Author Topic: Kef LS50  (Read 48844 times)

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Offline Jick

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #120 on: Mar 19, 2014 at 08:12 PM »
Congrats! Loving my LS50s too!

Loving your LS50's? How come your signature shows other KEF speakers?

The LS50's are really singing now and I am listening to music more than I ever have in a long long time.  I have absolutely no regrets getting these speakers. They are such a technological marvel with unbelievable midrange tone and imaging.

Even though they were released over a year ago, they still won awards with The Absolute Sound and recently won a group test in WhatHiFi for speakers in its class - against newer contenders.  Not that reviews really matter but no matter how I try to search in the net, it's almost impossible to find a bad review.

And listening to it is the proof in the pudding.
2 Channel Setup Only:
KEF LS50
REL T-9 Sub
Oppo 103D
NAD C340 Preouts
Emotiva XPA-200

Offline Jick

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #121 on: Mar 19, 2014 at 09:51 PM »
No link. I got the PDF of the WhatHiFi South Africa February 2014 issue. So the Supertest must have come out in the UK a month or two before that.

The LS50 beat:

Tannoy Revolution DC6E
Monitor Audio Gold GX50
-both above went one star down to four stars because it faced new competition below...

Martin Logan Motion 15 - 5 stars
Focal Aria 906 - 5 stars
Dynaudio Excite X14 - 3 stars

But as with WhatHiFi ...you should just take their reviews with a grain of salt. Their writing sounds like sensational journalism filled with hyperbole.
2 Channel Setup Only:
KEF LS50
REL T-9 Sub
Oppo 103D
NAD C340 Preouts
Emotiva XPA-200

Offline javauser

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #122 on: Mar 19, 2014 at 11:59 PM »
Loving your LS50's? How come your signature shows other KEF speakers?

Sir, I started this thread. :)

I started with the LS50s, but I knew they were lacking when compared to the KEF R500. So I decided to buy the R500s, and moved my LS50s to my bedroom.

Here are my KEF R500s



And here are my KEF LS50s

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KEF LS50
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Offline Jick

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #123 on: Mar 22, 2014 at 09:16 PM »
I don't have all issues of WhatHifi so I am just putting the India and South Africa versions - hence the difference currencies - but these are just lifted directly from the original UK issue. Kef LS50 won two Supertests and included are the speakers it beat.

First is 2013:



End of the year the LS50 won a yearend award:



But just as javauser will attest to, it's other series is pretty good too:




Then in 2014, the Kef LS50 won another Supertest:



And here are the well regarded competitors it beat:

2 Channel Setup Only:
KEF LS50
REL T-9 Sub
Oppo 103D
NAD C340 Preouts
Emotiva XPA-200

Offline Jick

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #124 on: Mar 26, 2014 at 06:37 AM »
Ok, so much for posting the reviews of other mags.  Here are my impressions after a couple of weeks with the speakers:

I got KEF LS50's 3 weeks ago.  Source is Oppo 103, and I am using the pre-amp section of my old NAD C340 into an Emotiva XPA-200 150wpc power amp.  I also integreated a REL T9 sub with the system.

Here are some observations:
-the 150wpc amp really gives the speakers a lot of control and finesse as compared to using the power amp section of the NAD Integrated (50wpc)

-My room dimensions lent itself subject to some gain in the 40Hz to 50Hz frequencies which was hard to tame and integrate with the sub.  I somehow managed to get it right by using KEF's port plugs in setting 2 (meaning the donut setting).  My previous speakers just had a port plug - so it's either in or out. With the KEF, there are 2 settings for more flexibility and tuning so I love that arrangement.

-The music seems "point source" because the tweeter is right in between the woofer.  While KEF recommends 18 to 24 inch stands,I put mine on 30 inch stands.  The midrange is grain-free and soundstaging has pinpoint accuracy.

-Another thing I love about this is that it's not fatiguing and sounds good from all angles - even from the other room.  Previous speakers I tried sound best from the sweetspot.  These speakers sound well all throughout.

All in all, it is a really great speaker and I have no regrets getting this.

2 Channel Setup Only:
KEF LS50
REL T-9 Sub
Oppo 103D
NAD C340 Preouts
Emotiva XPA-200

Offline chillout

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #125 on: Apr 03, 2014 at 11:41 PM »
If you have a wide range of music styles you like to play, then I think the KEF LS50's would be a more successful choice than the Harbeths, which excel with jazz and acoustic material, but not so convincing on rock/ blues and heavier classical pieces. ;)

Offline sientobente

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #126 on: May 09, 2014 at 05:43 AM »
Hi, is the LS50 power hungry? Planning to mate it with a 60wpc solid state integrated. Will that be enough for it's 85db sensitivity?

Offline Timithekid

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #127 on: May 09, 2014 at 06:46 AM »
Hi, is the LS50 power hungry? Planning to mate it with a 60wpc solid state integrated. Will that be enough for it's 85db sensitivity?

As long as you pair it with a SS, you are fine.  if you pair it with a tube amp, you need lotsa power to make it sing properly, thats what we noticed when we tested the LS50 at Gavin's(Javauser) house.
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Offline sientobente

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #128 on: May 09, 2014 at 10:18 AM »
As long as you pair it with a SS, you are fine.  if you pair it with a tube amp, you need lotsa power to make it sing properly, thats what we noticed when we tested the LS50 at Gavin's(Javauser) house.
Interesting master Timi.

