Kii Three - my impressions and pro reviews

[Bernstein]

4 minutes ago, ragwo said:

The spikes are secured with a tightening nut so wobbling is out of the question. Are you worried about instability or the height of the speakers? 

 

More stability and then visual appearance 

[phosphorein]

2 hours ago, Bernstein said:

What are using as feet for the stands? I have hardfloor and looking for protective but good sounding solution. 

 

I use felt pads under the stands. They are stable and decouple the stands from the floor without adding height.

[Bernstein]

15 minutes ago, phosphorein said:

 

I use felt pads under the stands. They are stable and decouple the stands from the floor without adding height.

 

Cool! How about uneven floor and wobbles? No issues?

[ragwo]

10 hours ago, Bernstein said:

 

More stability and then visual appearance 

You could also use Sorbothane disks underneath the stands. Good decoupeling and sturdy. Just remember to buy discs for the right weight. 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F370999993667

[firedog]

1 hour ago, ragwo said:

You could also use Sorbothane disks underneath the stands. Good decoupeling and sturdy. Just remember to buy discs for the right weight. 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F370999993667

Those look like just the thing - 1 set of 4 per speaker should work well, and not cost an arm and a leg. 

[phosphorein]

14 hours ago, Bernstein said:

 

Cool! How about uneven floor and wobbles? No issues?

 

No issues here. I've used this approach for a number of years. Felt doesn't discolor your flooring, whereas sorbothane can depending on formulation.

[baconbrain]

On 7/3/2019 at 9:49 PM, Bernstein said:

 

Oh: there are qobuz playlists of KII provided on FB. 

 

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2300473

 

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2186759

 

I have now incorporated these into our Tidal List. 186 Tracks and growing ...

[coot]

To Kii Three owners:

Are there any of you that listen primarily to classical? Would you directly address the "big" sound of this product for classical music that is fully large scale ie, full symphony orchestras and + chorus + organ, etc as opposed to string quartets, chamber groups, etc. Name specific works if possible.

 

I am considering purchase and the above description applies to most of my listening. Thanks.

[KunterK]

22 hours ago, Bernstein said:

What are using as feet for the stands? I have hardfloor and looking for protective but good sounding solution. 

I use IsoAcoustics Gaia II. Strongly recommended. Some reviews on YouTube, and I conquer with all of them as to how good they are.

 

KK

[Bernstein]

3 minutes ago, KunterK said:

I use IsoAcoustics Gaia II. Strongly recommended. Some reviews on YouTube, and I conquer with all of them as to how good they are.

 

KK

Can you post a pic from the feet and stands? Much appreciated!

[firedog]

12 minutes ago, coot said:

To Kii Three owners:

Are there any of you that listen primarily to classical? Would you directly address the "big" sound of this product for classical music that is fully large scale ie, full symphony orchestras and + chorus + organ, etc as opposed to string quartets, chamber groups, etc. Name specific works if possible.

 

I am considering purchase and the above description applies to most of my listening. Thanks.

Exactly one of the reasons I bought the Kiis.

I went to hear a performance of Mahler's 6th Symphony in London (NHK Orchestra, Jarvi conducting). The next morning I auditioned the Kiis. I played back the very powerful and dynamic recording of Mahler's 6th (Bernstein, Vienna Philharmonic) and was amazed at what a good job the Kiis did in giving a credible illusion of the size and power of a large orchestra. Not saying it sounded  "just like it", but it was fantastic for any stereo system, especially a small one. Much better job of it than my conventional system with medium size tower speakers could do. 

Same experience with Saint Saens "Organ Symphony" or a piece like Holst's "The Planets". The Kiis have no problems with dynamic swings and do a great job of "separating out" all the various pieces being played. You can hear all the elements. 

 

Unless you like to play at ear splitting levels and/or in a very large room, the Kiis will do the job. Yes you could spend big bucks and get some giant speakers that will outdo them, but those won't play well with most rooms. The Kiis will. 

