Looking at upgrading 2nd saround system from Denon/Bose to a possible 2 channel setup.

Check out TWWEN2's addicted to standmounts thread

I say go for it - I would

They seem to be getting some great feedback - accuse the pun.

I had them in my system for a couple of weeks prior to the Sydney hifi show.

They were very good, however they need to be used in a small room. They are nice and focused, however for a comparison the Elac BS 244 was a lot better with better bass and much more upper frequency extension. They also costs more, so for the price they are extremely good.

cheers

Yep, heard them and considered them to be very, very good. Just don't team them with an Exposure 2010S.

Edit: They do seem to pair well with the Myryad Z142.

Edited December 24, 201213 yr by Cafad

My wife and I heard them, but only for a couple of tracks so take this for what it is. I thought that they were lovely and are very tempting. They sounded very clear with lots of detail - the voice and instruments just sounded right. Much to my surprise, my wife, who has no interest in hi-fi, volunteered "They sound nice!" (We have ProAc Response 1SCs at home)

I would definitely recommend giving them a good audition.

Best Regards,

Brad

Terrific little standmount. Image like there's no tomorrow, are tonally quite accurate and have way more bass punch and depth than you'd associate with the size. It's a very well engineered design. My review appears in the current Aus Hi-Fi.

Cheers,

EK

Terrific little standmount. Image like there's no tomorrow, are tonally quite accurate and have way more bass punch and depth than you'd associate with the size. It's a very well engineered design. My review appears in the current Aus Hi-Fi.

Cheers,

EK

Totally agree. I would only add that I found them quite addictive too. Well worthy of an audition.

Ask Phantom

Phantom says these are absolutely fantastic although they do need a decent amplifier to really sing..........

AV receivers need not apply, but most better known mid/premium integrated amps would work very well indeed.

Bought a pair last week and they will go into a second system with a very nice used amp I picked up over the weekend at a good price.

I have also tested them out extensively with my MF M6i and it is a perfect match, playing a wide range of music. Fantastic imaging, vocals to die for, very tight bottom end, sweet and extended highs. Talk about speakers disappearing, sheesh!. These should be called Houdini speakers. The music just "escapes" from the speakers and hangs in the air and you forget that speakers are being used.

One caveat is that they don't suffer fools gladly with companion gear and if you use crappy gear and /or crap recordings with them, they will definitely not gloss things over and smooth out the rough edges.

In my non expert opinion, I would say these could become future classics, but even if I am wrong they sound amazing......even on rock and blues.

If you are thinking about buying them, I wouldn't hesitate, they are a limited edition and an outrageously great mini monitor.

Simply brilliant bookshelves - especially at their asking price. Haven't heard anything near their price that satisfies me.

A very picky musician mate bought them on my recommendation and after an extensive listening session.

Have a listen and decide!

I've bought a pair but it will be a month before I hear them (when I arrive in Copenhagen). AU$1k per pair from Germany, hard to resist.

I'm going to run them through a MInidsp high passed at 200hz to a pair of sealed 15" bass bins. Running them fullrange wouldn't be on my agenda, ymmv.

Where did you find them in Germany for that price?

HifiShop24.de. 399,00 € each. €20 shipping to Denmark, not sure how much to Oz.

Demoed them locally and almost caved if it weren't for the fact they are bringing out active versions and I've sworn off power amps. Tried them with a Luxman LX series amp and that was spot-on, in a small room. They are KEF's Harbeth. Suitably unmerciful. Indeed ELACs are better, but the LS50s are great value and scale with equipment costing way more than they do.

You mean the X300A with inboard DAC? Not sure its the exact same drivers (different colour) but I would also have gone with them instead if they hadnt neglected to provided line-outs for subwoofers. I dont know what they were thinking.

Does anyone know which store has them for demos in Melbourne? And also what price have you all been getting them for?

Cheers.

After securing an UK retailer to ship I decided to stick with a local dealer and paid $1800 for my LS50s. I didn’t demo any similarly priced bookshelf speakers but am happy with value for money comparing them with other speakers I’ve heard. To get these at the price offered by the German store linked or even UK prices is an absolute steal.

I've had a few months with the LS50s now and am very happy with them. Twenn2's review sums them up well as does Kramered’s and Phantom’s comments.

A well matched sub would add another dimension but I've never been left wanting for bass. If anything I get some glare in the treble when things get busy right up the top (e.g. pacey keyboard solo or orchestral violins) - this only comes up occasionally for me but could be more of a problem if you like your classical. While I believe the model is susceptible in this respect the careful choices upstream and room dampening would probably address the issue to a large extent.

I've also had the speakers break up with real 'wall of sound' stuff - for e.g. listening to Ben Harpers live recording of Ground on Down through an Exposure 2010 was a pretty horrible experience. In saying that I think a lot of speakers would struggle with this track and the KEFs generally eat up most of the rock I play and pretty much anything else.

Obviously (being rear ported) they need some space from the wall but 50cm is fine when listening at low - moderate volumes. Twwen2's comments on the reflex port chugging is of interest if you intend to listen at higher volumes. I'm not sure what constitutes a large room (mine’s only 6.5m square) but I think they'd be pretty capable of filling most rooms.

Regarding amp matching I’ve listened to:

Redgum SG5500 Sonofa’Gum – the iron fist of this amp suits the LS50s - very promising but lacks the refinement the speakers desire

Exposure 2010s – only a played a few tracks which was plenty - see comment above

Burson PI-160 – again only a few songs but loved it straight away. Would need more time but every indication this would be a great match. I just don’t like the incremental volume set-up

Myryad Z142 – still enjoying listening to this amp (on loan) with the LS50s. My gut tells me this pairing would be even better with a little more power.

Phantoms finding with the dual mono M6i is not surprising but unfortunately out of my budget. I did however purchase these speakers expecting the more you give them (quality amplification, etc.) the more you’ll get out. This definitely seems the case.

I’m not doing back flips but the enthusiasm you hear for these speakers is warranted. As always it’s a matter of opinion so demo essential.

Can't wait to get these (out mid to late JAN) to use as desktop speakers at work.

Will post when I get them.

http://www.tonepublications.com/spotlight/world-premier-review-kef-x300a-powered-speakers/

Can't wait to get these (out mid to late JAN) to use as desktop speakers at work.

Will post when I get them.

http://www.tonepubli...wered-speakers/

Wow...first time I've seen these. I expect KEF will sell quite a few.

Does anyone know which store has them for demos in Melbourne? And also what price have you all been getting them for?

Cheers.

I auditioned the R700's at DTS in Springvale. Hitek had a pair of R300's but sold almost as soon as listed. Might pay to give them a call and see if an audition

of the LS50's is possible. Ended up buying the R300's from Michael at AV Gallery.

cheers Frank.

I haven't, but I enjoyed them very much (happy to jump on this bandwagon).

Oh, and Leben amps suck (and off that one).

Bill

Can't wait to get these (out mid to late JAN) to use as desktop speakers at work.

Will post when I get them.

http://www.tonepublications.com/spotlight/world-premier-review-kef-x300a-powered-speakers/

They do look good - an audiophile solution for the i-generation perhaps? -  fight the good fight and impart the knowledge.

Agree DAMO.

 

They are an all in one solution that look and sound great (from what I am told) and won't break the bank.

 

We need to spread the word to prevent people from buying those Bose cubes or the Samsung/Sony/Panasonic etc. "box systems" from JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman etc.!

Can't wait to get these (out mid to late JAN) to use as desktop speakers at work.

Will post when I get them.

http://www.tonepublications.com/spotlight/world-premier-review-kef-x300a-powered-speakers/

Wow! No Sub?