Recommended £5-10000

Cyrus and Linn matching with Kef Reference speakers and the all-new Linn Isobarik

Hifi enthusiasts in their forties (and fifties and sixties) will remember the original Isobariks, the world's best speaker 40 years ago and an aspirational object of desire despite, or because of,  it's orignal design of form following function.

The Isobarik principle has been discussed and dissected by gurus for years as the best way of achieving major bass from a not massive cabinet. (It's still not tiny)

The new Majik Isobarik combines Linn's Array technology, Isobarik principle, and Linn Aktiv compatability to give you new opportunities in a system costing £5-£10k. Use a Linn DS source to wring the most information out of these beautifully finished speakers and the total bill could rise to £8-12,000. But worth it. 

To give a real alternative listen to the Kef Reference range. Speakers from £ 3999 to £9999 which are so easy to drive that a modest amplifier is fine if you need to change speakers before your amplifier. Make the amplifier change and you will be rewarded with a powerful open and smooth sound with real punch and dynamiks.

Couple of demos recently have produced interesting takes on the differences.

Starting with the Isos gave v positive comments about the clarity, great vocals, big spread of sound, and immense bass capability 

Next came the Kef Ref 203s. Vocals more forward and in the room but lacking the deepest bass of the Isos. Overall one person preferred the Linns and one the Kefs.

Moving up to the Kef Ref 205s gave yet more interesting views. You would think that they were just about more bass but the vocals and midband are much more detailed, and the bass was much deeper, powerful, and now on a par with the isos. Also commemts that the iso bass was still tighter and more controlled though. Different types of music gave the same comments using material from Jackson Browne, Pink Floyd, and Beatles 24-bit.

While the Ref 205s are already busting the 10k budget of this article it became logical in one of these dems to go from the 5.9k Kefs on to the £7300 Linn Akurate 242s. These raised the vocal clarity to a new high, universally praised, open sweet sounding, gorgeous etc, and yet did the bottom end carry as much weight as the Kefs? Using Nitin Sawney's electronic bass showed the Linns going deeper but the Kefs showing more volume. On jazz double bass the Kefs had great presence and weight, but did the Linns carry the tune better? Come in and listen for yourself if you want something at this level.

Electronics for this level of system often feature Cyrus for their famous ultra-detailed sound matched with dynamics, and they partner the Kefs really well. Linn amps have a wider range and are well worth comparison to see which you prefer for your music.

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