Desktop speaker upgrade from KEF LS50s (


Hello!

I currently have a desktop system with KEF LS50s that I'm enjoying very much, but am getting the itch to upgrade. My requirements are:

  • Able to perform well in a nearfield desktop environment (4' equilateral triangle for listening position, R speaker 12" away from side wall, both speakers nearly flush to front wall)
  • Not cheap looking, incorporates modern design and materials (trying to avoid just a plain box)
  • Under 17" height preferred
  • Passive preferred, or active with analog inputs + way to incorporate subwoofer
  • Not to exceed ~$5-6K budget range (used OK)

I currently have my bass ports plugged on my LS50s to keep bass under control, and have a REL Tzero subwoofer to fill out the bottom end. I listen mostly to rock so not having much under 30 hz doesn't really bother me. I am using IsoAcoustics Aperta stands to elevate my speakers off my desk and angle them to the listening position. Soundstage, imaging, and detail are all satisfactory with the LS50s, even in this somewhat limited setup.

If I buy a rear ported speaker, I am planning on plugging the bass ports similar to my current setup, as well as using my IsoAcoustics stands to decouple the speakers from my desk.

I was doing research into speakers like Focal's Sopra No 1 (used)/Kanta No 1, Sonus Faber Olympica Nova, and Vandersteen VLR CT, but none of the reviews I've found have been from a desktop/nearfield listening position.

Would appreciate if anyone with a similar setup could share their experiences/recommendations. I've been reading in some forum posts that a coaxial driver setup is critical to desktop nearfield performance so if LS50s are already as good as it gets for a desktop setup I'm ok with that as well.

Thank you!
jllu
I really like the original Vanatoos for desktop, haven't heard the latest one. The originals can be found on ebay occasionally.
Thank you everyone for the suggestions. The more I read the more I think coincident/coaxial is the way to go here. I’m going to look into used KEF Reference 1s as the natural step up from the LS50s. Has anyone compared those and the LS50s in a desktop arrangement? (I do worry that they may be too imposing for a desktop setup but I’ll worry about that after I figure out if the sound is a massive upgrade)

 I will also see if I can get a demo of the Harbeths although I’m not crazy about the prominent exposed screws in the design.
You can get different sound but not sure what could be considered an upgrade over ls50s on a desktop.

Are yours on isolating stands, like Isoacoustics or other? That’s the first thing I’d do.  They also need a beefy amp and good gear upstream to sound their best.   Lightweight amps need not apply.