A Spotlight on KEF LS50 Meta Speakers

#KEF #KEFLS50Meta #Audiophiles
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[@HowieHaigh]

I fell in love with the KEF sound via the Q100 - roughly 4 years later I've made the jump to the LS50 Meta and I'm hugely impressed with them.

[@russelledge645]

Straight forward and honest review Simon. Especially appreciate your comparisons and great close up video content.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much Russell!

[@rufusdodgem3659]

love that industrial intro, strong contrast to the futuristic appearance of the speaker.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Than you very much. This video took about 200-300 hours of work.

[@gregbartley2475]

I’m glad I found your channel, no audiophile minutia. I got a pair of Meta’s for my living room, paired with a REL T-x5. Great sounding wife friendly system

[@aussierob7177]

Purchased these speakers in December. Using a Minimax Phono Stage, Audiolab Preamplifier Rotel 200W per channel Power Amplifier Pro-Ject magnetic suspension turntable, Hadcock GH242 unipivot tonearm and Denon DL 110 moving coil cartridge my records have never sounded better. I am hearing things that i never heard before. I thoroughly recommend these speakers.

[@daviddarley4749]

Great video as always. For the first time ever I watched a 5 min advert- + enjoyed it!! (Adam audio ad). Look forward to the next instalment

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much David. Hope my Kef ‘ad’ was better , not that I get paid for it. Website makes little money too. About £100 a month. Tbh it’s more about the creative side although sooner than later this has to start paying and I ask people to contribute if they like what I do and honest advice I give. Patreon or PayPal me. I’m finishing my Denafrips Venus 2 video atm, then I’ll do a best of 2020 then a video on advice for DACs, is the plan. Also have a Steinway Lyngdorf amp coming soon I’m hoping. The Adam audio one comes up a lot on my videos. Maybe it’s a creative meeting of minds.

[@daviddarley4749]

Sounds interesting. I have a dac I’d love to send you for review if you’re interested? It’s the earmen tr amp. I think it’s excellent. If you fancy it email me at [e-mail], and I’ll arrange to sent it to you. Cheers

[@pede8000]

Great review, thanks! Happy new year!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thankyou very much. Happy new year too!

[@johnbrown4568]

A terrific review...honest and detailed. Thank you.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks too 👍😀

[@cruzingrsx4484]

Thank you for the review.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

thank you for saying thank you

[@supaflymadafaka]

Wow, nice review, nice video! Keep up with the creative touch!I Really do like it!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much for your glowing comments.

[@bruceevans3746]

Thanks! Enlightening for me. I appreciate your approach!!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you very much Bruce. Means a lot.

[@alex_g_wood]

Fabulous review Simon.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thankyou Alexander !! 😀

[@lookbacktime9422]

Very good review! Thank you!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you for saying thank you. 😀👍

[@alastairmackay4589]

Great review. I recently upgraded from q350s to these, and the difference is remarkable. All the cliches apply: detail, separation, clarity and precision.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I like the dynaudio emit 20 better than these kefs personally.

[@Sams911]

as always, well produced video, thanks.... even if I have no interest in KEF speakers, it was enjoyable to watch.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you, that’s always the aim. Bw

[@Sams911]

@UCii2DcAzOhM0JDiRmrYltbQ Ok, look forward to the reviews...but yes, I just took delivery of it, it's the latest video I uploaded on my channel .

[@donguin9348]

A very delightful and informative albeit, "English" review, not meant as a critique. I heard enough to know i will most likely pursue purchasing the LS50 Meta's despite being the owner of the original LS50's. But first, I must acquire the Hegel 190, afterall it was on the "to do list" first. Solid review of the Hegel 190 by the way. That review pushed me out of my ambivalence by affirming the 190 as a great value and solid performer. In short, thank you Simon for making high quality, detailed and entertaining reviews, (probably an understatement) so please keep up the good work as you are now "another go to guy" for audio reviews. On that note (pun intended), I am sure you heard of "A British Audiophile" who also happens to be a reviewer on youtube, {I don't mind saying i am not very fond of Darko}. Anyway, a British Audiophile is quite good at his craft of reviewing audio components too so between the two of you "we people in audiophile land benefit from y'alls expertise and style of delivery, all things considered." Thanks, Don in USA and future owner of a Hegel 190/LS50 Meta's...

