Customer Reviews

KEF KHT3005BL (SE) 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System (Gloss Black)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Following a "test listen" I had to have these great-sounding speakers. The KEFs replace an Infinity TSS-1200 system in my home theater. Driven by an Onkyo 805 receiver, the sound is noticeably better. The bass is clear, solid, and avoids the "boomy" sound of many subs. Mids and highs are solid with smooth transients. The speakers handle high volume levels without apparent strain or distortion. Special effects on TrueHD sound tracks rock. Music brings out subtleties that were previously lacking. Sound-wise, the KEFs can't be beat in their price range.

These speakers are beautifully constructed. The satellites and center channel are of solid aluminum construction with an immaculate black painted surface. They feel as hefty as they sound. I do wish that the mounting system allowed for easier use of standard speaker stands. On the other hand, KEFs solution is elegant in its simplicity. The accessory stands are solid, easy to use, and unobtrusive. Speaker connection is limited to bare or tinned wire. No provision is made for spades or banana plugs. I have to admit that the resulting connections are also unobtrusive -- almost handsome. The sub is similarly different and handsome. It is much smaller than competing units and garners positive comments from visitors. Connection is limited to one RCA LFE connection and controls to stand-by status and a three-position bass boost selection. Crossover frequency and volume must be set in the receiver menu -- not a problem with the 805, but some receivers don't have that option. This is the most I've ever spent for home theater speakers, but it's a decision I would make again and again. If you're on the fence about these speakers -- jump right in. The sound is GREAT!

After using a pair of KEF 304s (30 years old!) with a pair of JBL bookshelf speakers, a Bose center speaker and a Polk Audio sub with a Sony 600w as my home theater setup, I decided to go the matched route. I read the reviews, looked at Sat systems like the Bose and the Mirage Omnisats, but settled on the KEFs (30 years with my last pair!!). What a great decision. I matched them up with a Yamaha RX-V663BL and did a rough setup (they go up on the walls later). What a great sound, and they are only roughly dialed-in. My room is about 13x28 and they just fill it with multi-directional sound. And what clean sound it is (they don't call KEFs reference speakers for nothing). Plenty of bass, clean mids, and nice bright (but not harsh) highs. I have the DTS version of Goldeneye on right now, and it is really swooping around the room plus bouncing me on the couch with its bass effects. I highly recommend this system!

I will not comment on how good this system is, how well it is packaged, or how perfect the black is matching the gloss of a flat screen. Over reviewers did that nicely.

Only reason for this review, is that one of the speaker of the system went bad, and that KEF does not cover it under warranty. The reason given was that even if the system was purchase from Amazon, it was sold by an unauthorized vendor.
The bill is not too bad (estimate $100 to replace the Uni-Q driver), but I will recommend future buyer to make sure to order from authorized dealer even on amazon.com (should say "Sold by Amazon" on check out).
Also review the warranty terms and condition as they are pretty strict (as the system will only be covered if ordered new from 4 e-tailers or local retailer).

Other than that, I am pretty happy about this purchase.

when i was shopping for a new system i had no intention spending that much for a system or speakers that is, and if i did i always thought i would be bying a bose, but once i heard it, it blew me away. prior to my purchase i compared the kef speakers with the top of the line bose system in a store, and honestly, the kef speakers had no competition. i also like the design of these speakers, the subwoofer is unbelievable! if you're going to buy these speakers i highly recommend getting the harman kardon av 340 reciever, in order to get maximum performance.

The search for speakers for my new home theater setup was not easy. I was unwilling to compromise audio quality but, at the same time, wanted the speakers to be small and unassuming.

I looked at a range of options including Bose (horridly overpriced for the sound they put out, but quite small), Anthony Gallo (wonderful, but pricy) and Orb. I was about to purchase the Orb system, but came across a review of the KEF speakers that made me think they would be worth a look.

So very glad I did! While the Orbs are pretty good speakers, the KEF just blew them away. Crisp highs, solid bass. Dialog is clear even when watching a poorly mastered DVD.

While I put looks secondary to sound, the KEFs are winners in the looks department as well. Beautifully finished, and can be table or wall mounted without having to buy anything else. (They also sell floor stands - got a pair of those for the surround speakers. Very nicely made, although rather pricy for stands.) The subwoofer in particular is stunning - not boxy like most, but a donut shaped piece that can be placed upright or face down. Bass is plentiful but not boomy or harsh.

