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Desktop speaker upgrade from KEF LS50s (<$6K budget)

Hello!

I currently have a desktop system with KEF LS50s that I'm enjoying very much, but am getting the itch to upgrade. My requirements are:

  • Able to perform well in a nearfield desktop environment (4' equilateral triangle for listening position, R speaker 12" away from side wall, both speakers nearly flush to front wall)
  • Not cheap looking, incorporates modern design and materials (trying to avoid just a plain box)
  • Under 17" height preferred
  • Passive preferred, or active with analog inputs + way to incorporate subwoofer
  • Not to exceed ~$5-6K budget range (used OK)

I currently have my bass ports plugged on my LS50s to keep bass under control, and have a REL Tzero subwoofer to fill out the bottom end. I listen mostly to rock so not having much under 30 hz doesn't really bother me. I am using IsoAcoustics Aperta stands to elevate my speakers off my desk and angle them to the listening position. Soundstage, imaging, and detail are all satisfactory with the LS50s, even in this somewhat limited setup.

If I buy a rear ported speaker, I am planning on plugging the bass ports similar to my current setup, as well as using my IsoAcoustics stands to decouple the speakers from my desk.

I was doing research into speakers like Focal's Sopra No 1 (used)/Kanta No 1, Sonus Faber Olympica Nova, and Vandersteen VLR CT, but none of the reviews I've found have been from a desktop/nearfield listening position.

Would appreciate if anyone with a similar setup could share their experiences/recommendations. I've been reading in some forum posts that a coaxial driver setup is critical to desktop nearfield performance so if LS50s are already as good as it gets for a desktop setup I'm ok with that as well.

Thank you!
jllu

Showing 1 response by big_greg

big_greg
6,708 posts
 
I use the Harbeth P3ESR in my computer room, setup is close to what you describe.  Speakers are in the corners of the room about a foot from the wall, not quite equidistant.  At the volumes I listen to in this room, it is the best sounding system I have.  They are driven by an ARC VSi55 tube integrated.  I have an SVS SB12-NSD sub in the system also. 

I haven't heard the LS50's so can't compare, but I'm not sure how it could get much better without spending way more. 

Some of the other speakers I've compared to in this setup were Focal 1008 BE, Canton Vento Reference 9.2 DC, Klipsch Heresy I, and probably some others I've forgotten. 

There isn't anything about them that I don't like or wish they did better.  They are a "plain box" though as far as looks go, although I think they're really attractive and nicely finished.
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