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KEF LS50 Wireless II vs. Harbeth P3esr

I have an approx. 200 sq feet rectangle office space. Currently running Harbeth P3esr with Croft Acoustics phono integrated hybrid amplifier (ECC 83 tubes and MOSFET) with Node 2i streamer passing through Metro Acoustics Onyx NOS dac. Running Dueland 12GA oiled speaker wire. The sound is musical, detailed, airy and comfortable to listen to. Vocals are outstanding, instrument separation is just right - listening to music is a dream for hours long. Lifetime subscription of Roon with Tidal and Qobuz active services. One would ask - so why the itch to change anything. 

 

I find myself not listening to music as much as I'd like to due to the 'convenience' factor. I would like the Croft tube integrated to be on all the time, available for music play back on demand, between meetings or every evening - but I know that's not recommended due to the high heat generation and adversely impacting the tube lifespan. The amp does not have an idle and a wake up state. I have to 'plan' my listening sessions by warm up time and being careful not to shut down in between breaks and my next listening or timing it by shutting it down when long enough. 

 

Enter the 'convenient' KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers. Rave online audiophile reviews. Got a pair from my dealer for 45 days. Ran the speaker for 120 hours break in period and configured the DSP along with Roon MUSE setting for optimal room configuration. The KEF LS50Wii are very convenient all in one system. When not in use for 20 mins they go in standby mode to be woken by the next stream of music playback. They are Roon certified, and can play every sort of file format and stream including chromecast. But they just dont sound as good as my Croft and Harbeth set up. 

 

Close, but not the same. I think the KEF's can benefit from a better internal DAC. The sound lacks details, music separation, and sweetness compared to the Harbeth's. It sounds compressed. I have done a lot of A/B by having both on equal height speaker stands and connected to Roon - its a night and day difference. I am trying really hard to have the KEF play at par with the Harbeth set up so I can simplify my audio system and also be able to play music on demand with the KEF being on all the time in stand by mode. If I had not listened to my Croft and Harbeth set up first I would have bought the KEF in a heartbeat. But I feel I will be sacrificing quality listening session over quantity. 

 

Not sure if I am missing some configuration that would wake up these speakers or should be looking at alternatives like the Buchardt a500 that would sound better then my current set up. I like the convenience of active speakers but....

 

128x128ghulamr
uncledemp
708 posts
 

I use two pairs of Dynaudio powered speakers, living room (focus) and bedroom (xeo). Both are configured wirelessly other than power cords. I enjoy the convenience, and never put my turntable and cd player back in the mix. I’ve never heard the Kef wireless, but bet they sound good. 
 

I’m interested in the Kef Ls60, I’d like to listen to a pair. 
 

Best-
 


 

 

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,599 posts
 

Your experience mirrors mine. I owned the Kef LS50 wireless, albeit the first gen, and P3Esr at the same time. The little Harbeths are a very special speaker when fed with the right sources. Not surprised the Kef is not measuring up. I ended up selling the Kefs and kept the P3esrs for a long time. 

sleeeepguy
27 posts
 

I have a couple of passive systems and also have the LS50w2’s being fed by a node, primarily to connect to other zones, it sounds better than the Kefs alone. But the single biggest improvement was adding a KEF KC62 wirelessly connected and it took the system to a whole new level. Very engaging. I’d try your node then try the sub. 

macg19
672 posts
 

I can't comment about either speaker specially, but having just upgraded from Harbeth 30.2 XD's to 40.3 XD's, I'm astonished at just how good the Harbeth small box speakers are. 

So much so that I may not sell the 30's - and certainly not below my current asking price. 

Maybe get a good SS amp instead?

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,470 posts
 

Don't sweat it. Old tube radios lasted years running all day. The Croft line stage/driver tube will last for 3 years at 8 hours a day. If you don’t need the phono function, remove the 2 tubes on left. Change the stock JJ for a Telefunken for upgraded sound. More air, detail, less grain.

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