Kef LS50....A technical tour de force.

[Native_bon]

I can't think of any post he has replied to regarding speaker recommnedations where Kef has not been mentioned. I don't have a particular problem with that, either.

But we are talking about what is commonly regarded as the best speaker at its price point, so what do you expect? If someone asks "what's the best small standmount between £500-1000?" the answer is very likely to be the KEF LS50 because according to most "expert" "reviews" (and I know both of those are dirty words round these parts), they are.

Most "expert" reviews, like at 'The Towers', are carried out in a specific room which costs nigh on Million quid, with special acoustic treatments. Having visited the Towers, it is not a true representation of a normal room. How many people on here own a Million pound house? let alone a single room to that value.

In their dem room you don't come across a childs scooter, ironing board, Lego strewn across the carpet, a cat using the sofa as a scratchy post, a vacuum cleaner humming away in the background etc etc etc...

This is what I keep saying.. Its just like politicians, the review world of Hifi has lost touch with reality.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

but ime, the LS50s (I'm able to compare them directly to a £6k Floorstander).

Hi CnE

Are you referring to 205/2's please?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

Yes.

They make a good benchmark to judge the LS50s by.

Hi CnE

Thanks for your reply.

I thought so. They make an appropiate reference point for the LS50's.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[CnoEvil]

Hi CnE

Thanks for your reply.

I thought so. They make an appropiate reference point for the LS50's.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

:cheers:

 

[Native_bon]

Yes they may be good speakers but would not be to every ones taste. I have asked for an audition next week monday.. Cnt wait to hear what the talk is all about.

 

[CnoEvil]

Yes they may be good speakers but would not be to every ones taste. I have asked for an audition next week monday.. Cnt wait to hear what the talk is all about.

You should hear them on the end of the Arcam AVR750 and with a decent source.....heavy stands are a must.

I look forward to your report.........even if I have to eat my words.

 

[Native_bon]

Yes they may be good speakers but would not be to every ones taste. I have asked for an audition next week monday.. Cnt wait to hear what the talk is all about.

You should hear them on the end of the Arcam AVR750 and with a decent source.....heavy stands are a must.

I look forward to your report.........even if I have to eat my words.

Seems you read my mind, for sure

 

[plastic penguin]

Do I prefer MAs to LS50s? Couldn't say with any certainty. Do I prefer my PMCs to the LS50s? Again, not heard the two together, so wouldn't like to say one way or the other. All I can say is the TB2s with the Leema is staggering for the money.

Not disputing you there, but isn't/wasn't your TB2s even pricier than the LS50s when new? 1200 quid from what I gleaned.

When new, yes. But mine were ex-dem and a lot cheaper.

 

[CnoEvil]

I read it as Kef emulating a concept, but doing it with modern design methods (having thoroughly studied the LS3/5A).....other than following a general brief, they say it has little in common with the veteran speaker.

 

[MakkaPakka]

Most "expert" reviews, like at 'The Towers', are carried out in a specific room which costs nigh on Million quid, with special acoustic treatments. Having visited the Towers, it is not a true representation of a normal room. How many people on here own a Million pound house? let alone a single room to that value

Million pound room with 'special' treatments - i think you are getting a bit carried away.

If you read the how we test page it says the test facilities cost a million - six rooms, storage area and all the labour and other costs that go with six rooms in an expensive area.

The treatments in there are bog standard you can get online for not much money. Few diffusers and some absorbant wall coverings. Could make them with bits from b&q.

Yes its not a typical room but its not some 'super room' as you'd have people believe.

 

[CJSF]

You should hear them on the end of the Arcam AVR750 and with a decent source.....heavy stands are a must.

I look forward to your report.........even if I have to eat my words.

Mmm . . . fair bit of close to dummy spitting there??? The only way to tell is a home dem., if it sound good get the flexible friend out, otherwise keep looking, there are no short cuts.

I'm a lover of the LS35a . . . have taken great interest in the white paper. I was shaping up to buy a pair of 35a's, decided against it in the end, why, because I like the sound my 26 year old PMC's LB1 studio monitors make in my system, I spent 3 years grooming the sound I have, compare the prospects of the 35a v the LB1, silk tweeter, transmission line and capable of 35hz response.

