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Help for a Greenhorn: Devialet Phantom Reactor vs. KEF LS50 powered vs. Audio Pro Drumfire

Hi!  This is my first post on the forums and I am excited to be here!  As a rookie in the audio world, I was hoping to get some advice from the experts.  

I am looking to buy a stereo setup for my living room which is approximately 30 x 20 feet.  I am not am experienced audiophile.  I don’t think I want a receiver and the accompanying wires and would like to opt for a powered setup. I would like to get something of decent quality and I am willing to spend up $3,000 for a setup, but would not like to go much beyond that unless it is really worthwhile.  I know this could be a limiting factor because many of you have much much more invested in your audio gear, but would like your advice.  

The genres of music I listen to are pretty varied: Bob Dylan, classic/alternative rock, vocal and instrumental jazz, and classical are what I typically listen to.  Most of the time I would listen at normal volume levels, but sometimes I would like to crank music for a party.  I plan on using spotify to play most music, but I also plan on adding a turntable for listening as well.  My prior experience has been limited to bookshelf systems from Best Buy - and the last one I owned that died played minidisks... ;-)

From my reading on the internet I identified some possibilities and wanted to get your thoughts:

Devialet Phantom Reactor:  The 900 watt 98 dbs version will be released soon for $1300.  I thought I could buy one initially and add a second one for a stereo pair once that stereo functionality on the software is released in another 6 months or so.  Buying a pair of the regular original Phantoms could also be an option if there is a big difference, although two golds would be more than I want to spend unless the things will bring the angels down from heaven, and in which case I might think about it.  How loud will the Reactor go?  Is it loud enough for any room?  The bass goes really low at 18hz, but how powerful is it and how would it compare to speakers with sub woofers?

KEF LS50 powered:  Online reviews of this seem to be raving, many comapare it to systems that cost many times more.  Supposedly the ‘soundstage’ and ‘layering’ are amazing, but I don’t really know what that means or sounds like, probably because I’ve never owned good speakers.  My only concerns with these are whether or not they would have enough bass for rock?  How will they sound at louder volumes?

Audio Pro Drumfire:  The drumfire has an 8 inch subwoofers, two smaller woofers, and two tweeters.  The bass goes down to 30hz.  I would buy a pair for a stereo setup would seemingly have a nice balance of drivers.  Wireless sub woofers are available too.  The drumfires would seemingly definitely go loud and would have some solid  bass, but how would they compare in sound quality to the other two?

If you could compare the sound of these three options and offer any other viable suggestions, I would really appreciate it!  I would love to hear your expertise.  For me, this is probably not a first step towards something higher end, but likely a destination to last me for the next decade or so.  Thanks a lot for your help!!

Sincerely,

Matt
mpalmer
14 responses Add your response
stevenswall's avatar
stevenswall
6 posts
 
November 8th is the ship date from Elac to distributors for the Elac Argo, now called the Elac Navis. For those who have heard the LS50 Wireless, I'd highly recommend waiting.

The Dali Callisto sounds more beamy and less full and rich compared to the Elac Navis Bookshelf, which sounds like a floorstander, moreso than that Callisto floorstander.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
If I were in your shoes, I’d also check out pro monitors. Focal, Genelec, and Adam (as well as many others) all make interesting options in your price range.  
mpalmer OP
3 posts
 
Hmm... I guess it’s all clear as mud.  The only thing that I am pretty sure about is that I want actives not passives.   I guess I’ll hold off for a bit and wait for the Phantom Reactor and the ELAC Argo to come out and read reviews on those before deciding.  The KEF LS50w seems like the safe choice, the Devialet Phantom Reactor the fun choice, and the ELAC Argo the beautiful looking traditional choice.  The bright side is any of them would be a HUGE upgrade on the Sonos Beam I have now... ;-)
gosta's avatar
gosta
839 posts
 
Just read a nice and interesting review of the updated NHT C3 passive bookshelf. A pair for $1k. You will need a powerful sub for your parties though and a reasonable amplifier. A very good rythmik servo sub could be had for not too big money. Dynaudio as an alternative to JBL also makes nice active systems for both the pro and home market. 
I believe you need to see Devialet as a fun speaker, though very high-tec, that could impress bass-wise for a short while, but will not give you the true recorded music for more qualified and enjoyable listening. May take some time to educate your ears and brain to understand that :-). Then later on there's nothing like the old-fashioned bass from a 15 inch woofer in a big box....
jon_5912
605 posts
 
