Opinions: How much are B&W PM1s better than Kef LS50s?

[Yamyam]

Room size = 5m x 3m, relatively modest listening volume levels....are the PM1s worth the extra dosh?

G'wan, G'wan.....

 

[CnoEvil]

They're only better if you prefer them. :shifty:

 

[Yamyam]

If I was shallow, then I'd say I prefer the looks of the PM1s

 

[CnoEvil]

If I was being even more unhelpful, I'd say "Get both".......display the PM1s and listen to the LS50s.

 

[Yamyam]

Ah ha, so you'd think the LS50s would be better sounding? >)

 

[lindsayt]

In terms of overall sound quality I'd say that they are equally good but different. The PM1's have a smoother, more natural, more even, midrange. They also have noticeably large amounts of distortion in the bass at generous but not too loud volumes. So large, that for my taste in music, which is mostly rock and pop, that I would never be happy owning a pair of PM1's. When you consider the cost of the LS50's vs PM1's the LS50's are clear winners for sound quality per pound spent - unless you can find a pair of very cheap 2nd hand PM1's.

 

[CnoEvil]

Ah ha, so you'd think the LS50s would be better sounding? >)

:silenced:

 

[Yamyam]

So, with half-time approaching it's 2-0 the LS50s....

 

[CnoEvil]

What's the rest of your system?

 

[Yamyam]

Sonos Connect -> Audiolab 8200DQ with 8200P biwired to (old, and therefore on the upgrade list) Ruark Prelude II / Grado RS2i for the twilight hours. Also have a B&K XLS200 which might take care of the bass distortion lindsayt mentioned?

 

[iceman16]

It's you're own and only pair of ears which can decide..I don't post here much but...IME.. it would depend on the size of your room , what amp, source cabling your using atm. I've been there..Listen, demo and demo ti'll you find the right one for you.

 

[CnoEvil]

Sonos Connect -> Audiolab 8200DQ with 8200P biwired to (old, and therefore on the upgrade list) Ruark Prelude II / Grado RS2i for the twilight hours. Also have a B&K XLS200 which might take care of the bass distortion lindsayt mentioned?

Nice.

I think you need to try for yourself.......but the PM1s would have to go some to make the difference in cost worthwhile.

 

[Yamyam]

Thanks Cno. So it really looks as though the LS50s are in the preference list unless one has surplus cash to spend on looks/oneupmanship... Have seen good deals on the 5x bundle for the LS50s (google it) - anyone in? Would need 4 people for a (£400) stereo pair each..

 

[lindsayt]

Sonos Connect -> Audiolab 8200DQ with 8200P biwired to (old, and therefore on the upgrade list) Ruark Prelude II / Grado RS2i for the twilight hours. Also have a B&K XLS200 which might take care of the bass distortion lindsayt mentioned?

It'd only properly take care of it if you filtered out the signal going to the PM1's below 200hz and got the subwoofer to take care of frequencies from there downwards. Otherwise you'd still have the bass distortion of the PM1's overlaid on top of whatever sound the subwoofer was producing. If you set the subwwoofer to overlap the bass frequencies of the PM1's to try to drown out the bass distortion, you'd likely have a very bass heavy tonal balance.

 

[moosey]

isn't £400 the standard price per speaker.

I've only seen bundles of 5 at £1999; unless you've seen something better?

thanks

mike

ps your original post was of great interest as at somepoint we all run out of budgetted funds;the the LS50 might be in our price range and the question is how much more do we need to spend to get a noticeably 'better' sound.

I know we all have preferences, and amp choice, room size etc all have an influence on what 'better' actually means.

 

[lindsayt]

Moosey, since when did sound quality in hi-fi bear any significant relationship to sound quality in the real world?

 

[moosey]

you have a point:doh: perhaps i should have chosen my words more carefully.

Maybe the question i had i my warped/alcohol affect brain was more like ' what speakers would be considered a generally accepted upgrade to the LS50 id someone had a little bit more to spend'

I'm even regretting that question before i post it:help:

time for another merlot:bounce:

sorry OP

 

[kingsap]

Listened to both and i would give my point to the PM1 based on sound quality alone and not VFM. both were powered by a naim superuniti. The ls50 doesnt lack dynamics and punch, but the bass extension was not deep enough. The pm1 provided very good bass for the size. I was surprised

 

[CnoEvil]

Have you seen this: http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/KEF-LS50-Loudspeaker.shtml

 

[damonster]

I don't think it matters what is technically better out of the two.Its a case of what will match your system better or what you like the sound of better .unless you go and demo both you are not going to know.there is nothing worse than buying blind or going on technical specs.i demoed ls50 against Pmc db1i .The ls50 were technically better but i loved the tonal qualities of the pmcs .majority of people on here prefered the ls50 .better is only something you can decide by demoing.Its personal tastes.

 

[BigH]

I don't think it matters what is technically better out of the two.Its a case of what will match your system better or what you like the sound of better .unless you go and demo both you are not going to know.there is nothing worse than buying blind or going on technical specs.i demoed ls50 against Pmc db1i .The ls50 were technically better but i loved the tonal qualities of the pmcs .majority of people on here prefered the ls50 .better is only something you can decide by demoing.Its personal tastes.

Very true, I much preferred the LS50s to the PMC DB1s, you must try before you buy.

 

[busb]

I heard the PM1s on their own stands driven by a Rega pre/power combo last year when I auditioned a pair of Totem Hawks. Although the PM1s sounded better in many respects (agile, good for vocals) - they are bass-light compared to my Arros or the Hawks. Have heard the KEFs a few times & was rather struck by them. They didn't strike me as being undynamic at all. They are pretty good value but will need decent stands & probably very good amplification to work well. The PM1s should be bought with their own stands. I personally don't mind the looks of the KEFs.

 

[Supreme]

How do the LS50s cope with music like reggae and hip hop?

 

[CnoEvil]

How do the LS50s cope with music like reggae and hip hop?

I suppose that depends if they produce enough bass for the individual taste of the person considering them.....the room and the ancillary equipment in which they find themselves, will have a pronounced effect.

 

[Supreme]

How do the LS50s cope with music like reggae and hip hop?

I suppose that depends if they produce enough bass for the individual taste of the person considering them.....the room and the ancillary equipment in which they find themselves, will have a pronounced effect.

I currently own a pair of Acoustic Energy AE120's which have served me well since new over the last 15 years. They are a bit bass heavy which have suited me and the music I listen too but I have heard some monitors over the last year and have been impressed.

I suppose the question is, will I be happy with bookshelf speakers since owning floorstanders. The LS50s and the R300s are on the audition list.