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LS50 Wireless fail, or is old gear that good?

After ready so much positive info on the LS50W, I gave them a try but was massively disappointed compared to my (much) older gear.
I set up the LS50's via Ethernet and WiFi playing HiRes files from NAS and Tidal via Roon, then compared the same tracks via WiFi to Roon on an iPhone>Dragonfly Red>ARC SP9 (1987)>Threshold amp (1980's)>Martin Logan Aerius i (1999). Wasn't even close.
Especially on female vocals, the sense of realism, timbre, air, etc was notably superior on the old system. I played around with the KEF DSP, room placement and even switched rooms.I really wanted the KEF's to work, but no luck.

So, am I missing something with the LS50W, or is the old stuff just that good?

128x128tcbrinkley
yakbob
469 posts
 
Sorry to hear the LS50s didn't work out for you. I've not heard them, but have read a lot of positive reviews.
I don't think it's a matter of good vs. bad, but a lot modern components are built for user convenience (streaming, wireless, small, narrow, speakers with high WAF), while some of your "older" gear was built for audio quality (ARC, Threshold, ML).  The Threshold doesn't become obsolete simply because more modern digital amps are made available.

I see it as an apples vs oranges comparison. Sell the LS 50s on Computer Audiophile and "rock on completely with some brand old components." :-)

seanheis1
624 posts
 
What speaker had the larger sweet spot? 
tcbrinkley's avatar
tcbrinkley OP
20 posts
 
Hmmm, not sure I can say. I adjusted distance from front and side walls, distance apart and distance to listening chair, but didn't move  much from center when listening.
Why do you ask?
tcbrinkley's avatar
tcbrinkley OP
20 posts
 
@yakbob, you hit the nail on the head regarding a modern user experience.That's what I was after with the KEF's, not only for myself but to help engage the family.
I expected, especially with all the positive press, that technology had moved on, a lot, in regard to SQ as well as convenience. That's why I'm curious about others' experience with the LS50W.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,226 posts
 
Another agoner brought a pair of ls50s over to my house to hear. In larger room off high power but less damped SS amp we both agreed the sound was not good at all. Muddled and no bass. In smaller 12x12 room with vaulted ceiling and a different high power more highly damped amp, voila, very nice all around, a winner.

So like most smaller speakers I think they are not well suited to larger rooms. A sub or two would likely fix that. Also I think you want 100w/ch or more and high current capability for best results. Amps that double power specs from 8 to 4’ohms should do well.
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