KEF Reference 1 or LS60

We area kef dealer and sell both the ls60s are very good but will not sound like the ref ones if.you are crving a simpler setup then an integrated amplifierwith a dac streamer is the way to go

wecan advise you if you are interested

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect nj

kef dealers

audiotroy, thanks for the advice. That may be the way to go, but a Salamander rack filled with Ayre components and topped with a Thorens TD-124 is not too bad. I’m beginning to think I should stick with the Reference 1s. In an interview Jack Oclee-Brown said they were his favorite speakers and had recommendations for setting them up that I’ll try.

I would hope the Ayre components are better than the electronics inside the ls60. Is the ls60 a digital speaker? I mean does it have an active xover? The 2 speakers appear to have different markets in mind.

Listen hard before you buy.  I personally dislike the current KEF sound which is artificial and metallic, from the R series to the Blades.  

JMHO and I am not alone as witnessed at the AXPONA audio show,  

I listened to the KEF LS60 in a perfectly treated room (at a shop). I also listened to the KEF LS50 Meta Wireless. 

So... I gotta say that the LS60 does it all, especially deep and clear bass. But the LS50 Meta Wireless was like 80% there. The missing 20% being the bass. 

To me the LS60 is just like a pair of LS50 wireless II with 2 subwoofers. And I could happily live with that.

The LS60 is about 7000€.

The LS50 wireless II is 2500€. The KEF KC62 is 1700€. So LS50 wireless + 2x KC62 = 5900€. I guess you can add another 300€ for stands. I'm scratching my head wondering why the LS60 is 7000€, not 5000€. Granted, it is a more elegant solution than having separate subs. 

IMHO, you're better off getting a pair of AudioVector QR3 for 2600€ and spending 2000€ on an integrated streaming amp. 

Call Ayre and see what they recommend 

the Ayre is wonderful gear and definitely deserves 

a speaker that has masterful timing at all frequencies 

Many folks that own Ayre gear have discovered Vandersteen 

both together are exquisite 

Johnny R

Ayre Vandersteen dealer

The configuration of my single Salamander rack:

• Thorens TD-124 with SME III arm
• Ayre PN-5 phonostage
• Ayre DX-5 DSD disc player
• Ayre QX-5 Twenty Roon-ready DAC
• Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp

An Ayre VX-5 Twenty amp sits between KEF Reference 1s

I've decided to stick with this setup.  Relocating the KEFs greatly improved the sound.

I have auditioned LS-60's and also own Reference 1's. Mine are fed by a Luxman entry-level integrated amp, and still beat the LS-60's handily.

op

good decision

you can elevate this system further by adding footers under the components and under the speaker stands and adding a good power conditioner

Dave and Troy

audio intellect NJ

I have the same KEF’s, is there anything in particular that you are missing or would like to improve? Positioning is important and can greatly improve performance, it sounds like you may have found some more magic doing that. I recently introduced some new amplification to my system and also spread the speakers out to about 8’ between tweeters, greatly improved soundstage. I think you can go further if you have space.