Upgrading from KEF LS50 Metas

[RexrothPigeon]

I'm new here but have been reading and learning a lot for a few weeks now--this place is an incredible repository of knowledge, data, and expertise, and I'm very grateful to have found it.

I'm moving my LS50 Metas into a secondary listening space, which means my primary living space needs speakers (open floorplan--I don't have dimensions at hand but I sit about 15' out). I really love the KEF sound, but they were a little small for the larger space, and low bass was obviously not a strength. I have a few amps with sufficient power, and I use Roon so I can apply DSP as needed. I listen to a lot of electroacoustic music as well as jazz, modern classical, dub, and folk traditions from around the world, and I have a particular affinity for harmony singing (think Louvin Brothers, Everlys' "Songs Our Daddy Taught Us," Roches, George Jones & Tammy Wynette, those zones), if that matters.

My budget can probably go up to about $6k, maybe 7, but I'm always fine with spending less. So far I've been thinking about Wharfedale Super Lintons, KEF R11 Metas, DynAudio Evoke 30s, B&W 702 S3s Monitor Audio 6G Gold 500s, stuff like that. I will make an effort to audition, but it's not very easy to do so where I live (or with my schedule).

I'd love any and all advice. I'm a music and sound lover for many decades but haven't ever taken a very analytical approach to sound. It's probably about time to do so.

 

[terryforsythe]

Welcome to the forum!

From among the speakers you listed, I would go with the KEF R11 Metas.

The KEF LS60 Wireless speakers are a good value at $5k if you like active speakers. Depending on how loud you listen, if in a large room you might want to add a subwoofer, but that probably would not be needed in a smaller room. I have them running without a subwoofer in my office, which is 4.2m x 3.6m x 3.7m (13.8' x 11.8' x 12.2'), and they will play louder than I ever listen without issue.

 

[kyuu]

Wharfedale Super Lintons are well regarded, and of course the KEF R11 Meta should be great. I'd add Revel F226/F228Be to your list. Also, the KEF LS60 as recommended above are another great choice, although my concern with those would be their maximum SPL given your large room and 15' listening distance.

 

[Madhuski]

where are you located - ie, can you demo these? At this level of speaker you’re entering personal preference territory

 

[RexrothPigeon]

where are you located - ie, can you demo these? At this level of speaker you’re entering personal preference territory

I will make an effort to audition, but it's not very easy to do so where I live (or with my schedule).

 

[terryforsythe]

I will make an effort to audition, but it's not very easy to do so where I live (or with my schedule).

Plus, they will sound different in your room than the room in which you audition them.

 

[jonfitch]

You could also consider a large pair of standmounts, say something like Genelec 8351, Kef Reference 1 Meta (used ones usually go for 5-6k), Dutch & Dutch 8C, and pair them with height adjustable stands like the motorized Spacelabs (https://spacelab.systems/). And/or pair with subs if you think you need more bass.

I find the ability to height adjust speakers very useful, something that's a bit more of a struggle with tower speakers. Getting the tweeters to the right height for your specific needs (including flexibility to change) will often make a huge effect on the sound.

 

[RexrothPigeon]

You could also consider a large pair of standmounts, say something like Genelec 8351, Kef Reference 1 Meta (used ones usually go for 5-6k), Dutch & Dutch 8C, and pair them with height adjustable stands like the motorized Spacelabs (https://spacelab.systems/). And/or pair with subs if you think you need more bass.

I find the ability to height adjust speakers very useful, something that's a bit more of a struggle with tower speakers. Getting the tweeters to the right height for your specific needs (including flexibility to change) will often make a huge effect on the sound.

Adding subs to these speakers takes them out of my budget, unfortunately (and in the case of Dutch & Dutch 8c, the speakers alone are already well out of it).

 

[norman bates]

Any decisions or purchases ?

 

[drodgers]

I’d probably aim for R7/R11 with a good sub (eg. big SVS one). Especially if you keep an eye out for used ones (or Black Friday for svs in particular) you can come in under that budget

 

[RexrothPigeon]

Any decisions or purchases ?

I've uh broadened my budget and am now down to 8361 vs D&D 8c (with the new ascilabs in the mix as well, depending on availability)

 

[Dialectic]

I've uh broadened my budget and am now down to 8361 vs D&D 8c (with the new ascilabs in the mix as well, depending on availability)

I've had the 8Cs since early 2018. No regrets about the purchase. They pushed my LS50s into TV duty.

 

[RexrothPigeon]

I've had the 8Cs since early 2018. No regrets about the purchase. They pushed my LS50s into TV duty.

Great to hear! I'm a little surprised they're still SOTA after 7 years, but the more I research the more it seems to be the case.

 

[Dialectic]

Great to hear! I'm a little surprised they're still SOTA after 7 years, but the more I research the more it seems to be the case.

I was a very early adopter....

 

[RexrothPigeon]

I was a very early adopter....

Very cool--do you mind chatting in DM?

 

[Dialectic]

Very cool--do you mind chatting in DM?

Not at all

 

[RexrothPigeon]

Not at all

Ah, somehow I can't, says you limit who can see your profile or something to that effect

 

[Pearljam5000]

8361

 

[WaveCollapser]

LS60 maybe, they have plenty of bass. In fact, most passive speakers that I heard in this price range (and even higher) don't have enough bass.
8Cs if you are willing to spend more

 

[kyuu]

LS60 is a terrific speaker. However, I doubt it's more capable of bass than comparable passives, at least if we are talking high SPLs. The limiters tend to compress the bass.