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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
helomech
1,661 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. 
helomech
1,661 posts
 
The thing that concerns me with the Kefs is the potential for listening fatigue as they are quite forward sounding.
That's a common misconception. They're not at all forward sounding if positioned as KEF intended: stands no more than 24" tall and zero toe-in. 
yyzsantabarbara
4,748 posts
 
@bilitz I listen to the KEF LS50 all day in my home office with a Peachtree Nova 150 class D integrated. I have no fatigue and I am easily susceptible to fatigue from bad sound. I need to acoustically treat my room, because it is small, but any speaker would have been fatiguing without the treatment.
bilitz
16 posts
 
That’s very good to hear. I’m going to give the Harbeths a listen just to satisfy myself that I don’t prefer their sound, otherwise I’d always have doubts. 
I’ll let you know. 
Thanks
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