Kii Audio Threes, Rega RP1, Antipodes DS

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A (relatively) affordable bedroom system featuring the versatile Kii Audio Threes. Shot October 2018 in San Francisco, CA. Full breakdown of system and recording chain below.
This is not a review! Watch Darko’s review of the Kii Threes here: • Removing the room with...
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MUSIC
Karmacoda / Eternal - www.karmacoda.com/
Control Tracks (in order):
Jim Hall & Red Mitchell / Valse Hot - bit.ly/valsehot
Ravid Goldschmidt, Silvia Pérez Cruz / Afrika - bit.ly/afrikallama
Maria Schneider / Concert in the Garden - bit.ly/citgmaria
Nima Ben David - bit.ly/nimabdma
Ben's Soundcloud - / takeyourpilz
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EQUIPMENT I USED TO MAKE THESE RECORDINGS
- Soundman Dummy Head “John” made of MDF (but mine prefers to go by the name Alfredo)
- Soundman OKM II Studio w/ A3 adapter
- RME Babyface (original, not pro)
- MacBook Pro
- Ableton Live 9
- JBL Tools iPhone App
- Audio is recorded as 24/96 WAVs and rendered at 96K. RU-vid automatically downsamples everything to 44.1K.
- The music files I use are the highest available that the record label or artist could provide me with.
- Permissions to use these files are obtained either from the record label (who has received approval from the artist) or directly from the artist, depending on who owns the rights to the music, or who I have access to.
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SYSTEM IN THIS VIDEO
Digital (for listening):
Source - Roon on Antipodes DS server
USB Cable - AudioQuest Carbon
Kii Control
Digital (for producing, not recorded in this vid):
Source - MacBook Pro
USB to SPDIF converter - Schiit Eitr
Kii Control
Analog:
Turntable - Rega RP1
→ but w/ custom Cardas wiring, tonearm from RP2, glass platter from RP3 (so basically only the plinth and motor are stock)
Cartridge - Ortofon 2M Blue
Phono Preamp - PS Audio NPC
Kii Audio Three loudspeakers + stands
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Twitter: / janadagdagan
Alfredo's Instagram: / earspace.alfredo
Jana's Instagram: / janadagdagan

Опубликовано:

2 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 114

@strangemanoffrance6585 5 лет назад

Please don't mould your work to opinionated feedback. You carved out a niche style and voice of your own. The minute you start editing it to suit the masses, is the minute you lose the essence of your originality. Be you!

@vvcv__00 5 лет назад

Agreed! Heck, if you had illustrated the birds measurement, I would have enjoyed it. For me anyway, reading/watching reviews, on gear, is a bland subject, your videos make it 'not this way'. I can understand that these 'measurements' are not where you want to go creatively; consider the possibility, however, of reigning in that creativity -too much- before it's had time to breath.

@BustaBunny3045 Год назад

@pbea2410 5 лет назад

WE are missing you...

@stephenscharf6293 5 лет назад

Wonderful! (PS: I love seeing the measurements for the room/speaker dimensions). Your work is superb...

@andrewsalterhobart 4 года назад

You should hear the kii’s on stands with 60 lbs of lead shot in each stand. Another level.

@carolineleonard8214 5 лет назад

Just come over via Mr Darko's channel. Great stuff and looking forward to more. My compliments.

@gianpaologliori3604 5 лет назад

Very interesting thanks! Would love to see a video on your own system.

@carswnova 4 года назад

I second this

@joneill1155 5 лет назад

Hi Jana, thank you. Enjoy your videos and yes, video of your set up would be good to give us all some perspective about the compromises you have made when putting your system together. Your video editing skill sets are some of the best on RU-vid and enjoy them here and on the Darko channel. Look forward to your future videos.