However, Cno has put it above very well. My love of the 35a made me think, is the LS50, note, it has been designated 'LS' a modern and much refines LS35a? No, not a modern copy but a speaker that has had the same thinking and technology of the time used to develop it as a 21st century product, so it wont be the same or even close. The 35a was the best of the best in its era, the LS50 has been dubbed the best of the best today? For some reason British public dont like 'the best' . . . ? they will shout the best down, but up barriers, shout 'foul'. Why, its obviously a good speaker at it price point, give it and Kef the benefit of doing a dam good job in ideal circumstances with the best tools available, just as the BBC did all thos years ago.

I have not heard the LS50, but I'm thinking, it might be a little dry in its sound, we dont like dry, we are used to hearing coloration all around in everyday life, the brain gets very confused if that acoustic coloration is taken away, spend a little time in an anhercoic chamber, it begins to feel very uncomfortable very quickly. My thinking, the LS50 might go well on the end of a valve set up, a little warmth on that side of neutral, might liven it up nicely. Assuming most valve systems are fairly good quality, the LS50's will make the best of that quality in presentation. I might get myself down to my local Kef dealer and beg a pair for a few days, see how they compare with my vintage PMC studio monitors, even if the 50's do remind me of my dogs rear end with tail held high! What were the design team thinking?

Thanks Cno for the link.

CJSF

 

[BigH]

I did not find the LS50s dry, in fact I thought they were quite warm sounding I was expecting something much more neautral. Only way is to go and hear them.

 

[CnoEvil]

I have not heard the LS50, but I'm thinking, it might be a little dry in its sound, we dont like dry, we are used to hearing coloration all around in everyday life, the brain gets very confused if that acoustic coloration is taken away, spend a little time in an anhercoic chamber, it begins to feel very uncomfortable very quickly. My thinking, the LS50 might go well on the end of a valve set up, a little warmth on that side of neutral, might liven it up nicely. Assuming most valve systems are fairly good quality, the LS50's will make the best of that quality in presentation. I might get myself down to my local Kef dealer and beg a pair for a few days, see how they compare with my vintage PMC studio monitors, even if the 50's do remind me of my dogs rear end with tail held high! What were the design team thinking? Thanks Cno for the link. CJSF

One of the reasons I like the LS50s, is that IMO, they don't sound dry, yet still remain fast, punchy, detailed and accurate. I believe this in part, to be down to them being fine-tuned by ear.

I suspect, if anyone can get the best out them, you can.

 

[CJSF]

Interesting Cno and Big-H, not dry . . . makes me want to go have a listen even more, is it a modern 35a . . . ? If the LS50 is such a beast, buy two pair, enjoy one and carefully store the other, they will appreciate in value many times over in mint condition :?

My system set up and speaker placing (18" from the back wall) including very solid Foundation Designer stands might just suit them well, then . . . its down to vintage PMC LB1 v. LS50, I wonder how that one might go?

CJSF

 

[CnoEvil]

. . . its down to vintage PMC LB1 v. LS50, I wonder how that one might go? CJSF

We await your verdict. :shifty:

 

[CJSF]

. . . its down to vintage PMC LB1 v. LS50, I wonder how that one might go? CJSF

We await your verdict. :shifty:

Biggest problem, finding a Kef dealer within striking distance of Ipswich???
CJSF

 

[BigH]

. . . its down to vintage PMC LB1 v. LS50, I wonder how that one might go? CJSF

We await your verdict. :shifty:

Biggest problem, finding a Kef dealer within striking distance of Ipswich??? CJSF

Is Witham too far?

 

[raoulx]

just proof read the doc, and will read it properly when I get a chance. But I love my ls50 and can't wait to remove some poorer quality speakers for my HT setup and replace them for ls50s

 

[Frank Harvey]

just proof read the doc, and will read it properly when I get a chance. But I love my ls50 and can't wait to remove some poorer quality speakers for my HT setup and replace them for ls50s

They do sound great in a 5.1 system

 

[CJSF]

. . . its down to vintage PMC LB1 v. LS50, I wonder how that one might go? CJSF

We await your verdict. :shifty:

Biggest problem, finding a Kef dealer within striking distance of Ipswich??? CJSF

Is Witham too far?

