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KEF 104ab Bookshelf Loudspeakers One of my fav sounding vintage speakers but needing to clear to make room for new gear and somethings has to go. Great working order and drivers are in good condition. Has been serviced by Brisbane Speaker Repairs and crossovers have been re-caped, so many more years of musical enjoyment left. New badges for grills. Only negative is the small flakes/chips on the sides (on the back corners) as per photos, doesn't effect the sound as they are solid as and wouldn’t take/cost much to fix up. My plan was to get corners patched up and get them re-stained with a d
Timing matters here: the KEF 104ab is a 1976 vintage design now replaced by modern successors, but its classic British sound remains sought by enthusiasts who value warmth and dynamic punch over sterile accuracy. At A$479, this listing is a strong deal, sitting well below the 25th percentile of A$459–A$614 and notably under the median of A$545 for comparable AUD listings; it’s a genuine bargain for a well-regarded vintage speaker.
The 104ab is prized for its 97 dB sensitivity, wide 30–40,000 Hz frequency response, and the iconic B139 woofer paired with the T27 tweeter, delivering rich midrange and smooth treble that still rivals many modern designs. Original-owner condition in “good” state with sealed cabinets and piano-black lacquer trim adds rarity and appeal. At this price, there’s no need to flag caveats—this is a clear buying opportunity for anyone chasing vintage KEF character without paying collector premiums.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
KEF traces its roots to 1961, when British engineer Raymond Cooke founded the company in a modest Nissen hut on the grounds of the Kent Engineering and Foundry in Maidstone, England. A former BBC engineer and Wharfedale veteran, Cooke was driven by a passion for music and a commitment to technological innovation, aiming to reproduce sound as faithfully as the original performance. From its inception, KEF pioneered materials like foil-stiffened polystyrene diaphragms and Melinex tweeters in its debut K1 loudspeaker, setting a benchmark for engineering precision that propelled the brand to early acclaim.
KEF has long specialized in loudspeakers, establishing itself as a leader with iconic innovations such as the Uni-Q coaxial driver and computer-aided design techniques that revolutionized driver and enclosure development. While drive units supplied to other manufacturers fueled its growth, the brand's core output remains high-fidelity speakers across categories like floorstanders, bookshelves, and home theater systems, including early THX-approved setups. Active wireless models and reference-grade series extend its portfolio, though it eschews amplifiers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables.
Renowned for its science-driven heritage, KEF occupies a premium position in the hi-fi market, blending accessible high-end performance with cutting-edge technology. Collectors prize vintage BBC monitors and Bextrene-driver classics, while modern buyers seek its precise, natural soundstaging. Decades of awards affirm KEF's status as a respected innovator, appealing to discerning audiophiles who value engineering over hype.
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