KEF LS50

Good suggestion - it did help having them lower even on hollow boxes.

As these are burning in I'm really starting to hate them. They do so many things well - fast, dynamic, 3d imaging and sound staging, amazing air, transients, surprisingly good timbrel accuracy for a speaker this size. But the tonal balance is too bright and revealing (tho not sibilant as the burn in) for my liking.

I find myself wanting exactly this speaker but with a darker sound. And for that I expect to pay a minimum of 5 times the price. Ouch.

Larrybou, I agree totally , for many years KEF was my fave brand . No more, much of their Chinese stuff is horrible. LS 50 being a prime example for the reason you described.

Larrybou,

Am I interpreting your post correctly? Are you saying the top end is good but the problem is the lack of lower frequency response to balance the presentation?

Larrybou, did you indicate how large your room is?

I found ls50s lacking in a larger room but quite sufficient in a smaller 12X12 sunroom with vaulted ceiling.

If low end authority and extension is the issue, adding a sub or two will address that.

Generally, you need larger speakers with more or larger drivers for larger rooms. Yes, good ones will cost more. It cost more to fill a larger room with quality full range sound. Adding subs also provides flexibility in placement of subs versus main in order to maximize everything together. Larger speakers often need placement closer to walls in order to deliver bass in larger rooms. Close placement to walls usually works against soundstage, imaging and detail, so getting an ideal setup for everything can be a challenge with most any full range speakers versus monitors + sub(s).

Actually they're surprisingly coherent speakers top to bottom with the lower frequencies in balance with the upper. The problem I have (and it has to do with my own preferences) is the overall tonal balance top to bottom is just too bright for my liking.

Also they're not fully burned in so I expect that to improve though not be completely cured for my taste. Most people these days seem to go for super revealing sound and for the price these definitely won't disappoint if that's what you're looking for.

Though they're bright, they're not very sibilant. I don't find the tweeters to be the most refined, but I have a feeling that will also improve with a complete burn in.

Since my exchange window has hit 30 days at Amazon, I'll send them back - but other than the tonal balance they did a lot right.

I ended up buying Verity Parcifal Ovations on A-gon used for yes, about 5 times the price.