KEF LS50 Meta speaker review

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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    Thanks Justin. I haven't formally reviewed the Auralic Vega G1, but I have reviewed the Aurender and the Benchmark combo. Here you go:

    https://theaudiobeatnik.com/review-aurender-a100-network-music-server-and-streamer/

    https://theaudiobeatnik.com/unrestricted-dynamics-reviewing-the-benchmark-la4-preamp-and-ahb2-power-amp/
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  • jbreezy5
    jbreezy5 Posts: 1,141
    Thanks for the links. I look forward to reading your reviews. They are very well done.
    CD Players: Sony CDP-211; Sony DVP-S9000ES; Sony UDP-X800M2 (x2); Cambridge Audio CXC

    DACs: Jolida Glass FX Tube DAC III (x2); Denafrips Ares II (x2)

    Streamers: ROKU (x3); Bluesound Node 2i and Node N130 w/LHY LPS // Receivers: Yamaha RX-V775BT; Yamaha RX-V777

    Preamps: B&K Ref 50; B&K Ref 5 S2; Classe CP-800 MkII; Audio Research SP16L (soon)

    Amps: Niles SI-275; B&K ST125.7; B&K ST125.2; Classe CA-2300; Butler Audio TDB-5150

    Speakers: Boston Acoustics CR55; Focal Chorus 705v; Wharfedale Diamond 10.2; Monitor Audio Silver-1; Def Tech Mythos One (x4)/Mythos Three Center (x2)/Mythos Two pr.; Martin Logan Electromotion ESL; Legacy Audio Victoria/Silverscreen Center; Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.1; SVS SB-1000 Pro; REL HT-1003; B&W ASW610; HifiMan HE400i

    Turntable: Dual 721 Direct-Drive w/Audio Technica AT-VM95e cart

    Cables: Tripp-lite 14ga. PCs, Blue Jeans Cable ICs, Philips PXT1000 ICs; Kimber Kable DV30 coaxial ICs; Canare L-4E6S XLR ICs; Kimber Kable 8PR & 8TC speaker cables.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    Thanks man! Appreciate it.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    KEF gave the Blade and Reference lines the Meta treatment: https://uk.kef.com/blogs/news/blade-and-reference-launch
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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,573
    Trickle up technology.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    edited February 2022
    Yeah, guess so! Those Reference series speakers are simply gorgeous aren't they?
    35377-6__68619.1629139399.jpg?c=2
    r1epd6t37fyi.jpg


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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,573
    Indeed! They look almost Scandinavian.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Yeah, guess so! Those Reference series speakers are simply gorgeous aren't they?
    35377-6__68619.1629139399.jpg?c=2
    r1epd6t37fyi.jpg


    You're looking at my next move up the KEF line. Stunning looks & phenomenal sounding.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    I wonder if the Meta technology will trickle down to the R series or will just stay with the Reference, Blades & the LS. Interesting 🤔
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    Back in December, I asked KEF's VP of marking if she had any leads/info on if/when the R series was getting the Meta treatment, and she replied that she had no news/insight on this.

    So I guess we will just have to wait and see.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    Interesting. I'll talk to Stephen to see if he's heard anything. He'll be getting the Blades & Reference series with the Meta shortly so I'll have to get my arse over there to give them a listen.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    Now that sounds like a fun way to spend an afternoon!
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    Absolutely!! Let me tell you Stephens audio store is so welcoming. I've been dealing with him for over 20yrs now & he is so down to earth. I'll spend the entire day there just talking audio & of course listening.
    There are so many audiophiles that stop in It's almost like an old barber shop where everyone knows everyone. Fantastic way to spend the day. Shucks my wife even understands 😂
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,573
    Sounds like the good old days! I’m guessing that KEF will eventually add meta to most of its lines. It can’t be all that expensive since the LS50 Meta was initially introduced at the same price.
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  • WLDock
    WLDock Posts: 3,073
    edited February 2022
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Yeah, guess so! Those Reference series speakers are simply gorgeous aren't they?
    Those are nice and I really like the stands!

    pearsall001 wrote: »
    Absolutely!! Let me tell you Stephens audio store is so welcoming. I've been dealing with him for over 20yrs now & he is so down to earth. I'll spend the entire day there just talking audio & of course listening.
    There are so many audiophiles that stop in It's almost like an old barber shop where everyone knows everyone. Fantastic way to spend the day. Shucks my wife even understands 😂
    Now that's what I'm talking about. I've had an ear for music and could appreciate hi fidelity at an early age. I remember a time when there were several higher end audio stores around. Some snobbish shops wouldn't give you the time of the day others would tell you to bring in your music and listen as long as you like. One shop actually made me listen to all of the rooms and damn near locked me in the all Macintosh theater room for a Jurassic Park T-Rex demo.

    I miss the good old days! I still can't afford this stuff... still have champagne taste and beer money.

    pearsall001 wrote: »
    You're looking at my next move up the KEF line. Stunning looks & phenomenal sounding.
    Someone recently posted a set of R11's on the Chi craigslist:
    https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/ele/d/orland-park-kef-r11-floorstanding/7442200575.html

    I was chasing a deal on some older Refs one time... it didn't happen. So much stuff pops up in the Chi area but the good deals go quick. I've had my share of wins and losses.
    2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    Crossover photos of the LS50 Meta. (C/o Danny Richie)

    Tweeter circuit: (he says supposedly it's a Clarity cap)
    5q6z6sqxwwfl.png

    Woofer circuit:
    z6nbmdm6mxrk.png



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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,411
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Yeah, guess so! Those Reference series speakers are simply gorgeous aren't they?
    35377-6__68619.1629139399.jpg?c=2
    r1epd6t37fyi.jpg


    So are the larger speakers one active driver and 4 passive radiators ?
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    edited March 2022
    All active drivers, no PR anywhere.

    https://us.kef.com/reference-5-meta.html
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,411
    Gotcha. The flatness led me to think they were. It's been a hot minute since I've seen a flat front active driver I guess. WAY back when Sony had them in the 80's or so.
    Thanks
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    edited March 2022
    Tweeter cap is Clarity CSA. Not my photo:
    ahuaevhtnbgg.png
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,762
    2 Bennic caps -- and one of those an NP electrolytic?
    Boy howdy, they spared no expense, did they?

    :#
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    edited March 2022
    I did say at the end of my review: "At $1,599 I would like to have seen higher quality binding posts and crossover components."

    ..and that was before I even knew exactly what they used.
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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,007
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    2 Bennic caps -- and one of those an NP electrolytic?
    Boy howdy, they spared no expense, did they?

    :#

    Yeah, I noticed that also. 😬
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    I guess they blew their entire crossover budget on that Clarity CSA!
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,762
    Clipdat wrote: »
    I guess they blew their entire crossover budget on that Clarity CSA!

    The sun may be setting on the British Empah. ;)
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