      Suave

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      Hi All,

      Thanks for a great review! I am not surprised these new KEF's sound good due to KEF's strong tradition of making good sub/sat combinations but as I suspected, it seems the sub is the weak element. I have not heard them & hope to do so soon - congrats to KEF for what appears to be another successful product!

      After owning a number of sub/sat systems, I currently have the Cambridge Audio Minx Min21/20 system & have to say, for it size, it really is an amazing system & one of the very best I have heard in it's price range - the BMR Driver is very special. Only issue is that they do need a high crossover & a large amount of breaking in before they start to shine.

      I too would like to have a Minx Min21 & X500 review for comparison purposes - how about a sub/sat shoot out review of a number of systems like in the old days?

      Suave!
       
      Suave, Jul 1, 2013
    11. Jul 1, 2013 at 3:38 PM
      steveting99, Jul 1, 2013
      #11
      steveting99

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      A shoot out between the Min21, e305, MASS and M1 would be awesome as well as useful for those like me who are wondering which one to get.

      Steve
       
      steveting99, Jul 1, 2013
    12. Jul 2, 2013 at 2:55 PM
      skyfall117, Jul 2, 2013
      #12
      skyfall117

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      How do these compare with the KHT3005SE?
       
      skyfall117, Jul 2, 2013
    13. Jul 2, 2013 at 6:33 PM
      gingerone, Jul 2, 2013
      #13
      gingerone

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      General consensus is that these are the best eggs yet
       
      gingerone, Jul 2, 2013
    14. Jul 5, 2013 at 10:40 AM
      gingerone, Jul 5, 2013
      #14
      gingerone

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      Looking at the price of these individually, you could get five speakers and a bk xls 200 for £940 which for only 40 quid more sounds like a really good option.
       
      gingerone, Jul 5, 2013
    15. Jul 25, 2013 at 2:55 AM
      steveting99, Jul 25, 2013
      #15
      steveting99

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      Would anyone be able to advise the per unit price of an e305? I'm thinking of just getting the satellites.

      Steve
       
      steveting99, Jul 25, 2013
    16. Jul 25, 2013 at 7:08 AM
      nenito2k, Jul 25, 2013
      #16
      nenito2k

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      seems you did not bother googling....i found them many weeks ago on preorder for 250£...
       
      nenito2k, Jul 25, 2013
    17. Aug 15, 2013 at 7:51 AM
      Sam Ash, Aug 15, 2013
      #17
      Sam Ash

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      I wonder how these compare to the Paradigm MilleniaOne 5.0 which can be coupled with their Seismic 110 sub. I know the sub will be better but what about the performance of the sats ?

      Anyone had a chance to listen to both and compare ?
       
      Sam Ash, Aug 15, 2013
    18. Aug 15, 2013 at 7:58 AM
      gingerone, Aug 15, 2013
      #18
      gingerone

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      Given that the milleniaone is more than double the price you would expect it to be a lot better.
      For the price though I think the e305 are excellent and I can't wait to buy a set.
       
      gingerone, Aug 15, 2013
    19. Aug 15, 2013 at 9:27 AM
      Sam Ash, Aug 15, 2013
      #19
      Sam Ash

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      Thanks Gingerone, would be nice to hear from someone who has had a listen to both systems or an owner of the MilleniaOnes who has recently heard the new KEF Eggs.
       
      Sam Ash, Aug 15, 2013
    20. Aug 15, 2013 at 9:52 AM
      gingerone, Aug 15, 2013
      #20
      gingerone

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      You may not find anyone other than reviewer's who have heard both, they are in totally different price brackets so people will tend to demo packages in a similar price bracket I would have thought.
      I've demoed the e305 and thought they were excellent, are you looking to buy one or the other?
       
      gingerone, Aug 15, 2013
    21. Aug 15, 2013 at 3:07 PM
      Grayman, Aug 15, 2013
      #21
      Grayman

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      It's the sub I am most concerned with, the option of an XLS200 or XXLS400 has to be the best bet, but the review highlights the handoff between satellites and sub, and it's something I wouldnt want to compromise by introducing a different sub.

      Saying that, having owned a BK sub before they are serious quality, so hopefully any seamless integration of sound between satellite and sub would be as good with a BK unit.
       
      Grayman, Aug 15, 2013
    22. Aug 15, 2013 at 4:06 PM
      gingerone, Aug 15, 2013
      #22
      gingerone

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      I was thinking the same but as mine are going to be in the living room the more low key sub will probably be a lot more wife friendly, it certainly seemed to have enough kick for my little room when I had a demo.
       
      gingerone, Aug 15, 2013
    23. Aug 28, 2013 at 5:00 PM
      manukomban, Aug 28, 2013
      #23
      manukomban

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      I am planning to get the KEF E-305 with RX-A1020. I am quite a newbie and wants some expert comments. I have a 5m*3.5m room. I am in an apartment so cant have/dont need loud sound but looking for clarity. Main use is movies (netflix and blueray/dvd) and playing music via airplay/dlna.
      Please advice if this combo is good enough.:lease:
       
      manukomban, Aug 28, 2013
    24. Aug 28, 2013 at 6:11 PM
      nenito2k, Aug 28, 2013
      #24
      nenito2k

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      the kef 305 is one of the best small packages around....and that yamaha is one of the best AVR...so yes it is a good combination. But since you are a noob in surround...why buy such an expensive AVR ??? do you really need all those options ?? i don't think so !!! just get a 400£ AVR !
       
      nenito2k, Aug 28, 2013
    25. Aug 28, 2013 at 7:08 PM
      manukomban, Aug 28, 2013
      #25
      manukomban

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      I just thought of that as i dont want to change the amp anytime soon. As of now I have my Panasonic Plasma TX-P55ST50, NAS and xbox to connect. Which 400£ model do you suggest and what will i be missing out?
       
      manukomban, Aug 28, 2013
    26. Aug 28, 2013 at 7:22 PM
      manukomban, Aug 28, 2013
      #26
      manukomban

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      I am getting the RX-A1020 for £670.
      Or how is the below combo?
      http://www.fyndborsen.se/ljud/hemmabio-hifi/hemmabio-paket/e-305-white-673

      Thanks!!
       
      manukomban, Aug 28, 2013
    27. Aug 28, 2013 at 7:51 PM
      nenito2k, Aug 28, 2013
      #27
      nenito2k

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      nenito2k, Aug 28, 2013
    28. Aug 29, 2013 at 10:33 AM
      manukomban, Aug 29, 2013
      #28
      manukomban

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      The problem is that all of these are spread across price range here, so confused.
      V673: 329/-
      NR515: 449/-
      X2000: 500/-
      DN1040: 544/-
      A1020: 669/-
      All approx in pounds..
      From the specs, not knowledgable enough to find what i will miss. :(
       
      manukomban, Aug 29, 2013
    29. Aug 29, 2013 at 10:56 AM
      nenito2k, Aug 29, 2013
      #29
      nenito2k

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      forget the specs man ...READ reviews on whathifi, trustedreviews, cnet, techradar, hdfever.fr, homecinemachoice, hometheatre.com etc.....

      READ and decide, as far as prices go....all are around your budget more or less...in UK and france anyway...where you live it might be more expensive
       
      nenito2k, Aug 29, 2013
    30. Aug 29, 2013 at 9:07 PM
      gingerone, Aug 29, 2013
      #30
      gingerone

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      They are all much of a muchness , I've demoed the kef e305 with the Yamaha and they sounded awesome, it is only cheaper because it is last years model.
       
      gingerone, Aug 29, 2013
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