Post by sub on May 2, 2019 21:05:22 GMT 12
Having disassembled my 104/2s, I have slotted my faithful Mission 753s into the system.
Of similar vintage, Missions circa 1997 and 104/2s, according to s/no., circa 1993. The missions cost me $3K new, I understand the Kefs retailed around $8K.
Many times auditioned spkrs against the Missions - spkrs such as Proac, Veritas and Dynaudio, prices varied in between $5 to 7K. While there was the occasional slight difference in sound, on a cost to performance ratio, the Missions always won out. Except I did buy some Dynaudio Audience 85s as fronts for my then separate HT. They filled the room with sound, but lacked finesse!
Listened to 3 CDs, John Lee Hooker The Healer, Dire Straits Best Of, CSNY, De ja vu live, that I recently played through the 104/2s. Left volume at same level. Everything was there, treble impressive, mids spot on, bass fast and musical, toe tapping stuff, but at the same volume level as I played those discs via the 104s, the Missions sounded strident and would have induced listener fatigue had I listened longer. The 104/2s have faults which will be remedied when repaired, but they were much more satisfying to listen to, and perhaps warmer, if that is the word. Not pipe and slippers, the 104s have great dynamics, they are just more relaxing to listen too.
Glad I bought them, and a bit of fun taking them apart and finding what makes them tick!
Of similar vintage, Missions circa 1997 and 104/2s, according to s/no., circa 1993. The missions cost me $3K new, I understand the Kefs retailed around $8K.
Many times auditioned spkrs against the Missions - spkrs such as Proac, Veritas and Dynaudio, prices varied in between $5 to 7K. While there was the occasional slight difference in sound, on a cost to performance ratio, the Missions always won out. Except I did buy some Dynaudio Audience 85s as fronts for my then separate HT. They filled the room with sound, but lacked finesse!
Listened to 3 CDs, John Lee Hooker The Healer, Dire Straits Best Of, CSNY, De ja vu live, that I recently played through the 104/2s. Left volume at same level. Everything was there, treble impressive, mids spot on, bass fast and musical, toe tapping stuff, but at the same volume level as I played those discs via the 104s, the Missions sounded strident and would have induced listener fatigue had I listened longer. The 104/2s have faults which will be remedied when repaired, but they were much more satisfying to listen to, and perhaps warmer, if that is the word. Not pipe and slippers, the 104s have great dynamics, they are just more relaxing to listen too.
Glad I bought them, and a bit of fun taking them apart and finding what makes them tick!