Granted, you need a decent receiver to drive these - any speaker will sound crapy if it is hooked to a low-end receiver. I'm using a Denon 1909 and the KEFs (in a 7.1 configuration) and the system works very well.

The people at KEF did a great job packaging the system as well. Each box is solidly built, with molded foam to keep the speakers intact while they are in shipment. Each piece also comes wrapped in a cloth pouch, which adds to the presentation. You know if they take this much care with packing their speakers, they probably took as much care in building them.

Highly, highly recommended!!

I purchased these speakers through Amazon (sold by Hi-Def Lifestyle) and was amazed after I hooked them up to my new Yamaha RX-V3800BL receiver.

The subwoofer is so powerful that it shakes your whole body if you are using a Blu-Ray movie. My wife ordered me to trim the bass level because she was suffering ear pressurization from the force of the sound. I would say that is a very powerful subwoofer.

The clarity of the satellite speakers is truly incredible. I had to do no fine tuning to make these sound right.

When I was shopping for speakers I looked at Polk Audio and the Bose systems, and I am so glad I purchased the KEF combo. Without starting a war with fans of either Polk or Bose---I can truly say these speakers outshine the others by leaps and bounds.

The ONLY complaint I have against these speakers was the fact that they are hard to mount on the ceiling without making major adjustments and extra engineering. It took me 8 hours to fashion my own plates and to devise a way to hang these heavy satellites without having to drill into the cover plate of the mountings. It is not safe just to hang these heavy speakers on two screws on the ceiling as KEF shows in the manual.

That said------if you can afford these speakers and you don't buy them------you are just about to miss many wonderful hours of perfect audio in whatever format you are viewing.

These speakers will be the centerpiece of my digital viewing experience for MANY YEARS to come.

The system set-up is straight forward and the speakers' adjustable stands/wall mounts are excellent. The subwoofer is truly outstanding and I did not have any trouble balancing the system's sound. I would recommend a receiver with an adjustable frequency crossover for the main speakers and the subwoofer as this system lacks that. My receiver is several years old and does not have that feature, but I was able to balance the sound by moving the subwoofer around. A new receiver is in my plans anyway. The sound is excellent with highly detailed highs, wide dispersion, clear midrange and very good bass. They are attractive and unobtrusive in my room. I highly recommend them!

The KEF3005 has been out in the market for a long time, but continues to impress many customers including my wife and I. We bought the system early 2007 (the KEF3005SE, which is the latest version sold on the market), and have been very impressed with how the speakers handle the sound.

Although I have decided on the KEF3005 not out of direct experience but from many rave reviews, such as CNET's, I do have some professional background in evaluating audio systems in cars due to my previous occupation, as a vehicle test engineer for a European car company. The systems that I tested include the Mark Levinson system in Lexus ES350, Panasonic developed audio system inside Acura RL, and Harman designed audio system inside BMW 5s etc. Not surprisingly, I wanted something that can provide that level of performance but at reasonable cost for my home audio system. After owning and hearing the KEF3005 for the past year, I can say we nailed it.

The highs, mediums and lows are very well represented. The woofer does a great job of reproducing the bass, and all of this without tripping into each others range. No ear splicing, tiresome confusion of sounds but very well laid out music that literally soothes one's ears. We use the 3005 to play music from our iPod via Denon AVR1909, and nearly 100% of the songs played are reproduced in a way that is so natural. I also use the speakers for my TV as well as PS3, and all the sounds are reproduced in a tireless, clear manner.

Of course, the fit and finish of the speakers are great as well. I was also impressed by the packaging, where all speakers come wrapped in separate clothes. Great touch. BTW, it is produced in China not in UK, which I believe is the home country of KEF. Regardless, both the quality of the system in terms of product itself and performance is highly recommendable for even the most delicate ears.

Last, I wanted to pass on to you on how an installation guy from nearby bestbuy, to whom we paid the services for, initially was surprised at how small the system looked but more surprised when he heard the quality of the sounds from these little set of 'Eggs'. He blurted out that he could not have imagined how such small looking bodies produced plenty of rich sounds. He could not have said better. All in all, a solid product which despite its long product cycle that continues to impress us whenever we use it, and may likely become a classic.

