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KEF LS50 or Harbeth P3ESR for desktop system?

Currently:

Spendor S3/5
SVS SB-1000 sub
McCormack modified Micro Power Drive
McCormack Micro Line Drive
HRT Music Streamer II DAC connected to the PC
AQ cabling

Speakers are 5' apart on the desk.  2' from back wall, no side walls within 6', vaulted ceiling.
Near field - I'm 5' away from them.

Piano jazz, movies on the PC, podcasts.  I don't try to break my ears.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the current setup, but, well, you know...

KEF LS50 (not wireless), or Harbeth P3ESR (maybe even Anniversary Edition)?

Thanks,
Bruce
bbarlow690
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
I've heard the LS50 and Harbeths and found both to be less alive and airy than ATC SCM7 or SCM11.
seanheis1
624 posts
 
I would say Harbeth for tonal accuracy. The KEFs are more metallic sounding. KEF has the advantage of being close to a point source (coherence) and brings more weight to the party in the lower mids and bass.

My vote Harbeth but with the added condition of a REL T5 sub. 
bbarlow690 OP
60 posts
 
Thanks, everybody!  Bought the Harbeth 40th Anniv. edition.

We'll see if I crank up the existing SVS SB-1000 sub currently on the Spendor s3/5s.  It's all part of the fun.
gosta's avatar
gosta
839 posts
 
In my opinion no speakers can sound good on a desk without a proper room correction system. It´s just impossible with all reflections from desk and pc monitors. Recommend e.g. the Paradigm PW AMP with Arc2 correction for this job. Difference is phenomenal. ATC monitors, Kef 201/2 and Audiovector SR1 Arreté personal favourites for the moment. Just tried the Strada 2 with subs, which I had hopes for, pleasant but weak in mid resolution (and needs to xo very high).
gosta's avatar
gosta
839 posts
 
@bbarlow690 

please, let us know your opinion on the small Harbeth as a desk top speaker. 
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