KEF Cresta 10 Reviews

thelurve's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
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Good Points: Fine pedigree and great build quality.
Extremely musical and expressive.
An expansive soundstage from bookshelf speakers that should rarely fail to put a smile on your face!

Bad Points: So revealing they will always test the source.

General comments: Like the previous reviewer, I also noticed the below average review from WHF. I very rarely purchase audio kit without an audition first, but I managed to secure a great deal on these at my local Richer Sounds. As they offer a no quibble 14 day exchange I had little to lose other than a little time and effort! The KEF Cresta 10 speakers are fairly large for bookshelf speakers, particularly when compared to the latest diminutive offerings from Q Acoustics and Wharfedale. The fit finish and build is superb, in a gorgeous maple colour complete with grey cloth grilles; a combination that's very pleasing on the eye.

And so onto the all important sound quality. First and foremost, these are seriously proper hi-fidelity speakers from a world leader (KEF have been in business since 1963, so they are older than me). The first thing that hits you is the amount of detail the units uncover, and they present you with a detailed room-filling wall of sound. This is apparently common to the KEF range. If you are looking for oodles of over-blown bass then look elsewhere. I have found that the KEF's simply represent the music in an utterly faithful manner, so your source material can be easily exposed. They are more comfortable with Jazz, Swing and Classical, but almost everything I play puts a smile on my face. My other (main) system is a real powerhouse surround sound affair, running my faithful 15 year old Maxim 3's partnered to a hefty sub, so when I need extra slam I listen next door! I ran the KEF's in for the customary 50 hours with 1 speaker wired in reverse - do bear in mind that some units can take at least a month before they are properly 'relaxed' and ready for action. In time, I expect to hear subtle improvements. One point worth noting, if you are not bi-wiring the KEF's (or any other unit for that matter), always ensure that you use the LF terminals only. Otherwise, the sound quality will be seriously compromised. I managed to find an alternative review on these, and this particular chap had nothing but high praise for the KEF's. In fact, he was in a bit of a quandary trying to decide if they should replace his Acoustic Energy's as the de facto bookshelf, almost comparing them to studio monitors. I can see (hear) what he means, and hopefully you will too. I have so far partnered the KEF's with a muscly AV Receiver and also a budget amp, and they acquit themselves admirably. Buy them, run them in well, mount them on solid stands and enjoy!


Update 27th Feb 2007


I thought it only fair to provide an update to my original post, after having run the KEFs in for a good few months. On first listening I have to confess that the KEFs seemed reasonably good at what they did but nothing special. But I had read over-and-over that KEFs are renowned for their lengthy run-in periods. So I persevered and literally overnight, true magic unfurled! I did experiment with positioning etc., deciding that they were happiest in some free space - I also mounted them on some hefty stands as they sounded far better than when tight against a wall. I am to this day blown away by the levels of detail these beauties can uncover and after 30 years or so of being involved in music (both as a consumer and performer) I am hearing things on tracks I never knew existed! The stereo separation is phenomenal and the KEFs have kept me listening well into the small hours on several occasions! Yes, they are that good, so good in fact that I will go so far as to say they are the most complete 'bookshelf' speakers I have ever heard. The bass is taut, agile and warm; the midrange sounds so natural with vocal tones sounding eerily realistic, almost studio like. Detail from the treble stings and fizzes without ever sounding OTT, brash or harsh. Everything sounds so well integrated, you could easily think there was a single high-quality driver doing all the work. In fact, this is the very thing that KEF have been striving for - hence their new UNI-Q models (can't wait to hear those!). Also, these Crestas work a treat with all digital sources, including (good) mp3s, DAB, DVB/Freeview etc. Now, I wonder if the good folk at Richer Sounds have their online spies out because the KEFs have leap-fogged back up to their RRP of almost £120. So, not the absolute steal they once were but still worth every penny of your hard-earned bucks. If anyone needs any further info on these awesome boxes then please do contact me: be glad to help!

Theadmans's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
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What Hi-Fi said the Cresta 10's were disappointing. Maybe that's why Richer Sounds have been offloading them for £59.99

I snapped up a pair for this price and I am very pleased. They sound much bigger than my previous Mission M71's despite being not physically much bigger. The bass is controlled and very good for the speakers size. I guess the advice is to not always believe the Hi-Fi Mags.

Tobz's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
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There is no doubt that thee Kef Cresta 10 speakers are fantastic for the money, and they look nice. They have a 13cm woofer in a 2.5cm soft dome tweeter. They feature a bass reflex port, and they have a broad soundstage, allowing them to create a believable "wall of sound".

These speakers retail for approximately £199.99.