2. speakers
  3. 147422-77695

KEF LS50 or Harbeth P3ESR for desktop system?

Currently:

Spendor S3/5
SVS SB-1000 sub
McCormack modified Micro Power Drive
McCormack Micro Line Drive
HRT Music Streamer II DAC connected to the PC
AQ cabling

Speakers are 5' apart on the desk.  2' from back wall, no side walls within 6', vaulted ceiling.
Near field - I'm 5' away from them.

Piano jazz, movies on the PC, podcasts.  I don't try to break my ears.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the current setup, but, well, you know...

KEF LS50 (not wireless), or Harbeth P3ESR (maybe even Anniversary Edition)?

Thanks,
Bruce
bbarlow690

Showing 3 responses by helomech

helomech
1,500 posts
 
I prefer the KEFs to the P3s, the latter of which have a cooler tone without being any more detailed (that's speaking of the non-anniversary edition)

I find the Spendor house sound is a little more natural than either. 
helomech
1,500 posts
 
Also gotta point out the ls50's are also  "generally agreed to be an improvement upon the legendary LS3/5s"
That's because they are, and by a wide margin. However, they require a very good (not necessarily expensive) amp to hear the improvement. 

I really can't fathom how some prefer the standard P3s to the LS50s, if a competent amp and source is used. I can't help but suspect it's a matter of aesthetic bias affecting the auditory senses. 
helomech
1,500 posts
 
The thing that concerns me with the Kefs is the potential for listening fatigue as they are quite forward sounding.
That's a common misconception. They're not at all forward sounding if positioned as KEF intended: stands no more than 24" tall and zero toe-in. 
More to discover