Kef ls50 vs Atc scm11

[damonster]

Hi , I am looking for a speaker upgrade . Kef ls50 and Atc scm 11 can be had for around the same price . Has anyone listened to both and how do they compare against each other . I am not after huge amounts of bass , but like detailed midrange and big soundstage . Room is 4 meters x 7 meters . Any advice . Thanks !

 

[plastic penguin]

What, do you think, missing from your system? Or which area would you like to improve?

 

[damonster]

Hi pp, I like my little Leema xeros . They offer lashings of detail in the midrange and am even happy with the amount of bass they supply considering the size of them . I think they may just be a touch too small for my room .It may just be a case of that i have just got too used to them .I am after something with the same sort of character that will just project further out into the room ,but without going down the floorstander route.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi pp, I like my little Leema xeros . They offer lashings of detail in the midrange and am even happy with the amount of bass they supply considering the size of them . I think they may just be a touch too small for my room .It may just be a case of that i have just got too used to them .I am after something with the same sort of character that will just project further out into the room ,but without going down the floorstander route.

Hello there...

As I played a (titchy part) in you buying the Pulse, I'd say PMC DB1is should give the sound you're looking for. I've said it so many times they are one of the best standmounters I've heard below £1000 (original RRP was £770). And boy does it sound good with the Pulse. I would've snapped a pair myself but so used 'hard hitting' floorstanders it takes a lot of getting used to.

Haven't heard the Kefs and it's been a while since I've heard the ATCs.

 

[CnoEvil]

In a room that size, I'd also look at the R300s.

 

[plastic penguin]

In a room that size, I'd also look at the R300s.

In a room that size I'd be tempted to try TB2is.

 

[Frank Harvey]

How far will you be sitting from the speakers? Are you looking at average or high volume listening?

 

[damonster]

I sit about 9/10 ft away from the speakers .the room is divided in half by a corner sofa.medium level listening .I previously had floorstanders but the neighbours used to complain about bass boom .So something with more detailed midrange rather than bass would suit my needs .thanks !

 

[damonster]

cheers pp and cno , i have a ssav store about 20 miles from me i could demo pmc and kef .I would have to travel further for Atc's . If they were worthwhile considering .

 

[CnoEvil]

cheers pp and cno , i have a ssav store about 20 miles from me i could demo pmc and kef .I would have to travel further for Atc's . If they were worthwhile considering .

Try the Kef and PMC, and take it from there.

 

[BenLaw]

cheers pp and cno , i have a ssav store about 20 miles from me i could demo pmc and kef .I would have to travel further for Atc's . If they were worthwhile considering .

They are very worthwhile considering. If there is a chance that your tastes will be to avoid colouration from your speakers, then go and audition them. Take it from there.

 

[plastic penguin]

cheers pp and cno , i have a ssav store about 20 miles from me i could demo pmc and kef .I would have to travel further for Atc's . If they were worthwhile considering .

Try the Kef and PMC, and take it from there.

Agreed. Just see how you get on decide whether thos two will give you the uplift required.

 

[plastic penguin]

cheers pp and cno , i have a ssav store about 20 miles from me i could demo pmc and kef .I would have to travel further for Atc's . If they were worthwhile considering .

They are very worthwhile considering. If there is a chance that your tastes will be to avoid colouration from your speakers, then go and audition them. Take it from there.

Contrary to most people's views are regarding me and ATCs, I have to say when I've heard the SCM11s they were very good. However, given the OP's system (bright + bright) I think the neutrality of ATCs just may make it sound little too sterile. The Leema needs a bit of colour or smoothness IMO to bring it alive.

 

[alchemist 1]

Previously owned the 11's (very good) just a bit too lean in the end for me.

Have the ls50's, buy with confidence, you will NOT be disappointed.

You will get all you are asking for............................8)

 

[gregvet]

cheers pp and cno , i have a ssav store about 20 miles from me i could demo pmc and kef .I would have to travel further for Atc's . If they were worthwhile considering .

They are very worthwhile considering. If there is a chance that your tastes will be to avoid colouration from your speakers, then go and audition them. Take it from there.

