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Help Me Choose or Confuse Me More

Hello All

I need some help. I have tried asking this elsewhere but need a group of well-rounded, more brand-agnostic opinions. 

Moved into my home office when covid hit. I needed a quick set up, because it was temporary. Now it's not temporary. So I'm upgrading some things.

I'm in the command chair about 15 hours a day. I'm on video conference meetings an average of 5 hours, the rest of the time is split between music via Tidal, or Amazon Prime TV. So I'm either paying attention to meetings, working on docs projects/sending or answering emails/approvals or projects while listening to music or background TV. 
 
Current Set Up: 2017 13" Macbook Pro > Samsung QN50Q80T > eARC Out > Certified 4k 2.0 USB-C to HDMI > Bluesound Powernode 2i > Kimber 4VS bare wire > KEF Q100s on SoundRiser Pro stands and a Rythmik F12 sub crossed at 80hz sitting in the corner. The home office was a spare bedroom at 11'2" x 9'11" with 8' ceilings. I've added moderate room treatments about 60 sq ft with some bass trap in the ceiling corners. I've gotten a bigger desk 74"W x 39"D and use a desk-sized mouse pad to help with reflections. Also hardwood floors, but I put a runner rug down with carpet pad underneath. 
I am nearfield at the desk, about 36" - 40" from tweeter, and usually the phone dB meter is between 55-65 dB.       

Upgrades Coming: Mac Mini (more ports and faster guts) and NEW SPEAKERS. I just don't know which ones.

Short List (in no order)...
Kef LS50 Meta - about $1500. I like the Q100s but know there is better. The LS50 folks love them, but is there THAT much difference from the Q100 to the LS50 Meta?  
Harbeth P3ESR - $1500-$1700 range used. The Harbeth folks love them, but historically I haven't loved standard 2 way speakers. Something about sitting distance and time alignment.
Omega CAM - about $1500. I had a pair of the Super 3i about 5 years ago and liked the sounds, but had them in my man cave system and they weren't big enough for the room. The Omega alnico guys love them, but I'm not going to use tubes for 15 hours a day.     

Even given the sub I have I wouldn't describe myself as a basshead, but some highs are very unpleasant to me. After a recent hearing test I'm out at 15KHz.

What should I get? ≤$2k and used is ok. I do not live in a part of the country where I can go listen, basically 2+ hours from anywhere.  
128x128mpschenck
daveman2's avatar
daveman2
58 posts
 
OP - Want to chime in for the KEFs. I own a pair of KEF LS50 Metas, and although I have not heard your current Q100s, I had the original LS50s previously. The Metas are an amazing speaker, not just for the imaging, and are a worthwhile upgrade for v1 LS50 owners. They do so many things well, and do basically nothing poorly. IMO, it’s not ridiculous when audiophiles pair the Metas with $100k+ of front end gear - they are that good. Are there better speakers? Of course...

However, there are some caveats. I would not suggest them with your current amp. The Metas will need more power, and honestly a better quality amp, to sound their best. They are highly transparent, which means that they will not gloss over any flaws up (down?) the chain. Worded differently, they will expose the sound quality/signature of everything before them. If something else isn’t neutral, they’ll let you know.
yyzsantabarbara
4,820 posts
 
This evening I played for the first time my KEF LS50 in my living room with 25+ foot ceilings and no furniture, except my sons toys. I hooked it up with my KRELL K-300i integrated which is a smooth operator with a lot of bass power. That is exactly what I got with the LS50's. The bass actually shocked me. I never knew that much bass was possible from the LS50.

When I had the very neutral Benchmark stack (DAC3B | HPA4 | AHB2) on the LS50's the sound was just like the gear. The neutral and clear. It was great in a small room. 

The LS50 is a great speaker and will reward you when used with very good gear. I will always keep the LS50.
blainer55
47 posts
 
You are close enough to take advantage of studio monitors which are well suited to near field listening.  I have a powered set of Adam Audio A5x's on my desk.  My musician son has the prior version with the matching sub.  The A7 is a little larger.  Nice clean accurate sound.
daveman2's avatar
daveman2
58 posts
 
@blainer55 - Although an interesting suggestion, not really in the scope of the OP's request. I will comment, however. The Metas will work well nearfield or in a large room, as @yyzsantabarbara mentioned.
bobauch
28 posts
 
  I've had the Mini Magnepans for 6 years in a nearfield setup with a subwoofer. If your amp can drive a 4 ohm load then these should get consideration. They are outstanding .
 
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