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Hi Don thanks for your kind words, appreciate it a lot. I chat with Tarun a lot to exchange ideas and due diligence, he is really friendly. Hold fort on the decision I’d recommend until you’ve seen my Dynaudio Emit 20 review (coming in next week) as it could be an option for you too. Just doing graphics on it atm. Bw Simon

[@donguin9348]

Will do. The Hegel 190 is first in line anyway. A quick story on the LS 50's. I had seen reviews and many many positive comments about the LS50's and at first didn't really believe them. I bought a pair despite my misgivings and plugged them in. Boy was I disappointed. I thought, "how could credible sources be so wrong." Well a week later i decided they had to go back and while unplugging the speaker cables to pack them up I noticed the "bungs" were in. I removed the bungs and was pleasantly surprised by the sound and wound up keeping them for rotation purposes.... :)'

[@philr9753]

Great review! Thankyou. Really interesting to hear your thoughts on the Neat Iota Alpha's Vs the LS50 Meta sound. I have the Neat's and I was thinking of auditioning the Meta's to see if they were superior. I love the Neat's but I am having issues with bass due to a suspended (upstairs) floor and that down-facing driver!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you Phil. Stating the obvious I know, but maybe buy some rugs etc or a slightly more dynamic higher damping factor amp possibly ? It’s a tough one to discard those neats for the KEFs. Would be like moving from Brie for Stilton cheese, and whilst the KEFs are slightly easier to taste like stilton, Brie is still good. Lol cheese analogy 😂🤣

[@bartvanransbeeck1341]

Great review

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you very much.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗 THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR CREATIVE SIDE 💭 AND THIS IS WHY I LIKE 👍 YOUR VIDEOS …EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT IN THE MARKET FOR NEW SPEAKERS 😁😍😍😍

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you , I’m doing an intro graphic like the ‘catch me if you can’ film intro atm for my rel sub review 🔊🎵😀

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 👍🤗 GREAT IDEA 😎😍😍😍

[@panagiotisargyropoulos2217]

Great review.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thankyou Panagiotis

[@tlr5457]

Nice work Simon. Keep it up! I have been a KEF fan for decades; my first KEFs were 107s back in the 80's. I currently own the Reference 3s which are being fed by Zanden and Linear Tube Audio electronics. I've owned and tried many speaker manufacturers and I always come back to the KEFs. The KEF sound is well balanced and neutral. All KEF designs [to my ears] are midrange centric and the design team [seems to - to my ears] then work to integrate the frequency extremes. There's a continuousness and coherency to KEF speakers that simply makes them exceptional communicators of musical intent and soul. Since the development of the UNI-Q design, their sound has become even more coherent - effectively creating a point source which elevates the imaging and soundstaging capabilities to reference levels. Question...have the folks at KEF given you any intel on if [and when] they will be integrating the Meta technology in their Reference and/or Blade series? If so, I will be upgrading. Cheers!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Hi TL R, Thanks for nice comments. I agree with all what you say about kef. Personally I prefer my PMC’s which have a bit more bite in the top treble and such low distortion but different price levels. I was thinking about the kef reference ones but I thought they were a little incisive although may have been a partnering thing. Don’t know about that re Meta material but manufacturers often do, like laminair with pmc onto new models. Judging by what Jack Oclee-Brown of KEF was saying in his video on YT about using traditional damping materials in speakers and then cutting away to a shot of the blades insides (above their reception at Maidstone);showing the padding, it did get me thinking about your very question and whether it would then have an impact on the reference models. I suppose we will find out in the fullness of time. He did say he was designing a tweeter when I chatted to him, but then I’m not giving any commercial secrets away as from an r and d perspective I bet these speaker firms are designing them all the time.

