"Using advanced simulation and analysis tools, our engineers have developed the 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT. This new driver array delivers reduced coloration, less distortion and a sound that is more transparent and life-like than previously possible, all dispersed evenly throughout the room. "
These claims seem justified and sum up the differences (so far) nicely (as advertised).
Less coloration and distortion I do think than before. THe aluminum tweeter is no longer explicitly noticeable by the slight shimmer it seemed to give the sound prior.
Also I wanted to particular note that the dispersion does seem to be much improved. I hear very little difference moving away from the sweet spot compared to prior. That alone makes these both more unique and competitive, adding an additional sense of realism. I may eventually have to try these with sub in my larger family room where my smaller Ohms currently reside. Would not have considered that with the old more directional KEFs.
I’ll post a picture soon but in the meantime note the metas are in same location as prior ls50s about 1/3rd of the way into the room from rear wall and several feet to side walls so bass gets little or no reinforcement with this setup however it benefits soundstage and imaging and the sub picks up the slack. No port plugs in play. Still breaking in but no doubt a noticeable step forward in most every way already perhaps say noticeable bass extension but we’ll see about that still once things settle in more.
Ok well I picked them up at the dealer earlier today. Got a bonus of three cans of Christmas Cookies for being a patient customer. Had a final quick listen to the old ls50s then in with the new. Only had time for some quick initial impressions so far. Keep in mind old ls50s are well broken in and the new ones are new. 1) I left the sub on set up the same for new as old. I had it dialed in pretty exactly and did not hear a need to change the settings at all so far. So no difference in terms of how to integrate the sub. I also listened with sub on and off. The sub will be staying for now in that it clearly still added bass extension and made every recording tried sound bigger and fuller just like the old. I doubt I will be losing the sub with the metas. So far at least they are not plumbing the depths similar to old and the difference with and without sub is big still like small monitors versus larger full range. No miracles here so far! 2) The general character of the sound is similar to before but it sounds more full and clear top to bottom More like larger speakers. It just sounds bigger and more open. Also things are a tad less bright than before but detail does seem really good top to bottom. 3) The good recordings seem even better. More of them in most ways. I also got to sample some of the worst and loudest recordings I have and those were the most listenable I have heard on any small monitors I have owned. Very listenable actually. That’s it so far. All very fast initial impressions. Off to a good start. Will likely only get better. Definitely some very capable new kids on the block. The kefs compete with the large Ohms I have in the larger next room. Guttenburg raved about those as well.
@mapman Please do post your impressions when you can. BTW, Steve Guttenberg awarded these speakers the product of the year award. Great achievement, and luck you!
@mapman I believe they can in around the end of October. I had several pairs on order in both black and titanium....black shipped first, then this pair came in.
Well true I didn’t know it would take this long when I ordered them and I could have gone with the standard color like my current ls50s but hey everyone needs a little spice in their life like a different color every once in a while, and I do have 6 other speaker pairs set up around the house (crazy eh?) to listen to anyhow so I will survive. 🥸. Not to mention headphones. So they will hopefully be a special holiday treat.
Also there is the pandemic which I know has impacted a lot of companies who make speakers in recent months so a little extra patience is in order for these things these days it seems to me.
Crikey, the demand for these speakers must be phenomenal.
I'm sorry you're having to wait so long. It doesn't seem right.
It's one thing when you know that the wait will be a few weeks, and quite another when that date keeps getting moved back.
"I'm sure everyone has bigger things to stress out about than waiting for some new toys."
We do, but it's the toys that help to keep us going. Now I don't need to upgrade my phone for one with an edge to edge amoled display, but I just might.
Quick update: I’m hearing early December now. Dealer finally getting some more concrete delivery dates it seems plus I have seen similar available dates published elsewhere so the wait may soon be over.
I would probably not have stuck with Ls 50s in my smaller room downstairs without a sub. They do what they do very well and bear some resemblance sound wise to much pricier small monitors I have heard like Joseph and TAD but are no doubt somewhat limited compared to those.
With a sub, in a small room as well, The gap closes.
I’m anticipating the metas will up the ante further.