I also read that these speakers are bass shy, its not really a problem, but to what degree does it lack bass? Thanks
« Last Edit: May 09, 2014 at 10:19 AM by sientobente »

Offline Timithekid

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #129 on: May 10, 2014 at 12:15 AM »
Interesting master Timi.

I also read that these speakers are bass shy, its not really a problem, but to what degree does it lack bass? Thanks

Thats where you will notice the difference, using an old technics amp, we were able to make the low tones come out so I dont completely agree that its bass shy, pair it with my old minima tube amp and the bass disappears. But if the type of music you listen to is slow Jazz voices then you wont even notice that its bass shy.
« Last Edit: May 10, 2014 at 01:18 AM by Timithekid »
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Offline sientobente

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #130 on: May 10, 2014 at 01:16 AM »
Thats where you will notice the difference, using an old technics amo, we were able to make the low tones come out so I dont completely agree that its bass shy, pair it with my old minima tube amp and the bass disappears. But if the type of music you listen to is slow Jazz voices then you wont even notice that its bass shy.
Awesome. Will try to do a demo hopefully later @ DCM.

Offline docelmo

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #131 on: May 25, 2014 at 09:45 PM »
I had a chance to try these speakers on my audio setup: Rotels RC 1550- RB 1552 combo.

I heard them perform flawlessly w/ Jolida int amp in my colleague's setup, so i when was told that he was willing to let me "borrow" them for a home demo.....I was excited! ;D

Our sources: Denon CD player, Rega rp1 and Iphone5 (connected to the media player plug of the rotel).

The LS50 sounded good! big sound stage, detailed. However it was a bit harsh and tiring. So i was a bit disappointed that it did not match well with rotels.... :(

Any thoughts on why?
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Offline CoolTOYZPH

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #132 on: May 25, 2014 at 10:38 PM »
IMHO, rotels are bright and the LS50 is also bright resulting to a fatiguing SQ.
Paired with a Warm amplifier the LS50 is tamed.
Experienced the same with the LS50 using bright tubes. When we changed to dark tubes, the sound improved.
Where is the Love? BEP

Offline docelmo

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #133 on: May 25, 2014 at 10:46 PM »
Oks! Thanks sir CoolTOYZ......Oh well, Back to my 685s!
 :)
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Offline CoolTOYZPH

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #134 on: May 25, 2014 at 11:28 PM »
Tube buffer may help between source and Pre-amp
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Offline audiojunkie

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #135 on: May 25, 2014 at 11:49 PM »

Had a chance to listen to it at friend's place paired with hybrid tube int. amp, great bass presentation, spacious soundstage , detailed mid & high. It's like you're listening to multi way speaker system.
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Offline Lancito

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #136 on: May 28, 2014 at 04:47 PM »
Sir, I started this thread. :)

I started with the LS50s, but I knew they were lacking when compared to the KEF R500. So I decided to buy the R500s, and moved my LS50s to my bedroom.

Here are my KEF R500s



And here are my KEF LS50s




Where did you buy your KEF R500 sir?

Offline Jick

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #137 on: Nov 16, 2014 at 11:18 PM »
This is now available in high gloss white!  I wonder if this will be carried locally.  Anyone know?

http://www.kef.com/html/en/showroom/flagship_hi-fi_series/LS50/overview/
2 Channel Setup Only:
KEF LS50
REL T-9 Sub
Oppo 103D
NAD C340 Preouts
Emotiva XPA-200

Offline olats

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #138 on: Oct 10, 2020 at 01:37 PM »
A lot of hype on the new kef ls50. Making think to wait instead of getting the old one which is heavily discount now.

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Offline at_sunset_blvd

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #139 on: Oct 11, 2020 at 09:51 AM »
A lot of hype on the new kef ls50. Making think to wait instead of getting the old one which is heavily discount now.

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How much are prices lately for the old ones? w/c stores cary them Sir?
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Offline olats

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #140 on: Oct 11, 2020 at 09:56 AM »
News ones same as old msrp. Parang nasa 75k ata dito. Old ones being sold here for as low as 45k++ now.

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Offline Arulco

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #141 on: Oct 11, 2020 at 10:42 AM »
Gusto ko rin sana ma audition yung bagong LS50 Wireless II kung totoo yung claim nila about yung effect ng metamaterial internal sound absorption. Inupgrade din nila yung amp power significantly doon sa active model.

Ang disappointing lang doon sa LS50 Wireless II, tinanggal na nila yung USB digital input so medyo mas hassle ikabit sa PC using optical or SPDIF coax.

Offline olats

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #142 on: Oct 13, 2020 at 06:23 PM »
Pulled the trigger on the discounted model. Not using it for critical listening anyway so i went for the discount.

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Offline Conan

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #143 on: Oct 14, 2020 at 10:09 AM »
Pulled the trigger on the discounted model. Not using it for critical listening anyway so i went for the discount.

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How much was it? You bought it from the Coby store at Shangri-la?
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Offline olats

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #144 on: Oct 29, 2020 at 05:12 PM »
44.5k directly from cbk warehouse via online. Sila rin ata cobys so not sure if you can get same price there.

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Offline olats

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #145 on: Nov 23, 2020 at 01:48 PM »
Warehouse selling a white one for 39k. Fyi


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Offline alvinbaronsia

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #146 on: Nov 23, 2020 at 03:20 PM »
meron na ba silang META?

Offline [joms]

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Re: Kef LS50
« Reply #147 on: Nov 23, 2020 at 03:51 PM »
nope, no meta yet nung pumunta ako last week sa cobys
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