@deetch sounds similar to the sample I heard at the dealer.
MEtas will not be first time I went with upgraded/refined versions of an older design. I started with original V1 Ohm Walsh in 1982, and upgraded to V3 ~ 2008, around the time I started here on Agon, after dallying in other affairs for a number of years before coming back.
Missed V2 and have not taken plunge to current V4 yet. Been very happy with what I have there but may still happen at some point in the future TBD.
Set my new Metas up this morning and have been listening for about two hours. Detail is definitely improved over the original LS 50’s. I am not experiencing any harshness in the upper frequencies-just a clean accurate, yet full and lush, natural presentation. I am driving the speakers with Steve McCormack’s signature modified DNA .05 amplifier. Whether streaming or through my CD transport-just lovely, enjoyable “MUSIC”. I am also using stereo Rhythmik 12” subs in this set-up. I will experiment in the future without them, but for now sounds very “right “ in my room. KEF has a winner with the Meta. I am always a bit apprehensive when a new product is hyped- but in my opinion the latest LS50 Meta is an example of thoughtful, sensible evolution of a classic design. It is a keeper for me.
Just wanted to chime in. I installed the new Metas this evening, and am very impressed. Very happy with the purchase, and they only have a couple hours on them so far. The transparency is startling.
PSA DSD DAC, Audioquest Sky 1 XLR, PSA M700 Monos, Audioquest William Tell Zero, GoldenEar Supersub X
Just received my new Kef LS50 Meta’s and I must say, I am very impressed! I had the original ls50’s and these are much more articulate as if the kef have moved up to the next level for the same price. They sound beefier, cleaner and wider soundstage. I have only been listening for 1 hour. Don’t know how a piece a plastic on the back of the driver could make so much difference. I am driven the kef’s with a Pass Lab int60. LIke others have mentioned the treble is cleaner but there is no brightness whatsoever. Sam Mclain’s voice sound more organic then before and It was good with the old kefs. Even though the bass seems to be beefier, the meta’s still sound better with a quality fast sub. I use a B&W db3 which is an excellent sub. I’m sorry I am not as good as some of you at describing sound. I hope this helps someone wondering how these speaker sound. Don’t think this is a night and day difference, but you will hear it as compared to the old 50’s.
@kenjit You're absolutely right! I borrowed the blades from a friend a few moths ago, and just as you say they're only good for background music. I tried shaving my 3-day stubble with them and seriously cut my face in several places. Do you think Reference 1s will be better? I'm willing to swap my foam with Audioquest Carbon if it helps.
Should i bother listening to these speakers? I could get a demo however keep in mind that i heard the reference 1s and wasnt impressed.
I heard the blades and they were not bad. The blades would be acceptable for background music or for the average non audiophile listener. So if the LS50 Meta arent better than that they are not worth my time.
I should receive my metas tomorrow. Having owned the original LS50’s, I am anxious to hear the improved version. There are things that these small stand mounts did for imaging and vocals in my small room that I miss with my current Spatial M4’s. We shall see.....Crutchfield offers a 60 day return policy- so I just had to try them!
Ohm F5 series 3 in much larger adjacent L shaped room via in-wall wire.
The aluminum tweeter in the KEFs seem to have an inherent different signature than various other speakers with soft dome tweeters I have had like Dynaudio Contour with Esotar soft dome tweet and the Ohms still in the next room (which are totally different beasts from most anything else). Detail is very good and fatigue is not an issue. The Dynaudios could sound a bit hot on occasion with some recordings.
In the brief demo of metas I got at the dealer I got the sense the new metas may be another step in the direction of less distortion and associated fatigue much like what I have read. We will see. I will check again this week to see if any news on delivery of the Titanium Grey metas I have on order.
I also have a pair of Vanatoo Transparent 1 Encore Active speakers in a room upstairs. Those use a 1" aluminum dome tweeter and the sound is more like the KEFs than others I know with soft domes.
I’ll be waiting to hear your thoughts about the LS50 ll’s. I bought and returned the original’s. No matter what I did something didn’t sound right. Mostly the sound of the tweeters was a bit bright for me. I listened to Steve G. rave about them and it got me wondering again, only this time I might be swayed to the wireless ones with a tube preamp.
Yes, they are black. It was a tie between grey and black. The idea of waiting made that decision. I have a Linn LP12 turntable, Hana SL cartridge, Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena phono pre, along with the XA25 and microZOTL. I really think KEF might have something with this meta technology. It’s as open and spacious as I’ve heard from a small box speaker.
I have my current black ls50s on black Dynaudio stands that look similar to the KEF stands in pictures. I ordered Titanium grey ls50 metas. Maybe I will spring for the matching stands later and free up the Dyn stands for use elsewhere. We’ll see..
Good to hear you are off to a great start! I did get the stands for the LS50's and I am pleased that I did. I assume you will enjoy yours when they arrive.