@sphaera3809 4 года назад

This is possibly the best sounding system you've recorded so far. Much better sounding IMO than the 1M+ system. The Kii has Bruno Putzeys behind it. He's one of the best audio inventors/engineers/designers today. I love his amps from Hypex and Purifi. Thank you for taking the time to record and share this system! :-)

@DrGIzmoBRad 3 года назад

Jana, your technique of video production is both detailed, intuitive, and artistic. The binaural recordings are fantastic. Music selection is spot on. TYVM :)

@socksumi 3 года назад

I heard the Kii Threes at an audio show and despite the DSP technology I wasn't too impressed especially at their price which is $18k in my country. Yeah they sounded neutral, wide range and dynamic but they also sounded synthetic, electronic and sometimes too etched and strident when the music got busy. When many of instruments played together the Kii sounded a trifle smeared and not separated like I've heard in better designs. The timbre was off somehow. The sound didn't illuminate the room like some speakers. They lacked a certain lifelike quality that's hard to put into words. A friend insists this is what DSP does. Despite improving a loudspeakers measurements DSP also makes a speaker sound "synthetic" (his words). I will reserve judgment since I haven't heard many DSP designs. The Kii wasn't a bad speaker by any means it just didn't rise above the herd like the best speakers do and they wouldn't be my choice if I had $18 grand to spend.

@trinity0085 5 лет назад

Jana, I enjoyed this video very much. It’s very well made, great work!! Please make one featuring your own setup!!

@sofianelmoussaoui2926 4 года назад

One thing which is very noticeable : it's the precision and depth of the low frequencies for such a small room and speakers

@hi-fihaven2257 5 лет назад

Great work on your video! Great to see a young person into audio systems. Great work on the commentary, and great setup. Awesome sound, great music. Awesome speakers!

@tomhirschel8524 3 года назад

20.3K Subscribers ! Well done Jana. How did you get into the "Hi Fi" game? Parents? Uncle? Would be interesting to hear?

@Tiger24kicks 3 года назад

Wish you was still making videos I would like to know what headphones are you using 2021. And what audio equipment your using today.

@JamesFeighnyIV 5 лет назад

I'm interested on how the RP1 was upgraded. Did Ben d that himself? Is that something anyone can do?

@benenglert3401 5 лет назад

I did it myself. I would say anyone can replace a platter (since on these you remove the platter anyway to change the belt over from 33 to 45), and if you get a pre-wired tonearm, that's easy to replace as well though you will have to move your cartridge over to the new arm at the same time if you aren't also upgrading that. Cartridge installation/replacement is a little more advanced, but there are plenty of videos online showing you how to do it, or anywhere that sells turntables can do it for you in a matter of minutes. I went with an unwired tonearm since I didn't want to use factory Rega wiring but instead add a ground wire and more durable connectors at the cartridge end. Rewiring a tonearm is a gigantic pain and really easy to screw up. I probably re-did it about four times (each attempt taking 2-3 hours) before I was finally happy with the result. It sounds great now (in my opinion) but took a while to get there. This turntable started life as a Rega RP1 "Performance Pack", though most of the parts that the PP supposedly improved upon are things I ended up replacing with better stuff anyway. I think the cartridge and wiring that come with the RP1 are severely deficient and in need of immediate improvement. So every RP1 needs at least a non-Rega cartridge and a rewire in my opinion. The other stuff is more subjective and to a certain extent aesthetic. The glass platter just looks cool.

@Cyriljayant 3 года назад

Lovely work.This sounds recordings are awesome on my HI-FI (Cyrus + dynaudio ) combination . Your videos are amazing . I am really surprised of your. knowledge and your age . So keep it up your work . Thank you for the upload..

@lucasm8283 3 года назад

Thanks, just stumbled across your channel love your content/concept. That's a Nice bedroom/studio. I couldnt help but notice the black hole of a bed (I'm assuming is the cause) To the right, absorbing more than the left side of room. I noticed immediately wile listening, then saw the bed in video- When my bedroom was my listening room, I struggled with my oh so comfy bed, causing so many acoustic issues, I ended up centering it and then replaced for leather couch. Lol. So much absorption with a latex mattress (what I had) for a small room. Couldn't incorperate it into overall room acoustics, especially noticable when on one side.

@mikeazeka1753 4 года назад

These videos are among the best edited, especially for audio reviews, which tend to be very basic. I watch them twice, once to listen, and a second time to focus more on the visuals!

@jdm-uk-yank Год назад

Well this is disappointing. I just discovered your channel but it looks as if you're not making new content. Amazing production.

@meomarte 2 года назад

Yeah, considering affordability time is a factor. I could never afford a system that costs 20000 euros/dollars in one go, but over say, 10-15 years it might be doable. Many audiophile systems have been built over many years at least.

