Kans vs. everything in one aspect

Posted by: Mike Cole on 09 June 2001

I used to own a pair of Kan IIs a long time ago but sold them when I got into tubes. After reading all the posts about Kans and Kan competitors, I have one question. If you disregard *all* aspects of a speaker except PRaT, are there any speakers out there that are as good or better than the Kans? Remember, I am talking about PRaT only.

Mike

Posted on: 09 June 2001 by Top Cat
..which is fast and times well also. It's a far more balanced speaker than the Kan, much easier on the ear (doesn't sound like it's about to burst all the time) and has a nimbleness that is endearing. However, I've never compared against Kans, but they're certainly fast...

John

Posted on: 09 June 2001 by Ron The Mon
Matt,
The reason you don't hear much about the Kan
III here is it's too cheap. And to many it seems silly to partner a speaker with stands that cost half its price! In ten years people will be talking about how good it is just as
the Kan 1 and 2 are more popular now than they
were when new. For those not aware the Kan III
is made in Japan to Linn's specs and uses a
cheaper mid-bass driver and has no facilities
for active or bi-wiring(a plus for many Naim
users) to reduce production costs. However, the key to this speaker's genius is the newer Linn
tweeter and lack of diffraction of the baffle.
I would put the Kan III on par with a Kan 1. If you were to get any of the new tweeters in Kan
1 or 2, the earlier models win every time.
BTW, did you listen to the Katan? In addition
to your wondering why the Kan III gets little
mention, I wonder even more why the Katans get
less attention, and why forum members don't
update their Kan 1 and 2s with the new
tweeters?

Ron The Mon

P.S.
The Kan III reminds me of the price positioning of the old Linn Index(later models). A real
sleeper in the line and great sound regardless
of price.

P.P.S.
Mike Cole,
In answer to your original query there is one
speaker that does everything a Kan does well
and with better imaging, bass, detail, tune,
slam, and with no downside; Active Kans wink

Posted on: 09 June 2001 by Tony L
quote:
None of them beat the Kan on PRaT, but as you say, the Kan was built to 'do' timing. I wouldn't say it was weak in all other areas but it's designer clearly had, lets say, a clear vision of what was important in a speaker.

For me timing is only one of the Kans strengths, the other thing is the real sense of clarity and openness. The way a well set up pair of Kans let you hear exactly what is being played leaves most speakers for dead, especially in the bass area. By comparison most speakers just sound boxy, stodgy and overblown, they simply mask that critically important information with a tuneless thud. I am sure one secret of their success is that their tiny and solid cabinet screws up the sound far less than most bigger boxes. Kans definitely don’t give the greatest sense of scale, but I never feel wanting for musical information.

As many here know, I have very little respect for the vast majority of today’s speakers. I hate 99.999% of reflex ports to the point of considering the speaker a total right off due to their presence, I don’t seem to like floorstanders much either unless they cost over about 2K and don’t have a port. IMHO the reason that everyone is still ranting about Kans is purely that the current competition is real crap. I am convinced we are in this state purely due to marketing bollocks in the way that say direct drive turntables seemed like the only option available in the late 70s (despite their obvious inferiority). One day someone will design another affordable speaker that actually works - guess what, it won’t be a floorstander, and it wont have a port. IMHO most currently available loudspeakers are inferior to a pair of late 70s budget AR18s (cheap, small 2 way IB design) let alone Kans.

If you really want to build on the Kans strengths, then I am pretty sure that electrostatics may be the answer – light fast driver and no box coloration (no box!). I am not convinced that anyone has done stats right yet, but some have come very close.

Tony.

Posted on: 10 June 2001 by Mike Hanson
I would love to hear them! Unfortunately, they haven't shown up in Canada. My Naim dealer is also Royd's Canadian distributor, so I'm sure I'll hear as soon as they've arrived. BTW, I can't recall if the RR1 is better than RR3, or vice versa.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-