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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
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,290 posts
 
Just to further complicate things...

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9a340-pbn-audio-micro-monitor-superb-speaker-system-monitors

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1.html
 
I would throw in Dynaudio Excite and I was looking for a few others for you as well but they must have sold.  

There were 2 different listings on Audiogin a few days ago for Active LS50’s for $1400.  Ifyou’re trying to get to an amazing level of sound as quick as possible for the least amount of money, go this route.  Its more now but you’ll save in the long run and end up with something very special.  I can tell you want LS50’s; I totally understand but I can share with you from many hours (100+ on both Actives and Passives over the past 3 months) of personal exerience, the Actives blow the Passives away (imho) and the passives sounded good.  I just think that there are other speakers out there in the $1000 range that sound better than the LS50’s until you have serious money ($5k?) in the front end.  

Used Passives-$750
Used Actives-$1400


If you’re willing to go $1000 on new LS50’s you might want to think about selling the denon for a couple hundred and trying to get a pair of Actives second hand.


Anyhow, do let us know which route you go and what you’re impressions are of whichever speaker you end up with!


johnto
1,077 posts
 
I would check out Philharmonic Audio and the Philharmonitor for about $1300.00 Dennis makes wonderful speakers.
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,290 posts
 
Raal Ribbon Tweeter, bmr mid with a 7” scan speak woofer for $1300...wow!


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towertone's avatar
towertone
82 posts
 
My experience with the LS50s were in a small loft a few years ago and loved them for near-field listening. After moving to a large house I needed to add a sub but was never happy and have since moved up to floor-standing speakers.

Now a little back story. I wanted so bad to try the KEF R-300 but at the time the LS50s were $500 cheaper. Recently I heard a pair of KEF R-3 bookshelf speakers and OMG I was blown away. If you can find the spare change at all you might want to audition these AFTER trying the Wharfs and LS50s. They had more bass (the tight good kind....) than any bookshelf I'd ever heard. 
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