Kef LS50 competitors that fit on a desk

Sierra 2 http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM2/srm2.html
Upcoming Philharmonic Audio Sierra 2 killers http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-sp...nic-audio-dennis-murphy-169.html#post37960209
emotiva active monitors https://emotiva.com/products/powered-monitors/speakers/airmotiv-5s
adam audio active monitors http://www.amazon.com/Audio-A7X-Powered-Studio-Monitor/dp/B003SYYU9C
new contender: Sjofn The Clue http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2012/09/19/second-thoughts-digging-in-to-the-clue-from-sjofn-hifi/ not sure where you can buy them but they sound like the most desk/close to wall friendly speakers ever

 

From these only the Sierra 2 is capable of trading punches with the LS50.

Also AFAIK, none of these speakers will be able to have the wide sweet-spot due to tweeter design. With that said - I don't think that the LS50 belongs on a desk. Stands are a must, otherwise expect a nasty mid suckout due to desk reflections. Limited vertical dispersion of ribbon and AMT tweeter might actually fare better in this regard.

 

Fair enough, but that remains to be heard. Too bad these speakers will be hard to get in EU.

 

I have the Emotiva Stealth 8's and think they're excellent. 600/ea right now on sale, no tax, free shipping and no hassles with amplification. That said, they're really large and really heavy - I had no idea quite how large when I ordered. I'm worried they'll topple my stands if there's an earthquake.

I can't offer direct comparisons with the ls50s or Sierras. Based on the in-depth frequency response plots I've seen - not the oversmoothed one from Emotiva's website - there's a little bit of a gap in the midrange where neither the woofer nor tweeter covers adequately. Similar two way designs like the Adam a7x that I also considered have a similar issue. However, with software room EQ correction, they're great. And they're clean and precise and go down to 30hz with authority - no need for a subwoofer in my studio room.

 

I still dont get the love that people have for the LS50, i had them on stand driven by a modwright amp to vinyl source and they sounded like they lacked refinement and is a bit too rough for my taste.

I would go with the Adam 8's. You can probably get a good deal on them second hand. Insane treble on those/

 

I could sit and look at them all day!

Heard them only at an audiophile meet, where they were one of a number of speakers, some very large, demo-ed by one of the event sponsors. For me, they turned out to be the jewel of the show in that room, in audio, as well as visual, terms. Late in the day, we were using them to show off one of the member's vintage Quad valve amps. The result was sweet.

I have not yet heard Adam, or most other active monitors. In an ideal world, though, it is the active monitors that I see on my desk in my dreams.

 

What about a pair of Focal CMS? I've been looking at getting some of these (either the 40s or the 50s) myself.

 

I really really like my Event Opals though you're gonna need a very large desk. (or do the obvious and stick em on stands behind your desk)

 

http://www.vanatoo.com/store/speakers#.VirEO4Sj42g

 

Hrodulf I get your point that a desk isn't optimal for this type of speaker but it's like that saying photographers say, the best camera is the one you have with you. And the best speaker is the one where you're at. Even though a desk is not optimal for a far field bookshelf it still sounds way better than some cheap computer speakers. I spend 24/7 at my desk so it really makes sense for me to put my money into that system. Anyway I'm 90% gonna get the new philharmonitor

 

M-Audio bx5-d could be an option.
I am very satisfied of mine in terms of value for money.

 

May I suggest theM -Audio BX5-D2?
I am pretty much satisfied about the value for money of mine.

 

Genelec has a really good reputation. Try those out.

 

Enjoying the Mini Maggie setup on loan from a friend atm. I'm even using it in a living room and it's doing ok. At a desk I'd imagine it would be great. Rag is powering it well.

 

Same here. Tried these with my Soekris Dam --> some big ass Denon PMA-2020AE amp. The LS50-s lacked in refinement and resolution for the price tag. For reference the Denon amp was great as it made some B&W CM10 S2 towers really sing. With good probability the chain was not at fault. For the money Genelec 8030 is much better and active. Warning: I'm biased. Even better, if a Rag is in da house, why not get a NegMonitor?

 

LS50FTW

 

That's interesting. It is one of those things that I sometimes find myself tempted to spend more money than I can afford on. I heard, though, that even on a desktop, these things need some space around them to sound good. I have even less space than money!

 

did ojneg ever release more info on his speakers? he should open source it like a jeff bagby or diysoundgroup design