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Magico A1 vs KEF Reference 1 (META) vs KEF LS50 + KEF KC62

I want to get a monitor speaker for a room that is 17'W x 22'L x 24'H and shared with my sons toys. The room actually opens up some more to a living room and a balcony on the second floor. So there is some volume to fill. I also need to use a monitor and not a more appropriate floor stander. I am limited to where I can place a speaker. It MUST be placed on a bookshelf that is 2 inches from the front wall and has the following dimensions.  

Depth: 17 3/8 "
Height: 20 1/2 "

I am currently using KEF LS50's (passive) on the bookshelf. It works well but I would like more bass and a bigger sound.

I was thinking of the Magico A1 since it is sealed and can be comfortably placed on a bookshelf. Magico even sells 5 degree angled bookshelf stands for the A1. However, the price seems very high for a 2 way speaker. 

The KEF Reference 1 is a speaker I always liked (heard it many times). However, I always heard it away from the front wall. I have been trying to get some info out of KEF on the Meta stuff and also placement of the REFERENCE 1 monitor.  However, no feedback yet. The Reference 1 is rear ported and maybe not too good close to a wall. I would also wait for the META stuff to appear on the Reference 1.

The other option is using my existing KEF LS50's + KEF KC62 subwoofer (placed on bookshelf). Though I am not sure if this combo is strong enough for my space.

I am using a KRELL K-300i integrated for this system. It would work well with the Magico and both KEF's.

So my questions are as follows:

1) Is the Magico A1 strong enough for the space? I assume it is a bit more detailed than both KEF's. I have demoed the A3.
2) Can the KEF Reference 1 be placed very close to the front wall? Would the META help in placement close to a wall?
3) Is the  KEF LS50's + KEF KC62 subwoofer combo strong enough for my room?

I guess I could also use the  KEF KC62 subwoofer with the Magico A1 and also the KEF Reference 1.

BTW -  I am seriously thinking of getting the Yamaha NS5000 that is classified as a bookshelf speaker. I have recently learned that it can be placed close to a front wall without catastrophic results. My only issue is that it is a relatively large speaker compared to other monitors and I am tight on space. This one should really be placed on the stands that Yamaha provides for it. This would make the space tighter than I would like. I think the other 3 speakers are actually more appropriate given my space restrictions.

I am looking for answers to my 3 questions and some opinions on my 3 choices.
yyzsantabarbara
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,935 posts
 
@audioman58 The KRELL K-300i is a Class A amp (first 90 watts) that unfortunately cost $8K MSRP. The 10 year old passive KEF LS50 does not have a built-in Class D amp. As I stated in a post above.

These amps were very good to amazing on the LS50’s,
KRELL, CODA(s), Benchmark, Bryston(s), even Peachtree.


I also did look at the Focal Sopra. It would also work similarly to the KEF Ref 1. Maybe a little better or worse depending on your preferences.

The speaker that I have considered that is better than everything that I have mentioned (at least to my ears) is the Yamaha NS5000. It s an incredible sounding speaker. It also costs about 3x more than what I could get the REF 1 for and it is big. It also may not be as good as a smaller bookshelf close to the wall. So I would be wasting money getting something of that caliber and then positioning it in non-ideal way.

I am going to see if I can sneak in the stands I have for my LS50’s into the room. I have a small kid, dog, and wife that could throw a wrench into those plans but I will see what happens this weekend.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,202 posts
 
Good luck ,it’s not easy to get a ideal fit sometimes.
my brother has  $$ 6 digits in audio equipment 
where I have to plan on my next buy , sometimes others 
don’t realize just how lucky there are when $$ is not the limiting factor.
hshifi
572 posts
 
Hello,
You have to demo these speakers. I love the KEF Reference 1s. The port does have a few tricks for tuning the port. The KEF LS50 meta are ported too. The KC62 is too small and too picky about placement. You would be better off with the big brother KF92 due to the extra db. Another speaker you should look at is the DALI minuets SE. They are ported but designed to go near the wall. I would still add the KEF KF92 sub or even better a JL Audio sub. If you add the JL Audio F110 sub it will blend it in perfect. I know these DALI speakers look tiny but they are monsters when it comes to the sound. The store I buy gear from has everything except the Magico’s.
https://holmaudio.com/
This store lets you try in your home before you buy. Also, KEF and JL Audio have wireless kits for the subwoofers. A last option would be the REL subwoofers. They have a unique Speakon hookup. 


yyzsantabarbara OP
4,935 posts
 
@hshifi My overriding issue is space to put my gear. At present I have my LS50s on the shelve with no bung (is that what it is called) in the rear port. I think it sounds pretty good, mainly because there is no side reflections close by and the ceiling is so high. I am really impressed by the sonics in this room.

I bought the KC62 subwoofer today. It maybe not as good as the bigger subs but it fits better than anything bigger. I asked my dealer to get me to the head of the line when the KEF Reference 1 META is released. I will try it with the KC62.

So for now I will have KRELL K-300i | EtherRegen | LS50 | KC62. With the LS50 to be replaced hopefully soon with the Reference 1 META. I put the Yamaha NS5000 to bed. It is too big for the space I have along the LONG wall placement.
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,864 posts
 
yyzsantanarbara,

The new KC62 has received great reviews.  The only con I’ve seen is some of the reviewers think it’s a bit expensive.  I think your thoughts about getting the Ref 1’s to go with the KC62, should make you very happy. Elite Enterprises  in St. Charles, MO that sells KEF and I have already warned them that I want to hear the LS50 Metas, the Ref 1,  and players to be named later. I’m planning on making an appointment next week.

All the best.

JD
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