Lots of detail, great imaging, not much bass?

rega rs1 sounds like they're just what you're looking for.

Hi B_limo,

First thing about the LS50's is that they are way over your $700.00 budget, even on the used market. Out of the speakers I have right now, they are probably the most inappropriate for your requirements. They like to play a little louder than the others, they sound the "biggest" and they have the most bass. They also seem to be fairly room sensitive as well, not so much for tonal balance but for proper imaging; getting that center image "spot on" for me is trickier with the LS50's vs. others. Quite possibly it's my room though and not a trait of the speakers.

They are certainly very nice speakers, and I wish I could hear them in a different bigger room than what I have. Compared to the Harbeths they do have a lighter more direct presentation and every once in awhile, I wonder if they are just the tiniest bit bright but then other times I think..."this is a great implementation of a metal tweeter, it sounds so natural" Driver integration between the tweeter and the woofer is really really good too. Lastly as the music gets bigger and louder, the Kefs do best (out of my speakers) of going along with the demands.

As I mentioned previously, there are a lot of good small speakers out there and system interaction, rooms and personal bias' will determine what's best for you and what one person loves, just might not hit your buttons as much as something else.

Hope that helps, good luck and let us know what you decide on.

Depending on your room...you probably could get away with small 5in type monitor...Dynaudio 42, BBC/Spendour variations, Proac, etc...European/UK models tend to fall in this group...quick but somewhat lean bass...which beats overly warm, bloated bass in my book...Sonus Faber Concertino from a few years back would be my first choice in your range used...or the Monitor AUdio Studio 2 from the same era...good luck

B_limo,
I was out the rest of the weekend and could not reply earlier. I have exactly understood your question. But since I have gone through the same experience, I still feel that it is the "gain" you are missing. A good gain makes "night" and "day" difference during listening. Most of Niel Diamond and Joni Mitchell CDs that are very well recorded, did not have "body" in my system, till I got the correct gain. Now there is ton of body and bass!

Milpai, he doesn't want ton. Few kg's are enough. ;)