Ls50 to big a sound for a small room?

[Beanz966]

Hi all,

After a lot of reading/research and overall enthusiasm for this audible past-time. Im planning on building my first true performance Hi Fi (Entry level). I have narrowed my focus to the Kef LS50 paired with the Roksan Kandy K2 duo (CD & Amp). However, Im currently in a 3 x 3m room. I had the chance to demo this set up in a store and was amazed by how huge they sounded. I might have listened to them a touch too loud throughout my demo and now looking back im wondering how they would perform in a smaller room that hasn't been designed for acoustic reasons. Any thoughts or experience would be hugely appreciated.

(I know that i have to demo them again sometime)

 

[nopiano]

Welcome to the madness, Beanz.

Firstly, you will have played them too loud (we all do!), and secondly, it is very unlikely the room was specially designed. Most shop listening rooms are far worse than your home!

Any proper dealer will let you try the speakers at home, and do get some good stands. Your room is cosy but good speakers will still sound ok when played quieter than normal.

You will find several other threads debating which amps suit these super speakers. Roksan, Naim, Arcam amongst others.

good luck!

 

[CnoEvil]

There is a good chance you will be fine, especially if you don't put them in the corner and can leave a little space behind them.

As NP says, try and get them out on home dem.

 

[churchill1963]

We've had a pair of Rogers speakers for nearly 25 years and really wasn't thinking about buying speakers as they still sound great. We went to buy a network player and as I was going to pay for it the wife saw the LS50s on the shelf. The shop set them up so we could have a listen and like you it was loud, the sound filled the shop. The deal clincher was the sight of the wife crying her eyes out. they sound that good!

Our room is the same size as your and they don't look out of place and they sound truly awesome!

We brought the KEF LS50 a month ago and have no regrets, so try and get a home demo. I think you will buy them without doubt.

 

[Frank Harvey]

My room, while slightly different dimensions to yours Beanz, is basically the same size. I've been using five LS50's for home theatre use, and just two for two channel playback, and they work fine in my room. I recommend using the outer bungs to calm the bass slightly, which gives a more informative presentation.

 

[Beanz966]

Thanks for all your replys. They are really informative and have settled my mind a lot. I will be sure to keep my mind open about what other options I have in terms of amps and i will see if a home demo is available. Im glad that you all believe they will be fine in this room. I have had my mind set on these speakers for a while. Now its time to start thinking about the other options available. I have been suggested to pair a REL R328 with it to fill out the lower section. This sub might be too big as well though. But the argument about its size is that it should benefit from achieving what is needed effortlessly making it less boomy. However, i was very impressed with what the LS50 managed in terms of bass so not sure if it warrants an extra £1000 to the budget. The Amp and CD player is the following big question. I would quite like to add a turntable to the set as well. However, back to the original topic. You have all been really helpful with answering my initial question. Thanks

 

[Frank Harvey]

If you're happy with the LS50's bass, then I see no need for a sub. On the other hand, hi-fi speakers, no matter how big, won't reach subsonic bass (not with any meaningful output anyway), so a sub can enhance any speaker.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi all,

After a lot of reading/research and overall enthusiasm for this audible past-time. Im planning on building my first true performance Hi Fi (Entry level). I have narrowed my focus to the Kef LS50 paired with the Roksan Kandy K2 duo (CD & Amp). However, Im currently in a 3 x 3m room. I had the chance to demo this set up in a store and was amazed by how huge they sounded. I might have listened to them a touch too loud throughout my demo and now looking back im wondering how they would perform in a smaller room that hasn't been designed for acoustic reasons. Any thoughts or experience would be hugely appreciated.

(I know that i have to demo them again sometime)

Just as a reassurance, my room is 13' x 18' and I have the RS6s firing across the narrow side without any bass nasties. As long as you give them about 12" from back wall and away from the corners they should be fine.

 

[antskip]

The KEF LS50 manual positioning guidline is for back of speakers to be a minimum of 20" from back wall and 40" from sidewalls; or with outer ring of rubber filler: 8-20" from back, 20-40" from sideall; closer positioning requires both rings.

