So previously we have been primarily a dealer of architectural audio due to our relationships with designers and GCs. This has allowed us to install some very nice in ceiling stuff such as the Sonance VP and others but only occasionally got into the higher end speakers. As I imagine is true for most in here, "ease of use" systems and design seemed to out weigh performance and pairing that with the quality of some in ceiling stuff, the need for high end bookshelf or floor standing speakers never really presented itself in the budget. We had done a lot Monitor Audio and Artison both great speakers but nothing that really blew me away.
That is until about a year ago (or less) I had the opportunity to work with some guys out of Detroit on a project out here and we installed a pair of the Meridian DSP-8000's. This was a turning point for me. Not only is HiFi one of the only remaining avenues of margin but it is an area that still has an emotional sell factor. In other words, its still fun.
[Link: meridian-audio.com]I decided to look further into the category and examining a few lines and ended up picking up the KEF and eagerly awaiting their new R series. It seems to be a series that can meet some of the upper end bookshelf and floor standing budgets but still have some great products for less crucial WHA systems. We installed a few and recently did an entire SS system with the R900 for front, R600c center, and R300 for surround and surround back. Powered by an SC57 Pio Receiver. As well as another room of R900 and a few rooms or r300. I am blown away by the quality of these speakers. So excited that I decided to get a pair of the R300 for myself and the office and am loving it (though I doubt the neighbors are). And the pricing is very reasonable.
[Link: kef.com] Curious if anyone else has heard the R series yet? Opinions?
I tell you, it has made working in the office a lot more enjoyable.
