KEF LS50

I purchased the LS50's on Amazon in case I felt the need to return them at some point. So far I only have maybe 30 hours on them but they sound rather bright and lacking in weight or authority. I know they're not floor standers but given the reviews and other much more expensive monitors I've heard, I was expecting more.

Maybe the room isn't well suited since there's no back wall, but a back alcove. Also the 36" stands are probably too high.

I'm using Cary Audio Cinema 11 preamp and Cinema 5 amps to drive. If things don't improve dramatically they'll go back to Amazon in a couple weeks. Almost painful to listen to most material on at the moment.

Good points - though I don't want to invest in shorter stands til I know these are keepers. I'm it would help having them at or below ear level.

I'm seeing more of the potential of these - especially since I went back to the older darker Purist Audio Museaus IC's instead of the newer livelier ones. Gives some much needed depth and gravitas.

But I'm pretty sure I'll find their lively revealing sound isn't what I'm ultimately looking for - but for those that are these are already obviously very capable for the price. But with more burn-in and once my ultra sweet Cary 98L preamp arrives, things could get interesting.

Johnvb - What improved about them as they broke in? They're already sounding somewhat rounder on top and I'm starting to get hints of surprisingly good bass. Imaging, soundstage and coherence are all strengths so far. So good in fact I'll be a bit torn sending them back.

But I tend to value scale and non-fatiguing presentation highly which are shortcomings. Timbre also but it's better than expected. How do you see things improving?

They're getting better and better. I'm finding the music more engaging and even notice my wife singing along to the music. Put on the Brandenburg concertos before heading to the home theater room to watch a film we were waiting to see.

The music was so engaging it was hard to tear myself away. The overall presentation much improved but I'm afraid even after full break in it will still be to bright and revealing for my taste. Most people seem to like this these days, but I prefer a warmer/musical/non-fatiguing sound even at the expense of "accuracy" or every last detail. It's the overall presentation I enjoy.

Hey I never claimed to be an audiophile - I just music that sounds "right" to me. Why that should require a huge monetary investment now that recorded music has been around for nearly 100 years is beyond me.

But the value and virtues of the LS50 are revealing themselves - no question.

1) I can see that having the wrong electronics (read brighter less expensive) will make these punishingly bright.

2) It's clear so far that tubes will make these sing (still waiting for my Cary SLP 98).

3) Despite a bright presentation - these ARE musical speakers.

Good suggestion - it did help having them lower even on hollow boxes.

As these are burning in I'm really starting to hate them. They do so many things well - fast, dynamic, 3d imaging and sound staging, amazing air, transients, surprisingly good timbrel accuracy for a speaker this size. But the tonal balance is too bright and revealing (tho not sibilant as the burn in) for my liking.

I find myself wanting exactly this speaker but with a darker sound. And for that I expect to pay a minimum of 5 times the price. Ouch.

Actually they're surprisingly coherent speakers top to bottom with the lower frequencies in balance with the upper. The problem I have (and it has to do with my own preferences) is the overall tonal balance top to bottom is just too bright for my liking.

Also they're not fully burned in so I expect that to improve though not be completely cured for my taste. Most people these days seem to go for super revealing sound and for the price these definitely won't disappoint if that's what you're looking for.

Though they're bright, they're not very sibilant. I don't find the tweeters to be the most refined, but I have a feeling that will also improve with a complete burn in.

Since my exchange window has hit 30 days at Amazon, I'll send them back - but other than the tonal balance they did a lot right.

I ended up buying Verity Parcifal Ovations on A-gon used for yes, about 5 times the price.

Actually I find the high and low end very coherent (as you'd expect from a single driver) and very well balanced. The balance actually very organic and correct.

And I don't find the output to be strained for the size of room they're in (15X20). My only real gripe is that they're on the tonally bright side - and the tweeters don't seem quite as refined as I'd like. The tweeters could continue to improve dramatically with further break in however.

But I'm not being fair either. I'm comparing this monitor speaker to high end floor standers I'm used to and hoping they'll do something similar for a fraction of the price.

Taking these for what they are; essentially monitors - you almost couldn't ask for more. Incredibly coherent 3D sound with amazing sound staging, imaging depth etc.

In fact after having the LS-50's in my system, I've come to hear how really good and capable my Cary Audio solid state amp is. I've had a prettier and richer sound from my former speakers, but never heard the kind of speed, nuance, air, imaging and staging I hear with the LS-50.

Yes the tonal balance is brighter than I prefer - that's how monitors are. Studio engineers need to hear every nuance and detail. Is it the fault of the LS-50's that they don't deliver the sound I'm used to from an entirely different type of speaker?

Not at all. In terms of a monitor speaker I'd give these an A+. The plus is because these also deliver a musicality, dynamic and involvement factor you don't usually get from even the best monitor speakers.