Need new speakers, within budget, How about KEF?


Looking to upgrade my current speakers - Q Acoustics 3050

I’ve been helping a couple friends out, getting their systems started by giving them my old gear. I thought this a perfect time to upgrade my speakers, since one of my friends really wants my 3050s.

When I first bought the 3050s, my budget was low, and after seeing them win "best speakers under $1k" two years in a row at Whathifi, I pulled the trigger. I have thoroughly enjoyed them, but at $600/pair, I know there are many other options out there.

My budget now is $1600 new/used. I’ve been looking at the KEF line, and have had my eye on the LS50, Q900, and R100/300. Unfortunately, there is no way to audition KEFS or most other speakers where I live, unless I go to the local Best Buy, which is limited to B&Ws, Definitive Tech, and some Martin Logans..

Others I’ve been looking at:
Dali, Tannoy, Monitor Audio, Dynaudio, or trying the ELAC line with mods.

I am using an ELAC S10 subwoofer right now, if that makes a difference.

Source: Cambridge Audio CXA80
Room dimensions: 13’ x 11’

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

Robert
128x128robelvick

Showing 2 responses by rwwear

Have you seen the new powered LS-50 from KEF? Here's a little info from the Absolute Sound:
 KEF LS50 Wireless
The LS50 Wireless is a stylish and fully active music system
whose architecture builds upon LS50’s lauded acoustic capabilities.
The LS50 Wireless has advanced DSP crossovers that correct
for inherent time delays introduced in the crossover stage,
and with KEF’s Uni-Q concentric driver arrays housed in acoustically
inert cabinets, remarkably even sound dispersion is now
attainable in virtually every room. In his CES 2017 report, Neil
Gader says of the LS50, “Sonically, it was everything I enjoyed
in the original—heft, reasonable scale and precision, plus the
added bass extension and control that are part and parcel of
the active loudspeaker experience—a segment and solution
that have achieved more high-end popularity than ever before
with the advent of computer media and network music.”
On the specs front, the LS50 Wireless features an end-to-end
192kHz/24-bit high-resolution digital signal path, two separate
DACs per channel (per speaker), and two 230-watt amplifiers
powering each channel in a bi-amp dual mono configuration.
The LS50 Wireless provides 2.4GHz/5GHz dual-band WiFi,
Bluetooth 4.0 aptX, asynchronous USB type B, TosLink optical,
and RCA analog inputs. A dedicated LS50 Wireless app (iOS and
Android) facilitates network setup, streaming, playback, EQ and
speaker placement options, and DSP controls. In addition to
all this versatile technology, colors are available, with drivers
matched to cabinet finishes for a look that should make them
welcome in most listening rooms—even more so given that
only a smartphone is required to complete this soup-to-nuts
system. Price: $2199/pr. kef.com
It's easy to get the crossover point too high also which can make the bass seem too fat and slow.