This is the first surround system I have ever purchased, so I can't compare it to anything except the Bose system I heard in a Bose demonstration room. I AM, however, an accomplished pianist, composer, and audiophile with a world-class, high-end system in a dedicated listening room for vinyl, Redbook CD, and SACD listening of mostly classical music. So, I know how music SHOULD sound when reproduced properly. Of course, movie soundtracks are not just music. The sound effects are equally important. I have to rely on a 40 year old memory of artillery and exploding mortars but, like everyone else, recent memory of thunderstorms and the like. And movie production often uses artificial means of producing many of the sound effects we hear in movies that they want us to hear as the real thing.

Given the above, I can honestly say that the KEF 3005 5.1 system is truly remarkable. I would have never expected the satellite speakers alone to produce the upper base that I hear without the subwoofer. And the subwoofer certainly isn't a true sub given its low end specs and room characteristic that, together, make the low bass a bit boomy and fuzzy. Yet, the system as a whole gives a very satisfying listening experience, with no audible distortion and wide frequency and dynamic ranges when used with a Panasonic BD70V Blu-Ray player and a Denon AVR-3310CI receiver (I purchased the Denon bundled with the KEF system). Violins and brass sound very good. I think that if I added acoustic treatment to our great-room as I have to my listening room, the sound would be even more refined, but the WAF (wife acceptance factor) would preclude such treatment.

The sound of music from the KEF system is not that of my Vandersteen 3a Sigs, but I didn't expect that it would. Still, just considering music, the KEF's provide a musical experience of definite pleasure. You can drive these speakers to volume levels that irk my wife and impress guests without ANY discernible distortion. (Try watching/listening to such Blu-Ray DVD's as 2012, Patton, Knowing, and The Day After Tomorrow for demonstration-quality sound effects that show-off your KEF's!) This is amazing considering their price. But KEF is also a high-end speaker manufacturer that has obviously scaled down size without sacraficing quality of sound. Just to give you an example of how life-like these speakers are, I have found myself asking my wife if she was talking to me when it was the HD TV program that was responsible, and I can't tell you how many times I have checked my Droid for a call that was actually ringing on the TV.

The physical appearance of the speakers with their glossy surfaces and egg-like shape appears much more pleasing to the eye than typical box speakers would and produce less edge-induced distortion. Their ingenious engineering of the small bases, that can be reconfigured for wall and stand mount as well with the changing of just one bolt, is also admirable.

I bought the stands for the 3001 satellites. They are NOT glossy but rather dull black. Still, they look nice with the speakers but are rather pricey at $230 a pair. I guess if you can afford the speakers, you should be able to afford the stands, though. I bought another pair of satellites and stands to get a 7.1 system. It is even better than the 5.1.

My only complaints are two. When using bare wire, attaching speaker wire to the satellites is a bit frustrating for my fingers. I bought some Monster banana plugs that make the connection tasks just plain easy, and I heartily recommend you do the same. Banana plugs also make connection to the receiver a breeze, as well. Second, I find that the center speaker's extra midrange makes the dialog a bit less easy to hear clearly, but that could have to do with other factors such as placement on the surface of my low entertainment cabinet. Wall-mounting it, that would require wall-mounting my Pioneer Kuro 151FD also, might improve the situation.

Do I think I might enjoy the sound of an even more expensive speaker setup? Probably. But I am so satisfied with the KEF (now, 7.1) system, that I am not even considering the eventual purchase of a more expensive speaker system unless I win the Lottery, my wife starts teaching full-time again, or Congress passes a flat tax bill. That being the case, I would love to hear what a second KEF sub would do for the sound. That, however, would require the purchase of a 9.2 receiver, another set of satellites, and ... (pleeeze don't tell my wife)...

I have owned these speakers for about 3 years now, and I still love them. As other reviewers have said, I purchased these online without having ever heard them for myself, but I did a lot of research before paying the $1499 price. I have not been disappointed. Their sound is powerful and clean. There is no sound distortion even at high volumes. I paired them with an Onkyo TX-SR674 receiver, and they work perfectly. For the satellites (4), I purchased the optional floor stands (another $400 for a set of 4); it was pricey, but allows me to space them around the room for proper surround effect.
The speakers have a great modern look. The quality of the packaging and attention to detail were very evident upon unpacking - everything had a high-end look to it.