Harbeths are designed to be used with the front grilles left on.
Desktop speaker upgrade from KEF LS50s (
Hello!
I currently have a desktop system with KEF LS50s that I'm enjoying very much, but am getting the itch to upgrade. My requirements are:
I currently have my bass ports plugged on my LS50s to keep bass under control, and have a REL Tzero subwoofer to fill out the bottom end. I listen mostly to rock so not having much under 30 hz doesn't really bother me. I am using IsoAcoustics Aperta stands to elevate my speakers off my desk and angle them to the listening position. Soundstage, imaging, and detail are all satisfactory with the LS50s, even in this somewhat limited setup.
If I buy a rear ported speaker, I am planning on plugging the bass ports similar to my current setup, as well as using my IsoAcoustics stands to decouple the speakers from my desk.
I was doing research into speakers like Focal's Sopra No 1 (used)/Kanta No 1, Sonus Faber Olympica Nova, and Vandersteen VLR CT, but none of the reviews I've found have been from a desktop/nearfield listening position.
Would appreciate if anyone with a similar setup could share their experiences/recommendations. I've been reading in some forum posts that a coaxial driver setup is critical to desktop nearfield performance so if LS50s are already as good as it gets for a desktop setup I'm ok with that as well.
Thank you!
I currently have a desktop system with KEF LS50s that I'm enjoying very much, but am getting the itch to upgrade. My requirements are:
- Able to perform well in a nearfield desktop environment (4' equilateral triangle for listening position, R speaker 12" away from side wall, both speakers nearly flush to front wall)
- Not cheap looking, incorporates modern design and materials (trying to avoid just a plain box)
- Under 17" height preferred
- Passive preferred, or active with analog inputs + way to incorporate subwoofer
- Not to exceed ~$5-6K budget range (used OK)
I currently have my bass ports plugged on my LS50s to keep bass under control, and have a REL Tzero subwoofer to fill out the bottom end. I listen mostly to rock so not having much under 30 hz doesn't really bother me. I am using IsoAcoustics Aperta stands to elevate my speakers off my desk and angle them to the listening position. Soundstage, imaging, and detail are all satisfactory with the LS50s, even in this somewhat limited setup.
If I buy a rear ported speaker, I am planning on plugging the bass ports similar to my current setup, as well as using my IsoAcoustics stands to decouple the speakers from my desk.
I was doing research into speakers like Focal's Sopra No 1 (used)/Kanta No 1, Sonus Faber Olympica Nova, and Vandersteen VLR CT, but none of the reviews I've found have been from a desktop/nearfield listening position.
Would appreciate if anyone with a similar setup could share their experiences/recommendations. I've been reading in some forum posts that a coaxial driver setup is critical to desktop nearfield performance so if LS50s are already as good as it gets for a desktop setup I'm ok with that as well.
Thank you!