Activating Kabers

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Originally posted by Jeremy Roebuck:
Jeremy (in very hot Scotland - not too often you can say that)

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Strangely enough I've managed to get severe sunburn twice this year already just sitting out in the back garden. I haven't managed that feat for a a number of years.

Yours in Music

Syd

Jeremy--

While working in the field, we activated one set of Kabers that I remember very well. They sounded absolutely fantastic and are one of the very few speakers I could live with as an alternative to SBLs. Set up and driven properly, Kabers are very fast, tuneful, informative, and engaging. They can be a bit thin if not set up and driven well. Superb dynamics, with more tight low frequency extension than one expects from two small bass drivers.

To activate them, you will need a 3-6 (S)NAXO with power supply and a third 250. The Kaber is a considerably more sophisticated design than the Keilidhs, and the lower of the two bass-mid drivers rolls off at 100 Hz (if memory serves). The top mid-bass driver operates full-range from the crossover frequency (around 3KHz, I think) all the way down.

Also, make sure the front end of your system is up to it, otherwise activating them will make them sound worse as they magnify every fault with your system. From my experience with Kabers, you should have at least an LP12/Ittok (and preferably better), and at least a CDS1 or equivalent if CD is your primary source.

Also, make sure you have the latest drivers--they make a big difference.

Best,

Bob

As Bob says you will need a third stereo amp. And a three way NAXO specially set up/modified by Naim due to the not quite full three way nature of the Kaber.

Alternatively a Linn Tunebox and set of Kaber Aktiv cards, or the older Kaber Aktiv Crossover. All these turn up second hand reasonably often.

I've spent the afternoon listening to a cheap Linn powered active Kaber system. They sound great, a good facsimile of a full range speaker and meet most reasonable demands for level and dynamic in a normal sized room. I'm tempted to spring for a pair of the new Linn tweeters just to see....

Paul

thanks for the advice guys. until I can stretch to another NAP250, HiCap & SNAxo I'm going to have to live with two 250s and the IXO - any advice about bi-amping Kabers much appreciated

source is LP12, Lingo, Ecose & Troika

Jeremy

Jeremy,i hope you can stretch to another NAP250
you will then see/hear what an excellent design the Kaber is. i believe their designer lives down under now and runs his own speaker company.
my own Kabers are driven by a "cheap LINN system"(Paul Ranson)....3 x lk280 amps precursors to the Klout IMHO better than lk85/140 by a decent mile.
on their Kustone stands they do a fine job and the h/f units from the Espek improves things futher. it's been very warm thru' in the WEST also.
dennis

Dennis--

I lived with Kabers briefly (borrowed from the shop I worked in) driven by a single LK280. Worked brilliantly in the room I had them in. Active with 3 LK280s they should be very good. And I agree with you about the LK280--MUCH better sounding than the LK85/100/140, and preferable in some respects to the Klout.

That said, I replaced my LK1/LK280 with a 32.5/Hicap/250, which I thought was quite a leap forward. The 250 in particular seemed better able to grip the bass drivers compared to the stock (non-Spark) LK280.

Jeremy--as far as biamping Kabers with 2x250s: Try one 250 on the tweeters and the other on the two mid-bass drivers.

Enjoy!

Bob

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my own Kabers are driven by a "cheap LINN system"(Paul Ranson)....3 x lk280 amps precursors to the Klout IMHO better than lk85/140 by a decent mile.

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My Kabers have 3 LK100s at the moment. I also have 3 LK280, but 'only' an Isobarik Aktiv box. I'm thinking of a DIY Tunebox, since nobody seems too interested in buying the Kaber system.

In terms of biamping with two NAP250 a classic approach would be to use one channel of each NAP250 for each speaker, leaving the other channels idle (preferably diving inside the amps and disconnecting them from the PSU). This essentially gives you a pair of NAP135s.

Paul

Paul--

Two things--

First, no offense intended with my comments on the LK100 v. the LK280!

Second--very good recommendation to use the 2 250s as monoblocks--the "NAP 125" sounds great. I spaced that one!

Best,

Bob

I didn't intend to imply offence....

FWIW I think the LK100 is probably seriously underrated when applied appropriately (so not into a 4 Ohm load!)

Paul