Will the Kans ever sing like the ES14's?

Posted by: Erik (DK) on 11 May 2003

My Kans (mkII) are not om Kan stands, could that be the reason they're so shouty? Have just put on my ES 14's and they're much more persuasive. Just as impressing and open, not at all, but much much more gentle and warm - no worries, just lovely music. Will the Kans ever sing this way? Should I sell or should I get the KanIIstands? Would active allow me to regulate the highs, hence making it less bright?

Any comments will be appreciated.

(cd3,5+72+Hicap+90/3+Naca5) (72/Hicap may be due for recap)

Posted on: 11 May 2003 by NB

Have you tried moving the Kans around until you find that they don't shout as much. You may find that there too close to the rear wall and that may make them shout.

One thought if you prefer the sound of the ES14's why don't you continue using them?

Regards

NB

Posted on: 11 May 2003 by mathew farley

If you have gold plated banana plugs on your speaker cable remove them and put naim or similer nickal plated ones on. short lengths of nac a5 are supposed to sound brighter. A hi-cap on the 3.5 and the 72 will smooth things out (I prefere it on the 3.5 if you only have one hi-cap). If any of your kit is due for a service get it done this will help also. oh and make sure you've got new black snaics not grey ones

Posted on: 11 May 2003 by Erik (DK)

I'm using 2*5m's of naca5, and all snaics are black. All nickal plated banana plugs.
Positioning just doesn't seem to solve the problem quite. And adding a hi-cap to the 3,5 didn't seem to solve it either (it was due for a re-cap though). One thing I haven't tried yet, though, is gutting my carpet (and using KanII stands) but how should this make the sound less bright?
Any thoughts on active?
I'll keep the 14's for now, but as I'm buying another cheap 90/3 with naca5 cables active would only be an ixo and a small speakermod. away. Active with the Kans that is ofcourse.

I have a hate/love relationship with these Kans I think. The trace the contours of the music SO well, and they don't take up much space, but they just can't make me relaxe when listening. Are these speakers supposed to be used with vinyl only?

Posted on: 12 May 2003 by kan man

Hi Erik

I don't think you will begin to hear what Kans are capable of without either KanII stands or some suitable wall brackets. They simply don't work properly without them and tend to sound very thin, agressive and relentless. When properly set up they are more balanced sounding but they will always be dynamic, fast and involving rather than relaxing.

Kans are definitely more suited to vinyl although I have heard them sounding good with CD. I suspect from what you have said that they may not be for you even if you get the proper stands. The best thing to do would be to try and get to hear a pair properly set up. I think you will be surprised at how much difference it makes but I'm not sure it will be what you are looking for.

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 15 May 2003 by Erik (DK)

Hmm, now I just switched from nac72 to my 92 which allowed to listen to my Axis (Akito2,K-18) again. Still havn't found any mm-boards for the 72. And it seems this sound fits the Kans much better. While not as detailed, it sound much more INSPIRING. That's what I'm after really, rather than the ability to impress anybody. So now I'm thinking:
Sell amps and hi-cap
Get Nait 2
+ Lp12 with Aro (+mana)

Is this too radical?

(Also I'll receive a pair of SO wall shelves monday to sort out the support problems.)