KEF LS50 plans scuppered. Alternative speakers?

[David Parkes]

I had planned on updating my hifi and building it around some LS50, but the look and no grills rule it out. My current system is a marantz cd6003 and pm6004 amp with a denon dnp720ae streamer. My speakers are ms avanio 1-xr. I'm ok to spend around £1000 on speakers and will change the amp if needed to a roksan kandy or arcam a19.

My room is 26' x 12' with the speakers firing across the short dimension. The speakers need to be close to the wall. What about Neat Motive 3 or something like that?

Any suggestions, appreciate it is a broad brief! Don't try to convince me about the look of the LS50s they don't cut it with me or the missus!!

Thanks!

 

[BigH]

Well the good news is your amp. would not be good enough for the LS50s, even the Arcam and RK is debatable if really good enough, and room positioning maybe a problem. You could look at the Kef R100s. Neat may work but I have not heard them, gather they are not good at higher volumes.

If looking at amps I would try to hear the Creek 50A, IMHO that was better than the Arcam/RK. Your amp. is not that powerful so I would choose more sensitive speakers.

 

[David Parkes]

The r100s have no grills either I'm afraid. Happy to upgrade the amp along with the speakers. It's just finding that combo that's going to work in my room and be a step change from what I have currently!

 

[BigH]

The r100s have no grills either I'm afraid. Happy to upgrade the amp along with the speakers. It's just finding that combo that's going to work in my room and be a step change from what I have currently!

The R100s do have grilles: "Neat touches include magnetic speaker grilles, which keep the fascia hole-free."

Most photos seem to be without them.

I would start at Creek 50A and Kef R100s and then try other options.

 

[CnoEvil]

The r100s have no grills either I'm afraid. Happy to upgrade the amp along with the speakers. It's just finding that combo that's going to work in my room and be a step change from what I have currently!

The R Series all have magnetic grills: http://www.kef.com/html/gb/showroom/hi-fi_series/r_series/images/index.html

Have a look at the Q Acoustics Concept 20.

 

[Craig M.]

Avi ADM9RS. I think they are £1250 but obviously your current amp would be surplus to requirements and no need to upgrade it either!

Just plug your cdp and streamer into them. They'll work well in that size room and can go very close to a wall. Normally only available in gloss black or white, but they are doing a limited run of veneers at the moment if that's more your thing.

 

[the record spot]

Probably worth pointing out to the OP that other speakers are available. We seem to be in a position on the forum that crops up every now and then, where a couple of products get shouted out more than others. It happens, but at the expense of arguably just as valid options.

The suggestions are fine, but keep an open-kind and yer eyes peeled!

 

[the record spot]

I'd be having a good look at either the Pioneer S-71B or the Tannoy DC4 / DC6 depending on room size for the latter two. All three are dual concentric designs, the Pioneer is a tad "under the radar" but could be a very good option. Might need to dig round to find a seller, but there's a couple online.

EDIT: Forget the Tannoys if they're going to be up to the wall. They need a good two feet in to do their thing best.

 

[matt49]

If the speakers are to be close to the wall, then you'll want sealed-box or front-ported designs. The latter would be preferable, as they fire bass energy out into the room, giving greater bass extension.

Two front-ported designs around your price bracket are:

Sonus Faber Venere 1.5 £1K

PMC twenty.21 £1.3K (OK, this is a bit over budget)

The Sonus Fabers are available in black or white gloss (with grilles).

Cheers,

Matt

 

[David Parkes]

Yes, great point. £1.3K is a bit over, my wife would kill me ! :-( Thinking a bit less. Any other front ported or sealed box recommendations around 30cm high is the size I'm looking for.

Guess the R100's are back in as well if they have a grill!

Appreciate everyones help!

 

[davedotco]

Yes, great point. £1.3K is a bit over, my wife would kill me ! :-( Thinking a bit less. Any other front ported or sealed box recommendations around 30cm high is the size I'm looking for.

Guess the R100's are back in as well if they have a grill!

Appreciate everyones help!

Matt is spot on, the small SF Venere sound great and look great.

Gloss black or white under a grand, alittle more if you want real wood. You will need stands though.

 

[BigH]

I think you need to decide whether to keep your amp and choose some speakers for it which you could probably do for less than £500. What sort of music do you play and how loud? Do you want lots of bass?

A few demos should help you decide. If you replace your amp. then you should be looking at spending over £1,000 for amp and speakers. The AVI suggestion is a good one and if you can I would try to hear them, they also have a new smaller speaker coming out soon the DM5 which are £700 but will need a pre-amp/DAC.

 

[DocG]

Yes, great point. £1.3K is a bit over, my wife would kill me ! :-( Thinking a bit less. Any other front ported or sealed box recommendations around 30cm high is the size I'm looking for.

Guess the R100's are back in as well if they have a grill!

Appreciate everyones help!

Matt is spot on, the small SF Venere sound great and look great.

Gloss black or white under a grand, alittle more if you want real wood. You will need stands though.

You will need a picture with grilles, if you want to convince the OP, Dave!

The Elipsa Auditor is even more suited for placement close to the wall, but I'm afraid it is way out of the price range.

 

[Al ears]

Might I suggest you seek out and audition the Martin Logan Motion 15 standmounters.
Then when you can change amp for the Creek already suggested.
Have fun!

 

[David Parkes]

How about this for a short list:

Pmc db1i
Kef r100
Neat motive 3
Eb1

Any thoughts?

 

[altruistic.lemon]

The Neat Motive 3s are very good. Haven't heard the others.

 

[p_m_brown]

I have the Kefs in the end of an Arcam A38 but they also sound great on the A19 so a brilliant combo IMHO. However, as they have rear firing ports, they do need a little space behind them. I have mine about 9" from a solid rear wall which helps the bass remain controlled and not engulf the midrange detail.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Outer bung?

 

[p_m_brown]

I found the bungs reduced the scale. This may well be different in different rooms though of course!

 

[steve_1979]

...I'm ok to spend around £1000 on speakers and will change the amp if needed...

You could sell the amp and buy some AVI ADM9 active speakers.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I found the bungs reduced the scale. This may well be different in different rooms though of course!

I can understand that with the full bung, but did you try taking out the middle part of the bung? Or just the outer bung in the lower port?

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

If you upgrade your amp you've to demo Dynaudios Excite X12 or the new ones the X14.

Lovely speakers, big smooth sound, silky mid range...

give them a go,you'll not regret!

:cheers:

 

[Rethep]

Don't rule out Epos (Epic or Elan)!

 

[p_m_brown]

I played with the bungs (full and outer) after you suggested doing so some time ago but I found the best solution was to move the cabinets further from the wall. I am fortunate enough to have a bit of space so I am toying with trying out the R500s soon!

 

[CnoEvil]

I am fortunate enough to have a bit of space so I am toying with trying out the R500s soon!

There'll be no going back.....terrific speakers! :shifty: