KEF ls50 meta’s are on the way

Also should mention that the thing that strikes me most uniquely with the Metas is the sound does seem pretty free from cabinet sonic artifacts. They don’t sound like box speakers. Neither did the ls50s for that matter.  More like open baffle, Electrostats or planars. The Ohms are that way as well with the unique driver configuration that only uses the cabinets for bass.   I guess it’s a result of the rigid cabinet construction bolstered now by the new sound absorbing technology applied internally.   It all adds up. 

The Metas have been up and running for a few weeks now so a quick update.


Initially I left the sub settings alone. Same as with prior ls50s. I started to notice a bit too much in the bass in the last week or so so apparently that settled in further over time.

I did a total redo of the sub settings using a white noise Internet radio station as a source and a sound meter app on my iPhone. Not the ultimate in accuracy but good enough for a general integration of sub and mains.

Ended up with the Klipsch sw308 sub crossover frequency at its lowest setting of 40 hz and the level set to ~2 o’clock. Also adjusted phase. That is a much lower crossover than what I used on the older ls50s.

The Klipsch sw308 is fairly Big Bang for its size. 8” forward facing active driver and two side facing 8” passive radiators which help address bass modes somewhat and add output compared to a single driver.

Room again is 12x12 with standard height ceiling.

Played “The Knife” off the Genesis album “Trespass” yesterday. An original CD mastering streamed off my music server.

This is a cut I know well and have heard many times over the years with widely varying sonic results.

It was most impressive on the Meta + sub combo in terms of overall weight, soundstage and imaging and a lot of  detail I can say I never took notice of to such an extent ever prior.

Great recordings sound great yet each a little difference. The worst recordings are as listenable as they have ever been.

Very happy with these and looking forward to the latest technology baked into these to make its way into some larger models.

@mapman
Thanks for reporting progress as you go.  It's been fun reading about your Metas. I hope to demo a pair down the road just for grins.  It can be revealing moving the same speakers around to different setups with friends, in normal non-covid times. With some time on them now, and getting use to the sound, by chance are you done with gear changes at this juncture -or- possibly wondering about any upstream changes you could benefit from? Interested in following your updates. Thx.  

  

Thanks for the kind words.  I think I am done for now.