New 2018 KEF R series...?

Has anyone had an opportunity to contrast the new KEF R5/R7 with the existing R500/R700 series in the same audition?

If so, are the audible differences significant enough to pass up leftover R500/R700s at a great price?

My space is roughly 15’ x 15’ and I fear that the R700’s bass will dominate the room. I hear that the R7’s have tighter bass control. Has anyone validated this?

If you have freedom to move the speakers where you please then you can certainly find a spot the r7 will sound good. I think if there are any problems with placement and sound with the r700, you will have it with the r7. But 15x15 is big enough if you can make it a dedicated room.

Thanks -

I am sort of stuck here ... there aren't many places locally to properly audition the variety of interesting choices.

These would be strictly for 2-ch audio and I prefer speakers that are open and somewhat lively but not too bright. My current options are:

- KEF R500/R700 or R5/R7
- Paradigm Prestige 85F
- Monitor Audio Silver 300
- Dynaudio Excite x38

I would be driving these with either PS Audio M700 monoblocks or a Parasound Halo A23+, with a NAD c658 as the preamp/streamer.

Any clear winner(s) in the mix. Any others in a similar price range worth auditioning if possible?

Hypersonic

We sell both the Kef and the Paradigms. The Prestige are very exciting loudspeakers but they tend to be a bit on the more forward side. They are very punchy with great bass. 

The Dynaudio's are very musical they do not have the same level of detail and the same quality of Soundstaging as the KEFs. 

The new Kef R Series are smoother than the outgoing R series, they have a huge soundstage and great tight bass, fanastic performers for the price. 

We would recomend a package of the Mytek Brooklyn with the A23 for a great combo, the other killer package is the new Parasound Hint.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ 

Has anyone compared the R11's to a speaker such as the REF 3? I can find used pairs for 8, and the R11's are about half that but have that R5 look. I'm not sure if the extra bass makes up for the benefits of the reference line. I'm sure the Ref 5 is better, but nobody has those used.

I'm also thinking of selling my Monitor Audio 100's (on my desk), for either the R3's or LS50 Wireless.

Neither my desk nor living room has any flexibility in placement. So they have to go next to my monitor, and in the living room L/R of my TV.