[@bartvanransbeeck1341]

The old kefs like the studio monitors p60 k300 amp are holografic playlng , with mids of harbeth quality and playing classic ,jazz, but also orchestral and pop with 113db without shame..

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Harbeth are a bit of an odd one for me as the reputation as not be all rounders is , generally, for most of their speakers I think a true one. Obviously you can still get exquisite sound from some of them but I think KEF make better products and on the whole their speakers suit more music, which has to be a big reason to buy.

[@tlr5457]

@@bartvanransbeeck1341 I like Harbeth as well - especially their top end speakers - they have a very organic sound. They sound great with neutral [i.e. modern designed] tube or hybrid amplification.

[@Bob.martens]

These in my open appartment with a Yamaha AS501... made me cry. I was never a believer in burn-in, but my Meta's changed dramatically after a three, four days. Much more low-mid body quite suddenly appeared. I wouldn't believe it if i didn't experience it myself. I'm looking to add a small subwoofer though, because in my setting I, occasionally, would like some more deep punch. i knew the Meta's were never going to deliver that, so no disappointment there:)

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks for your comments. I think these are the bench setters at the price for this catergory or at least in the discussion/catergory for same.

[@Bob.martens]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 OH...! I have and have had lots of speakers and amp combos over decades, all midrange or above. None were perfect, and neither are the Metas. But they sure are special. Very.

[@Bumerang378]

whatd you say is the Yamaha A-S501 good combo with KEF LS50 Metas?

[@jmlaso]

Excellent review. Many thanks! But I didn't quite get if you preferred the chord or the RME DAC with the Metas. Could you tell me that?

[@tonyhodgkinson4586]

These play loud in my smallish room with 80 watts of Naim, very coherent, neutral, transparent.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Nice one.

[@dougg1075]

Great video

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Glad you enjoyed it Doug

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Would you take part in my latest poll Doug, if you haven't

[@TheBuddhaBilly]

Great review. I'm looking for a step up from my current Dynaudio Emit 10's. Would you say these could be a 'blind buy'? I'm also considering Dynaudio Evoke 10's for example. It's for a small room, at lowish to moderate listening levels.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks , give it 2-3 weeks when I’ve finished my Dynaudio review of the Emit 20 as it might help.

[@expresscisco7880]

Very interesting and complete review. Thanks. I am considering these to replace my Monitor Audio Radius 270 floor standing speakers. I am looking for a real improvement in the details for pop rock and electro music in my small living room. I am using an SVS 1000 and a Denon AVR x3200 amp and a Bluesound Node as a source for flacs. Would these LS50 worth the upgrade compared to my Radius ? Thanks

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks for saying but how can I answer when I’ve never tried those speakers?

[@ISETbioDev.Cottaris]

Great review!! How do you think they would compare to the KEF Q750s for a medium size room (25 ft x 40ft)? And do you think they would pair well with the Yamaha AS701? Thanks!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you. Can’t say as never tried those speakers or that amp. Bw

[@JuanLega]

This are really good speakers. Try them with a good tube Amp and you'll be surprised how great they really are.

[@Audfile]

I'd say the same about class D.

[@dmartyn3809]

Great review! Would love to hear your review of the new LS50 Wireless IIs?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you very much. That would definitely be a good one to try with the Hegel in the mix too. From what some say, these Meta's are more competition to the active variants when you use really good amps.

[@terencekhng]

Looking forward to the review of the NAD M10 pairing!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@terencekhng hoping to post it in a week.

[@1derment]

Thanks for the review. Got my first Kefs the Celeste Iv back in 1981. Looking to get the LS50 Wireless ii which is also Meta. BTW what stands are you using and where can they be sourced? The stands for these are nice but cost £400. A bit steep.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks for your comments. I’m using hifi racks ones (U.K.) but I’d recommend something a bit more sturdy and not just resting on top like mine. I might get some s2 stands or similar I think.