My Meta’s showed up on Thursday. I think they sound excellent. Steve Guttenberg was on point about having open box characteristics. My LS50’s are being powered by a Pass XA25 and a LTA MicroZOTL preamp. The timbre and detail are excellent and the XA25 has no issues driving these speakers. Bass is surprising and they have mated well with my REL Storm. I have the stands on order that mate to the bottom of the speaker. My first selection was Vivaldi 4 seasons and I have never heard it played with that much meat on the bone. Now that I have mentioned Pass Labs, maybe Erik and Kenjit can double team the rest of us in the first ever Audiogon WWE wrestling event. We could name it the “Covid smackdown”. Kenjit admitted to not understanding the new technology, yet decided to comment on it anyway. Gotta love it!
I will be interested to hear the other new Meta owners their observations.
If you are still living at home with mom and dad you should move out and save up for a pair of Magicos! Jealousy will not get you far in this hobby.
He's a troll, something he has been accused of by others and has, at least by implication, not denied.
If I prove to you that I'm not a troll, does that automatically validate everything ive said about speakers? If you want to outdo me, name calling will not get you far. You either prove me wrong or stay out of the discussion.
I have the S50's paired with an SVS SB16 Ultra. It sounds very nice and gives the 50's that extra low end help all stand mounts need. I am powering them with my modded Cary SLI-80. 40 watts in Triode are plenty and I love the sound.
Yeah reviews suggest it but we will see about the bass extension if better.
I will say that at my in store demo in a very sizable showroom open area I think I heard more bass extension than I expected but we will see when I can compare apples/apples at home.
"....I’m curious how the sub integration will change with the new metas. Maybe no longer needed? Seems possible from what I read...."
It’s interesting that the original LS50 and LS50 Meta have the same specifications of Freq Range (-6dB) = 47Hz - 45KHz and Freq. Response (+/-3dB) = 79Hz - 28kHz. However, the LS50 Meta adds Typical In-Room Bass Response (-6dB) = 26Hz.
Both speakers use a 5.25" woofer with rear port. and I doubt that bass performance has changed all that much. Kef did change the crossover and revised the port in addition to adding the Meta element for the tweeter backwave. If the LS50 Meta does indeed have enhanced bass capability that should have resulted in improved (Freq Range (-6dB) and Freq Response (+/-3dB) numbers.
Yes I enjoy mine a lot also. Very involving dynamically for such little guys especially with the sub (Klipsch sw308 in my case) added.
I’m curious how the sub integration will change with the new metas. Maybe no longer needed? Seems possible from what I read. Room is only 12x12 and the sub is already not being asked to do too much. No sub needed would be a nice bonus. I used to have Dynaudio Contour 1.3 mkII in there and those needed no sub. Nor do my Ohm 100s. Triangle Titus could have used one.
Have had various small monitors over the years in addition to larger full range speakers.
@kenjit is a “master audiophile” (whatever that means) so he knows more than all of us. Time to throw away my KEF LS50s and LS50Ws and only listen to the wisdom of the master!
I was notified today metas I ordered in Titanium Grey are backordered via KEF at present so I may have to wait a bit longer than thought. That’s ok, no rush.
Looks like all the colors save black are on backorder currently.
@cd318 I am hopeful technology like this could be applied to closed back headphones. Has game changer potential there as well I would think.
"I am wondering how long it will take for this new sound absorption technology to show up in headphones? That could be interesting also."
I'm sure it will be as open backed phones are barely practical outdoors anywhere near a main road.
I've switched to using closed backs as I found myself needing too much volume to overcome the sound of constant heavy traffic near where I live.
I know headphone manufacturers already use different methods to deal with the dreaded headphone backwave for their closed back models but maybe this KEF Metamaterial technology is simply far more effective than using foam etc.
If so, then we can surely expect the likes of Sennheiser, Sony, Audio Technica, and Beyerdynamic etc to all respond shortly with their own responses.
In fact I can imagine a few departmental heads soon asking awkward questions of their R&D departments as to why KEF got there first.
@mrdecibel only the couch and wood blinds over the window back there but lots of things on the walls in general as you can see. The sound is very good top to bottom with large soundstage with some depth and excellent detail and imaging to my ears.
Mapman, congrats, and yes, it will be interesting to hear your opinions on the differences / improvements with the Metas ( after some break in time ). Do you happen to have on your rear wall behind your couch, a sound absorbing panel, blanket or the like ? IME, being close to the rear wall is not good for SQ, in almost every situation I have encountered. Enjoy, be well and stay safe. Always, MrD.
@hleeid Those are still the originals. Have not received the metas yet. Should be here later this week or so. Actually My wife moved the speakers slightly the other night while cleaning and I had to reposition. It happens. I use just slight toe in typically. They are sensitive to placement for best imaging and soundstage when listening from the couch near rear wall. I work at home mostly at present from the desk and use them for background music there. There is also a Klipsch sw308 sub located just behind the far side of the couch out of view in these pics.
Curious to read your thoughts on the Meta's. A friend has the current LS-50 in his set up, and they are quite wonderful sounding in his set up. SG is mightily impressed w the Meta's and goes on and on about the improvements. So please do share what you find when you have spent some time with them!
New KEF connect app for the new wireless version 2 only.
Note: KEF Connect is only compatible with KEF wireless speaker products using the W2 platform. For earlier platform products (LS50 Wireless/LSX), please use KEF Control and KEF Stream.
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