Mental has it backwards... low sensitivity speakers need more power and vice versa. Small bookshelf speakers usually are less sensitive, therefore require lots of power/ current to come alive (don’t confuse lots of power with lots of volume, that is not what I’m saying).
i just went from Kef LS50’s to the B&W 685’s. The LS50’s are very very open sounding. Loads of detail and imaging that is outstanding if set up properly. They sound very good off axis as well. Female vocals on the Passive LS50’s can be spine tingling! The Active Versions crossed over at 80hz to a Rel T9i sub equals audio nirvana; Im sure that you can achieve similar, possibly better results with the Passives and a good sub.
The LS50’s should should go great with that peachtree. I think that the power and sonic character of the peachtree will pair well with the LS50’s. You might want to consider some R300’s as well.
The difference in sound between the LS50’s and the B&W685 is the difference in sound between Kef and B&W my oppinion. The B&W’s have more sparkle and more of a smiley face eq curve; the kefs sound drier to me, more accurate, more like a studio monitor.
I think the LS50’s are definately a step up in performance from the B&W 685 but you’ll want a sub to get the most from them. The B&W’s have solid imaging but the LS50’s have a wider, deeper and more holographic soundstage yet it’s still well defined. The clarity and openess the LS50’s present is audible to non audiophiles. I had a blast introducing a 50 year old friend to hifi one Friday night. I took my Active LS50’s and Rel T9i over to his house and we rocked music for 4 hours straight. He went out the next day and bought a pair. The following week when my brother heard them he also bought a pair.
