KEF LS50 OVER THE TOP?

[jeffro]

I'm currently running a 10 year old pair of Tannoy Mercury M1 book shelf speakers off the Marantz 6004 amp/Cd combo

I'm looking to upgrade the speakers and could stretch the budget to the Ls50's

I've read a few comments especially from David @ Frank Harvey suggesting they may be wasted on budget amps/cd players like my own

Any thoughts would be appreciated as to whether to go for the LS50's or something a bit cheaper,bearing in mind the cost of the Ls50's is more than the Marantz combo

Thanks in advance

 

[Overdose]

IMO speakers should form the largest part of the system budget, as no other component will affect the sound as much. That said, those speakers do not look like they are relatively easy to drive, so perhaps a better amp might be beneficial.

Speakers and amps need to be viewd together as a partnership and they both need to pull their weight.

 

[chebby]

The R100s would be the next logical step down (size/price/performance) if you wanted to stay with the KEF option.

If I had the same Marantz amp and CD you have, I'd consider Monitor Audio RX1s as well. 3dB more sensitive than either KEF (RX1s are rated 89dB and have a lower power handling rating too).

 

[jeffro]

Thanks guys for your help on this one

I have my system in the bedroom to keep the wife happy, so would my amp be good enough to drive the LS50's

I mostly listen to electronic dance music

I Just feel the need to get the best bookshelf speaker for my budget and not to regret my choice a few months down the road

 

[Anonymous]

I listen to a lot of electronica (Fischerspooner, Layo & Bushwacka, Mount Kimbie, Flume etc...), house, dance, some 'dubstep' lol but quite a few other genres too

The LS50s are fantastic speakers; only had them a week but they're just amazing me every step of the way!

However; I am in agreement that the Marantz amp, all be itgood, just wont drive them to their fullest potential.

Looking at the next step down (& already mentioned) the KEF R100's are superb speakers and will work well with the 6004; having first heard them in the shop on the end of a PM6004 and fed by Sonos; they are very good speakers indeed

Also dont rule out the MA RX1's or B&W 685's; they also work VERY well with the PM6004 and work very well with house, dance & electronica music too!

 

[Frank Harvey]

If you don't want to change your amp at a later date, I'd look at other options mentioned here like the RX1 or R100 that will give the PM6004 an easier ride.

If you really want the LS50's, the PM6004 will drive them to average levels until you are aboe to change the amp - but don't expect to hear anything like what the LS50's are capable of. You will fet some benefit of the LS50's over the R100's with the PM6004 because there are areas where the LS50's are better by design so will naturally sound better even if not driven properly.

 

[empacher]

If you are in a small bedroom and don't really crank it, maybe it would be fine for what you need and give you room to move up later. Only way to tell is to give the combo a listen.

The only reason I pipe in here is because based on some feedback I read on what it takes to drive my speakers, I would never have paired them with my amp. But I did, and I love it. I've compared my setup to another with a 180w amp and I still liked the sound with my 'meagre' 50w. So now I have speakers I will not regret buying in a few month and that I can grow with. The point is you never know til you try.

 

[Singslinger]

I agree with David - I would go for the L50 first and upgrade the amp later. Since the system is in the bedroom it's unlikely that you'd be playing it very loud anyway, so the Marantz might be adequate until funds permit the purchase of something better.

 

[jjbomber]

I have my system in the bedroom to keep the wife happy,

Lucky you; mine only plays music :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

 

[Anonymous]

I have the Marantz MCR603 and just upgraded from Monitor Audio BX2's which I wasn't keen on to the Kef R100's and the sound difference is incredible and they are not even run in yet. The MCR603 is driving them with ease.