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A little Patience sometimes pays off! (Kef LS50 content)

I've been through an number of speakers as we all have.
We read about a certain speaker being this and that and so we buy it only to be underwhelmed and disappointed.
So it"s time to sell and move on to the next thing. Well what I've learned you cannot just substitute speaker A for speaker B and fully expect it to be everything others are raving about. Case in point is the Kef LS50s widely regarded as a fantastic little speaker (Class A by Stereophile's rating). Why is it that so many people like these yet so many people (including myself at first) are disappointed and think they are over hyped. So long story short with the right amp, new speaker cables and pulling these further out from the wall the Kefs are sounding every bit the great speaker most reviews exclaim them to be. Point is (the lesson I've leaned) is to work with what you have for while before changing to the next thing. I'm basically preaching to the Choir here I know but I wanted to share as I am sitting back and really enjoying the music. 
dougsat

Showing 3 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
647 posts
 
I needed some acoustic treatments to make my LS50 sing. The speakers are sounding great now in my small office. I have some pictures in the virtual systems section with the treatments.

I think I have the ideal sized room for the LS50. Even with this great sound now I plan on changing the setup to some floor standers to get more bass. The LS50s will move to a TV or bedroom.

I currently have a Peachtree Nova 150 integrated driving the LS50's and it is a rather good unit. I have had better quality electronics on the LS50s in the past but not with the acoustic treatments. The sound I get from the Peachtree + acoustic treatments is the best I have ever had with the LS50s.
yyzsantabarbara
647 posts
 
@noble100 I am looking to get floor standers because I think I can make it work with a DSP capable preamp. I have had monitors for the last 10 years and never had the space for floor standers. I now have a room where a small floor stander like the Paradigm Persona 3F would work with a DSP capable preamp such as the Anthem STR (with ARC3).

I think a sub would work too but I like the idea of a floor stander better. While I love the LS50's and will keep them forever,  I like other speakers too and I now have some space.
yyzsantabarbara
647 posts
 
@mtdining You must be right and KEF, Thiel, Tannoy, Vienna Acoustics, TAD, and likely others I have not heard of are ALL wrong in their speaker design.

@singhania59
I use the Audience Ohno III with the LS50's. Not too expensive.
https://www.dagogo.com/audience-ohno-iii-speaker-cable-review/

Too add to the Persona 3F posts. The costs this month is $8000.00 on sale from Paradigm. I spoke to a guy in NJ who actually paid only $6300 for a new or demo 3F.
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