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LS-50 Speakers (Passive)

No matter where I and a friend reads, most people are raving about the Kef LS-50’s (passive version).   However, sadly, neither one of us have heard them with no local dealer.  The best would be to evaluate them in our respective rooms as the room accounts for about 1/3 of the sound.

Moreover, I recently heard that the new LS-50’s ((passive) are not the same as the originals as Kef tried to save some money.  Is there any truth to this rumor?  I certainly hope not so I thought I throw it out there and see the response I get.

Thanks for your input....
linnie01
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dbphd
1,616 posts
 
You don't have to "take your pick" if you use the LS50s with a pair of subs.  I highly recommend something like the Velodyne SMS-1 bass manager that provides acoustic room correction for subs and is helpful for integrating the LS50s with the subs.

db
chrisr's avatar
chrisr
541 posts
 
db, you may be right, but with bass management as you say.  I personally like to let the main speakers play what it was designed to play.  In other words, I crossover to my sub naturally at the point where the mains can't no longer output, and keep the use of the sub to a minimum.
phomchick's avatar
phomchick
209 posts
 
ELAC UB5s are 1/3 the price of the LS50s. If you think they are equivalent, that makes the ELACs the bargain of the century.

I have a pair of UB5s, as well as a pair of ~1978 Chartwell LS3/5As. I should compare them some time.
chrisr's avatar
chrisr
541 posts
 
I have both the Elac UB5 and LS50s.  I also have a pair of Totem Hawk as reference.   In my room and with my modest marantz integrated, The UB5s are coming really close to the LS50s in terms of imaging/soundstage, clarity, details.  The LS50s develop more the midrange without being forward, while the UB5s are little less refined and more forward.
The UB5s bass -without the use of equalization or crossovers at mid-bass frequency- are more even and refined.
That's just my take on things!
phastm3's avatar
phastm3
88 posts
 
crutchfield sells the LS50's with a 45 day return option...only costs about $10 to give them a try
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