Our favourite bookshelf speakers below £1,000 (Part 2)

I continue my chat with Ian White, Ecoustics Editor-in-chief, about our favourite bookshelf speakers below £1,000.
Link to manufacturers' webpages:
www.qacoustics.com/products/3...
uk.kef.com/pages/ls50-meta?gc...
www.wharfedale.co.uk/denton-85/
Link to Ecoustics website:
www.ecoustics.com
Link to my Patreon:
/ abritishaudiophile
Time stamps:
0:00 Intro
0:09 Q Acoustics 3030i
3:51 Kef LS50 Meta
8:36 Wharfedale Denton 85

[@TheChrisleekay]

I've got zero interested in bookshelf speakers but I could still listen to these two guys all day!!! :)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Chris. That is very kind 😊👍

[@MrFryfish]

Really? Why? They don't talk about speaker impedances, resonance frequence.. speaker internal volume vs resonance frequence.. all those so important characteristics of a speaker has been let a side. They just spin around generic questions... and give the same answer using different words.. That's it.

[@tg6373]

I appreciate both of you guys. Thank you!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you kindly 😊👍

[@zindahoon]

Very interesting conversation I just witnessed at this time of the night .. well done to you and your friend for engaging and informative content

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Atri 😊

[@mattyj3051]

I had the Denton 85 paired with a Vintage Yamaha CR1020. I noticed a glare in the midrange at times. Now I run them with the Hegel H95 … and wow! … what a difference. I had no idea the Dentons were capable of such detail. They really scaled up nicely. Love them!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@shanestephenson8423]

Great wrap up there on some very nice speakers. I couldn't agree more, value for money in this hobby at the moment even with the recent price rises is still as good as I think it's ever been.🎧👍😁

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Shane 👍

[@ljcdehaan]

Was looking forward to this one. Thanks!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for watching. I hope it was with the wait 👍

[@ljcdehaan]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 It certainly was! Informative and entertaining. Thanks again!

[@jakus514]

Stoked to hear Ian is playing with the Vincent amp, hardly anyone talks about them and I'm absolutely blown away by mine!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@Coneman3]

Good to meet you at the Northwest Audio Show today. Cheers, Dave.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Dave. Great to meet you too 😊👍

[@richardatkinson4452]

Looking forward to more like this.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@ericlow1461]

I bought LS50 METAs which I absolutely love. I then did lots of searching for the best amp to match them with, at a cost of about £1k-£1.2k and finally decided on an Arcam SA20. The sound from this combination is awesome!!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I have heard that combo with the non Meta version and it sounded great 😊

[@fernei1251]

Great discussion Tarun and Ian. I wonder why products like Monitor Audio and B&W don't get a mention in your reviews , is it because these brands don't readily share their products with KZbin reviewers. That's a shame as they are so many people like myself that have shifted to relying on KZbin reviews. Yes agree re Acoustic Energy , owned a pair of AE109s, and only parted with them after 20 years of listening. Thank you Tarun for the great work you do on this channel, I have learnt more from you in the past 2 years , than what I have learnt elsewhere in the past 20 years!!

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗 THANKS …TARUN AND IAN… nostalgia or new style… it’s a great time to become an audiophile 😎👍😁😍😍😍

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you buddy 👍

[@alm5693]

Thanks, guys. I enjoy your conversations. At least I know now not to buy Q Acoustics 3030i's. Bit of a drag to see my integrated amp on the "found wanting" list.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Al. Matching amps to speakers can be tricky 😊

[@dainawilburn2390]

Really nice review. I've not heard the Q-Acoustics speakers but I have a friend in another state in the US who owns the 3020 I believe. I have owned the original LS-50 and the Denton 80th. The story is I almost moved across country to marry an old high school sweetheart. I sold some very nice Vandersteen floor standers for the LS - 50 because I knew she would not abide by big speakers. Well the relationship didn't work out and I moved back home. Then it took an inordinate amount of time to find a new job (I had even taken a new job in her city). I wound up having to sell almost all of my pretty formidable system. I wound up selling almost everything, including the LS-50s. I bought the Denton 80s (2015), mostly out of desperation, and they were always on sale. Like the 85s they have a wonderful old asthetic and I found I could listen with anything. I've slowly built my system back up. I finally replaced the 80s, but I have kept them, through two newer challengers. I can go back to them any time, and I wouldn't hesitate. And I like the titanium colored cloth grill even better.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing Daina. Looks like you are back on track with the hifi. I hope in your personal life too 😊

