Kef LS50s - great like me but need to come up for air


So over the years I've really enjoyed my primary speaker the Kef LS50s. They work well in my current setup: Schiit Aegir, NAD preamp (class A) in a small room (11'x14').

Maybe I like them so much because they are very much like me: precise, balanced, neutral but not overly. Contrary to many they are more on the warm than bright side. You just need to know how to place them and match them to the right components. Like me :)

However, l've gone through a change. I need to and been told by my wife and doctors that I need to relax some and come up for air. I've been working on this for the past 2 years. Now I've seriously realized my beloved music system has come to the same change point.

Like me and my ears I'd like to find a speaker with the same basic qualities of the LS50s but that can come up for air - call it more relaxed, warm...whatever. Those in the know will know what I mean. I can explain this more if necessary.

My budget is up to 1,500.00...I've online researched Harbeths, Dynaudio Evoke 20, Usher, Spendor but don't really know where to go from here. I've thought about higher sensitivity speakers but most quality speakers are physically too large (maybe).

Any input is appreciated.

lmartinez_02170

My LS50 Metas were very sensitive to placement and were useless in the middle of the room compared to vintage Concords and Celestes (bad placement I know I know). They’re banished to the garage where ironically they sound fab and live next to ESL57s so I can switch between the two depending on mood/ music.

 

Was talking to a retired BBC engineer and interestingly he asked if I prefered the old KEFS to the Quads and I have to agree the old girls (made late 60’s?) are still rocking and are so easy to listen to but obviously not a small speaker (2ftx 1.5ft)

+1 for the Dynaudio suggestion.

i recently purchased the Evoke 30’s and happy with the warmth and relaxed nature. They are also very detailed paired with a Parasound A21+

The LS50s are a very well balanced speaker (albeit a revealing one) and you might find that changing them leaves you missing aspects of the sound that you traded for a different balance in an alternative speaker. However, if you definitely want to change, any of the classic BBC designs should work. If you have room for a floorstander, a used pair of ProAc Response 2.5s could also be considered - quite BBC-like in their balance (not quite as smooth in the upper midange) but with much more extended bass.

 + 1 for Epos Epic 2. Excellent speaker and well within your budget, especially if you can find a used pair...

Tough call.....I'd borrow a set of LS50 Metras if you can. If you think the LS50 are good, but need a bit of "something".....I bet the Metas would satisfy that "Thing". There are only three speakers in the last 50 years of playing with this stuff that totally blew me away...Dahlquist DQ10, Any Magnapan....KEF LS50 Metas.....PERIOD!