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Kef LS50s - great like me but need to come up for air

So over the years I've really enjoyed my primary speaker the Kef LS50s. They work well in my current setup: Schiit Aegir, NAD preamp (class A) in a small room (11'x14').

Maybe I like them so much because they are very much like me: precise, balanced, neutral but not overly. Contrary to many they are more on the warm than bright side. You just need to know how to place them and match them to the right components. Like me :)

However, l've gone through a change. I need to and been told by my wife and doctors that I need to relax some and come up for air. I've been working on this for the past 2 years. Now I've seriously realized my beloved music system has come to the same change point.

Like me and my ears I'd like to find a speaker with the same basic qualities of the LS50s but that can come up for air - call it more relaxed, warm...whatever. Those in the know will know what I mean. I can explain this more if necessary.

My budget is up to 1,500.00...I've online researched Harbeths, Dynaudio Evoke 20, Usher, Spendor but don't really know where to go from here. I've thought about higher sensitivity speakers but most quality speakers are physically too large (maybe).

Any input is appreciated.

lmartinez_02170
bgross's avatar
bgross
397 posts
 

@dekay  ++ on the JM Reynaud "Twins". Had a set in my office with a Tandberg, 3012 integrated for quite a few years. They are special for many reasons & I'd pick those over almost all of the other speakers listed here. Listening to a set of LS50 Metas as I write this with an Octave Audio integrated and they are indeed a balanced lovely presentation but the "Twins" - the OP should snap them up. Just my opinion. Can't imagine doing better for $500

voodoolounge
207 posts
 

I sit 9ft away from my LS50's, they are slightly toed, 3ft from the rear wall and 2ft from side wall. I too am thinking of something different but am enjoying what I have and the hassle of auditioning new speakers does not really appeal to this old codger. I might consider meta in the near distant future 

ataraxia's avatar
ataraxia
38 posts
 

@voodoolounge

Or R3. I find Meta best roughly 7’ equilateral triangle or less and R3 roughly greater.

dbong
20 posts
 

2nd on straightwire.  I upgraded to their 2nd to top of line xlr cables and top power cord for amp, second to top for dac and pre.  Not that expensive and a huge! improvement.  Ultimately though replacing my solid state amp with with a BAT VK60 SE gave me exactly what you are looking for.

problem with the LS50 is it’s not quite high enough impedance at some frequencies for some amps, and they are brutally honest.  I used them with an Ayre V5xe, an indisputably quality amp and did not like it.  Not bad, just not mellow.

I also found the LS really shows what the pre is doing so don’t be surprised at the difference swapping out a pre.  

dbb
196 posts
 

They don't come up often on the used market, but I would consider  anything from Green Mountain. They have a very natural coherent sound. I use the Green  Mountain Chroma in my second  system. My first uses Kef Reference 1s with two subwoofers. Both are excellent but the Green Mountains are never fatiguing and very  balanced and natural without being dull.

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