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KEF LS50 or Wharfedale Reva 2 -- which would you buy?

Hi all,

I am considering upgrading my speakers and am between the KEF LS50 and Wharfedale Reva 2 speakers. I'm not able to hear either one where I am located so am looking for some input.

I am also able to get the Reva 2s for about half the price of the LS50, but if the KEFs are the right move I am ok spending more time saving for them.

Some notes to consider:

- Speakers will be used only for music, not TV/ movies
- Receiver is an older Denon DRA 825R (90 watts/ channel into 8 ohms). Minimum is 6ohms (please don't suggest I get the UB5s).
- Turntable is Pro-ject Carbon Debut
- Room is about 15x17 apartment living room
- I listen to everything from classic rock to jazz to classical. I don't listen to hip hop, house, or modern pop.

I am really just looking for beautiful sounding (and nice looking) speakers at $1k or less (I can get the LS50 for $1k or the Reva 2s for $450). I live in an apartment so the music is never loud, just looking for great sounding speakers.

The reviews on both seem very good. The LS50 is clearly a more popular speaker. I guess the question there is -- is it worth an extra $550 for me?

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
coaster86

Showing 8 responses by coaster86

coaster86 OP
12 posts
 
@rar1 thanks for your thoughts. I'll look into those speakers.

@oddiofyl yeah, I don't think there are Wharfedale dealers around here so its all internet buying. Good to know you liked the LS50 though. And I love what your grandpa used to say. Thats a smart man.

@reubent I just sold my Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 so I am trying to replace/ improve upon those
coaster86 OP
12 posts
 
@rar1 thanks Rich. I love the line where Guttenberg says something along the lines of ’Zu isn’t about making speakers that measure well and blah blah blah. Zu is about making speakers that kick a--.’

@b_limo thanks for that review of the LS50s, especially the last bit of advice about not upgrading in an inefficient way. Totally agree with the sentiment. I think overall, and I could be wrong, but the 90watt/ channel Denon DRA-825r amp that I have should be fine with the relatively inefficient KEF LS50s. Its known to be a powerhouse amp. Granted its older, but this thing is intense. Also, I don’t listen to music loud (I can’t - my neighbor is my landlord...) so I think it should work. The wireless set is great, and likely a pretty significant step up, but its beyond my price range at this time.


coaster86 OP
12 posts
 
@skipskip -- I'm a big fan of the older Denons. Glad to hear you are too. And thanks for the feedback on the speakers.





coaster86 OP
12 posts
 
@b_limo
-- thats a good call. I honestly don’t know too much about powering speakers, and all that yet, so thanks for your help. I don’t take it as argumentative - I’m appreciative of the help. I’m not really leaning toward the passive LS50s necessarily, I was initially leaning toward the Reva 2s as they’re quite inexpensive relative to the others. Lot of good info here, and thank you -- I’ve got a lot to look into now haha.

@chrisr
- thanks for the feedback. Sounds like you really liked the KEF LS50s.

@johnto
I’ll look into these for sure. Thank you.

@towertone
 - oh man, the reviews on the R3s are too good. I don’t think I can swing that price, but the R300s wouldn’t be too far out there (currently they go for $1300). I know you loved these but any opinion on the R300s? Did you end up getting a chance to check those out?@bsmg - thank you -- I see those too, seems like a good deal at $1,000. Thanks for sharing.

@ethan_bennet
@tastyfreeze
@hatz
-- awesome, thanks

Does anyone have thoughts on the Reva 2s? Seems like a lot of people have heard the LS50s and all but any opinions on the Wharf Reva 2s?
coaster86 OP
12 posts
 
@b_limo thanks for all of these. I will have a look through. Do you have an opinion on the KEF R3s? The reviews are stellar and I think they can be a good option. There is a blemished used set on Audiogon not too far from my price range, so I figured I'd ask your opinion.

Also you mentioned above that I had two broken paradigms but I think you may have meant that message to someone else (I didn't have that experience).
coaster86 OP
12 posts
 
Thanks for that feedback guys. The R3s I was looking at here just sold (damn - now I really want them - you know how that is), so maybe I'll hang for a bit and see if another pair comes around. I think what I've gleaned from the feedback is that people like the UniQs but the LS50s are a bit weak in the bass area and likely an inefficient match for my amp. The R3s and R300s are probably good options for me as several people have mentioned.

I think I'm shying away from floorstanding speakers due to space but I do appreciate your guys' recommendations.


coaster86 OP
12 posts
 
Thanks @dolsey and @sharbatgula -- these speakers are beautiful. I read up on some of the reviews and people seems to be big fans. They’re running about $1,100 or so now for a new pair of black/white 2.0s. Really beautiful speakers. I do like the front port as well. I’ve got a relatively small apartment so I appreciate that flexibility.

I was able to hear the KEF R300s and R3s this weekend. I was a big fan of both. Personally I would be drawn to the R300s over the R3 because of the price difference (can’t justify the extra $700 for the cost of the R3s.)

There is no where anywhere really to hear the Veneres. I would be looking at the 2.0s - so if anyone else wants to weight in on this it’s appreciated.

Thanks again for all of your guys thoughts. You’re all really helpful, and I am thankful for that.
coaster86 OP
12 posts
 
Hey guys - thanks for all of the help. I went ahead and bought the R300s in gloss black this morning. They should be here next week, and I'll let you know how they work out.

I decided on these because I came to the conclusion that I needed something less power hungry and with more bass than the LS50. I came to those conclusions initially because of all your guys' comments, so thank you again. When I compared the LS50 vs the R300 in a local store the R300 was a much fuller sound, as expected. I never ended up hearing the Reva 2s but given their size and specs I figured they wouldn't feel as full as either of the KEFs and ruled them out completely. I should mention that I don't have a sub.

I also never ended up hearing the SF Venere 2.0s, so I can't speak to those but I was very interested in them. Thanks for that recommendation too.




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