KEF LS50 Meta Review (Speaker)

[tw 2022]

Well, I hate to be "that guy" bragging about a used hifi deal but I have joined the LS50 Meta club, after randomly perusing the local FB used listings and finding a mint pair listed for $150. I was at their front door within an hour of posting, you can likely still see the rubber marks on our local streets

I handed them $160 since my ATM only dispenses increments of 20. and they promptly handed me $20 back. I think some people just hate money?

First impressions fwiw... to my untrained ear, very similar to my old Q150's. I have them connected to my Wiim Mini via Topping Mini 300 and SMSL-SU-1. They are borderline too large for my desktop but will probably keep them anyways. I WFH so will have these playing at low volume 40+ hours a week. Feeling very fortunate as my wife would have never approved a purchase like this at full MSRP, or even the recent sale prices of 900-1k.

Nice score, I'd have done the same , just for giggles, it's hard to lose money on that deal...

 

[solawind]

going to compare them side by side, without and with EQ.

The first thing I noticed while listening to a single speaker: the 120 II feels like a single point in space. Even if I close my eyes, I can instantly say where the speaker is. And the LS50 sound is kind of ambient; it feels like some area in space is radiating sound, even when listening to a single speaker.
Next thing: LS50 is very bass light, they have some mid bass punch but 120 II bass is much better and deep. The LS50 are much heavier, but their sound doesn’t feel that way; they sound very light and lacking bass. Of course i have sub so i can compare both with sub if anyone interested
Next thing: LS50 kinda messy and bright sometimes and KH120 II feels more detailed and balanced. Probably just FR difference. Without EQ switching A/B i instantly prefer 120 II sound except that funny radiant effect of LS50.

still have to compare them with EQ and in stereo to reveal how that LS50 “ambient” effect sounds like in stereo mode.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

View attachment 508720

going to compare them side by side, without and with EQ.

The first thing I noticed while listening to a single speaker: the 120 II feels like a single point in space. Even if I close my eyes, I can instantly say where the speaker is. And the LS50 sound is kind of ambient; it feels like some area in space is radiating sound, even when listening to a single speaker.
Next thing: LS50 is very bass light, they have some mid bass punch but 120 II bass is much better and deep. The LS50 are much heavier, but their sound doesn’t feel that way; they sound very light and lacking bass. Of course i have sub so i can compare both with sub if anyone interested
Next thing: LS50 kinda messy and bright sometimes and KH120 II feels more detailed and balanced. Probably just FR difference. Without EQ switching A/B i instantly prefer 120 II sound except that funny radiant effect of LS50.

still have to compare them with EQ and in stereo to reveal how that LS50 “ambient” effect sounds like in stereo mode.

The, "radiant effect," you're describing is typical for coaxial designs with good directionality, as you're experiencing with the LS50. You'll get similar effects from other speakers of this design such as MoFi SourcePoint or Elac Uni-Fi.

 

[PeterMac]

Question to You all, which one color do you like more for this desktop setup, I can't decide

 

[Rick63]

The black looks better to me in that setup.

 

[JRowland]

I agree with Rick, the bronze drivers match the wood color on the desk better. I like the maroon drivers just not as much on that desk.

 

[gasolin75]

Black or this

Nocturne - Marcel Wanders

Marcel Wanders is a leading product and interior designer, with over 1,900+ iconic product and interior design experiences all around the globe for private clients and premium brands such as Alessi, Baccarat, Bisazza, Christofle, Kosé Corporation/Cosme Decorté, Flos, KLM, Hyatt Hotels...

www.marcelwanders.com

 

[JRowland]

That ^^^^

 

[Everett T]

The black looks better to me in that setup.

Me too, If it were me I would also consider white/tangerine to break up all the black black, just don't know how it would look with the rest of his room.

 

[gasolin75]

I wonder when they would release a new kef ls50 meta and fix the high distortion it has in the bass, so it can sound cleaner,less distorted in the bass when playing loud like 40-50 watt and up

 

[Frank Dernie]

I wonder when they would release a new kef ls50 meta and fix the high distortion it has in the bass, so it can sound cleaner,less distorted in the bass when playing loud like 40-50 watt and up

A small speaker with a 5" mid/bass driver will never have low distortion bass when played loud.
The limitation is physics, not the design.

 

[gasolin75]

It's realted to the speaker NOT the size of the woofer

Some has talked about a crossover for a sub at 150-200hz to reduce the above avarage high distortion in the bass

 

[Frank Dernie]

It's realted to the speaker NOT the size of the woofer

Some has talked about a crossover for a sub at 150-200hz to reduce the above avarage high distortion in the bass

Yes, because a 5" driver is too small to produce low distortion bass at high levels.
A subwoofer would be needed, and a crossover frequency of 150Hz would not be unusual for the bass driver in a speaker with a 5" mid driver.

 

[gasolin75]

Yes, because a 5" driver is too small to produce low distortion bass at high levels.
A subwoofer would be needed, and a crossover frequency of 150Hz would not be unusual for the bass driver in a speaker with a 5" mid driver.

Amirm mentions 100% thd at 86db wtf Only small speakers that can do it is radiant acoustics 6.1

 

[Everett T]

Amirm mentions 100% thd at 86db wtf Only small speakers that can do it is radiant acoustics 6.1



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The RA uses a larger driver and is one of, if not the best, drivers available.

The LS50 has good numbers at 100hz and up while playing within its limits.

 

[solawind]

Some has talked about a crossover for a sub at 150-200hz to reduce the above avarage high distortion in the bass

What loudness level are you listening at if you think it is a problem for you?

 

[PeterMac]

Thank you all for your opinion about color Carbon Black vs Titanium Grey. was thought decision, but finally I chose Titanium Grey because was cheaper from audio shop exposure, but they are very nice good godition almost like brand new, also are better for any visible dust, I really like it how it looks, less contrast on look, match nice with my Loxjie A30 amp and monitor bottom frame, something elese like all black .

 

[testp]

Thank you all for your opinion about color Carbon Black vs Titanium Grey. was thought decision, but finally I chose Titanium Grey because was cheaper from audio shop exposure, but they are very nice good godition almost like brand new, also are better for any visible dust, I really like it how it looks, less contrast on look, match nice with my Loxjie A30 amp and monitor bottom frame, something elese like all black .

i still have my A30 amp as well (as backup), but how have you setup the eq inside A30 (Direct or Tone?) try/test Direct and Tone(bass 0, treble 0) with simple click test

 

[gasolin75]

In my case i need room c orrection since it's doing so much i need it

You have to experince what sounds best to you

Arylic amp or arcam sa30 ?

 

[PeterMac]

i still have my A30 amp as well (as backup), but how have you setup the eq inside A30 (Direct or Tone?) try/test Direct and Tone(bass 0, treble 0) with simple click test

I use set Direct but with my little tweaks on Treble +3dB, and after that Direct mode transfer to Custom . I like a little bit more sparks on highs, also I do not listen them loud siting ~60cm from them.