@djclass005 5 лет назад

yeah, curious to see and hear your own system! and some well put together sub 10k systems to be able to compare to the big stuff! But most of al, thanks, love your work! :-)

@vcp93 5 лет назад

Great demo of speakers I'll never be able to afford. ;-) But seriously, really outstanding demo. Definitely subscription worthy. Cheers!

@flohmann 5 лет назад

Great video. I agree with you on the omission of detailed room measurements, but you might consider including an overhead sketch of the room shape to give viewers a sense of the overall picture. Also, if you're in SF again, I'd be happy to have you video my system!

@BagulBowa Год назад

Beautifully shot. It did sound really..really great. Thank you for bringing it to us.

@peronnikbeijer213 3 года назад

I would love to see and hear your personal system, please make that video, if you can find the time?

@cleanerpath94 5 лет назад

Yo, need more content ASAP. Make a pattern and I’ll contribute

@normalman6686 5 лет назад

Another excellent video, well done. To my knowledge the only audiophile equipment videos presently on the web that match this quality are John Darko's. Which you also edit. A pattern is emerging here.....

@gonzaloalvarez6366 3 года назад

Hi Jana, nice video! Still waiting for the video of your system

@pamelarios4324 3 года назад

Damn!!!! More quality content like this! Girl where are u?

@mikeknowles5848 3 года назад

Isn't there some extra soggy bottom from the half-empty box the head is resting on?

@gregbellach8239 4 года назад

keep the measurements, you say neurotic i say accurate

@goldenears9748 5 лет назад

Just joined from over Darko. I love your style and presentation. Looking forward to lots more !

@deangale4496 3 года назад

Love the dampening towels in the plastic box effective anti resonate

@amdenis 10 месяцев назад

Wow! Glad I found your channel. Great vid!

@DjVendetta 2 года назад

I think I may just have to pick me up a set of these.

@matthewsayewich5446 2 года назад

I wish she would start making videos again….

@MichaelAmster 4 года назад

If you are looking for more interesting systems and visit LA, I have a Linkwitz LX521.4 setup with a number of different sources - analog and digital.

@Audio_Simon 5 лет назад

Jana, are you aware of the Realiser headphone system by Smyth Research? You stick a small microphone in each ear and play a few test tones through a system. It captures the acoustic signature (impulse response) of a whole system / room combo including all the directional spacial information. You can then replay anything you wish and it will sound like that system and room (convolution with the custom impulse response). The sad thing is, it only works hyper realistically for the person who's ears where used to record the impulse response, because it is their outer ear that 'encoded' the spacial data. But it really is SUPER real. I always thought they should market it at engineers who want to carry multiple reference studios with them in a portable setup. They seemed more interested in virtual surround.

@DjRjSolarStar 4 года назад

Honestly, headphone systems will give you the best bang per buck. My FiiO Kunlun DAC/Headphone amp coupled with my Empire Ears Cerberus 3's will blow away any stereo system under $10,000. That, and living in an apartment I can't even have a serious speaker system.

@jhonnytanggo7971 2 года назад

Rega turntable + active speaker???

@TheAioros261176 3 года назад

Hello Jana, how are you doing? I wanted to say that I enjoyed all of your videos. You have a unique beautiful style. It's superb, engaging, plush and entertaining.Your attention to detail is mind boggling. I love the tiny banners and measurements

@albertmanzo9510 3 года назад

These are very sincere but open speakers with an open personality of acoustic perfection in sound:)) Many lack all this but not thse and Focals :) thank you very nice !!!! Priciing is now in the $7k per pair Cheers!

@KeenAesthetic1 5 лет назад

Affordable bedroom system???!! Maybe if I was established in the Arsenal first team. When I first fired this video I was sceptical but I loved it ! Your recording and music choices were fab enough that I'll surely watch this vid again a few times! Great work!

@moefoe1 5 лет назад

I like your channel! What do you think of the Kii Threes? From the ”small Numbers” I’ve listened to them I find them a bit structured/hard!? Bought the Rega 1 for my father though. Nice table for the money isn’t it?

