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More power needed for my KEF LS50s?

Hi everyone,

I've been wondering recently whether I need more power to drive my KEF LS50s - they are 85db sensitivity with a 3.7 ohm minimum (although they are listed at 8ohms nominal). I have been using a Hegel H80, which is 75 wpc and no specification for 4ohms. I have been very impressed by the sound from the KEFs, and in combination with the Hegel I have been getting wonderful vocals.

However, on a whim I hooked up the Hegel to a pair of more efficient towers (Triton 7), and the subtle details really came to life - acoustic guitar plucks had more presence, symbol crashes seemed more like part of the performance, etc. While I love the sound of the KEFs for vocals, the rest of the instrumentation seems to be quite recessed, as if I'm sitting right in front of the singer at a performance.

I only have the rather limited comparison, but I'm wondering if I've underpowered the KEFs and a more power amp (like the Krell s300i) would bring the speakers to life. Of course, the other solution is to get more efficient speakers and stick with the (very nice sounding) Hegel.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and my listening room is about 13x15 feet with the speakers on the short wall.

Best,
Scott
smrex13
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I don't think it is about power per se.

Yes, the LS50s improved tremendously going from my AVR's 140W/channel to my Bel Canto REF500Ms 500W/channel. But it was better again with my 100W/channel Class A mode Plinius SA-Reference.

To me, it's all about quality rather than quantity
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
2,678 posts
 
Easy fix! It appears you don't like the KEF sound. Consider selling them and move on. Check out a different monitor,Harbeth,Spendor,etc. We all make mistakes.
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
Yep, Yogiboy, that's what I'm doing. I'm very impressed by the KEFs and would recommend them to anyone. Just didn't fit well in my system/room. That's what makes this hobby fun - moving on to get new stuff, lol.

Thanks everyone,
Scotts
seikosha
205 posts
 
I wouldn't necessarily count on it. I had some LS50's and had pretty much the exact same impressions as you. I was running them with a 75 watt Musical Fidelity integrated and kept thinking that if I was running them with a more powerful amp that I could get them to the next level.

I had a chance then to spend some time with them paired with 500 watt mono blocks and really, they didn't change the overall character. I've since moved on. The Kef's were nice enough speakers, but for me they weren't the giant killers that they seem to be for others.
early's avatar
early
60 posts
 
It's a trade off, high power or high efficiency. I have heard the LS50s and they are very nice. Your Hegel seems like a good fit from what little I know of it. Not sure what more power will do for the KEFs.
I discovered Zu speakers a couple years ago. They are very efficient, and that opens up SET and other options.
You are welcome to come and have a listen. I believe we are neighbors.
Scott in Ashland, too.
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