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KEF LS50 or Wharfedale Reva 2 -- which would you buy?

Hi all,

I am considering upgrading my speakers and am between the KEF LS50 and Wharfedale Reva 2 speakers. I'm not able to hear either one where I am located so am looking for some input.

I am also able to get the Reva 2s for about half the price of the LS50, but if the KEFs are the right move I am ok spending more time saving for them.

Some notes to consider:

- Speakers will be used only for music, not TV/ movies
- Receiver is an older Denon DRA 825R (90 watts/ channel into 8 ohms). Minimum is 6ohms (please don't suggest I get the UB5s).
- Turntable is Pro-ject Carbon Debut
- Room is about 15x17 apartment living room
- I listen to everything from classic rock to jazz to classical. I don't listen to hip hop, house, or modern pop.

I am really just looking for beautiful sounding (and nice looking) speakers at $1k or less (I can get the LS50 for $1k or the Reva 2s for $450). I live in an apartment so the music is never loud, just looking for great sounding speakers.

The reviews on both seem very good. The LS50 is clearly a more popular speaker. I guess the question there is -- is it worth an extra $550 for me?

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
coaster86
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,765 posts
 
I live in an apartment and can only go so loud with my music, so I understand.

I have been using single driver speakers for the past 10 years in at least one of my systems.

If you can wait a few months, I would go with the Zu Audio Dirty Weekend Floor.  These have given me a whole new level of enjoyment in my listening, both vinyl and CD. 

https://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers/omen-dirty-weekend-2

If the bookshelf type speaker is more to your liking, I would go with the Omega Super 7MK2

https://omegaloudspeakers.com/collections/monitor-speakers/products/super-7-monitor-speaker?variant=...

Obviously I own both speakers and I have not answered your question.  My bad.  I wouldn't buy either the KEF's or Reva's.


Rich 
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,702 posts
 
I don't know where there is even a Wharfdale dealer in New England but I have heard that their new lines are pretty good.  But I have heard the LS 50 and it is one of the best values out there.  Not everyone loves them but I have owned a number of KEF over the years, Ref 1 and 2 , RDM 1 and 2,  and I like the Uni-Q driver.   

If you are unable to audition buy from someone that allows returns,  save yourself the return freight and choose the KEF... when faced with the dilema of spending twice as much as I planned,   I always defer to what my grandpappy used to say :

" Buy once, cry once....."
reubent
6,952 posts
 
Just curious, what speakers are you currently using? 
coaster86 OP
12 posts
 
@rar1 thanks for your thoughts. I'll look into those speakers.

@oddiofyl yeah, I don't think there are Wharfedale dealers around here so its all internet buying. Good to know you liked the LS50 though. And I love what your grandpa used to say. Thats a smart man.

@reubent I just sold my Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 so I am trying to replace/ improve upon those
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,765 posts
 
That is an older Denon, but from a time when Denon was making solid, nice receivers.  I had the DRA 625 and loved it.  At the time, I was using it with Polk bookshelf speakers.  It is the type of receiver that Zu Audio says mates well with its Dirty Weekenders.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTZX9FfZF4w


Rich  
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