@tomgarcia9200 5 лет назад

You should dabble in car audio. Some of my best experiences with music listening have been on the road with my DLS ms6 speakers and jl W7 sub wind in my face and music blasting.

@chambeet 3 года назад

What a phenomenal aesthetic your channel has! I've noticed this kind of beautiful aesthetic popping up lately on audiophile reviews. I don't know how you guys do it, but I love it! Saw you from your "Beyer buyer" video on Guttenberg's CanJam video originally. I'll give you a subscribe due to how well put-together your vids are.

@BrentLeVasseur 3 года назад

The bass on those sounds great for bookshelf monitors and there is minimal room boom due to its cardioid design which is fabulous.

@sidvicious3129 5 лет назад

Hi Jana, are you still doing work at Stereophile as well?

@EARSPACE 5 лет назад

No, not since April 2018. I now do this, edit for Darko's channel, and other non-audiophile video stuff :)

@jhonnytanggo7971 2 года назад

May i know your setup on rega

@ecamormex 4 года назад

This girl gets it and knows more than many of us ever will. I want to spend hours in that room playing with all those toys! And I have the same toy car she has! :-D

@insidiousengineering 5 лет назад

Your vids are top notch. Don't change anything you don't want to. And...oh yes. Your personal system, no matter the budget, would be great. I think I recognize some of it.☺

@waynepollard6879 3 года назад

Sweet ! Thank you Jana .

@yaghiyahbrenner8902 5 лет назад

Nice review. Applied DSP is hard. majority audio manufacturers are using traditional DSP techniques i.e eq digital filters, delays ect.. The designer of the Kii is a legendary engineer (Bruno Putzeys ) These speakers aint cheap.

@fomoontech8217 5 лет назад

Please compare with the Dutch 8c, also full DSP active speakers ($9,000) with room correction!

@mohamedahmed1023 5 лет назад

Great channel! Appreciate the professionalism, passion, and slick presentation! After listening to the reviews from Streaky and Darko, these are at the top of my list! Btw, got the merch- the audiophile t shirts are great! Btw, would love to see your set up. I have a pair of Adam A7X speakers on my desk and a pair of Eve SC208 speakers on my TV so I love AMT tweeters!

@darylloth3237 5 лет назад

These are the best sounding speakers of all I have heard in your videos (At least with my setup and headphones!) I could hear very little evidence of room effects. KII's DSP works amazingly well. It almost sounded like we were listening directly to a straight source and not to a recording in an acoustically active room. This setup definitely had the most extended and balanced bass output of all the systems so far. I experienced no listening fatigue whatsoever. Something I can't say for the other systems. I am not trying to say this is the best system because the other speakers might sound better in a different room or with different room treatments. I'm simply saying that to me these sound the most neutral and faithful to the source. Another brilliant video. Thanks so much for doing this. I've always wanted to "hear" these speakers.

@cristianserrano5072 5 лет назад

How can you keep mqa decoding with an mqa streamer like nad m10?? Can I connect meridian prime DAC to my kii via analog ? That affects kii digital internal processing ?? Many Thanks

@samuelsalins8309 4 года назад

Great video 🔉🎶🕩 tnx 👍

@pbea2410 5 лет назад

Exceptional vidéo in regards to what is usually produce for this kind if subject. Thanks. Suscribed.

@timwilson3435 4 года назад

Surprisingly good sound considering the orientation of the system in the room and the proximity to walls. The Kii's must be as excellent as everyone says they are.

@riccitone 5 лет назад

Excellent, all the way around. Sounded great even through the RU-vid downgrade. And thank you for the Jim Hall/Red Mitchell playing Valse Hot. Reminded me to go dig that out! 🙏🏼

@NighteeeeeY 5 лет назад

Man I love your videos :) Im happily looking forward for future content. Also the Threes are amaaaaazing speakers. When I first read about them I was like no way does this work and no way theyre worth that money. But after listening to them.....its incredible what the dsp does if correctly applied. Id sell a kidney for this system! Merry christmas to you love!

@itamarkas 5 лет назад

Thanks for sharing. Great topic. Question on the speakers behind... How are those Adam for someone who doesnt create music? Just for Tidal listening and HT? Thanks

@jawwwz27 4 года назад

Who is the DJ?

