Kef ls50

[PHC1]

Any KEF LS50 owners among us?

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Any KEF LS50 owners among us?

I suspect lots. I have a pair as my fronts in my theater. What do you want to know?

[PHC1]

Considering a pair for a smallish room. I know Stereophile reviewed them very favorably, Class A, but would like to hear some feedback from the owners as well. Do you find them analytical sounding or more natural but non fatiguing?

[-E-]

The latter. But sub required.

[PHC1]

They are marked down to $999 from $1499 until November 30th on Kefdirect so now would be the time to pull the trigger but I have never heard them.

[Soundmig]

PHC1 .... I've only heard them at shows, but they always sound very good. If anything they may be on the warmish side of neutral (but not by much) and they are not fatiguing to listen to. Bass is better than you might expect from a 5-1/4" driver but it is limited. They are back ported and you can run the port open or closed depending on your room, placement near or out from the wall, use or not of sub, etc. At $999 I would consider them a flaming good deal.

[SL1800]

I am also considering a pair at that price. My only complaint is the looks, wood veneer would be my personal preference.

[2fastdriving]

They look very nice in person, and I think there are a bunch of color combinations.

They sound very good for their size and for a grand they are a no brainer.

Despite their low sensitivity, I am running off an older Yamaha AVR with good results in my theater.

[CGabriel]

I own the LS50 and the Blade and have had both for over two years. Frankly I think the KEF in general is underrated by audiophiles on forums. The are remarkably balanced and have a very smooth frequency response. There are not overly warm nor etched in their presentation. They are not hypercritical in positioning probably due to their coincident drivers. Very nice soundstaging.

Both highly recommended. LS50 specifically: I actually preferred them to a set of in house Magneplanar 1.7s. Better bass response and a more natural presentation especially on rock music.

The LS50 is good in smaller to medium size rooms when played at moderate sound levels (mid 80s db). They can get compressed and confused at higher volumes. If you play at higher volumes I would recommend one of the Reference Series floor standers like the REF 3.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by CGabriel

I own the LS50 and the Blade and have had both for over two years. Frankly I think the KEF in general is underrated by audiophiles on forums. The are remarkably balanced and have a very smooth frequency response. There are not overly warm nor etched in their presentation. They are not hypercritical in positioning probably due to their coincident drivers. Very nice soundstaging.

Both highly recommended. LS50 specifically: I actually preferred them to a set of in house Magneplanar 1.7s. Better bass response and a more natural presentation especially on rock music.

The LS50 is good in smaller to medium size rooms when played at moderate sound levels (mid 80s db). They can get compressed and confused at higher volumes. If you play at higher volumes I would recommend one of the Reference Series floor standers like the REF 3.

Well, there ya go, Serge!

Nice and informative mini-review.

Thanks Caelin!