ehabheikal
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An active speaker without streaming like kh80 dsp with a great streamer like wiim pro plus could be a great option especially wiim does room correction.
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Sonos Five Smart Speaker Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
I think the advantage of the LS50 is dispersion. It has much more uniform dispersion compared to the Sonos Five and since we hear a combination of reflected and direct sound that can make a difference. I think the highs will be more pronounced on the LS50 making it sound more detailed. Bass is probably a little better on the Sonos Fives. Plus Sonos uses DSP to boost the bass at lower volumes when we are less sensitive to bass. The LS50 might have the more refined sound you are looking for but I think you give up some dynamics.
My personal opinion. We carry Kef where I work and I like a lot of their models. The LS50 meta, LS50 wireless II, LSX II and LT, Q1 and Q3 never really impress me much. They lack dynamics. They have a nice sound but no oomph. It is not that I prefer boosted bass or highs. Just the opposite but when I hear these compared to other neutral speakers they just lack dynamics. I would defnitely recommend a sub with any of these models I mentioned.
I think they are trying to go too low with these small coaxial drivers. I think the models that have a seperate woofer are much better like the R3 Meta. If you can step up to the R3 and use a streaming amp like the WiiM Amp that would be a MUCH better combo. I would also try a streaming amp with some of the Revel or the new Ascilab. If you go active many of the studio monitors I think would give you the performance you desire. Neuman, Kali, Genelec, Adam, etc with a WiiM Pro plus. Most of the studio monitors do not win any awards for aesthetics though.
I really don't know too many other active speakers with Roon, Tidal or Qobuz connect and Airplay built in to the speaker. The only other one I can think of is the B&W formation Duo. Probably at the higher end of your range. I would try to listen first. B&W is not known for accurate speakers but if you like their sound that is all that matters. In general it is a good ideal to listen to speakers you are considering when possible. Take them and try them if the dealer allows. I know that is tough in many areas. I would also get the speakers from a place that has a good return policy. Things can sound different in your room.
My personal opinion. We carry Kef where I work and I like a lot of their models. The LS50 meta, LS50 wireless II, LSX II and LT, Q1 and Q3 never really impress me much. They lack dynamics. They have a nice sound but no oomph. It is not that I prefer boosted bass or highs. Just the opposite but when I hear these compared to other neutral speakers they just lack dynamics. I would defnitely recommend a sub with any of these models I mentioned.
I think they are trying to go too low with these small coaxial drivers. I think the models that have a seperate woofer are much better like the R3 Meta. If you can step up to the R3 and use a streaming amp like the WiiM Amp that would be a MUCH better combo. I would also try a streaming amp with some of the Revel or the new Ascilab. If you go active many of the studio monitors I think would give you the performance you desire. Neuman, Kali, Genelec, Adam, etc with a WiiM Pro plus. Most of the studio monitors do not win any awards for aesthetics though.
I really don't know too many other active speakers with Roon, Tidal or Qobuz connect and Airplay built in to the speaker. The only other one I can think of is the B&W formation Duo. Probably at the higher end of your range. I would try to listen first. B&W is not known for accurate speakers but if you like their sound that is all that matters. In general it is a good ideal to listen to speakers you are considering when possible. Take them and try them if the dealer allows. I know that is tough in many areas. I would also get the speakers from a place that has a good return policy. Things can sound different in your room.
Many thanks. That really seems like sound and helpful advice. I strongly suspect that an Eversolo or WiiM based system would give me a better sound price performance. The main system I’m putting together is more measurement, science and component based. But for secondary system I want something after intense work day I can just click on Apple/Tidal/Roon and have some decent sounding work out music on a system that also looks good. So I like the look and functionality of KEF but clear that would need sub woofer and need to try it.
The objective is to have a good looking and sounding system that is quick and easy to use for works outs rather than a HiFi system for active listening per se as I’m putting that together separately. At the moment Sonos 5 is more of a work out distraction as I’m thinking that really doesn’t sound good.
The objective is to have a good looking and sounding system that is quick and easy to use for works outs rather than a HiFi system for active listening per se as I’m putting that together separately. At the moment Sonos 5 is more of a work out distraction as I’m thinking that really doesn’t sound good.
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jonmichael
Member
Set up my stereo pair of Fives yesterday. So far, streaming from Roon, Apple Music and Sirius/XM are playing fine. I know it isn't reference quality (I have that in my dedicated room downstairs), but they are plenty good enough for casual listening in the TV room. WAF is solid since they are mounted on too of bookshelves, out of the way. I will be tweaking the EQ through Roon this week, but so far, I am happy with this addition to my system. Holiday music will be much more enjoyable this year. Not quite excellent, but very good!
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I do most of my listening using my PC as the source. I downloaded Equalizer APO the other day. Wow. Sounds great, very musical eq. The most impressive thing about it is the clean sub bass it adds to my Sonos 5 and my headphones.
If you are wishing the Sonos 5 had a better "Loudness" button, this is the way to go.
If you are wishing the Sonos 5 had a better "Loudness" button, this is the way to go.
jonmichael
Member
I am not familiar with equalizer apo. And I don’t see it in the App Store for my iPad which controls my Sonos speakers. I currently rely on the EQ in Roon which helps but does nothing for the overall Sonos sound. So far I am really happy with the paired Fives. Solid bass, good mids and highs. Would use a separate EQ protocol if I knew what to try. Thanks!
Unfortunately APO will not work with iOS, Windows only. But I chatgpt did come up with these options for ios....
Summary of iOS EQ options
| Solution | System-Wide? | Ease of Use | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boom: Bass Booster & EQ | No (in-app) | Easy | Great |
| Equalizer Pro+ | No (player) | Moderate | High |
| Parametric AUv3 (EQ560 etc.) | Only in host apps | Advanced | Professional |
| Music apps w/EQ (Evermusic/VOX) | No | Moderate | Good |
| Jailbreak EQ tweaks (EQE) | Yes | Jailbreak needed | APO-like |
jonmichael
Member
So, as I see it, only the option for system wide tweaking requires a jailbreak. For now I think I will live with the Roon EQ for my Sonos endpoint. I am very happy with my Fives as is. Thanks for your research, Siggy!
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