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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
This is a buyer’s market for vintage KEF speakers right now, and the A$499 asking price for the KEF 104ab is a fair deal, sitting just below the median of A$523 from recent comparable listings. It is not a bargain, as it remains well above the 25th percentile of A$406, but it is certainly not ambitious, since it stays comfortably under the 75th percentile of A$639. The price aligns closely with typical used market value for this model in good condition, making it a reasonable entry point for enthusiasts seeking these speakers.
The KEF 104ab is widely respected for its beautifully voiced, balanced sound and excellent midrange clarity, making it a worthwhile buy for those who appreciate vintage hi-fi with modern reliability. Its ability to pair well with light, airy amps like the Marantz 6007 adds to its appeal, and a listing in good condition with original-owner history suggests minimal wear and proven care. With no major failure points or accessory gaps indicated, this clean listing represents a solid buying opportunity rather than a cautionary one.
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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