When you look at a picture of the Devialet Phantom Reactor it is obvious that it is a form before function product.  That doesn't mean it's bad.  It's being marketed to a completely different crowd than the kef LS50 is, though.  It's almost an apples and oranges comparison.  I don't think you want either in a 20x30 room.  I agree with the guys recommending active pro monitors.  You can get a lot more for your money going that way.
mpalmer OP
3 posts
 
Thanks Gosta and Audiotroy.  I’m just confused because some places I read the Devialet phantoms are incredible and others don’t seem to like them at all.  Why is there so much divide here?  Is it just a matter of how people value bass in the sound??  It doesn’t seem like there is so much disagreement with other speaker reviews.  Is the bass that strange or different for the Phantoms than speakers with subs or what makes the Phnatoms so divisive?

On another note, what do you guys make of the soon to be released ELAC Argo that audiotroy suggested?  Do you guys think this would be a better option for me than the KEF LS50w or Devialet Phantoms?  
gosta's avatar
gosta
839 posts
 
Have to agree with audiotroy that the Devialet plays bass and that is all.
The mid is hidden behind the bass and the tweeter is screamy and just terrible (Silver Phantom). I wanted to like it (for my sons) and really disappointed to have taken up time with it. So my advice is try it before you pay for it. May be what you want from your investment, then fine. The KEF is nice and warm with details and fine imaging. But a little to sweet for me and certainly can not play deep and/or loud bass on its own. However, going the active way may be a good idea for you. There's plenty to choose from nowadays, maybe a used Neumann KH 310 from the pro market. Or much cheaper but for the money very very good JBL LSR 306 mkII with the sub JBL LSR 410 mkII. Or even cheaper 305 + sub 410 (no mkII). Plays loud and deep and neutral with not to bad dispersion. Perfect starting kit to good hifi. Just add a streamer with dac. Good luck!

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,779 posts
 
Mpalmer as a dealer who had both products, sorry no contest Kef LS 50 with a good compact sub sounds way better than the Phantoms.

The Phantom's never sounded natural they always sounded very artifical with way too much bass, kind of like a high end Cerwin Vega the amount of bass, clairty and seer level of output of the Devialet is their strong point. 

The LS 50W sound way more blanced, have a much more focused soundstage and sounds more musical. 

You may want to wait for the new Elac Argo or the more expensive Dali Calisto series as these are some of the new stars of the powered active/streaming speakers catagory.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
mpalmer OP
3 posts
 
Thanks a lot for everyone’s input.  I guess I’m go with a Devialet Phantom Reactor and add a second when the functionality becomes available.  

I’m just not covinced the KEF LS50W will provide enough bass, despite the sweetness of the layering and soundstage.  I think a pair of Phantom Reactors will have better overall high end treble and low end bass and than a pair of the Audio Pro Drumfires.  They won’t have the top end volume of the Drumfires, but for normal listening I am guessing the experience will be better.  Having to wait to add a second (or add a first that matter) isn’t ideal, but it will give me aomething to look forward to.  And hey, if I’m wrong, at least the speakers won’t take up a lot of space and will be cool looking... ;-)
firstnot's avatar
firstnot
248 posts
 
You must do your own deciding my friend.
genesis777
112 posts
 
I owned the powered LS50 for a short time. They sound like what they are...a small speaker...If you want something that fills a larger size room with good bass I would look at other options. 
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,664 posts
 

Elac has a new powered speaker line coming if not already out. The thing that interested  me in that line was it is all analog no A to D but has wifi-Bluetooth compatibility. With something like that you could add a Preamp that will give you future upgradability and the ability to add other sources as you grow. 

invictus005
597 posts
 
Devialet will wipe the floor with KEF. I own a stereo setup with Phantom Golds and I think they’re the best sounding speakers under $20K. I use them with an SME Model 10A turntable. I’ll definitely get Reactors for another system or maybe to build surround sound with. Properly setup, Devialet is absolutely incredible.
d2girls's avatar
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d2girls
1,029 posts
 
Jbl 7 series 
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