 

[nopiano]

The KEF LS50 manual positioning guidline is for back of speakers to be a minimum of 20" from back wall and 40" from sidewalls; or with outer ring of rubber filler: 8-20" from back, 20-40" from sideall; closer positioning requires both rings.

Oops. That means in the OP's 3 metre room they will be just a metre apart if placed a metre from each side wall. [Having checked that 40 inches is near enough a metre!] With outer ring they'd be OK though, in theory anyway.

 

[antskip]

Oops. That means in the OP's 3 metre room they will be just a metre apart if placed a metre from each side wall. [Having checked that 40 inches is near enough a metre!] With outer ring they'd be OK though, in theory anyway.

Good point! A seriously small room! Yes, both rings would need to be in place to effectively close the back outlet so the speaker can be placed next to a wall. But I would wonder about the rightness of the LS50 for such a room. But who knows till you try?! (smile)

 

[churchill1963]

Yes both rings have to be used as recommend by KEF. You can have them close to the walls. Ours are approx 18 inches from the side walls and 7 feet apart. 8 inches from the rear wall. It works for us with the system we have and as you say no harm in trying!

 

[alchemist 1]

3m x 4m room. LS50'S 200mm from rear wall, no bungs,no boom,

Just solid bass and large sounstage.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Mine are 6-7" from the rear wall with the outer bungs. The guide is just that - a guide, not gospel.

 

[Beanz966]

Wow, its turned out to be a pretty good debate. I think with Careful repositioning of my furniture. I should be able to create enough room to give them space to breath. I had not heard of the bungs until now so i guess thats also always an option if its still not sounding right. The space for a sub and whether its needed in this room is another question. It might be a bit wild. Although, on that note, it does make me crack a smile at the thought of it. From what i gather though, the use of stands and turning them in a little should give them enough room. Yes it will be cosy, but as a couple of you said, 'its worth a try'. Thanks again for all the feedback

 

[plastic penguin]

As David said, they are guidelines and not to be taken literally. Totem suggest around 6" from back wall for the Arros, and they stand 85cms tall.

http://totemacoustic.com/en/hi-fi/columns/arro/specifications/

 

[antskip]

the use of stands and turning them in a little should give them enough room.

the manual recommends turning the speakers in towards the listening position, and I have found that is indeed better than each speaker facing ahead.

 

[Scissor_digits]

I put the LS50's on my 'possible upgrade' list but then downloaded the manual and Kef's recommended positioning put me right off but other posts in this thread make me think i could accommodate them in my modest living room. Food for thought.......

 

[churchill1963]

Having read all the posts so far, it is obvious that they can be used in different sized rooms, without rings, one ring or two. You set them up for your own enjoyment.

They may not be everyones ideal speaker, but that doesn't matter.

We all listen to music because we enjoy it and it should make us happy.

I know deaf people who will never have this pleasure.

 

[Pipila]

how far apart do you have them, 4m?

My room is 4.5mx4m and Im quite confused whether it isn't to big for them, because I cannot place them closer than 3.8m to each other.

 

[BigH]

how far apart do you have them, 4m?

My room is 4.5mx4m and Im quite confused whether it isn't to big for them, because I cannot place them closer than 3.8m to each other.

That is far from ideal for any speakers, so they are more or less in the corners, I suggest 2m apart would be better. Can you not move anything?

You maybe better off using some wall mounted speakers if you can fit them in your room but not LS50s.

 

[Pipila]

Unfortunatelly I cannot. Wouldn't it hepl if I slightly turn them inside (not just straight ahead) ?

man, Im getting desperate....

 

[BigH]

I think LS50s are recommended to be toe-in anyway, it will help but too far apart and you may get holes in the music and mono may sound like 2 separate speakers rather than one central sound. Can you fire them down the room rather than across, or have them out in the room in front of whatever along the wall. If not I would be inclined to buy some smaller wall mount ones.

 

[mikemack]

Hi, i have just upgraded to these Ls50s and i also live in a smallish room and after just a day of using them i noticed a big difference from my mission m73i floorstanders i also upgaded to tellurium q black speaker cable and wow what a differece and both speakers and cable not run in yet.

i have a arcam cd17 and a18 amp, very pleased with all, hope this is helpfull.

Miike.