Enough that I would go exclusively with them in favor of other larger beasts like my OHMs?
We will see. On my small 12x12 room, I do find the Ls50s do a good job holding together when not quite in the sweet spot, so that helps.
@b_limo,
I plan to hold out for the Titanium Grey. I have lots of good listening options in house to keep me going until then. Will call again tomorrow to see if any new info on the availability since October is now clearly in the books.
Man, sorry to hear that its taking so long for you to get yours Mapman. I remember when I bought my wireless Ls50’s I wanted the titanium ones. After waiting 5 weeks I just took the black ones because I got sick of waiting. Hopefully yours come soon
I have the LS50 and have the LS50 meta for about two weeks. On the same system and room the meta version is a big step up. It has better clarity and improved soundstage. Both need power and subwoofers. I have a Parasound Halo A21 and two Rel t/7i.
Still no word on when mine on order (Titanium Grey) will arrive but will have both old and new to compare when they do.
I keep thinking the old ones are pretty good....new guys not any bigger so how much better can they be? I think there is room for improvement, in particular with soundstage and imaging, maybe detail, but how much? The consensus so far seems to be it is significant, but what percent is that? Who knows? These things can be very subjective.
It’s the new absorption technology used internally that is supposedly the game changer.
I was watching a youtube video by tharbamar about the new metas where he was comparing it to Quad S2 bookshelves. He felt that the new metas provide less than 10% improvement over the old LS50s. His advice was that if you already own the original LS50s, it's not worth selling those and buying new ones. Given that the guy has extensive experience with the older model, and is generally more honest and upfront in his reviews (sort of how Thomas and Stereo and a few other youtubers used to be before they started peddling chi-fi), his opinion has to be taken on its merit. However, Steve Guttenberg, another reviewer who I respect, was all ga ga over the metas. Go figure!
I'm sure that even a 10% improvement is a big deal in our hobby, but the question is if it's enough to sell my LS50 wireless. Hopefully, as more long time owners moving up to the metas chime in the dust will start to settle a bit.
The Metas are not a plug-and Play solution. If you are willing to take the time to find that system “synergy “ they are magical. If you don’t have the patience, go for the wireless mode, KEF has done it for you! The passive units are just not limited to a corporate budget....
I owned the original LS50’s and now own the new Metas. I am really enjoying the new models, for me KEF has addressed the short-comings that bothered me with the originals. The Metas have lost the occasional “brightness “ in the treble without loosing any detail. The bass also seems fuller. This is a bookshelf speaker though, so you can’t expect room rumbling bass below 50 HZ. I have paired the Metas with stereo Rhythmik F12’s to great affect. Seamless integration after much tuning and patience. I also have acoustically treated my room with absorbent panels as well as diffusers. Such is the nature of this hobby/obsession. These new models are not a panacea. The Metas are the next step in the evolution of a classic speaker. With a well planned front end feeding them, ( they demand and reward quality well damped amplification) they can satisfy. They totally disappear and the soundstage really is 3D.They are not
As an update, I ended up returning my LS50 Metas at the end of the 30-day trial period. It turned out that they really needed to be played a bit louder than I usually listen, which is fairly moderate volume levels (max SPL 78 db or so). They sounded a bit dark and lacking bass at that volume. When I turned them up to max SPLs in the mid 80s and beyond, they sounded much fuller and more engaging. My room is approx. 12x15 ft., and I sit about 7 ft from the speakers. They are great speakers, but they just didn't quite work for my particular case.
It's great to read that the new LS50 meta speakers are making owners really happy! I've heard the original at a local dealer quite a while back - really nice, not completely my cup of tea. But I'd like to hear the metas. Not gonna happen any time soon unfortunately, given current circumstances.
