Got the Kef LS50s 2 hours ago for home demo. Initial thoughts; some questions?

[CnoEvil]

A dealer's demo set will be. I took from this conversation that we were talking about someone purchasing a new pair and taking them home, seeing as we were talking about returns policies. If the dealer's demo set has been tried at home and a new set purchased, the run in period is null and void with regards to worrying about taking them back.

I think the problem occurs where the line is blurred ie. where new speakers are the demo set, which are then kept if satisfactory.

 

[Frank Harvey]

A dealer's demo set will be. I took from this conversation that we were talking about someone purchasing a new pair and taking them home, seeing as we were talking about returns policies. If the dealer's demo set has been tried at home and a new set purchased, the run in period is null and void with regards to worrying about taking them back.

I think the problem occurs where the line is blurred ie. where new speakers are the demo set, which are then kept if satisfactory.

if someone borrowed our demo set and wanted to buy a pair, we'd rather they had a brand new pair, especially if they haven't been out long. Because of the range of speakers we have, we spend a lot of time running them in, so don't really have the time to "re-run" more speakers in as well. Most people would rather have a new set anyway.

We'd rather not loan out a brand new set with no hours on the clock, although we have ocassionally loaned a new speaker to regulars for them to run in for us - partly because they want to hear them (out of interest) and secondly if we have a number of new speakers needing running in.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Run in time isn't something that can be tailored to suit returns policies. If a speaker takes 100 hours to run in, it takes 100 hours to run in (just an example) - that's only four straight days. Whether the buyer ensures they receive the adequate run in time within a two or four week period (whatever the returns policy is) is a different matter. I prefer to be truthful

Convenient.

I think I'd ask that the dealer run them in for me if they are so confident the speakers need it to sound any good.

Nothing 'convenient' about it. If someone mph as loaned our demo set and buy a new pair as a result, they know what they're going to sound like when run in, so there's no rush for the customer to run them in as there is no question about them needing to be returned.

All speakers need running in to sound their best - just to differing degrees.

 

[CnoEvil]

if someone borrowed our demo set and wanted to buy a pair, we'd rather they had a brand new pair, especially if they haven't been out long. Because of the range of speakers we have, we spend a lot of time running them in, so don't really have the time to "re-run" more speakers in as well. Most people would rather have a new set anyway.

We'd rather not loan out a brand new set with no hours on the clock, although we have ocassionally loaned a new speaker to regulars for them to run in for us - partly because they want to hear them (out of interest) and secondly if we have a number of new speakers needing running in.

This is as it should be, and I thought no less.

I was not being specific with my comment, and certainly not inferring anything by it.

 

[Frank Harvey]

This is as it should be, and I thought no less.

i know you didn't Cno

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for everyone's input.

I have now played this about 10 hours at home. I have also ran Audessey with the mic in 6 places which i found more accurate than previous 1 -2 mic placement runnings.

The bass is now more apparant but still inferior to the RX1s imo. The Kef are much smoother than the RX though and i can tell these have great potential.

The shop are coming Tuesday to pick up and then hopefully i can borrow the R300s after that.

 

[Anonymous]

Things that can (imo) cause this: - Need for running in - Positioning - Size and decor of room - Suspended floor - What they are placed on - Quality of source - Mastering of the recording - Amps ability to drive the speakers properly - Wired out of phase - Cables The fact they are new (as has been said), is probably the biggest factor. If you have the R300s out for demo as well.....swop them over and see what happens.

They are slightly towed in on aurolex Mopads. Tangerine is practically ear level. Abut 20cm off wall. 2ft from sides. Wired correctly for sure. I have the best version of nearly every album i have; Japanese first pressings, Audio fidelity Gold disc, Vinyl 24 bit flac rips etc.

I did ask about receiver. I do think these need a better one than the Marantz. Maybe a pioneer or Yamaha? It is difficult to say considering they have not been ran in properly. I can always go to the shop in 2 weeks and listen again. At least i will have an idea over the next 24.