[@doifeellucky]

Congratulations Tarun on reaching 50k subscribers.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you my friend. I am delighted 👍😊👍

[@kozkoz7776]

really enjoyed part one and two and that lan White is from Toronto were lm from born and raised l think that what weve learned from this that yes there are good sounding speakers ( product knowledge ) and very expensive speakers ( well marketed ) BUT ! an inexpensive speaker can sound outstandig with alot of headroom behind it especially BOOKIES l own just in one room 9 pairs including kef 101's and kef 103/ 4 's and many canadian brands also they hit all the right notes no matter what amp l use my amps are all class A/B and well above the 400 watt mark but to get a diffrent sound all l do is swap out the preamps l own several audio research /acoustat / tandberg / hafler etc and you just changed the dynamics of the sound its like having 27 pairs of spakers ALLWAYS enjoy your channel

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Koz 🙂

[@marcus1970]

Fully agree with the Kef LS50 Meta.... and also with what you both said about pairing with your own choice of amplification with passives.. Whilst the wireless/active/dsp can be shockingly good with very little effort... I don't feel its the end of the performance road... For a short time my LS50 were in the end of my Parasound Halo JC5! (Previously my A51) that really worked extremely well (particularly underpinned with sub/s)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. I can see how the JC5 and A51 would work well with the LS50s 😊

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Great review

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you buddy 😊

[@robertwang7825]

Yes the Kefs are incredible for the money. But what I found was as I upgraded my DAC to the Pontus 2 from a Matrix Mini I Pro 3 , there was a clear discernible improvement but when I upgraded from a Class AB integrated SimAudio Moon I5 ( 70wpc ) to the Willsenton R800i ( class A 50wpc SET ) , the improvement was alot more. It sounded much bigger with marked improvements all round. So partnering equipment is quite critical if you want to bring the best out of the Kefs. Never pair it with lower range equipment , if you want to maximize its potential. And I find them well suited to tube amps. I think the next upgrade I might consider is a Rel T5X sub and the Iris DDC. Denafrips and Willsenton make very good quality products that perform way above their price range IMO.

[@conduit242]

Curious where you’d place the Benchmark AHB2 in your ‘ranges’

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing your experiences Robert 😊

[@harpotwitchell]

