Kef LS50 competitors that fit on a desk

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by uncola, Oct 20, 2015.

  1. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    Yep, that seems like the next step. I'm halfway suspecting the audio interface.
     
  2. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    def, cause it makes no sense the roll off in the bass that you experience...
     
  3. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    i have bought a kef ls50. will compare to my SCM7v3 and P3ESR
     
  4. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    Very interested to see what you think this time around. The LS50's are doing pretty great on my desk right now fed by AES->Yggdrasil->Freya->Anthem PVA2 (soon to be a modulus-286 once built). Also using sonarworks to do a bit of eq...good results.

    I still haven't gotten around to investigating the measured bass roll-off issue yet. Maybe this weekend...
     
  5. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    im pretty sure the bass roll off is simply due to your measurements gigs and not the ls50!
     
  6. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Has anyone heard the Benchmark SMS1 (aka Studio Electric Monitor)?
    Reviews overall seem popular, and I'm sorta intrigued by the "acoustic suspension" thing (doesn't seem like there are too many designs that do that properly? not that I expect this one parameter of design to completely blow me away)
     
  7. anetode

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    Seems kind of overpriced for the design, what with the generic tweeter and plastic woofer. I can see how the acoustic suspension design makes for an easy desk speaker that doesn't mind wall reinforcement. And it's tough to find a modern design of the type which isn't another BBC monitor clone.

    Still I'd be hard pressed not to favor something like Jeff Bagby's Continuum over the Studio Electric Monitor.
     
  8. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Is the Continuum an acoustic suspension design as well? Hmm, not too bad, but requires assembly, and then extra bucks to get into Canada. Easy desk placement is certainly a strong appeal, especially if I don't have room for stands or need to place them up near the wall.

    There's a set of the Studio Electrics up in Canada for 1.7k CAD (1.3k USD) new with the fancy retro deco grills (I have to admit, the aesthetic is partially the reason I'm intrigued). Better than the 2.7k USD for the new Benchmarks, but I don't know if it's still worth considering.
     
  9. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    I heard these at a show a while back. A good sounding system altogether, but definitely has a boxy sound that's pushing its humble limits. Nothing special in my book. Especially given the price.
     
  10. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    I have the Bagby Continuum speakers. they are very good for the money
    will compare to the LS50, SCM7 and P3ESR.
    I have the continuum since about 3 years now so I know them very well. really balanced. will compare again in my main system!





    as for the LS50:
    ive just compared in my GF system with a 50 WPC LM3875 gaincard the ATC SCM7v3 and the KEF LS50. so far, its not even a question, I far prefer the tonality and naturalness of the ATC.
    the bass of the KEF goes much deeper though.

    EDIt: I begin to suspect the ls50 needs more break in.
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2017
  11. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I don't know why acoustic suspension appeals to me right now. Maybe it's just my personal buzzword mental flavour of the month.
    tasty coaxial design, but expensive at $3k... https://nsmt-loudspeakers.com/Model-20M
    tiny, single driver, relatively cheap... https://www.roleaudio.com/skiff
    less tiny two-way... https://www.roleaudio.com/kayak
    sale price of the Benchmark I was looking at earlier... http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649265730-demo-clearance/

    Anyone have experience with the NSM or Role speakers?
    Role also makes super skinny transmission line speakers. The Sampan FTL is an impressively tiny box that supposedly reaches down to the 35 Hz
     
  12. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    The LS50 doesn't need break-in; it needs to be physically broken. Co-axial driver fuckery, crunchy British aluminum tweeters, and that's the best co-axial can get. The next best KEF is the Q100 (haven't tried the R100). The more consumer models in-between with bigger woofers actually sound worse.

    The LS3/5A BBC monitors and attempts to create an actual modern version of them (Spendors are good, Continuum supposedly) sound much better than what KEF is doing. Gimme JBLs any day.

    I haven't heard the ATC SCM7 but it looks way better on paper.
     
  13. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    I liked it very much when I heard it... but maybe that's because I'm British! :D


    .
     
  14. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    I'd rather say that no company has forgot more about speaker design as JBL. Their lower end offerings are okay, but the market has no shortage of decent cheap monitors. That's where the money is.

    ...were made by KEF.
     
  15. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    Most cheap monitors are worse than the LSR305 and Q100 though.

    The LS3/5A were designed by the BBC internally and contracted out.
     
  16. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    Using KEF drivers, tho. Until 2003-ish. Not arguing sonics, but just to be clear.
     
  17. Dr. Higgs

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    Just got a pair of Dynaudio X14A's in yesterday, I'll post some impressions once I get a better feel for them. I'm quite happy with them at first listen using my Jotunheim as a pre on my desktop.
     
  18. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

    Pyrate Slaytanic Cliff Clavin
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    I know. I am not docking KEF's build or drivers, just their speakers compromised eccentric design choices that prevent them from being great.
     
  19. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    whats wrong with concentric designs? are you saying the TAD systems are compromised? its all trade off and concentric has inherent advantage and disadvantage

    Tannoy and Tad and Kef are still using concentric drivers and among the best speakers you can buy today.
     
  20. anetode

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    The Kef concentric is really an amazing refinement, if only they would release a higher end model of the wireless LS50s with a couple of servo'd subwoofers. Granted it's not easy to get the LS50s to sound great, you're stuck with either stuffing the ports and going nearfield with them crossed over at ~100-120, or putting them well into a larger room. They still won't be the smoothest speaker tonally, and they're only reasonably good at digging out detail, but their soundstage and imaging are superb.
     

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