 

I'd still audition them before spending the big bucks, though. Tastes differ, and I can't say you will have the same reaction to them I do. 

[coot]

Thank firedog. Exactly the specifics I am looking for.

Sadly, the nearest dealer is 9 hrs away.

[tomjtx]

13 minutes ago, coot said:

To Kii Three owners:

Are there any of you that listen primarily to classical? Would you directly address the "big" sound of this product for classical music that is fully large scale ie, full symphony orchestras and + chorus + organ, etc as opposed to string quartets, chamber groups, etc. Name specific works if possible.

 

I am considering purchase and the above description applies to most of my listening. Thanks.

 

The Kii does a great job with large scale orchestral works. As a classical musician I attend quite a few concerts. The Kii come closer to reproducing the live experience than than most systems I’ve heard. They replaced my Watt/Puppies.

 

 

[KunterK]

13 minutes ago, Bernstein said:

Can you post a pic from the feet and stands? Much appreciated!

Here you go 

[Bernstein]

13 minutes ago, KunterK said:

Here you go 

 

Thanks! The height increases a little, but everyone is impressed...

stromtank in the background?

[KunterK]

5 minutes ago, Bernstein said:

 

Thanks! The height increases a little, but everyone is impressed...

stromtank in the background?

Yes. Stromtank 2500. I had it for my previous frontend but now Kii's are feeding from it. 

[Bernstein]

2 minutes ago, KunterK said:

Yes. Stromtank 2500. I had it for my previous frontend but now Kii's are feeding from it. 

 

56kg is the weight limit. KII 15kg + stands (20kg?) + Sand filling = what is the weight in your setup?

[KunterK]

Answer I received from Kii upon my question:

 

The net weights are:
single speaker:             19.2 kg
single speakerstand      21.1kg

 

I have not filled in with sand yet. I can still add another 10 kilos or so sand.

 

[Bernstein]

16 minutes ago, KunterK said:

Answer I received from Kii upon my question:

 

The net weights are:
single speaker:             19.2 kg
single speakerstand      21.1kg

 

I have not filled in with sand yet. I can still add another 10 kilos or so sand.

 

 

Actually you can fill in 14kg. 

 

Interesting: the specs say 15kg and the website 19kg. 

[firedog]

2 hours ago, coot said:

Thank firedog. Exactly the specifics I am looking for.

Sadly, the nearest dealer is 9 hrs away.

Have you talked to them? Will they send you a pair for audition? Or sell a pair with a trial period? Maybe they can help you find an owner closer to you so you can hear a pair?

[AMR/iFi audio]

11 hours ago, ragwo said:

You could also use Sorbothane disks underneath the stands. Good decoupeling and sturdy. Just remember to buy discs for the right weight. 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F370999993667

 

Effective and el'cheapo, thanks!

[Bernstein]

22 hours ago, KunterK said:

Answer I received from Kii upon my question:

 

The net weights are:
single speaker:             19.2 kg
single speakerstand      21.1kg

 

I have not filled in with sand yet. I can still add another 10 kilos or so sand.

 

 

The specs in the manual are wrong yours are right! 

Did you test them A/B with the feet? Over 600€ is quiet an investment...

[AMR/iFi audio]

 

On 7/11/2019 at 8:55 PM, KunterK said:

I have not filled in with sand yet. I can still add another 10 kilos or so sand.

 

 

This gets my vote. No such thing as too much sand under speakers. 

[firedog]

38 minutes ago, AMR/iFi audio said:

 

 

This gets my vote. No such thing as too much sand under speakers. 

 

I filled mine with sand. Haven’t weighed them because there’s no way I’m going to pick them up. What’s for sure is that they aren’t vibrating....

[fas42]

How are the speakers locked into place on the stands? If I had these, one of the first things I would do is experiment with various ways of coupling the cabinets to the stands - to see what that told me.