KEF Reference 1 or LS60

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.