Hi Tarun, you have very kindly responded to my questions as I sought to upgrade my speakers, which was very helpful and more or less beyond the call of duty. So if you don't mind, I'd like to share what I decided to do, and a little more on the joys and difficulties of working from online reviews. Hopefully my comments might be useful to others as well. Last year I invested what was for me big money in a system for my rather large classroom, an octagon 9 meters or more across with a high ceiling that rises towards the center. We use the system for music, film, lectures, and much more in a language-focused classroom. I bought an IOTAVX SA3, Triangle Borea BR03 speakers, and a Schiit Bifrost DAC. I have loved the sound of this system. But I noticed that with the size of the room, on some films especially the BR03's seemed to be pushed to the limit, and perhaps the amp driving them too. In upgrading I thought I would focus on wide dispersion speakers, which brought me through your reviews and comments to Amphion Argons and KEF LS50 Meta. I heard an older Amphion Argon 3 and loved the sound, which was also quite different from the Borea BR03s. I haven't heard the KEF LS50 Metas yet. Then it occurred to me that if I liked the BR03s so much, why not try the Triangle BR08s, a floorstanding speaker that has received awards and many good reviews. This is what I finally decided to do, in part because I wanted to stay with a sound I knew, in part because though they wouldn't match the other two speakers in width of dispersion, they were definitely not narrow dispersion in my experience, and finally because I needed to be realistic about my budget. And strangely the BR08s can be found now within a wide range of prices, from around $900 US (so I understand) to around $1800 US a pair. I found a pair in Bangkok for $1,050 US. So the decision-making process was interesting. It was interesting because very diverse reviewers praised them effusively. At the same time, there were gripes. And one of my main points here is that as readers we have to take reviewers' complaints with a grain of salt, even if we really like the reviewers and respect their point of view. Because what can easily happen is that an offhand comment can make us feel, "Oh, that sounds really bad. Maybe I don't want this." For example, on the BR08, one reviewer on KZbin praised them very honestly, but also complained a bit repeatedly about what he thought was their exaggerated or artificial bass. Many reviewers described them as "punchy" and quite a few as "needing higher volumes to bring out their full potential." So I started to doubt that this was what I wanted. Another reviewer absolutely loves the uniqueness and engaging but smooth sound of the Borea BR03s, but clearly felt that at least in some respects the BR08 doesn't match up. So I made my decision with some trepidation. The key dealer in Thailand for Triangle is a wonderful man who has been in hifi for 40 years or so. When I brought up my doubts about the BR08 at his showroom, he said something like, "The BR03s are great but they can't really do this." Then he put on I think Holst's "The Planets" or something with timpani, bass drum, and more in a full orchestra and it was very vivid. You could feel the impact of the instruments, and the imaging seemed very good to me. Of course he was using very high quality electronics. Strangely, I felt there should be more space to the sound, especially in the high frequencies, but I think this was because his showroom has limited dimensions with lower ceilings, and though he's treated them very well, the speaker is meant for a larger space. So in any case I bought them, and this dealer takes great personal care, so it was a good experience, but I started to worry that I was not really making a strong upgrade. OK, so the upshot is that from the moment I hooked them up and turned on the music (after using New Record Day's LOTS system for speaker placement), I was stunned at how many of the wonderful characteristics of the BR03 the BR08's maintained! Open, spacious, non-fatiguing, wonderful true-to-life timbre, especially in the mid range, piano for example sounding lovely with lots of space in the upper octaves and really good weight in the lower. It's just that it did all of what the BR03s do with more body and lower weight. Despite this, the bass was not overwhelming or crude, in fact the whole thing sounded lovely, even before being broken in. I'm grateful that my living room/teaching studio is about 20 square meters, with high ceilings, and that size of space is the minimum that Triangle recommends. Well, I'm going on very long but to sum it up: 1) Some things that a given reviewer feels strongly about may actually be rather minor in the larger scheme of things, or in our own scheme of things. In such situations it's helpful to have a large number of very diverse reviews and awards, as the BR08 does, to give enough confidence to buy it. One example here is that a few reviewers, one from Absolute Sound, have said the KEF LS50 Meta is wonderful but that there is no real height to the sound stage. So as a reader I'm wondering, is that true, is it important, is it something that I'll be disappointed with? It would be a shame to disqualify speakers from a single comment, but I would guess this happens often. And what about those speakers that are rarely reviewed? A small and offhand comment might lead to them being disregarded, and we might unknowingly discard a gem. 2) Some things a reviewer says may reflect their room size or other conditions on that day that may not apply to other situations with different conditions. I think this is true of the comments about the exaggerated bass of the BR08. 3) It's all too easy when listening to or reading a review to take a given comment in a way that it was not meant. For example, various reviewers said something to the effect that the BR08s sound best at higher volumes. Hearing this I immediately thought, "These are not good for low level listening." That's a clear negative for me. But based on my actual experience, on low listening levels they sound very much like the BR03s, but with what I think of as a hint of greater weight and imaging. Naturally some of those positive characteristics are more vivid at higher volumes. I think that's the extent of it. For me they are delightful both at low and at louder listening levels. 4) I think many readers know this, but I found that I couldn't really assess the speakers well until I was able to listen to music I knew well. I have listened to various albums from Steely Dan, whose recordings were good from the beginning and only got better over time, in my view, to a complete collection of piano and orchestral music of Ravel, performed by a fantastic 20th century French pianist (Samson Francois), and to Handel's Concerti Grossi Op. 3 performed by the Academy of Ancient Music under Richard Egarr. In each case it's been engrossing and fun to listen to pieces I know well, and to notice new textures or even new instrumental flourishes that I hadn't really noticed before. So I'm very pleased with my decision, in spite of all the doubts I had. I know I'm taking a lot of space here, but I would like to appreciate your careful use of language when describing sound, your very helpful comparisons when discussing sound characteristics, which make it more likely we'll be able to ground your descriptions in something we know, your nuanced comments on partnering equipment, and finally for being very up front about what criteria are important to you when you assess audio equipment. I appreciate all of the reviewers I follow, in fact, for being able to offer their perspectives, which often contain gems, in spite of the difficulty sometimes of putting it all into words, first, and then into practical decisions. I have wondered too about how addictive the fascination with hifi can be for myself and others. My rough answer is that well-designed and crafted equipment can give us through the music a glimpse of genuine beauty in a world that is often not beautiful, or presents many challenges to say the least. I think we all yearn for such glimpses of life's beauty. The only thing I have to caution myself about is to not let this search for beauty or even perfection in audio become all-encompassing. It is after all one form of beauty and there are many others, and as a reflection or maybe even a symbol of something deeper, it can only go so far. In other words, the love and investment in hifi, I sometimes have to remind myself, is best when it's proportional to other broader forms of beauty, including those of relationships and social arrangements that strive to care for everyone and for our broader environment. Thanks for reading this long piece, if you have, and thank you and other sincere reviewers for the great assistance you bring to those of us who want to make sound and gratifying decisions with sometimes limited access to the direct experience of listening to the many kinds of great equipment that are out there these days.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Theodore. That is very kind and much appreciated. Great to learn about your experiences. Thank you for sharing 😊👍

