KEF LS50, B&W 805D2, B&W 805S opinions wanted


I have the KEF LS50 on trial. Sounds amazing. Then I listened to the Bowers 805D3. The imaging and sound stage is on another level. I’m running these speakers without a sub. Using Simaudio gear to power the speakers. I can’t afford the D3s, but can afford the 805D2 Diamond or the 805s. Given that I would buy the 805s pre-owned I want to get opinions before purchasing. The more responses the better. Thanks so much!

ps. I listen to all kinds of music, but mostly rock. 
rohanstevens

Showing 1 response by helomech

It reads as though you have LS50s in your home but you auditioned 805D3s in Best Buy’s highly treated room. If that’s the case, you really can’t draw any useful conclusions as to which performs better regarding imaging and soundstage. Unfortunately, you need to hear both in the same setup, same wall distances etc, to make that assessment.

 The LS50s should provide pinpoint-imaging that competes with some of the best, though they can’t accomplish the same sense of scale (soundstage size and spatial cues derived from deep bass) as a larger speaker. Though, in an untreated room, with speakers <2’ from the walls, or similarly compromised placement, you’re not going to hear LS50s (or 95% of speakers out there) at their best.