I’ve had Dynaudio Contour 1.3 mkII in the same 12x12 room as the ls50s. Different sound. Dynaudio was a tad warm and could lean towards a tad bright in some cases. Bass was more extended. I didn’t use a sub with them. I do use sub with ls50s. Ls50s are a different sound in most every regard. Definitely more detailed and different imaging. Probably also more coherent. I liked the Dyns a lot but do not miss them with ls50 + sub combo. Without a sub, it’s more of a tossup depending.
waiting for the next phase of this discussion. Two things a) Mapman finally gets his Metas and tells us what he hears compared to the original LS50sb) others have had their's for 2-3 weeks - is it still wowing you as much as early days? I have the originals - actually the Blacks that I am running with a pair of Rel subs in nearfield in a small room off a Hegel amp and they sound as good as my small room has sounded. This is a bad hobby though as you are always thinking about could it sound better. For me this includes could I buy other speakers - Focals, Dynaudios, Raidhos that would sound even better as a nearfield monitor with subs. Anyone done this?
All to pass the time while we wait for more thoughts on the new Metas!
I ve heard the LS 50 before ,my friend use Mark Levinson amp 100 w, audio research preamp, thetha dac and transport. They were able to handle all types of music we play on them, including classical, the room is very small.The better the gear you connect the better sound they give you, very capable speakers.
Crutchfield.com shows the blue and the white ones available 10/30. The titanium sold out already, As you know, these speakers are really hot right now.
I sold my Titanium Grey pair on eBay about two weeks ago for $699 + $50 shipping. I opted against an auction and just listed it for the fixed price. Part of me wishes I padded the price a bit more, because it got snapped up in less than 12 hours. Mine were in extremely good condition with only the slightest scratch on the bottom that could only be seen in the light at certain angles.
Most likely I will sell my current ls50s here on audiogon unless I decide to keep them and maybe shed something else in a different room. I will be more likely to keep them if the sub is not needed with the metas. Going used prices appear to be as much as $850 a pair currently which is almost as much as they cost when I bought them new. TMR has a pair up on their website for $850 currently.
I have a pair of black edition on eBay now. I’m up to 600 now. I think 700 is the going price. I’ve only had My ls50 6 months and paid 900 new. If I clear 700 I’m good. The metas sound so much better, the joy of listening is worth the lost.
For LS50 owners upgrading to Metas, what are you doing with the originals? Trade in? Selling? If so, where and for how much? I want to upgrade but would feel better about it if I recoup some expense by selling the old ones. Not seeing many on Audiogon, eBay, etc? I got $500 offer for trade in. Feel like I can do better. Just curious. Excited to hear the Metas for myself.
Is the Wireless 2 out yet? Really interested in those especially if the improvements carried over from the non powered. Should be able to pick up some v1s for a song soon.
After some break-in time, buying the KEF stands, these little Meta’s sound damn good for $1500.00 speakers. I have a recently purchased a REL Storm lll and it is tying the bass in well. A friend told me that it would work well, placed in the corner, and he was right! I think everyone that has these speakers on order will be happy after a little break-in time.
I got my Metas a couple of days ago and will post more lengthy impressions after I have some time on them. At first, they sounded a little closed in and the lower midrange/upper bass was somewhat muffled (not uncommon with new speakers before break in). Last night they started to sound more open, with a nice depth to the soundstage (but not much width). The top end is very clear without any harshness, even on first listen. I had the original LS50s a couple of years ago, and just going by memory the Meta is a definite improvement.
I’ve been looking for a thread like this for a while. I ordered the Metas in royal blue two weeks ago and am itching to hear these things. I’ve had the original passive ones for five years and jumped at the upgrade. I figure I’ve spent at least half as much to get incremental improvements that I can only describe as very subtle, so if the improvements are even close to what reviewers are describing, that’s probably worth it for me.
My last tweak was putting the LS50s on IsoAcoustics Apertas, and I found that these tightened things up just a bit on the lower end quite nicely.
After an extended listen session the the Meta’s I am very impressed. I have not been this excited about the sound of a speaker since I had Krell bi-amped NHT 3.3’s, The Meta is a true upgrade from the LS50’s. They have the sound of speakers, I can’t afford. The sound is just so natural and smooth. Very good recordings are so surreal. The detail is incredible. I hear instruments that before I only heard using my Koss 950 headphones. Anyway I will be interested to hear what other think of the LS50 Meta
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