[@1derment]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 Okay good to know. Thanks

[@michaelmityok1001]

Beautiful film. Period. And a useful review. Cant often say that!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks Michael

[@berlinanthropologist]

Really like the combination with the wooden stands. What are those?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Really does go well doesn’t it. Blue and wood look I think. Ideally they would be better screwed in rather than resting on top. I got these from hifi racks (U.K.)

[@nespressoman]

I found it! I want to demo these speakers.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I have a pair which I’ll keep. Also have the nad m10 on long term loan.

[@ThePlatonas]

i haven't heard the meta ones, but everytime i heard the classic ones, i found them lean (thin) sounding! very good soundstage and clarity but no body to the sound despite the different set ups!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I wouldn’t describe the meta’s like that at all.

[@tonyhodgkinson4586]

Funny I always found the original LS50 as boomy in the dealers room I heard them, which is why I never bought the original, but I am sensitive to port boom/chuffing.

[@unklecorky2181]

Revisiting this video as the Metas are one of my top contenders for a near field desktop system. I’m hoping the lack of bass won’t be as much of an issue close up. I’ll primary be listening to electronic and industrial music. I’d prefer not to incorporate a sub if it could be avoided.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I’m not with that near-field thing he surmised, although a spot on review and agreed with all else. Oddly everything I wrote down in my script Ive pretty much finished was same them watching the Mr D video. The KEFs are just lesser with bass as they have a smaller driver though. A desktop system….you want Genelec every day of the week. Check out my review on the 8330A. I’m doing two more pairs this year, but Genelec sub first for the 8330A’s I still have.

[@unklecorky2181]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I will consider the Genelecs as well; thank you. I feel as though a few in-home demos are to properly in order to determine what speaker would fit my needs best for desktop use. I see many people using the meta's near field. Still, they probably aren't listening to similar music and are probably using a sub. Desktop solutions can be tricky. My Dynauadio Evoke 20 living room speakers do nicely in that space but would be a compressed mess on my desk.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@unklecorky2181 you don’t need a massively powerful or big speaker thats why those genelecs get used in lots of recording studios / tv stations etc / my local bbc radio office I went in has them everywhere. The use of the ls50 metas nearfield would be too much because they are designed for sofa and lounge use and the front and back soundstage would be lost , also they are not configurable, the beauty of the genelecs is some have room correction tech so you can measure them at the listening seated position for desk use and tweak as well in the glm software. 😀

[@steverees1936]

Because of my room size and where my furniture is I'm having issues choosing a new speaker to suit. These KEF's or a closed box design speaker may be the answer to my problem, but I'm going to need to add a sub to improve bass and mid range. My room is 16' X 11.5' with laminated flooring and a chair near the right speaker. What's your thoughts Simon?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Speakers are always a bit of a compromise around the room I think. At the end of the day it’s whether you like the sound within the room Steve. If it’s boomy to you then it may not be to another. My attitude to room effects is that it is obviously important and a big part of how the hifi sounds but if the sound is one you like, then who is to say what appears a bad room set up, is one. That’s my attitude to room treatments and I can still compare hifi with everything else constant. As long as you can move them out from the wall, space them decently well, and you don’t have any massive bass traps I think you’ll be fine. My view would be if you like a speaker in a dealer always try it at home. Nothing overly technical, just common sense really.

[@steverees1936]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I'm not a fan of boomy bass, but a deep full bass, a smooth mid range and a treble that is crisp but not sharp and edgy. The problem I have is a chair near the right speaker which stops me from pulling a speaker (KEF q55.2) out from the wall more than 35cm. One option would be to get rid of the chair but the wife wouldn't be happy 😂

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I’ve got mine about 35cm from the wall and it’s fine. When I do the NAD M10 video next (where I’ll use these KEFs - as I will going forward as I bought them as I said) I’m going to try Dirac room correction functionality of the NAD. That could help a lot. Never tried it before so it may help some to know how I get on with this tech.

[@PhotogPhotog-sk4ip]

I’ve got the KEF LS50 Meta paired with a Rega Brio. Is it worth upgrading my amp to the Hegel H95?

