2. speakers
  3. 134667-6055

Speakers (and system) for a small-ish room

I bought a pair of KEF LS50 wireless for my study/home office a few months ago. First off, I am absolutely in love with the speakers. After integrating a REL sub (T9i), I moved them to the game room (20 x 25), where they are doing everything I hoped they would. So now, back to the study/home office :)

The room is about 10 x 13 ft with 12-foot ceilings. Given the way the furniture is laid out, and of course WAF considerations (she shares the office), I have very little flexibility in terms of placement. The biggest problem is that I cannot place them more than 1 foot from the wall and 4 feet apart. My desk chair is about 6 feet away from where the speakers would be eventually set up. The speakers would be flanked by two bookshelves on both sides.

My initial thought is to just get another pair of KEF LS50 wireless since I like their sound in the game room. This way I don't have to worry about getting a separate amp (integrated) and streamer. This setup has the highest WAF score :)

But then a little voice inside my head is telling me "why have the same sound everywhere?" It'll be nice to have a bit of variety. Hence this post. Given that I can get the LS50 wireless for about $2400 (including custom stands and taxes), I  want to put together a system which is around the same price. I don't intend to play anything loud in the study. Genres: jazz, vocals, some classical, some R&B and soft rock. Don't care much for metal, rap, EDM type of music.

There is an almost new pair of Harbeth P3esr for sale in my vicinity (craigslist) listed for around $1100. I'm seriously thinking of buying them. That leaves me with around $1300-1400 to spare. Does this sound feasible?

If possible I would like to experiment with tubes. But I have no idea as to how they would (a) pair with the Harbeths (always heard that they do better with SS), and (b) the cost, since tubes generally tend to be more expensive.

I am open to ideas as long as the total budget does not exceed $2500. I am willing to spend a little extra for used stands. 

arafiq
arafiq's avatar
arafiq OP
1,709 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I had not considered Vandersteen before, but the VLR surely looks promising. For some reason, I always thought that Vandersteens were better as floorstanders. The only problem is that I don't see any used ones for sale. And I don't want to buy new. Which also rules out the iFi Retro system.

@yogiboy  Would you mind telling me which tube amp (or integrated) you're using with your harbeths?

@yyzsantabarbara  Sorry for being dense, but I'm not able to comprehend your answer. Are you making a case in favor of KEF or against them? Lol, sorry for being dense. 

As of today, the p3esr's are available locally, and the seller is willing to part with them for $1150. He is claiming that they are only about a year old and pretty much flawless. The only thing is that once I buy them, I have to look for stands and an integrated amp, etc.

Part of me is saying that I should just get another KEF LS50 wireless and be done with it. No need to match it with another amp or streamer. I already know, and like, the sound characteristics.

Tough decision. But I guess I need to move fast before those Harbeths are gone. The good thing is that if I get them at this price, I don't think I'll have any problems moving them without incurring a loss if I'm not satisfied.
arafiq's avatar
arafiq OP
1,709 posts
 
@schubert  I did some research on Totems and Silverline. 
Based on reviews, it seems that the Totems might be a bit forward sounding compared to the Harbeth. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I don't know how this would play out if I'm only seated about 6 feet from them.

I'll look into Silverlines, maybe there's a used pair available for sale somewhere.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,836 posts
 

@arafiq
I use them with Quicksilver amps. My friend uses his with Rogue tube amps. You should grab them at that price. I have never seen a used pair for less than $1500. I use mine with these stands. BTW, I have owned many monitors and I always go back to the Harbeths. You just might like them better than your KEFS!
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGDS400
carmenc
293 posts
 
@arafiq you can check with Vandersteen dealers.  Many times they’ll have open box discounts.  That’s exactly how I purchased mine.  I speak from experience.  I had the LS50.  While they were good, the Vandersteen VLR are more refined, transparent and balanced than the Kefs.  YMMV.  Best of luck......
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,900 posts
 
Arfafig, yes the Kef LS 50 are wonderful.

However, if you are drawn to the clarity and speed and big soundstage,
I honestly doubt, you would love the Harbeths, which do not have the same clarity, they do throw a big soundstage but the Harbeth sound is a bit more laid back and less exciting then the LS 50 ditto with the Vandys.

I am a bit shocked at the gentleman who said the VLR was cleaner then the LS 50 a plastic coned driver has usually more colored sound and is usually more veiled than a metal cone. There is a tremendous amount of technology in the LS 50 and the driver is derived from the Kef Blade, you should hear the VLR them and judge for yourself. 

The only smallish speaker that I have heard that will beat the LS 50 is the Technics monitors, they are really amazing at $1,700 a pair they are even clearer with a slighly warmer midrange then the LS 50. Read the Steve Guttenberg review on CNET. These are one of the few under $2k speakers that I like better than the LS 50.

Talk to Audio Visions SF they sell both I think all three lines, I think they will tell you the Technics are amazing.

Also the Dali Mentor Minuet which is now $1299 is a remarkable little speaker that has a huge sound, wamer then the LS 50 but we prefer the Dali to the KEF LS 50 as it sounds even bigger, a tad richer, and has deeper bass.

For an amp a Rega Brio is shockingly musical and it has a great phono stage but no built in digital.Also the Nuprime IDA 8 which is very tranparent, with amazing bass control and a great built in dac for $995.

You may also want to check out the Naim Uniti Qute which are selling for a $1,200-$1,600.00 The Uniti Qute has a punchy 30 watt amp, a built in dac and streamer, and it has that famous Naim sound

The Naim might be an excellent choice it is the perfect little amp, compact, built in streamer, built in dac, analog inputs, fantastic streaming app, some have built in Blue Tooth tube like without tubes.

If you are looking for a great tube amp the Cayin 50t was very good.

Good luck.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ




More to discover