[LEONARDCHAN]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum. Hope to gain more knowledge and information here.

I have a pair of pre-owned KEF 303.3 speakers that I bought 1 year ago. I am loving it and it sounds great (at least to me). I heard that this speakers were manufactured in the 1970/80s. Are there people are still using this model?

And if I would upgrade later, any similar quality speakers in the market now?

Thanks
Leonard

[JerryM]

Welcome, Leonard. 

[Phil A]

Welcome to AC!

[JLM]

Welcome Leonard!

From what I quickly found online, the KEF 303.3 are fairly large sealed 2-way monitors that are rated F3 = 70 Hz and 86 dB/w/m at 8 ohms.  The '80s Bextrene 8 inch B200 woofer was quite popular and showed up in a number of speakers and was produced in a number of variations (later ones had a triangular frame).  The T33 soft dome tweeter is ferrofluid cooled (which can leak in time) or can be replaced.

From my experience with such drivers from the '80s the sound is probably vintage with being more tuneful/musical than detailed with a healthy amount of mid-bass body.  Speakers you can listen to all day without fatigue. 

Reminds me of my Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 (originals from ~2003).  But the CBM-170s are smaller, ported, and probably more dynamic.  I love them, wonderful for music and work just fine for AV.  They provide body for each note, magical imaging, and good detail.  Not sure how the new CBM-170SE compare (currently on sale for $300/pair). 

[dB Cooper]

Welcome to the sweet spot.

Speakers have improved a lot over the years- yet it is just as easy to tell live vs recorded as ever. KEF is a heavy hitter in the business so these are probably pretty well engineered and built. Driven well and with good source quality, they should provide a pretty satisfying listen.