KEF LS50... The ultimate anal-ytical speaker for living rooms?

I just bought a pair of these.  I’m in the process of installing my system in a new house, but I couldn’t resist doing a quick and dirty hookup to my BAT VK-300x integrated amp and Sony SACD player. Sitting on a shelf about 10 inches in front of the wall behind them, they produced too much bass. I used the supplied foam plugs, as recommended, and things were in balance. I would say they did a creditable job of reproducing the fundamentals of a double bass in Ray Brown jazz quartet “Soular Energy.” The vibrating body of the bass was convincingly reproduced at moderately loud levels (80 dB average) in a medium sized room that is part of an open floor plan house. Interestingly, the “weight” of a full symphony orchestra was less convincing, so I don’t think I’ll sell my sub (which was not connected). However, jazz and rock was well done as was solo acoustic piano. The top end is extended, but not aggressive. Sadly, as is often the case when a component is upgraded, other weaknesses in the playback chain become evident. In my case, the failures of Red Book CD became more evident (poor high frequency transients) although SACD playback was very nice. Hopefully, when I get everything hooked up to my 1.5 kw balanced power supply, CD playback will improve. This is a very, very good speaker but probably needs more expensive amplification than one would normally consider for a $1700 pair of speakers. The BAT listed new at $7000 when I bought it some years ago.

Another suggestion would be some ELAC monitors - the REAL ELACs that are made in Germany using their own drivers, including the famous JET tweeter. There’s a nice pair of BS 403 monitors on ebay right now that might be perfect for you:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELAC-BS-403-Walnut-Bookshelf-Speakers-/222675601445?epid=26006500120&has...

For $995.00 shipped consider the Airpulse model 1 active speakers from Phil Jones.  I promise you won't be disappointed.  Never mind the price just excellent all around monitors with great bass.  More people need to here these especially if component and cabling clutter is an issue in your listening room

metman

Great suggestion. I actually just found out that I won a pair of the Airpulse and I can't wait to hear them! I probably would have made that specific recommendation also if I had heard them already. They will arrive next week I believe.

I don’t know much about what analytical sound is. I just play some of my favorite music in store when I can, and then look for my emotional reaction to the sound.

I listened to a pair of Harbeth P3ESRs powered by the entry Primaluna tube amp at a store in San Jose called the Analog Room, and then a pair of Harbeth 30.1s powered by a more powerful Prima Luna amp, and was totally captivated. I listened to Kind of Blue (near,y the whole album), and Dire Straits’s eponymous album. Both sets sounded quite wonderful with the same music. For the size, and independent of the size, the sound from the tiny P3s in the store was quite unbelievable at all volumes.

The very next week, I bought a pair of used Harbeth 30.1s for 3500 dollars, and am very happy, in an empty wood floor living room. They are currently paired with a used (750 dollars), Peachtree Nova 220SE.

I also own a pair of KEF LS50s on isoacoustic stands which I have been enjoying for circa nine months with a Naim Nait 5si. They are being shipped from India and I should soon be able to try them side to side with both the amps.

Do look at Harbeth.