[groovybassist]

Interesting pic K Shep - are you a fan of the EA MMMicroone's?

[ricardojoa]

I had the chance to hear those ls50 when i was looking for some speakers stands at an audio store. It was quick listen since they were in displaying. My first impression was they throw out a big soundstage, considering the size they have. They are also very clean and transparent. At the audio store, it was playing some female vocal. I thought they sounded edgy on the upper mid. When i looked the vision graph, i noticed there is a bump between 2-6K, could that be just what i heard?

[Letitroll98]

Oh yeah.  The uniformed think the bulk of the treble they hear is above 10 kHz, when it's really around 5 kHz.

[neekomax]

Oh yeah.  The uniformed think the bulk of the treble they hear is above 10 kHz, when it's really around 5 kHz.

^^^ Excellent point. I think it's pretty funny that crazy 'statement' speakers often list freq. response into insanity, like 100khz. 

There's gotta be certain species of insect that could hear that, I'm sure.

[ricardojoa]

Oh yeah.  The uniformed think the bulk of the treble they hear is above 10 kHz, when it's really around 5 kHz.

I hope that wasnt directed to me. 2-6k falls just in the upper mid lower highs, so im not too far off. Besides, you wouldnt believe someone could tell a frequency if they listen to a test tone would you?

[iluzun]

I'm certainly not sure what you 'heard', nor the aural significance of the 'bump' but, of the 4 pr. of spkrs. I own,
the Kefs r the most neutral.  They easily display what they r being fed.  I've tried 3 amp/pre combos & they have
let each sing, w/its own particular signature.  Changing driver tubes also was immediately apparent, the same w/
spkr. cables, interconnects, & power cables.  They DO throw a wide & spacious soundstage while sounding very
coherent and musical.  The only combo I haven't liked it being driven by the KT-88s, a tad relentless & edgy if I
remember correctly.  Why?  Don't know....  Everything else has been very good.  They ate up the power of the Yamaha,
smoothly punching above their weight; no harshness, & I certainly enjoyed the pairing w/my Unison SR-1, nicely balanced & extended, delicate yet
w/drive.  W/the Prologue II & EL-34s they 'swing' & bring vivid midrange texture/colors w/no hint of hardness or glare and are easily driven.
They do an excellent job of highlighting what's ahead of them in the chain, & I continue to think, represent an excellent value.

Especially in this 'crazy hobby/neurosis'... 

[Letitroll98]

I hope that wasnt directed to me. 2-6k falls just in the upper mid lower highs, so im not too far off. Besides, you wouldnt believe someone could tell a frequency if they listen to a test tone would you?

Oh no, I was agreeing with you.  2 kHz is approximately B6, the very top of the human vocal range, a touch beyond in fact.  6 kHz is approximately F#8, above the highest note on a grand piano.  So above that tin whistles, triangles, and overtones.  2-6 kHz is definitely treble, way above upper mids, but your point is essentially correct.  A bump in that region could cause a perceived edginess in fundamentals slightly below that. 

[joeling39]

KEF LS50 + pair of REL T5 + Leak TL12.1 + DIY Hifi Supply Django sounds very good.

[K Shep]

Interesting pic K Shep - are you a fan of the EA MMMicroone's?

A fan and an owner.




And now back to the Kef discussion.

[K Shep]

  W/the Prologue II & EL-34s they 'swing' & bring vivid midrange texture/colors w/no hint of hardness or glare and are easily driven.
They do an excellent job of highlighting what's ahead of them in the chain, & I continue to think, represent an excellent value.

Especially in this 'crazy hobby/neurosis'...

That's great news!  I just heard that the Prima Luna amp I have on order is shipping (from China) in one month.  Comes stock with EL34's.  I am not a big fan of waiting but good things come.

[Bones71]

I'm considering the prima Luna prologue premium to drive the ls50's. Any thoughts on how well that amp rated at 35 wpc would drive them?

[JLM]

Exactly the specs I was comparing. One might assume there is some manipulation in the digital domain to get the extended response with the sacrifice of volume. With the additional hardware in the X300A one has to wonder where the corners are cut. Hoping Tonepub can comment eventually.

Sorry for coming in so late, am also interested in the X300A for a 2nd system.  And yes, for the enhanced feature set (including free AirPlay dongle) and reduced price I'd expect lower quality bits.  Interestingly the measured versus perceived extent of the bass (perhaps based on amplification used) is noted in this quick comparison from Audiostream.com:  "To finish up I compared the X300As with my KEF LS50 monitor speakers (powered by a Bel Canto REF500S amp), and I can't say the difference was jarring. I had logged a good number of hours with the X300As; returning to the LS50s I felt right at home. It features a similar Uni-Q driver -- but the bass goes lower, dynamics kick harder, the treble is more refined, and the soundstage dimensions were even bigger –- so the LS50s are definitely better speakers."

