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KEF LS50 or Wharfedale Reva 2 -- which would you buy?

Hi all,

I am considering upgrading my speakers and am between the KEF LS50 and Wharfedale Reva 2 speakers. I'm not able to hear either one where I am located so am looking for some input.

I am also able to get the Reva 2s for about half the price of the LS50, but if the KEFs are the right move I am ok spending more time saving for them.

Some notes to consider:

- Speakers will be used only for music, not TV/ movies
- Receiver is an older Denon DRA 825R (90 watts/ channel into 8 ohms). Minimum is 6ohms (please don't suggest I get the UB5s).
- Turntable is Pro-ject Carbon Debut
- Room is about 15x17 apartment living room
- I listen to everything from classic rock to jazz to classical. I don't listen to hip hop, house, or modern pop.

I am really just looking for beautiful sounding (and nice looking) speakers at $1k or less (I can get the LS50 for $1k or the Reva 2s for $450). I live in an apartment so the music is never loud, just looking for great sounding speakers.

The reviews on both seem very good. The LS50 is clearly a more popular speaker. I guess the question there is -- is it worth an extra $550 for me?

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
coaster86

Showing 2 responses by drumbe

Ag insider logo xs@2x
drumbe
7 posts
 
I have a smallish room (12x14) that's also a bit odd shaped.  My biggest issue has been with REAR ported speakers.  I owned the Kef LS50 speakers for about a year.  I tried to like them!  Wanted to like them and in fact liked some aspects (nice sweet highs!) - But could never tame that low-end port-itis!  It drove me crazy trying to mitigate the issue!  I'm also a drummer of over 50 years, so the LS50's never seemed to give me the kind of energy that I heard playing live / not real!
I had a pair of Polk Lsi9's several years back AND finally found another pair to give them another go in my room.  This was a great move as I like them so much better - true they are rear ported, but they have the power port system that mitigates much of the issue.  Note:  they are very difficult to find used as owners seldom want to sell them.
Polk also has the beautiful LSiM 703 largish bookshelves that my friend has and they are killer!   Rear port issues may occur in a small room with those so keep that in mind. 

Another speaker: sounds excellent are B&W CDM 1SE - good luck!  dumbe
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drumbe
7 posts
 
First of all, I'm a retired drummer (played for 50 years+).  Thus prefer music that sounds like the real deal.  Since I was directly in the sound field.  After hearing tons of rav reviews for the Kef ls50's -  I thought I could not go wrong in buying them.  My take:  Too much fluffy low end. Granted I have them in somewhat difficult room (12x12) but there was no way I could overcome the rear port-itis!  I wanted to love them for their very lovely highs but at owning them for a year I needed to let them go. I loved to play with bass players that had a tight low note, rather than a wobbly bass note that fluffs up.  I did replace them with polk lsi9's which I had previously, as they do not have the extent of port-itis that he kef's have.  No wonder Lsi9 are difficult to find used!  I owned a large pair of canton ventos that also sounded great in the room.  Good luck with your shopping bro!
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