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KEF LS50 or Harbeth P3ESR for desktop system?

Currently:

Spendor S3/5
SVS SB-1000 sub
McCormack modified Micro Power Drive
McCormack Micro Line Drive
HRT Music Streamer II DAC connected to the PC
AQ cabling

Speakers are 5' apart on the desk.  2' from back wall, no side walls within 6', vaulted ceiling.
Near field - I'm 5' away from them.

Piano jazz, movies on the PC, podcasts.  I don't try to break my ears.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the current setup, but, well, you know...

KEF LS50 (not wireless), or Harbeth P3ESR (maybe even Anniversary Edition)?

Thanks,
Bruce
bbarlow690
canibefrank
406 posts
 
@mdrums  
the LSR305 setup is very good... i had one and no complaints, great value. best positioning I found was me seated center of sofa with the speakers at each corner of sofa arm-rests, rotated at aboot 75-80 degrees toward me earholes
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,102 posts
 
If desktop speakers are not on isolation stands like Isoacoustics already, I’d put them on those ASAP first and go from there as needed, always keeping the isolation stands.

Also gotta point out the ls50's are also  "generally agreed to be an improvement upon the legendary LS3/5s".
gosta's avatar
gosta
839 posts
 
And in addition to Isoacoustics a proper digital correction system. PW AMP with ARC recommended. You'll be highly awarded.
helomech
1,651 posts
 
Also gotta point out the ls50's are also  "generally agreed to be an improvement upon the legendary LS3/5s"
That's because they are, and by a wide margin. However, they require a very good (not necessarily expensive) amp to hear the improvement. 

I really can't fathom how some prefer the standard P3s to the LS50s, if a competent amp and source is used. I can't help but suspect it's a matter of aesthetic bias affecting the auditory senses. 
bilitz
16 posts
 
I’m scheduled to audition the P3 anniversary model next week. I’ve already heard the LS50 several times and was impressed so we’ll see what happens. Since the P3 is more than double the cost of the LS50 they’ll have to sound significantly better to me. 
The thing that concerns me with the Kefs is the potential for listening fatigue as they are quite forward sounding. 
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