Dipole surround speaker to match KEF 104.2?

By the way, I think the 104/2s sound great by themselves, but relieving them of below 80 Hz duty with a sub really opens their sound. They are wonderful speakers, as are the smaller sounding 102/2s.

db

I agree with the 200c recommendation...I think...?(lol)
It's been a while for those, but I think the 200 had like 3 drivers, including a coax mount, right? Should be more dynamic.
Anyway, I also concure with dipole surrounds situation, for easy setup, easy integration, non-fatiguing/distracting enveloping sound. I find that it's much better to have a solid main stage, and just let the rears be "enveloping" and more diffuse personally! This is especially critical if you have multiple seating possitions, where people WILL sit closer to one rear than the others. Invariably you get that domminating, irritating speaker in your ear, that pulls you completely out of the movie, and BANGS IN YOUR EAR ALL NIGHT LONG, till you wanna kill someone!!!!...lol
dirrect firing can be done well however, but that's tricky. ALSO, and AS IMPORTANT,if you ask me, is that placing dirrect firing speakers near walls is usually a boomy experience, and yields "un-flat", unaccurate response. So basically, the speakers don't sound right (without serious tweaking and EQ'ing), er um, good! At the very least, if your mains are set up well, your rears sound nothing like them this way!
Unless you've got lots of room, and can get speakers susupended from the ceiling in the back/sides, this is usually "not as do-able" for stellar sonics IMO.
Again, can be done. But most fall short!
Again, It's "all a balancing act!"
Still, I would get matching type speakers from Kef If it were me...and possibly dipoles if you can. maybe some research is in order...but maybe they don't...lol.
In this case I think the little 100 or 70 monitors(forgot) match. Might need some EQing help though, to do ir right.

I think it would be a big mistake to replace your outstanding 104/2s just to have matching speakers for 5.1 or 7.1. Relatively little information is sent to the side and read speakers.

The 200 C has three drivers, with the center being Uni-Q; the 100 C has a single Uni-Q driver. The 104/2s have separate dome tweeters, but the match across the front speakers is excellent with the 104/2s and 200 C.

I previosly used matching speakers, four 102/2s and the matching 100 C, and I prefer the 104/2s, 200 C, and 102/2 combination. For stereo, as nice as the 102/2s were for small classical and jazz groups, the 104/2s not only do that well but also splendidly present the large sound of symphonic orchestration.

db

Don't worry Don, I'm not replacing the 104.2s any time soon. I am simply updating the rest of my system from a vintage 1995 Pro-Logic I setup to a 7.1 setup. I have been content with the Model 100 Center, but based on your comments I will keep an eye out for a Model 200.

Based on your other comment, I will consider replacing the Paradigm Titans in the rear with a pair of KEF 102.2's, although this will not be an immediate priority.

KEF currently offer their "Reference" dipole surround speaker for $3900/pair!! They also offer the "Q-series" dipole surround speaker for around $500/pair, which may not be timbre-matched to the 104.2, but I will probably try them anyway.

I was interested by your suggestion that the 104.2s will sound better with a sub. I have always been impressed with their deep, tight, effortless bass with the KUBE equalizer. I was planning to set the front speakers to "Large" on my new surround processor-preamp, to keep the bass going to the 104.2s in addition to the sub (VMPS New Larger), but now I will try it as you suggest and see how it sounds.

Java,

I acquired a KUBE as a freebee with a the second pair of 102/2s I bought from a local audio expert -- they had been his personal speakers, but his shop now sells mostly Wilson and B & W speakers. I've never used the KUBE.

I agree that even without the KUBE the 104/2s have excelent bass response, but of course can't match a Velodyne HGS-15 when it comes to that low level vibration you "feel" when a low pedal note is opened on a pipe organ. I've heard the famous Bach Toccata & Fugue in D Minor performed at Stanford's Memorial Church and at our local Episcopalian church (a small church with a great pipe organ as befitted the wealth of turn of the 19th century Montecito). The 104/2s and HGS-15 do a remarkable job of recreating that sound.

By the way, the 102/2s are old speakers. I believe I bought my first pair in the late 80's or early 90's, but not sure.

db