Just purchased 5 kef ls50 monitors for home theater

polkfarmboy
polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
edited April 2014 in Speakers
I get these on Monday and can't wait to to give them a whirl with a bluray through my Anthem D2. I think these are going to smoke the Martin Logans in a smaller listening environment and the tweeter dispersion is so wide in comparison to many other bookies. This should give a really wide even tone for every seating position.

Many people have hyped these up so I will find out for myself if they really are that great.More info on these when they get here.
Post edited by polkfarmboy on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    edited September 2013
    and some pix please :cool:
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2013
    For sure, I am just wondering if the tweeter is the same with the really wide dispersion pattern as the other kef models
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited September 2013
    What r u runnin for an amp now adays?
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,299
    edited September 2013
    polkfarmboy wrote: »
    For sure, I am just wondering if the tweeter is the same with the really wide dispersion pattern as the other kef models

    Yes indeed...& incredible sounding to boot!!! Enjoy!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2013
    bobsauto49 wrote: »
    What r u runnin for an amp now adays?

    Well for HT its the Anthem 200 watt 5 channel but for 2 channel I just got rid of the W4S sx 1000's and hope to get something else shortly
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • WLDock
    WLDock Posts: 3,073
    edited September 2013
    polkfarmboy wrote: »
    For sure, I am just wondering if the tweeter is the same with the really wide dispersion pattern as the other kef models
    yeah...those are supposed to be the real deal with the 1" tangerine waveguide tweets as in the Blades. They are supposed to be amazing speakers and a set that all KEF lovers should listen to.

    One day..
    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 | Sub 1 - Mirage Omni S8 | Sub 2 - Mirage Omni S8

    5.2 A/V Setup | OLED TV - Sony Bravia XR A80J 77" | Source - Fire TV 4K Max, Wiim Pro | AVR - Anthem MRX 520 | Speakers: Main - Boston Acoustics VR3 | Center - Boston Acoustics VR920 | Rear - Boston Acoustics VR-MX | Sub 1 - HSU VTF-2 mk3 | Sub 2 - HSU VTF-2 mk3
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2013
    The tweeter doesn't have wider dispersion than a tweeter mounted on a flat baffle, it's narrower. The tweeter's dispersion matches the woofer's dispersion since it uses the woofer as a waveguide, which creates a more balanced sound throughout the room. Since the tweeter is mounted in the middle of the woofer cone, it also makes the speaker a true point source, which is also desirable.

    Although it's a separate waveguide, this illustrates my first point.

    KQm32.jpg

    This should be an upgrade in coherence over your silly panels. :razz:
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2013
    Face wrote: »
    This should be an upgrade in coherence over your silly panels. :razz:

    :eek:nothing beats silly panels
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • plainoledave
    plainoledave Posts: 408
    edited September 2013
    i was looking into these, i am eagerly awaiting your review.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2013
    I will give a full report once they arrive pdave, I think I am spoiled by those silly panels though and wont favor them :cheesygrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2013
    I just got home and noticed 2 boxes of speakers so time to crack out the equipment and see how they do for 2 ch.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2013
    Have them fired up and wont say a word about them, yes thats my free weights over there by the screen :cheesygrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited September 2013
    I don't see any skinny jeans by those weights?

    If I remember correctly, doro has spoken "highly" of these speakers!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2013
    Well to be honest if I was to describe then I would have to say that the word is not but rhymes with ..... hit
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited September 2013
    polkfarmboy wrote: »
    Well to be honest if I was to describe then I would have to say that the word is not but rhymes with ..... hit
    I'm a little slow. What?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2013
    Sh$t!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited September 2013
    polkfarmboy wrote: »
    Sh$t!!!
    The KEF's sound like Sh$t!!! ? As my shop teacher used to say, "Something's rotten in Slobovia" ...

    Can you elaborate a little bit about what strengths and weaknesses that you perceive with these? Tell us more.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2013
    They are just tiny bookshelfs, there is not a whole lot to say
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited September 2013
    Wow not what I expected to hear, i've always wanted to get my ears on those. You think they need some time to break in or they're just not at all what you thought they'd be?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2013
    The pair being tested are used speakers and I still have bnib ones that may stay that way. They do have ok bass and are very clear with some warmth but they sound small
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2013
    It's only a 5.25" woofer, unless used as desktop monitors, they need a sub. They should be much more coherent than what you were using though.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2013
    The big Martin Logan Vista kick too much **** and they are more detailed than the little kef. I am thinking about Emerald Physics as something worthy of doing battle. To be fair though, I bought these for use in a smaller environment for a second system so for that they will kick ****.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2013
    polkfarmboy wrote: »
    yes thats my free weights over there by the screen :cheesygrin:
    3s13zb.jpg
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited September 2013
    I remember listening to some KEFs at Ultimate Electronics. I liked them a lot. Oh, and they were more than $10,000 for the five speaker set.

    Too rich for my blood.
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,299
    edited September 2013
    Before you spend another dime on anything audio related I would seek out a Ear, Nose & Throat specialist. Something just ain't right. :confused:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2013
    So you pick up a set of speakers and after 2 hours you know what they sound like? It takes several days just to find the proper placement, height, angle and toe-in that suits the room. After the setup work is done it takes more than a few sittings and an a large amount of material to even get a clue. I'm not ragging on you but you need to slow down and work your system around whatever new piece you are auditioning. Otherwise you will miss out on the equipment which could have been rolled into glorious sounding system. It takes time grasshopper.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RamZet
    RamZet Posts: 792
    edited September 2013
    madmax wrote: »
    So you pick up a set of speakers and after 2 hours you know what they sound like? It takes several days just to find the proper placement, height, angle and toe-in that suits the room. After the setup work is done it takes more than a few sittings and an a large amount of material to even get a clue. I'm not ragging on you but you need to slow down and work your system around whatever new piece you are auditioning. Otherwise you will miss out on the equipment which could have been rolled into glorious sounding system. It takes time grasshopper.
    madmax

    I agree

    I had to find a good matching amp for my CM9s.
    B&W CM9Classé Sigma
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Don480
    Don480 Posts: 2
    edited April 2014
    I have a pair matched with Ayre K-5xeMP & Mcintosh MC452 and I have to say they sound pretty clean for a small speaker. I used to have an older Kef Reference 205s and obviously they can't compete with that in sense of depth, dynamics, and overall volume but it's not really fair to compare to a monitor bookshelf to a tower speaker. Anyways your ears and brain takes time to adjust to new sound. Your probably too used to listening to your Martin logans. Give it about a week and I'm sure you will change your mind....

    I have to say though the Kef LS50 is definitely lean on the bass side but what can you expect from a small speaker. But the bass is not bad for a small speaker. The mids and highs are amazing though...so clean and neutral imo. Nice wide soundstage that makes the speakers disappear. I would recommend a sub for these speakers though to get true full range sound. JL fathom's, Velodyne DD18+, B&W DB1, RELs, or Paradigm Sub 15 are all very musical subs or SVS or HSU for home theater.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited April 2014
    For sure Don, I will say that they broke in good and sounded amazing for center ch duty.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,072
    edited April 2014
    Your not really going to compare them to the Logans....are you ? Dude....apples and oranges.

    Also, I have a problem with adding a huge sub to a small monitor. Your sense of scale and dynamics is way off, they won't jive. Just my .02 but the Kef monitor is not meant for big grand sound in a larger room.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter