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KEF LS50 or Wharfedale Reva 2 -- which would you buy?

Hi all,

I am considering upgrading my speakers and am between the KEF LS50 and Wharfedale Reva 2 speakers. I'm not able to hear either one where I am located so am looking for some input.

I am also able to get the Reva 2s for about half the price of the LS50, but if the KEFs are the right move I am ok spending more time saving for them.

Some notes to consider:

- Speakers will be used only for music, not TV/ movies
- Receiver is an older Denon DRA 825R (90 watts/ channel into 8 ohms). Minimum is 6ohms (please don't suggest I get the UB5s).
- Turntable is Pro-ject Carbon Debut
- Room is about 15x17 apartment living room
- I listen to everything from classic rock to jazz to classical. I don't listen to hip hop, house, or modern pop.

I am really just looking for beautiful sounding (and nice looking) speakers at $1k or less (I can get the LS50 for $1k or the Reva 2s for $450). I live in an apartment so the music is never loud, just looking for great sounding speakers.

The reviews on both seem very good. The LS50 is clearly a more popular speaker. I guess the question there is -- is it worth an extra $550 for me?

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
coaster86
drumbe
4 posts
 
I have a smallish room (12x14) that's also a bit odd shaped.  My biggest issue has been with REAR ported speakers.  I owned the Kef LS50 speakers for about a year.  I tried to like them!  Wanted to like them and in fact liked some aspects (nice sweet highs!) - But could never tame that low-end port-itis!  It drove me crazy trying to mitigate the issue!  I'm also a drummer of over 50 years, so the LS50's never seemed to give me the kind of energy that I heard playing live / not real!
I had a pair of Polk Lsi9's several years back AND finally found another pair to give them another go in my room.  This was a great move as I like them so much better - true they are rear ported, but they have the power port system that mitigates much of the issue.  Note:  they are very difficult to find used as owners seldom want to sell them.
Polk also has the beautiful LSiM 703 largish bookshelves that my friend has and they are killer!   Rear port issues may occur in a small room with those so keep that in mind. 

Another speaker: sounds excellent are B&W CDM 1SE - good luck!  dumbe
ejhbay's avatar
ejhbay
2 posts
 
I have no experience with the Kef speakers but do own the Wharfedale Reva 4..I would definitely give the Reva's a try. The build quality is second to none and I really am enjoying my Reva 4's..They are totally different sound than I'm used to and yes they are not an exciting sound.. They just sound great! On anything I throw at them..They do not colour the sound at all or add anything. I just came back from a friend's who was running ATC active 50's and I was enjoying the sound out of my Reva's just as much..(not saying the Reva's are as good or better than ATC).. I think the Reva's just got missed... With all the great speakers out there. I am powering them with a California Audio Labs mca 2500 and they handle the power great which I was afraid wouldn't .. For the price alone give them a try !!!!!
mental
1,029 posts
 
[quote] The build quality is second to none [/quote]
Huh?


dolsey
9 posts
 
Just a head's up, now that the Sonus Faber Venere line has been discontinued, you can pick up new stock for close to 50% off or what amounts to dealer cost.  The 1.5 and 2.0 had great reviews and while they might not be the Sonus Faber of old, they are still a really nice speaker.  Some couldn't get past the fact that they were made in China but I can tell you they are extremely well made.  I replaced a more expensive pair of larger speakers with the 2.0 and a Sumiko S.9 sub (Made by SF and also discontinued).   They are what I considered a Goldilocks speaker.
sharbatgula
9 posts
 

I agree with dolsey about Sonus Faber Venere.
In my opinion they are in the same sound family as B&W (and also cone materials) but in my listening test Venere did not suffer the cupped hand coloration. I guess they are using higher order crossover and they do cross at 2.5 kHz. They also have less aggressive twitter. I remember I particularly enjoyed large orchestral works on them.
They have fantastic design and look gorgeous.
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