Too bad that the X300A has the following design limitations:

- only digital input option is a single USB
- internal DAC is only 24/96
- only one analog input (that works only if USB socket is unoccupied) and then the signal goes through the DAC
- rear mounted (but thankfully single) volume control

There's a blur going on in monitor speakers:  Studio vs. home use; active vs. powered vs. passive; wired/wireless; digital/DAC vs. analog; DSP or not; desktop vs. room use; plastic computer speakers vs. what would interest us.  Like the X300A some of this breed are nearly a full system in themselves (assuming you have a computer/iPod/smartphone to use as a source).  It's a brave new world of options to sort through, but one that all but the most hardened audiophile shouldn't ignore.

[mav52]

Sorry for coming in so late, am also interested in the X300A for a 2nd system.  And yes, for the enhanced feature set (including free AirPlay dongle) and reduced price I'd expect lower quality bits.  Interestingly the measured versus perceived extent of the bass (perhaps based on amplification used) is noted in this quick comparison from Audiostream.com:  "To finish up I compared the X300As with my KEF LS50 monitor speakers (powered by a Bel Canto REF500S amp), and I can't say the difference was jarring. I had logged a good number of hours with the X300As; returning to the LS50s I felt right at home. It features a similar Uni-Q driver -- but the bass goes lower, dynamics kick harder, the treble is more refined, and the soundstage dimensions were even bigger –- so the LS50s are definitely better speakers."

Too bad that the X300A has the following design limitations:

- only digital input option is a single USB
- internal DAC is only 24/96
- only one analog input (that works only if USB socket is unoccupied) and then the signal goes through the DAC
- rear mounted (but thankfully single) volume control

There's a blur going on in monitor speakers:  Studio vs. home use; active vs. powered vs. passive; wired/wireless; digital/DAC vs. analog; DSP or not; desktop vs. room use; plastic computer speakers vs. what would interest us.  Like the X300A some of this breed are nearly a full system in themselves (assuming you have a computer/iPod/smartphone to use as a source).  It's a brave new world of options to sort through, but one that all but the most hardened audiophile shouldn't ignore.

How big was your space, you talking desktop or a room ( dimensions)

[rollo]

  We had KEF come down to demonstrate the LS50 and R700 speakers for the Audiosydrome club. They were paired with Luxman SS amps with a TEAC CDP and Mc Intosh preamp. Very impressive. Clarity , presence, detail you name it they have it. However they do need a sub for the entire range.
     KEF raffled them off. There were a lot of disappointed people who did not win them. The Arion class "D" hybrid amps as well made them sound great. 
 IMO a classic speaker from the start. Great price to boot. Sound stage was limited due to driver size but the tonality cured any desire for sound staging. Besides they were NOT optimally set up and not even broken in. That says a lot.
     If I was a manf of audio components they would be part of the voicing plan. They reveal all good and bad. the TEAC CDP provided a great source the amps were different so any quality amp would do fine. Highly recommended but I can guarantee you will be changing something else that will be exposed in your system. You have been warned. Not a dealer.


charles



     

[JLM]

mav52,

Thanks for the inquiry. 

The intended space (for now) is 20 ft x 15 ft x 13 ft but opens up into adjoining loft, entry, dining/kitchen (about 10,000 cu. ft. in total), however the (for now) function would be for very casual (occasional/low volume background mostly) listening.  Down the road it could go into a much smaller space, perhaps including a desktop, for more serious listening.

I currently have monoblocks in storage, 15 year old floor standers, and a cheapy DVD player available but need a pre-amp of some sort and would like wireless access (but all that isn't WAF or highly family friendly to use).  The X300A are beyond what I want to spend, but active speakers are an intriguing option.  That's the problem, way too many options.   

[mav52]

mav52,

Thanks for the inquiry. 

The intended space (for now) is 20 ft x 15 ft x 13 ft but opens up into adjoining loft, entry, dining/kitchen (about 10,000 cu. ft. in total), however the (for now) function would be for very casual (occasional/low volume background mostly) listening.  Down the road it could go into a much smaller space, perhaps including a desktop, for more serious listening.

I currently have monoblocks in storage, 15 year old floor standers, and a cheapy DVD player available but need a pre-amp of some sort and would like wireless access (but all that isn't WAF or highly family friendly to use).  The X300A are beyond what I want to spend, but active speakers are an intriguing option.  That's the problem, way too many options.   

That's a lot of space for the x300a or any small speaker like that.    The x300a are $800 a pair.   What is your budget.