Let me suggest a totally different solution. I assume you have a sub to go with the LS50 pair, and if you don't, you should. Get a miniDSP DDRC24 active crossover with DSP EQ built-in and the accompanying UMK-1 measurement microphone. Use it to balance between your LS50 mains and the sub. Measure the system in that room, then create a desired system response and program the miniDSP to do that for you.
The LS50 is a very fine loudspeaker, especially at the price point you're working at.
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.
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I've been enjoying a pair of the original Totem Rainmakers that I bought last year for way under your budget, although the newer Totem models are up there. I like the totem "house sound" but don't have the budget for the Forests, etc. I have all tubes into them: a Schiiit Freya into a vintage Marantz 8b. They are reported to like power, but my 35 wpc 8b is not having any trouble, so your Aegir might be fine. I had Rogers LS 3/5As for a long time. The Totems are lovely and airy and have a lot of natural bass for stand mounts. (I do turn on my REL sub when I want to get real, but not always.) I am especially enjoying the big room dispersion instead of having such a near field listening requirement. Good luck with your changes, and happy listening! |
@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 |
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 |
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. |
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. |