To be fair, my Kef LS50's don't appear to be especially coloured. Very neutral IMO

 

[BenLaw]

cheers pp and cno , i have a ssav store about 20 miles from me i could demo pmc and kef .I would have to travel further for Atc's . If they were worthwhile considering .

They are very worthwhile considering. If there is a chance that your tastes will be to avoid colouration from your speakers, then go and audition them. Take it from there.

Contrary to most people's views are regarding me and ATCs, I have to say when I've heard the SCM11s they were very good. However, given the OP's system (bright + bright) I think the neutrality of ATCs just may make it sound little too sterile. The Leema needs a bit of colour or smoothness IMO to bring it alive.

Huge amounts of bass not required, wants excellent midrange and soundstaging. ATC definite contender.

Leema is bright?

 

[plastic penguin]

cheers pp and cno , i have a ssav store about 20 miles from me i could demo pmc and kef .I would have to travel further for Atc's . If they were worthwhile considering .

They are very worthwhile considering. If there is a chance that your tastes will be to avoid colouration from your speakers, then go and audition them. Take it from there.

Contrary to most people's views are regarding me and ATCs, I have to say when I've heard the SCM11s they were very good. However, given the OP's system (bright + bright) I think the neutrality of ATCs just may make it sound little too sterile. The Leema needs a bit of colour or smoothness IMO to bring it alive.

Huge amounts of bass not required, wants excellent midrange and soundstaging. ATC definite contender.

Leema is bright?

I would say yes in the wrong environment, and allied with the Audiolab, which I heard briefly in shop and wasn't struck by the tonal qualities between the two.

This is why I've always rated Arcam source with Leema, and now Naim. Just gives a bit extra body to the soundstage.

 

[ID.]

Demo the LS50s if you can at home. Great speakers, but I'd be a little concerned about them getting lost in a room that size. I'm just guessing, because I've only auditioned them in a smaller room (in-store).

 

[craigsanderson]

Hi.

I had a pair of LS50 speakers and eventually sold them on. The reason for this was a low playback levels (which is most of the time) they sounded dull and no upper frequencies were re produced. To be fair when cranked up they were superb! Since most of the time the little Simple Audio RP1 stream/amp sits playing Radio 2 in the house at levels where you can listen and hold a conversation they did disappoint. I have asked and received suggestions in these forums for other speakers that work well at low playback levels and am considering options.

Good luck yourself!

 

[Frank Harvey]

I had a pair of LS50 speakers and eventually sold them on. The reason for this was a low playback levels (which is most of the time) they sounded dull and no upper frequencies were re produced. To be fair when cranked up they were superb!

I never had any issues at low volumes, and much of my listening was at low volume as I was listening after 10/11pm

 

[plastic penguin]

I had a pair of LS50 speakers and eventually sold them on. The reason for this was a low playback levels (which is most of the time) they sounded dull and no upper frequencies were re produced. To be fair when cranked up they were superb!

Much of my listening was at low volume as I was listening after 10/11pm

You Coventry boys are the limit.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I had a pair of LS50 speakers and eventually sold them on. The reason for this was a low playback levels (which is most of the time) they sounded dull and no upper frequencies were re produced. To be fair when cranked up they were superb!

Much of my listening was at low volume as I was listening after 10/11pm

You Coventry boys are the limit.

Maybe - IF I was from Coventry...

 

[plastic penguin]

I had a pair of LS50 speakers and eventually sold them on. The reason for this was a low playback levels (which is most of the time) they sounded dull and no upper frequencies were re produced. To be fair when cranked up they were superb!

Much of my listening was at low volume as I was listening after 10/11pm

You Coventry boys are the limit.

Maybe - IF I was from Coventry...

You West Midlanders are the limit. :dance:

 

[BigH]

I agree about LS50s at low volume, did not come alive until the volume was turned up a fair bit. They do not have too much bass so may work in your room but not very sensitive speakers so a home trail would be best.

 

[alchemist 1]

I agree about LS50s at low volume, did not come alive until the volume was turned up a fair bit. They do not have too much bass so may work in your room but not very sensitive speakers so a home trail would be best.

They may have matching 85db sensitivity as the 11's on paper.

In reality the LS50's give a much more responsive performance.

Bass i find , is more than adequate.

The KEF's are a better all round speaker,

.