[@tonyhodgkinson4586]

One thing that interests me with speakers such as these is what would they cost if they were made in the U.K.? So when comparing with other speakers such as PMC are we/you really comparing like with like on costs, so if they compete with speakers at twice their price maybe if it was a U.K. build speakers maybe they would be cost comparable to a 2k speaker. Just a thought. Nice review though.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks , I suppose it’s a buyers market (including me) so it shouldn’t really matter where they are made. We are all interested in the same thing of price to performance ratio

[@tonyhodgkinson4586]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 you’re missing my point, no it doesn’t matter where something is made other than I don’t think comparing items with uk manufactured items is a fair comparison unless you know what a speaker like pmc was made in say China

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@tonyhodgkinson4586 the argument doesn’t work Tony because sometimes Chinese made is better. For instance the Denafrips Venus 2 dac I looked at is better made than the Kent, England made chord Hugo tt2

[@cybergod77]

a sound demo wd be great

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

How can you do that online? Impossible with different playback devices, dacs etc. I don’t believe you tubers who say you can do that.

[@anatol1204]

can you use ls 50 for studio monitors are they flat enough?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Don’t know, how flat is your wall?

[@gegernaut]

Do I need to upgrade my white and blue ls50 which I purchased 2 years ago and recently added a kc62 into the mix? Would the rolled off treble of the meta make it unnecessary to upgrade? Thanks.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Really is a case of trying yourself tbh. Enjoy your hifi.

[@gavinhall4112]

If you feel there are deficiencies in your LS50's that warrant an upgrade, then the answer to your quest is not the LS50 Meta imho

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@gavinhall4112 depends as the ls50 meta’s has a slightly different sound. Rolled off top treble is noticeable.

[@gavinhall4112]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 it just feels like quite a lot of money for what would effectively be a broadly sideways move. Obviously everyone's partnering equipment, ears and mileage will vary.

[@reviewguy5140]

Does anyone know when KEF LS50 wireless II will get WiSA?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

How is that important to you?

[@kitieas]

Would the hegel h95 be sufficient or H120 would be a better option? Thanks!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Never tried H95. Depends on so many factors.

[@kitieas]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 thanks do think the h120 is enough? If not can you please recommend any other similarly priced?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Again it will depend on the speakers, listening room, normal listening levels, speaker sensitivity, speaker impedance etc.

[@kitieas]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 sorry was not clear from the outset:p I was referring to the kef ls50 meta Small to medium room

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Go for h120 or even better still h190 I’d say. The DACs improve in the higher up hegels too. The KEFs keep improving with better amplifiers I’m finding. My h390 is quite a bit better than h120 and nad m10 I have atm on loan, too. I didn’t pair KEFs with h390 as intended pairing, as my h390 amp is for my better pmc’s. If I was buying an economical amp, for the KEFs, go for the h190 every day of the week.

[@warrengregson3991]

Do you think these would sound decent on a bookshelf?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Not really - speakers of this quality need stands. 😁

[@warrengregson3991]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 yea, I assumed that, thanks. I’m currently renovating my listening room and I’m tight for space. Would you have a suggestion for good bookshelf speakers?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I think if you want speakers of this ilk, try and accommodate them on great stands because you won’t regret it.

[@peymey]

Can anybody recommend an affordable amplifier to power them??

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

What price range?

[@peymey]

Sorry for not being specific! I'm thinking sub 1000Euro. Looked into Audiolab 6000 play series, with integrated streamer.

[@hclandscapes]

@@peymey i used a Audio 6000A on the original ls50's and it worked surprisingly well, i think the Meta's are slightly easier to drive so should be ok.

[@peymey]

@@hclandscapes thanks for the comment. My other concern is the lack of sub out on the Audiolab.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I'd look at a Nord Integrated Power Amp. Not the usual brands & direct selling = great price. but the specs are terrific and what you get for price. the NC500 DM was one of the best performing amps I have tried for the money, if not the best.www.nordacoustics.co.uk/int-c