KEF LS50 Wireless II vs. Harbeth P3esr
I have an approx. 200 sq feet rectangle office space. Currently running Harbeth P3esr with Croft Acoustics phono integrated hybrid amplifier (ECC 83 tubes and MOSFET) with Node 2i streamer passing through Metro Acoustics Onyx NOS dac. Running Dueland 12GA oiled speaker wire. The sound is musical, detailed, airy and comfortable to listen to. Vocals are outstanding, instrument separation is just right - listening to music is a dream for hours long. Lifetime subscription of Roon with Tidal and Qobuz active services. One would ask - so why the itch to change anything.
I find myself not listening to music as much as I'd like to due to the 'convenience' factor. I would like the Croft tube integrated to be on all the time, available for music play back on demand, between meetings or every evening - but I know that's not recommended due to the high heat generation and adversely impacting the tube lifespan. The amp does not have an idle and a wake up state. I have to 'plan' my listening sessions by warm up time and being careful not to shut down in between breaks and my next listening or timing it by shutting it down when long enough.
Enter the 'convenient' KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers. Rave online audiophile reviews. Got a pair from my dealer for 45 days. Ran the speaker for 120 hours break in period and configured the DSP along with Roon MUSE setting for optimal room configuration. The KEF LS50Wii are very convenient all in one system. When not in use for 20 mins they go in standby mode to be woken by the next stream of music playback. They are Roon certified, and can play every sort of file format and stream including chromecast. But they just dont sound as good as my Croft and Harbeth set up.
Close, but not the same. I think the KEF's can benefit from a better internal DAC. The sound lacks details, music separation, and sweetness compared to the Harbeth's. It sounds compressed. I have done a lot of A/B by having both on equal height speaker stands and connected to Roon - its a night and day difference. I am trying really hard to have the KEF play at par with the Harbeth set up so I can simplify my audio system and also be able to play music on demand with the KEF being on all the time in stand by mode. If I had not listened to my Croft and Harbeth set up first I would have bought the KEF in a heartbeat. But I feel I will be sacrificing quality listening session over quantity.
Not sure if I am missing some configuration that would wake up these speakers or should be looking at alternatives like the Buchardt a500 that would sound better then my current set up. I like the convenience of active speakers but....
I am not sure if I want to spend extra on power cables for the KEF if I have not yet decided on them. I love the concept/convenience of active speakers and will probably give Buchardt a500 a shot before closing the chapter on them. Also, will play with the room setting DSP a little more and do further A/B tests with KEF and current system before returning them. |
@noromance Thanks for that tip. I am not using the phono function. So are you saying I can take those tubes out and the integrated amp will still work? And I cam save those tubes when my line stage tube goes out?
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Spend more time tweaking the LS50 wireless II. First, hard wired them so they can accept the Roon upsampling and Muse EQ setting that I configured for KEF endpoint. Huge difference. Must say the sound came really close to Harbeth/Croft combo. Hard wiring and Roon EQ setting is a game changer though heavy on PC Processing. BUT - as soon as I changed source to TIDAL Connect or Spotify Connect the 'house' sound of KEF kicked in which again is more compressed and muddled compared to the Harbeth/Croft combo. I will be returning the KEF LS50 wirelessII back to my dealer and keeping my beloved Croft/Harbeth system. I will be borrowing a pair of Buchardt a500 from a friend next week, as he swears on its performance. Will chime in with my thoughts - but for now will enjoy my Harbeths. |
Currenty listening to Buchardt a500. So far they are phenomenal speakers. Have not had a chance to do A/B testing (will be out for a week) but will be sure to let you all know what I find. @rhmmmm thanks for the input. Agree with your suggestion. But I am still deciding and have not committed yet. Once I settle on the sound signature and have done enough A/B tests will decide which one I am keeping. From there I will certainly start investing in power cables and conditioner. |
Buchardt a500 were interesting speakers. They were definitely a grade above the KEF wireless - but fell short of the Harbeth/Croft sound. They have a slew of magic up their sleeve like room correction and master tunings (adjusting the cross over digitally) which really pulls a cover over your ears and get's you really close to a nod of approval - but it's overall sound characteristics does not change. Once you understand what Buchardt speakers signature sound is you quickly learn - everything else is only a tweak (magic).
It lacks the airiness, dynamic resolution, instrument separation and details. I believe the low frequency response come in the way of 60-4000Hz frequency sound. It lacks the drama and emotion of music that Harbeth speakers does such a great job off. Did I mention it really lacks the openness. Again remember that it uses Cirrus Logic DAC (same brand as apple iPhone) and Texas instrument class D amp. Both subpar products in my opinion. It has tremendous room for improvement - but that's it.
Buchardt has the best customer service and lots of potential as a company. Great social media presence. But surely not a Croft/Harbeth/Metrum Acoustics DAC killer. |
