KEF LS50 Meta Review (Speaker)

[tw 2022]

Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2:

Almost identical size to the Sierra-1 V2, but ridiculously low bass distortion.

Ascend Sierra1 V2 vs Radiant Clarity 62

comparesizes.com

Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 Bookshelf Speaker Review

Kanto YU4 Speaker

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

It'll cost you though..

Very nice, both distortion and compression is very well controlled...

 

[Dennis_FL]

I just got a WiiM Ultra and now have the capability to high-pass filter my LS50 Metas with the subwoofer integration. Do you guys think 70Hz is a good crossover point, or do you suggest something else?

-Ed

There is a "How To" in the manual:

 

[Count Dacula]

I just ordered these. Thanks Amir.

 

[Count Dacula]

Obligatory meem.

This is my only income.

 

[Count Dacula]

I would jump on this again....

 

[Count Dacula]

My Q350s are out, and these are in! They have bass! Clarity is beyond expectations. I only have a half-hour on them but the sensation is MORE perceived harmonization. You would think, hey MORE harmonics, that's cabinet resonance. I think it's actually the cabinet resonances removed, leaving the natural harmonics of the music.

Very interesting so far. I'm pleased for my small loud room. Two subs help....

ETA, Nord Hypex NC 252 ...they soak up power.

 

[Leif]

I adjusted my Wiim Mini EQ to add a slope increasing with frequency to compensate for natural age related hearing changes, and a large increase in the lower bass levels to compensate for the bass drop off. It’s made a dramatic improvement, the bass is very well defined. I bought my Kefs as a package with an amp, at a very good price.

 

[xaxxon]

price is close to r3 especially being discounted now. perhaps different market segment based on size? if not why would one want to buy this instead of r3? meta is an excellent speaker though

They're amazing surround speakers. Wouldn't want an R3 hanging off my wall.

 

[haloeight]

I upgraded from the KEF Q150 to the LS50 Metas. I had a Topping PA3S amp and E50 DAC feeding the speakers but felt as though the sound was a little thin so wondered if the PA3S is underpowered for the LS50's. I grabbed a PA5II Plus which should be adequate and is described in reviews as having a high dampening factor, which elsewhere / here I've read is necessary with the LS50s.

q1 - is amp a good pairing for the LS50s ?
q2 - I picked up a WiiM Ultra and WiiM Amp Pro, but would this be a downgrade in quality relative to the E50+PA5II Plus combo? Going off the reviews here would say the Topping combo is objectively better but wanted to confirm.

Thanks

 

[djigibao]

A had SMSL A300 with LS50 and it was OK but then I add a NuPrime IDA-8 i now they sound much better.
So, I think that WiiM amp would not be much of happiness...

 

[haloeight]

A had SMSL A300 with LS50 and it was OK but then I add a NuPrime IDA-8 i now they sound much better.
So, I think that WiiM amp would not be much of happiness...

Thank you for the response. I've kept the PA5II Plus and sent back the Wiim Amp Plus and will look into the amp you mention.

 

[djigibao]

It's not necessary to get the exact amp I mentioned, but it would have to be quite "powerful" because the LS50 really benefits from a "stronger" amp.

 

[phoenixsong]

It's not necessary to get the exact amp I mentioned, but it would have to be quite "powerful" because the LS50 really benefits from a "stronger" amp.

Since the LS50 distorts at higher SPLs, why is a "stronger" amp necessary?

 

[haloeight]

It's not necessary to get the exact amp I mentioned, but it would have to be quite "powerful" because the LS50 really benefits from a "stronger" amp.

Yes, I understand - I meant that I will look at that amp's characteristics / reviews to see why it may produce better results for you.

Since the LS50 distorts at higher SPLs, why is a "stronger" amp necessary?

I would appreciate any other suggestions you have on what would be a good amp pairing. I don't find anything wrong with the PA5II Plus + LS50 but nothing to blow my hair back, running Dirac Live room correction made a sizable improvement but I have the feeling I might be missing out still.

 

[djigibao]

Since the LS50 distorts at higher SPLs, why is a "stronger" amp necessary?

A "better" amp has better control over the speakers and handles better when the impedance drops below 4 Ohms (LS50s drop to 3.6 Ohms).
The LS50s also have a fairly low SPL (83dB) so a "better/stronger" amp can actually produce a better sound.
It's not just my opinion, there are tons of reviews online and everyone mentions that they need a strong and quality amp.

 

[phoenixsong]

Yes, I understand - I meant that I will look at that amp's characteristics / reviews to see why it may produce better results for you.



I would appreciate any other suggestions you have on what would be a good amp pairing. I don't find anything wrong with the PA5II Plus + LS50 but nothing to blow my hair back, running Dirac Live room correction made a sizable improvement but I have the feeling I might be missing out still.

I have absolutely no suggestions whatsoever- my question was a genuine one given my inexperience when it comes to speaker set ups

 

[EddNog]

Yes, I understand - I meant that I will look at that amp's characteristics / reviews to see why it may produce better results for you.



I would appreciate any other suggestions you have on what would be a good amp pairing. I don't find anything wrong with the PA5II Plus + LS50 but nothing to blow my hair back, running Dirac Live room correction made a sizable improvement but I have the feeling I might be missing out still.

Hypex NC252MP-based amps have a higher damping factor so would likely benefit the performance of LS50 Metas. I have one (the IOM Ultra) on order for my own system which has LS50 Metas, currently driven by Topping B100 monoblocs and high-pass filtered at 100Hz from my WiiM Ultra.

-Ed

 

[ZCD]

Aiyima A70 Stereo e.x. is sufficient to drive my LS50 non meta at normal to high apartment levels. Tested out of curiosity and Sounds good to me to my surprise , maybe just a tiny bit light in the bass compared to drastically more potent amps i have. Thats with the 5A PS. Its good enough to separate the source too. Thumps up from my side.

 

[haloeight]

Hypex NC252MP-based amps have a higher damping factor so would likely benefit the performance of LS50 Metas. I have one (the IOM Ultra) on order for my own system which has LS50 Metas, currently driven by Topping B100 monoblocs and high-pass filtered at 100Hz from my WiiM Ultra.

-Ed

Thank you. The fact that you're going from the B100 to the HypeX based amp is interesting. I've got a Fosi ZA3 stereo and V3 stereo arriving today to compare to the Topping P5II+ after reading reviews like yours, and I'm considering just cutting bait and going with the VTV NC252-MP based amp to settle things.

 

[haloeight]

Aiyima A70 Stereo e.x. is sufficient to drive my LS50 non meta at normal to high apartment levels. Tested out of curiosity and Sounds good to me to my surprise , maybe just a tiny bit light in the bass compared to drastically more potent amps i have. Thats with the 5A PS. Its good enough to separate the source too. Thumps up from my side.

Thanks - also listening nearfield in a condo so no blasting the walls