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Can the KEF LS50 rock?

Hi,

Right now my setup includes a Rel T5 sub and a pair of Wharfedale 10.1s. I just got a peachtree nova 125se which should be coming soon. For the longest time I have been looking at buying a pair of KEF LS50s. My room size is medium and I rarely get to play my music loud. All that being said if I bought the Kefs and paired it with my sub how would they do when I occasionally feel the desire to rock out? Any other monitor suggestions would be helpful. I live in a small town so there isn't much chance to test drive speakers but maybe I can take a roadtrip to Denver in the future.

Thanks!
128x128brimel1974
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,183 posts
 

In a brief in house audition I did with ls50s a while back,   I found bass performance was very amp and room dependent.


Sounded great in smaller room with high current high power (500w/ch 8 ohm) low output impedance Class D amp (Bel Canto ref1000m),  was very underwhelming in a larger room with lower current, higher output impendence, 180 w/ch 8 OHM SS amp (TAD Hibachi), much more so than other similar size smaller monitors I have tried.

coli
291 posts
 
The Pioneer FS52 floorstanders, also designed by Andrew Jones and was on sale for like $75 each. They sound so damn good, definitely more enjoyable for music than the LS50. The ELAC is Andrew Jones’s latest creation at twice the price point using 2015/6 technology, it’s a no brainer really unless you want to learn things the hard way via your wallet. Been there done that.

If you search around, you’ll find Andrew Jones on diy forum personally explaining distortions from concentric designs and how he overcomes it with 3 way by minimizing the movement of the mid cone/guide to the woofer. This is something the LS50 lacks and is very noticeable if you A/B it.
brimel1974's avatar
brimel1974 OP
35 posts
 
Interesting. So far in this forum I am hearing a lot of negative feedback. Only one person has actually tried the Rel sub and Kef combo and was very positive about it. Kudos to you man. 

Problem for me is I live in a small town so I don't have the opportunity to listen before I buy. I'm going off of reviews mostly. The LS50's have received tons of superlatives.

I have also thought about going the sub monitor combo with the Dynaudio Excite X14's or Wharfedale Jade 3's or ditching the monitors altogether and getting a pair of the Zu Soul's or Zu Omens. Maybe even the Monitor Audio Silver 6? 

Again I am just going by reviews that seem to feature the sound I like and looks. I want whatever I buy to look good because it is going to be in my living room and I look at them as long term investments.

Thoughts?
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
When earthquake hits, everything and everybody ROCKs!
cvc's avatar
cvc
3 posts
 
You might want to read this article.. You can save a lot of money by purchasing the Elac's and maybe even come out with better sound.. I heard them and they can play loud but at a reasonable level.. Meaning if you're sitting in front of the speakers and turn up the volume you'll rock!.. If you mean turn up the volume while you're at the other end of the house then who knows or cares.. You can purchase these on line and send them back if you're disappointed.. I hear Elac has great customer service as well..

http://www.stereophile.com/content/elac-debut-b6-loudspeaker#LsRJvJZjy67IiHi6.97
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