@jeffkalina7727 4 года назад

Asymmetry is a beautiful thing only nature can truly create

@riktascale4 5 лет назад

This is a real demo/audio review of a studio monitor. We actually get to hear sound and no long ramblings about tech stuff. Wow with measurement too! We need more of this for guys like me who are unable to demo expensive speakers. Thanks!

@wearestrangers1164 5 лет назад

finally a decent demo of the kii threes , they sound the most natural and overall prefer them to any of the sound systems featured in this channel!

@DarylSawatzky 5 лет назад

Great videos! What do you use for the text and graphics overlays? Specifically the audio visualization bar at the bottom?

@skiptrace1888 4 года назад

Those Kii 3's are dope! Thanks for posting! :-)))

@micheltheflambonian 4 года назад

Where do i plug in my turntable on the Kii three???

@HungryEatNow 4 года назад

Your recording effort is very much appreciated and I would say “best”

@bphilbac 3 года назад

Nice

@gregoryeiding5395 5 лет назад

Awesome videos - always well done and enjoyable - love seeing other listening rooms and the way you show the room dimensions and listening spot. You do a fantastic job combining art, music, hi-end audio equipment, and scenery.

@569CJC 4 года назад

Love the video Jana! And would love to see your own system too :)

@09876username 5 лет назад

Jana, another excellent video and I appreciate all of the room measurements to help to understand how Alfredo is listening in the aural space.

@tllama1560 4 года назад

i like how you make a mediocre room look cool. you have an awesome style.

@Owen-ny6vh 5 лет назад

H Jana - nice, thanks. The bass response seemed notably strong & articulate. Am interested in how John Darko describes how the Kii Threes largely eliminate room side-rear wall interactions - did you note what were Ben's Low Freq Boundary-Control & Contour settings on the Kii's for this session? Cheers.

@EARSPACE 5 лет назад

A boundary EQ of -5 is applied to both speakers and the contour/tone controls are off with amount 0. Ben said he arrived at these settings after some futzing and decided they gave the most bass possible without getting muddy. Boundary EQ of -4 or less increased bass output but diminished control, likely because of the proximity of the wall and desk.

@gordonray 4 года назад

The right channel seems to have more highs than the left.

@pavelnishonov 4 года назад

I would buy it for myself

@ggc7318 4 года назад

Very good ! Thanks Jana.

@roanmccormick7923 3 года назад

WOW! Awesome speakers!

@Alpha-1111 4 года назад

Alfredo has all the fun!

@audioorigami 5 лет назад

great video ,...as ever !!

@mickrileybcn 4 года назад

Good job J.

@p0p0y2003 5 лет назад

Please make more videos!!

@p.v.jayaprakash4494 4 года назад

Sounds great !

@earfood1 5 лет назад

Such a cool video!

@rotaks1 5 лет назад

What are the speakers behind you? Thanks.

@EARSPACE 5 лет назад

Adam A5X (there’s also an Adam Sub8 but it’s not visible)

@christopherward5065 5 лет назад

Great reviewing. You use the medium to allow the equipment and the ideas it generates in practice to lead, rather than being a talking head telling us what to think. Excellent! More please!

@RobertKohut 5 лет назад

Nice!!

@HiFiInsider 5 лет назад

fun video

@L1cktySplit 3 года назад

Jana you're so pretty Why did you leave the channel ???

@SMFJose 4 года назад

If I had these 2 speakers I would put under the bed!

@jorgerodriguez6042 5 лет назад

hello Jana where are you i haven't seen you for awhile

@berniemac777 5 лет назад

Enjoyed listening to an affordable system. I am getting back into stereo hi-fi after going through the terrible first and second stages of digital. Analog is still King in my humble opinion. And Yes I admit digital is catching up to analog but not quite there yet when it comes to sounding natural.

@mirostrelec3773 5 лет назад

close wall speakers no?

@Carrera6rennsport 5 лет назад

$15k for the entire system?? Kii threes by themselves are closer to 20k with stands...

@EARSPACE 5 лет назад

You're right, my mistake, sorry! I was quoting used prices because Ben got all his equipment secondhand for < $15K and there's quite a large used market for the Kiis online. I'll be clearer about that in future vids.