Linn Keilidh - still worth buying?

[Paulq]

A friend of mine is selling a set of pretty mint Keilidhs and I am tempted to buy them to pair with my Classik Music and Majik 2100 for the short term until I can afford to upgrade to a DSM, probably next year.

I have a small room and listen to a lot of rock music so am attracted by the alleged full sound that they reproduce. I currently run a set of B&W 685's which are great but am looking to upgrade with the future in mind.

I have a couple of questions:

1. Are the Keilidhs still a good buy today and a good partner for the Classik?

2. Can anyone compare them to the B&W 685's?

3. Would they be adequate and do justice to a Majik DSM when I can afford to upgrade next year?

4. In terms of the sound I like and the proposed upgrade would I be better with Majik 140's?

Thanks in advance folks.

PS: I will be using them passively.

[DaveBarth]

Hi Paul,

Do the Keilidh's include KuStone bases? They are a must, and rare as hens teeth. I recently watched a set of bases sell for over 400 Euro.

My vote is to get the Keilidh's (especially if they come with KuStone). They are a really good speaker, and I am sure you could sell them in a year or so to get the 140's with the DSM (and not lose any money). Upgrade the tweeters to 15/3 if not already done (only 100 Euro new from Linn).

I cannot compare to B&W. The Keilidh's really come alive when Aktiv, but are still very respectable in passive configuration.

Will your friend let you demo them in your house before you buy? That would be the best way to answer your questions.

[Paulq]

Hi Dave

Unfortunately they don't come with the bases but is that a deal breaker? Unfortunately he lives just too far away to demo them but I am really tempted to get them anyway. In terms of the tweeter upgrade how can I tell if it's been done or not and, if not, is it simply a case of unscrewing the existing tweeter and inserting new ones? Tech stuff is not my forte :-)

Thanks again for the help.

[DaveBarth]

Hi Paul,

Without the bases it could be a deal breaker, as it posses two problems: First is that sound quality is reduced and second is re-sell value is not nearly as good. If the price your friend is asking is very reasonable (200 to 300 Euro), I would get them anyway.

The original Keilidh tweeters have wire mesh over the dome. The 15/3 are from Ninka (never originally installed in Keilidh) and have 3 vertical steel bars over the dome. The change is easy: remove the old tweeter by unscrewing three screws, cut the black and red wire, solder red to '+' and black to '-' on the 15/3, replace the screws and your done. Please note if you plan to use the Keilidh fabric covers, the 3 bars poke out a little bit and look funny. Best is to remove the covers all together.

[Paulq]

Hi Dave

I don't think they have the 15/3 tweeters and he is after 250 quid without the bases. From your comments I am a bit more reluctant now and maybe going for the Majik 140's now and running those with the Classik for now, then upgrading to Majik next year, is the way forward.

I need to demo the 140's to see if they have enough bass for me. Pity as I am sure the Keilidhs would have been fun.

[DaveBarth]

(2012-07-29 14:19)Paulq Wrote:  Hi Dave

I don't think they have the 15/3 tweeters and he is after 250 quid without the bases. From your comments I am a bit more reluctant now and maybe going for the Majik 140's now and running those with the Classik for now, then upgrading to Majik next year, is the way forward.

I need to demo the 140's to see if they have enough bass for me. Pity as I am sure the Keilidhs would have been fun.

250 GBP without KuStones or upgraded tweeters sounds a little high to me. Sounds like it is better to save and wait until you can buy what you really want, and not get distracted which would cost time and money. Any upgrade should be towards that goal. Keep in mind Linn's annual summer promotion which is: buy the amp and get the aktiv cards for free.

[Paulq]

I think that makes sense. So if I buy the DSM now plus the Majik 140's will I have enough with those two components to go Aktiv?

[ami]

(2012-07-29 14:11)DaveBarth Wrote:  The original Keilidh tweeters have wire mesh over the dome. The 15/3 are from Ninka (never originally installed in Keilidh) and have 3 vertical steel bars over the dome. The change is easy: remove the old tweeter by unscrewing three screws, cut the black and red wire, solder red to '+' and black to '-' on the 15/3, replace the screws and your done. Please note if you plan to use the Keilidh fabric covers, the 3 bars poke out a little bit and look funny. Best is to remove the covers all together.

The 15/3 units predate the Ninka and were definitely installed in the Keilidh. They indeed have 3-bar protectors as do the late and rare 15/5 and the Ninka 038/2 tweeters. The SPKR 015 variety were all ceramic tweeters, as opposed to the cheaper but better-reputed 038. The 038 units have the same crossover frequency as the 015's and so are a direct replacement.

[DaveBarth]

(2012-07-29 14:51)ami Wrote:  The 15/3 units predate the Ninka and were definitely installed in the Keilidh. They indeed have 3-bar protectors as do the late and rare 15/5 and the Ninka 038/2 tweeters. The SPKR 015 variety were all ceramic tweeters, as opposed to the cheaper but better-reputed 038. The 038 units have the same crossover frequency as the 015's and so are a direct replacement.

Oh! Ami, you are right! My mistake. The three bar tweeter I meant to explain was the 38/2. That is the Ninka tweeter and what I have upgraded to in my Keilidh's. I mixed my numbers up. Sorry for any confusion.

[Paulq]

So does that mean that, even if they are still fitted with the standard drivers as at manufacture, they will be the 15/3 and does that make them a more attractive proposition at £250?