KEF LS50 Wireles Review

[Mr Peabody]

I heard a set of these over the weekend. I expected them to sound good, however, I was impressed at how good. They were a bit to close to a corner and a wall on the other side, the owner used the app and had the bass turned down some to compensate, so I suspect they could sound even better with a more optimum set up. So, yes, to get a total package at that price and have it sound that good, I'm sure they must be selling well.

The overall sound was good, no one area of frequency dominated, I was impressed mostly by the bass, both quantity & quality. I heard KEF used the Ref 1 to voice the powered LS50.

 

[sheltie1]

They are really quite good....I'm also still very impressed with what you get at their price point. It's a pretty darn good deal.

 

[wisnon]

I heard a set of these over the weekend. I expected them to sound good, however, I was impressed at how good. They were a bit to close to a corner and a wall on the other side, the owner used the app and had the bass turned down some to compensate, so I suspect they could sound even better with a more optimum set up. So, yes, to get a total package at that price and have it sound that good, I'm sure they must be selling well.

The overall sound was good, no one area of frequency dominated, I was impressed mostly by the bass, both quantity & quality. I heard KEF used the Ref 1 to voice the powered LS50.

My EXACT experience too. See my post a few pages back. They sounded great even when not optimally placed and a SW is NOT a must...Total Phantom killer!

If I were to start this hobby over tomorrow, that is where my journey would begin...and possibly end (with SW and source tweaking).

 

[wisnon]

They are really quite good....I'm also still very impressed with what you get at their price point. It's a pretty darn good deal.

It has to be said...

In a year or 2 when these hit the USED market at say..$1500. They will be the BIGGEST bargain in audio!

 

[Kuoppis]

My EXACT experience too. See my post a few pages back. They sounded great even when not optimally placed and a SW is NOT a must...Total Phantom killer!

If I were to start this hobby over tomorrow, that is where my journey would begin...and possibly end (with SW and source tweaking).

Heard them, they're quite nice.

But Phantom killer is ridiculous, as Silver Phantoms outplay these little things by a mile. Which is of course not surprising, as the Phantoms are double the price.


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[Mike]

Heard them, they're quite nice.

But Phantom killer is ridiculous, as Silver Phantoms outplay these little things by a mile. Which is of course not surprising, as the Phantoms are double the price.


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Agreed.


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[sheltie1]

Heard them, they're quite nice.

But Phantom killer is ridiculous, as Silver Phantoms outplay these little things by a mile. Which is of course not surprising, as the Phantoms are double the price.


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I would agree that Phantom killer is a bit of stretch, but not sure if I would say that the Phantoms outplay the KEF's by a mile either.

 

[Kuoppis]

Yes, well, I think they might be comparable in the mids and highs, but the Silver Phantoms go down to 20 Hz - the Kefs just have not much to offer in that region or quite a bit above that for that matter.


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[wisnon]

I would agree that Phantom killer is a bit of stretch, but not sure if I would say that the Phantoms outplay the KEF's by a mile either.

Outplay as in boomy bass?

The KEFs sound WAY more refined and cost half as much. In audiophile terms...that translates to Killer!

 

[wisnon]

Yes, well, I think they might be comparable in the mids and highs, but the Silver Phantoms go down to 20 Hz - the Kefs just have not much to offer in that region or quite a bit above that for that matter.


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Not comparable at all, and I am talking about the Gold. I have heard all the phantoms and many times.

If all you want is boomy bass, go get a Peachree Audio DeepBlue 1 or 2 and save a ton!

 

[Kuoppis]

Outplay as in boomy bass?

The KEFs sound WAY more refined and cost half as much. In audiophile terms...that translates to Killer!

Sure. If you would be in the game for high end gear and thus have a reference point, the comments might be much more interesting.


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[Mr Peabody]

When I heard the powered LS50, granted they were probably too close to the wall, however, the bass was down a lot, it's hard for me to believe they are bass shy. I'd never expect a speaker that size to approach 20Hz but it did seem to have plenty of usable bass.

 

[Kuoppis]

Yes, that's what our ears do to us: They compensate.

I do have Harbeth P3ESRs in a summerhouse setup, they sound full and are really great speakers. They reach down to 75 Hz. They are designed to work in a way your ears compensate for the lower freqs and it works very well. Despite of sounding great, they actually do not reproduce the lowest octaves.


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[Mr Peabody]

How do you like the Bronze? I'm a bit envious, back when I was looking for a cart the Bronze is what I wanted but they had a large back order.

Yes, that's what our ears do to us: They compensate.

I do have Harbeth P3ESRs in a summerhouse setup, they sound full and are really great speakers. They reach down to 75 Hz. They are designed to work in a way your ears compensate for the lower freqs and it works very well. Despite of sounding great, they actually do not reproduce the lowest octaves.


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[Kuoppis]

I bought the bronze based on discussions here on AS and some auditions I did. There were a couple of people who seemed to like it, and for me personally the views of actual real owners are more interesting than e.g. a review from Fremer.

There are for sure better and more expensive carts, but as it was my first one I wanted something that works for everything. It has an alu cantilever which gives it some warmth and so it suits my preference for small ensemble and acoustic jazz, but then again Ortofon is known for being rather neutral in general.

I like it and it works for me, a next step up could be a Lyra Etna or a Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua but I am in no rush.


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[sheltie1]

How do you like the Bronze? I'm a bit envious, back when I was looking for a cart the Bronze is what I wanted but they had a large back order.

They did have a HUGE backorder on the Bronze for a while....but they should be much more readily available now (just sold one a few weeks ago actually). The Bronze is one of my favorites in the Ortofon lineup.

 

[wisnon]

Sure. If you would be in the game for high end gear and thus have a reference point, the comments might be much more interesting.


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How about these as Reference points:
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2015/11/27/a-visit-with-the-stenheim-reference-statement/
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2013/07/19/a-dartzeel-factory-tour/comment-page-1/
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2013...with-dartzeels-herve-deletraz/comment-page-1/
http://www.monoandstereo.com/2014/03/goldmund-apologue-speaker-system-demo.html
http://www.monoandstereo.com/2015/05/follow-up-visit-to-goldmund.html

I can't find my links to CH Precision/Illusonic and many other reference setups I have heard and have easy access to.

Am I qualified to have an opinion now?
ROTFLMAO

 

[wisnon]

Yes, that's what our ears do to us: They compensate.

I do have Harbeth P3ESRs in a summerhouse setup, they sound full and are really great speakers. They reach down to 75 Hz. They are designed to work in a way your ears compensate for the lower freqs and it works very well. Despite of sounding great, they actually do not reproduce the lowest octaves.


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When you talk to the designers of the gear you start to get an inkling of what is what. BTW, I do know the head of R&D at Devialet. He is Ex-Goldmund too.

 

[Kuoppis]

Straight answer to a direct question: Most definitely not.

You're one of those guys reading tons of reviews and being vocal with strong opinions based on third party opinions and maybe an occasional dealer demo, believing to understand something.

The point is you only start to understand equipment after you a) have a good enough permanent reference and b) when you have spent considerable time with the gear in an environment familiar to you.

Ever heard of a professional reviewer publishing an assessment based on third party opinions and short term auditioning?


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[Kuoppis]

When you talk to the designers of the gear you start to get an inkling of what is what. BTW, I do know the head of R&D at Devialet. He is Ex-Goldmund too.

I am sure the Devialet guy is very smart. But unfortunately knowing him does not make you smart too.


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