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Upgrade from LS50's with subs

Ron Texas

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The general idea is to keep the subs and get some other speakers with good imaging and more dynamic range. Max cost $4,000.

Some ideas:
JBL LSR 708p
JBL HDI 1600
Revel M106
Revel F206
 

Matias

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I would choose Revel F206 or maybe KEF R5?
 

bogart

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The general idea is to keep the subs and get some other speakers with good imaging and more dynamic range. Max cost $4,000.

Some ideas:
JBL LSR 708p
JBL HDI 1600
Revel M106
Revel F206
You're starting from a better position having (what I think are dual?) subs, so that has to count for something. I went with the Revel F206 for myself, but having spare amp capacity made the JBL 708p a non-contender. Further, it is folded into a home theater setup so powered monitors and room correction and all were complicated and more purchases.

I think many people would argue the M106 is a better on-paper speaker, but I do not find the F206 wanting, and I like them being giant. They image well, but are definitely a more diffuse speaker than the LS50. They're also currently in my living room instead of my basement, and I wish they weren't so giant. So - maybe start with whether a floorstander is legitimately interesting to you.
 

tifune

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I would choose Revel F206 or maybe KEF R5?
the kef towers are a option? for example a r3 r5 r7 and crossover them at 80hz

I sent a R5 to Erin for testing. I'd strongly recommend waiting a few days for the full report, if that's a consideration.

The general idea is to keep the subs and get some other speakers with good imaging and more dynamic range. Max cost $4,000.

Some ideas:
JBL LSR 708p
JBL HDI 1600
Revel M106
Revel F206

I believe you're coming from original LS50's w/ Crown 525W? I don't know there's much value in the 708p if you already have some other room correction + so much power already on tap (although it is fantastic). I'd probably go F206, simply because of those listed the move from bookshelf to tower will probably be the most jarring (and hopefully satisfying).
 

Lawhaus

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Having the exact same dilemma…. after 10 years of LS50 I thought I could justify an upgrade.

Ive been drooling over the KEF Reference 1’s and R11 and recently demo’d them. The store didnt have a sub in the system so it was hard to compare, I definately missed the bass. The Ref 1 and R11 sounded a bit better (cleaner, better seperation) but not thousands of euro/dollars better… now I dont know what to do anymore o_O
 

Karu

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The answer tends to be F208 in these cases :) and with discount it should be in budget. I went in same situation to 8351+subs.
 

Laserjock

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The general idea is to keep the subs and get some other speakers with good imaging and more dynamic range. Max cost $4,000.

Some ideas:
JBL LSR 708p
JBL HDI 1600
Revel M106
Revel F206
I have M106 F206 F208 I could bring over (edit: M16 also)

How big is the space and how far do you sit? Music only?
 

richard12511

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The general idea is to keep the subs and get some other speakers with good imaging and more dynamic range. Max cost $4,000.

Some ideas:
JBL LSR 708p
JBL HDI 1600
Revel M106
Revel F206

I own both the 708p and the M106. I haven't done a blind test yet, so I won't comment on normal volume(95dB or less peaks) listening, but for jam sessions, the 708p definitely beats the M106. 708p will get you to reference level sound. I would also consider the Neumann KH310 and the Genelec 8050. I don't have good experience with either, but I do own the 8030c, which I prefer over the M106. I'd choose the KH310 over the 8050, since it's 3 way.

Also, do you have subs? If you have 2 subs, I might consider the new LS50 Meta or (even better) LS50 Wireless II over those other options. I've been converted to the advantages of point source sound(which the LS50 has)

*Edit: missed the "keep the subs" part. I would really look at LS50WII or LS50 Meta.
 
Last edited:
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Ron Texas

Ron Texas

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I have a pair of Rythmik L12 subs. They are run stereo and crossed over at a rather high 160 Hz. LP is about 7' from speakers. Room is 14x18, speakers are on the long wall and the ceiling is a dormer.
 

Senior NEET Engineer

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I was quoted $4k for F208 including freight shipping. Probably cheaper if you pick up. A&B TV in Austin.

Low frequency extension is one weakness of Revel (they are designed for home theater), but not an issue if you're using subs.
 
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abdo123

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Something from the KEF Reference series (floor standers). they're amazing.

but i'm guessing that's not much of an 'upgrade' from LS50 with subs.
 

daftcombo

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If you want to follow @richard12511 's path, for $4,000 you could also consider the Genelec 8350 instead of KH310 or Genelec 8050.

Imaging is good with 8030C, it must be even better with 8350.
 
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Ron Texas

Ron Texas

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I was quoted $4k for F208 including freight shipping. Probably cheaper if you pick up. A&B TV in Austin.

Shipping is around $250. I have been in their store.

I decided to go back to a "conventional" 100 Hz crossover. Mid bass is cleaner, slight loss of dynamic range. Still thinking this one over.

Maybe this stupid pandemic will go away and I can have my old life back.
 

abdo123

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D!sco

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...LS50 Metas?

Is there any real step up that isn't just insanely expensive? How's the room they're in?
 

tuga

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The general idea is to keep the subs and get some other speakers with good imaging and more dynamic range. Max cost $4,000.

Some ideas:
JBL LSR 708p
JBL HDI 1600
Revel M106
Revel F206
The Spinorama seems to be doing it’s job nicely, which is to sell more JBL/Revel speakers (at least in the US).

I hope that they don’t get too many unsatisfied customers; not that it’ll matter much once the speakers are out of the store.
 
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