 

[CnoEvil]

The shop are coming Tuesday to pick up and then hopefully i can borrow the R300s after that.

I have a feeling that these may be a better match for your amp and taste.

 

[CnoEvil]

They are slightly towed in on aurolex Mopads. Tangerine is practically ear level. Abut 20cm off wall. 2ft from sides. Wired correctly for sure. I have the best version of nearly every album i have; Japanese first pressings, Audio fidelity Gold disc, Vinyl 24 bit flac rips etc.

I did ask about receiver. I do think these need a better one than the Marantz. Maybe a pioneer or Yamaha? It is difficult to say considering they have not been ran in properly. I can always go to the shop in 2 weeks and listen again. At least i will have an idea over the next 24.

IMO To really get the most out of these little fellows, you need a high quality (powerful) stereo amp like MF M6i or Leema Tucana. They will sound good with lesser amps, but won't reach their potential (which is very high).

 

[Anonymous]

They are slightly towed in on aurolex Mopads. Tangerine is practically ear level. Abut 20cm off wall. 2ft from sides. Wired correctly for sure. I have the best version of nearly every album i have; Japanese first pressings, Audio fidelity Gold disc, Vinyl 24 bit flac rips etc.

I did ask about receiver. I do think these need a better one than the Marantz. Maybe a pioneer or Yamaha? It is difficult to say considering they have not been ran in properly. I can always go to the shop in 2 weeks and listen again. At least i will have an idea over the next 24.

IMO To really get the most out of these little fellows, you need a high quality (powerful) stereo amp like MF M6i or Leema Tucana. They will sound good with lesser amps, but won't reach their potential (which is very high).

I do agree but i mainly listen to USB files. I have sold nearly every cd so its convenient to listen via AV receiver(that can read flac). If i added a stereo amp i would not be able to do that.

Plus i want to make it a 5.1 system and the LS50 has no center. I just wante dto listen to it anyway.

 

[CnoEvil]

I do agree but i mainly listen to USB files. I have sold nearly every cd so its convenient to listen via AV receiver(that can read flac). If i added a stereo amp i would not be able to do that.

Plus i want to make it a 5.1 system and the LS50 has no center. I just wante dto listen to it anyway.

You are right to taylor this to your needs....I was sort of thinking out loud. Once you hear all your options, I suspect your path will be clearer.

Good luck and let us know how things go.

Cno

 

[the record spot]

Run in time isn't something that can be tailored to suit returns policies. If a speaker takes 100 hours to run in, it takes 100 hours to run in (just an example) - that's only four straight days. Whether the buyer ensures they receive the adequate run in time within a two or four week period (whatever the returns policy is) is a different matter. I prefer to be truthful

Yes however not everyone would want to/be in a position to run their system for four straight days for any number of reasons - work, family, neighbours, whatever. The realistic timescale is going to be over a number of nights or weekends than not, so dealers need to be aware of that than pitch that line of thinking above.

In those circumstances, I'd expect a four week trial, with the condition that the goods must be well taken care of, no damage, etc, etc., or the right to return is invalidated.

 

[Frank Harvey]

They can be played at low level while at work, and even overnight facing them towards each other and cabled out of phase. Most people do have the possibility of running them in within a week.

Again, if someone has loaned the shop's demo ones and have decided they're the speaker for them, purchased a pair, took them home, the run in period is then not an issue as the buyer already knows what they will sound like.

 

[lindsayt]

The KEF LS50's with manufacturers quoted figures of -3dbs at 79hz and -6 dbs at 47 hz do lack bass.

What else would one expect from tiny 2 ways with 5 1/4" mid-bass cones?

Have you heard them? They certainly don't lack bass at all. They'll lack depth, but then given the driver size and cabinet volume, that is to be expected. But it is a bass that isn't 'added to' by the cabinet.

Yes I have heard them. Whether you think they lack bass or not will depend upon what you're comparing them to. The cabinet may not add much to the bass but the large rear mounted reflex port will.