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KEF LS50 Meta Review (Speaker)
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
DSJR
Major Contributor
Too much volume and too little power from the amp?
Comments above regarding low bass eq - SMALL boxes like this often work the little bass driver much too hard at very low frequencies and this adds massively to bass distortion and midrange 'veiling' in my opinion. Using a sub which rolls out above 60Hz or so (many subs I've seen tested roll out too slowly and the worst ones are still working in the lower midrange). I feel the mains should be high-passed somehow and if that can be done properly, the midrange should open out hugely as the cone isn't doing low bass as well.
Comments above regarding low bass eq - SMALL boxes like this often work the little bass driver much too hard at very low frequencies and this adds massively to bass distortion and midrange 'veiling' in my opinion. Using a sub which rolls out above 60Hz or so (many subs I've seen tested roll out too slowly and the worst ones are still working in the lower midrange). I feel the mains should be high-passed somehow and if that can be done properly, the midrange should open out hugely as the cone isn't doing low bass as well.
quattro98
Senior Member
The effect is mostly in the mid bass rather than the midrange. Some of the reviews from Erin look at it.
- Full bandwidth (20Hz to 20kHz)
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- 80Hz to 20kHz
Lawrence of Suburbia
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Finally heard a pair of these LS50 Metas recently ... and was very impressed.
I recall how initially there was some talk about KEF designing the LS50 as an 'update' of the LS3/5A, or more accurately, of the LS3/5A's purpose (linear, small-space monitor). To me they've succeeded completely (waaaay more balanced sound than any LS3/5A-type mini I've heard). Now, they've even got a bit of the mythical 'BBC dip' in the upper mids, but I didn't hear it in my listening (per Erin, it's only like 2 dB or something). Likely makes for a more non-fatiguing listen, if so.
I'm trying to figure out if I can squeeze $1k out of my retirement income.
I recall how initially there was some talk about KEF designing the LS50 as an 'update' of the LS3/5A, or more accurately, of the LS3/5A's purpose (linear, small-space monitor). To me they've succeeded completely (waaaay more balanced sound than any LS3/5A-type mini I've heard). Now, they've even got a bit of the mythical 'BBC dip' in the upper mids, but I didn't hear it in my listening (per Erin, it's only like 2 dB or something). Likely makes for a more non-fatiguing listen, if so.
I'm trying to figure out if I can squeeze $1k out of my retirement income.
Last edited:
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I bought a pair yesterday on Ebay for $690 used in pristine condition. I've got them in a near field to contrast the 206's in far. Since new ones are $1k everywhere lately, the used price is consistently under $750. Great bang for the buck, imo. Oddly... there's still guys trying to sell their used pair for $1k.. .because they paid $1600 last year. Crutchfield has open box for about $925 with free shipping. Here's the current used offerings. https://www.hifishark.com/model/kef-ls-50-meta?f=S84rsQoNBgA
Lawrence of Suburbia
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Thanks!
D
Deleted member 72219
Guest
Yeah I got my pair, “open box,” for $800; when I picked them up, the factory seal wasn’t event broken yet. The box simply had a huge dent/crack on the side, but whatever penetrated the box never reached the speakers, so I basically got brand new speakers minus warranty for $800!
-Ed
Yes, that is what i like about them.
I used proudly self built floor standing 2,5 way speakers for around 20 years and always liked them. But also i always had doubts about some aural aspects of them like not so great voices at times.
I gave the LS50 a try after reading about them (not only here) and yes, they were great right from the start. They need some amount of power to get loud and lack a bit of low end punch if one comes from some bigger 17cm bass-only drivers. But this might depend on the music preferred and also on the size of the listening room.
I later added the KC62 sub and am really satisfied with this setup. And yes, it also looks quite good!
Mike_Trueman
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I see that the LS50 Meta's are on sale now for 999€ on their website.
Do they also sound good with older recordings from the 50's 60's 70,s in combination with a subwoofer for nearfield listening?
Do they also sound good with older recordings from the 50's 60's 70,s in combination with a subwoofer for nearfield listening?
staticV3
Grand Contributor
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The LS50 doesn't impart its own sound onto your tracks, it just reproduces what's already there.
If the older recordings in question were mastered using flawed equipment, then the LS50 will faithfully reproduce said flaws.
Signal in = Signal out.
Mike_Trueman
Senior Member
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How did you set the high-pass filter on your amp? Is 80Hz good? I am going to test the speakers soon at home.
Dennis_FL
Addicted to Fun and Learning
The stand really wiggles a lot on carpet. I accidentally bumped my speaker and even though it was a thick carpet, the fall resulted in damage. The part at KEF is currently backordered. Strangely it sounds OK.
hmm... i dont see any scracthes, looks okey to me!
is the driver wraped significantly?? I would pull the trigger to replace that driver, a pain to look at it
Dennis_FL
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Is that the full driver?
Dennis_FL
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Yikes
> you need to have a beefy amplifier to drive them.
@amirm how did you come to that conclusion when you say that there's 100% distortion at even 96db. They're 85db sensitive at 2.83v. Wouldn't that mean at ~20w you'd be hitting those distortion levels?
KEF doesn't even recommend more than 100w so I'm sort of confused.
@amirm how did you come to that conclusion when you say that there's 100% distortion at even 96db. They're 85db sensitive at 2.83v. Wouldn't that mean at ~20w you'd be hitting those distortion levels?
KEF doesn't even recommend more than 100w so I'm sort of confused.
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