To be clear about earlier posts, I'm not knocking the AE1s at all, I've never heard them. I chose the LS50s as they offer a real last stop option and were the whole reason I went in this direction i.e. end of box count and the box swapping that often comes with it. To go active and still require boxes besides sources would defeat the point for me.
Ive had many seperates systems. Speakers and electronics from Naim, PMC, ATC, Dynaudio, Rega, Sonus Faber, Arcam, Chord, JMR, Kef, B&W and Cyrus.
Simplifying my system was the goal but what I wasn't expecting was how much the LS50 wireless would destroy even my best past systems in terms of sound quality. To me it's not a bit of an improvement, a more enjoyable presentation, but they're a real and obvious jump to next level type of improvement. Across the board everything is clearly better. As davidf implied earlier, they're not a million miles away from a £10k Kef reference 1 system, not that I'd know. The AE1s with a preamp/ dac would have to perform spectacularly well to match, let alone better the Kefs. Perhaps they do.
The DSP allows for sound adjustment that not only works for location, but for mood and recording quality to an extent too. It's very addictive. I can run them anywhere from pin drop analytical to warm and musical. I've calmed down and settled for something between the two. Cable swappers would love it, and with changes you can actually hear!
My system is now as simple as can be; TT phono preamp to the RCA input. Apollo r CD player to the optical input. idevice to the USB input using a cck. Soon to have Spotify connect built in as well as Tidal. Bluetooth for lazy casual listening. An Ethernet input if your network wifi signal is unstable and you use a NAS. Source to speaker, simple. Or no wired source if you prefer.
To move my system to other rooms involves moving two speakers, that's it, done. Bluetooth in the kitchen, perfectly acceptable sound, great in fact.
It wasn't all greatness though, for the first week or so the bass was boomy, even on the lowest setting. I was quite worried they wouldn't work out. Running in time is critical with these however, 20 to 30 hours in and the bass is near perfect. Maybe the double whammy of running in new speakers and new amps? Make sure if you demo they've been well run in.
So if you want a full simplifying of your system, along with exceptional sound quality I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with the Kefs. I got mine for £1700 too, I'm not the only one from what I've read online. Nice cherry on top!