KEF Cresta 10 speakers review

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KEF Cresta 10 speakers
★★★★★
4.6
100.0% of users recommend this
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  • Sound Quality

  • Value For Money

KEF Cresta 10 speakers Summary

The KEF Cresta 10 are bookshelf stereo speakers with a fantastic, clear, rich sound,  produced by the company KEF,  a British company specialising in high - end audio products including HiFi speakers.

Reviewers who purchased the product KEF Cresta 10 mentioned that the sound is clear with the treble not sounding harsh and very good dynamics and depth, but for volume and bass an additional subwoofer would be needed. The speakers are very comfortable with Jazz, Swing and Classica. The maple finishing of the speakers was also positively rated.

The KEF Cresta 10 are quality speakers with a wide soundstage. The KEF Cresta 10 offers a  very good sound for their size. Reviewers also noted that the bookshelf speakers are fairly large compared to other offerings and they need a  lengthy run-in period

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Latest Reviews

“If you know how good Cresta 2 were, if not read reviews..”

★★★★★

written by MusicNonoisePlzzz on 21/08/2014

I wanted to give 4.5 stars to do justice with the more expensive speakers but there is no option for half star, just could not give 4 stars as that will not be justice with these set of speakers. Cresta 10 are definitely much better compared with the earlier model by Kef ..the famous Cresta 2. I read a negative review for Cresta 10 some where and went on to buy a used Cresta2 for fronts, bought Cresta 10 for rears for fraction of the price I paid for Cresta 2, a lucky deal I guess. Hooked both of them up with my Yamaha amplifier and the difference is huge. Although on paper Cresta 2 seems to go 4Hz lower then the 10's(probably due to larger cabinet) but otherwise 10's beat their older brother in every aspect. Clarity, sound stage, depth, imaging all are much much better. In fact I am a great fan of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 which is a great bookshelf speaker. But Cresta10's I will definitely rank a step up Wharfedales. These speakers in maple finish look soo nice on my custom stands and what they do to the front sound stage is amazing compared to even the newer Kef Q series I have owned in the past. I will definitely recommend these, if it might help, I have just replaced Bose 301's with these for fraction of a price..so Cresta 2's are going in the GYM room with the Denon Amp.. where they sound Swweet. Bye Bye Bose for sure.... Kef Cresta 10 with Yamaha...match made in heaven...:-) Mind you, these speakers are quality, if you are looking to wake up the neighbours, look elsewhere or add a big box subwoofer. I use sub for movies and it only adds the lower frequencies. These are bookshelf speakers and really good for what they are!

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“Astonishingly Amazing!”

★★★★★

written by nialled143 on 08/07/2013

I got a brand new kef cresta 10 yesterday from a local dealer. Still new in a box. Not happy with the colour( I think it's light maple finish) I prefer the black or dark mahogany. Anyway, connected the to a Marantz PM75 previously connected to Kef coda 9. Then I started playing my favorite Jazz from low volume then gradually increasing and WoW! what a small box? the sound is fantastic. Clear, the treble is great-not harsh, overall dynamics and depth are excellent. The soundstage is wide as if i'm using the kef coda 9's. The bass is there even the lowest notes from music you can feel it although not as strong as my coda 9's hence the size. But to me, they are sufficient. Mybe not for Rap or r&b's. I don't believe other reviews saying lack of bass. To hear is to believe and for the size, it's unbelievable! There's very little difference to my kef coda 9's as Kef speakers more or less have similar sound quality. Now I can use both of them. One after the other of course. Lastly, i found that it's better to sit farther away from it and you can hear the sweet spot. It made me smile and satisfied. Thanks kef.

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“Like the previous reviewer, I also noticed the below...”

★★★★★

written by thelurve on 14/11/2006

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!

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“What Hi-Fi said the Cresta 10's were disappointing....”

★★★★★

written by Theadmans on 25/09/2006

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.

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“There is no doubt that thee Kef Cresta 10 speakers are...”

★★★★☆

written by Tobz on 19/08/2006

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.

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