Hi Big-H, Seven Oaks, yes thats the closest for me, about 40 minute drive. Gave them a call this afternoon, no problem, pay for them, take a demo pair away Sat and Sunday return Monday, get full refund, or they will supply me with a new boxed pair. Sound fair enough to me. Might try to squeez it to pick up Friday?

CJSF

 

[Deliriumbassist]

I do enjoy reading hifi white papers, although I do wish more manufacturers would produce books like Quad did (Quad: The Closest Approach).

I'm a big fan of the LS50s, it's just a shame I didn't buy a pair when I could take advantage of staff discount! In my experience, they were one of the universally loved speakers with my customers.

 

[Native_bon]

Just trying keep getting spam filter message. How do i stop this happening..?

 

[Native_bon]

I just finished demoing the Kefs LS50. First impressions was WOW!! These speakers really got a lot goin for them.. First the bad: scale is limited due to size of speakers.. secondly not for bass heads. Thats it for the bad really. These speakers does every other thing so well that you forget about the disavantages.

Resolution, depth and project of sound is first class. Thses speakers sound warm yet still very detail. I then changed speakers and compared them with B&w CM5's speakers and was I thought ok more bass here but the music did not flow as freely as the kefs. These are really well balanced speakers. I must say that with some music the kefs do sound a little bit laid back, but over all very impressed.. As far as i am concerned nothing in its price range comes remotely close to these speakers performance.

For home cinema?.. Nope.. Bass heads Nope.. serious listening yes.especially with acoustic stuff, first class! Oh used an Arcam AVR750 to drive them with no problem what so ever. Also have to say you need some high current behind them to make them sing if not can sound flat.

They rock!! :boohoo:

 

[Frank Harvey]

For home cinema?.. Nope..

You sure?

 

[CJSF]

I just finished demoing the Kefs LS50. First impressions was WOW!! These speakers really got a lot goin for them.. First the bad: scale is limited due to size of speakers.. secondly not for bass heads. Thats it for the bad really. These speakers does every other thing so well that you forget about the disavantages.

Resolution, depth and project of sound is first class. Thses speakers sound warm yet still very detail. I then changed speakers and compared them with B&w CM5's speakers and was I thought ok more bass here but the music did not flow as freely as the kefs. These are really well balanced speakers. I must say that with some music the kefs do sound a little bit laid back, but over all very impressed.. As far as i am concerned nothing in its price range comes remotely close to these speakers performance.

For home cinema?.. Nope.. Bass heads Nope.. serious listening yes.especially with acoustic stuff, first class! Oh used an Arcam AVR750 to drive them with no problem what so ever. Also have to say you need some high current behind them to make them sing if not can sound flat.

They rock!! :boohoo:

Been spending a lot of listening time recently, because my amps have, today, gone back to Icon for a major Jensenectomy capacitor upgrade transplant. I had to toss up in my mind, £600 for the capacitors or £800 for a pair of LS50?????? The Jensen Caps won, I cant see the small LS50 competing, especially at the base end with my transmission line, silk tweetered PMC LB1, its an old sound I know, but thats another reason why I favour 'in my mind' the LB1's. Not to say I dont have an open mind, but one likes the sound I get, it is a bit pipe and slippers may be, but I like it that way.

However, I might still get a demo pair of LS50's for a couple of days, but with no real commitment to change, their performance would have to be remarkable? I also note the need for a bit of power . . . Valves can give power but I favouer my amps in the 20W triode mode???

A secondary medical procedure under local anathetic is booked on Wednesday on my wallet. Both patients will be transported home with great care in the afternoon. The wallet put quietly to one side to recuperate ray: . . . The ST40 to be exercised gently back into the rudeness of health for ever more pleasure giving in sound stage, reality and air in the performance . . .

CJSF

 

[Native_bon]

For home cinema?.. Nope..

You sure?

Well kind of.. I like my home cinema big & loud.. For their size the bass is very good, but it may not satisfy all in terms of real bass depth in a home cinema setup.. But hey thats just me.