Flabby bass rolled off highs and highly distorted midrange - what is to like?
I’ve heard weak flabby bass and rolled off highs (bad sound overall) when using original ls50s with a 180 w/ch high output impedance zero feedback SS amp that was not up to the task in a larger room, so it is possible. Same speakers on my current amps, night and day, top notch sound (within their limits). So key is to use a robust amp up to the task of driving them well and also not in a room that is too large for them. They are small and do have limits. Integrating a good sub with them well in a modest sized room driven off a suitable amp delivers sound in the same league as most anything. New metas are supposedly even better. I will find out soon.
THe mistake people make is thinking they are small so most any amp will do. No! Quite the opposite is true. Not unless you are willing to live with less than stellar results.