[@FRL2000]

Very nice, this video format is quite useful. I have a pair of ls50 meta in a small office with good quality digital components and it is quite pleasant. I do run a sub, but the Metas put out very respectable mid bass and treble never seems harsh to me. I've considered upgrading them because they're a secondary area where I can tinker, but they're just so damn good as all arounders in that environment I should just keep em.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. They are hard to beat at their price point 😊

[@MaxZappa1]

I found the Wharfedale Denton 85 exciting, but sibilant, which was very noticeable on female vocals. I replaced them with the Wharfedale Denton 80 which are less fatiguing, very musical with no obvious sibilance. Good overall sound with plenty bass for their size, a slightly smaller cabinet than the 85's and a more laid back presentation.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@JamesBrown-jy5sy]

Nice and informative video.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you James 😊

[@JP1050x]

I recently picked up a used Rega Brio-R and it really woke up my QA 3030i’s. Great synergy between the Brio-R & 3030i’s. My old class D amp wasn’t terrible with the 3030i’s, which resulted in a smoother top end, and often bloated bottom end. But the sound signature with my new Rega really changed the character of the speakers.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

That is great 😊

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

I'm planning on getting the 3030i to run with my smsl A300 Do you think they will gel?

[@uselessoldman7964]

Q Acoustics design make and sell great speakers. I still use the original 2050i and I just bought my nephew the later 3050i for his 21st, like bought them yesterday, I also bought the 3020i bookshelf and the centre 3090ci for my surround system and they all sound magical I finished off the system with JBL Control Ones. As a new kid on the block Q Acoustics prices were low and great value before the 3000 series and now there no longer an absolute bargain but I still think still offer great value and great sounding and there British !! Again with the 3030i prices have continued to jump up I paid £120 for the 3020i now the 3030i are double that !!! A lot of reviews and comments I have read say the 3000 series needs to be driven harder? Not the 3020i and certainly not the older 2050i but then I guess I like it a little louder than norm but not excessively. But at £250 for a pair of 3030i there certainly not a bargain low priced brand anymore thats more than I paid for my set of 2050i when new !!!

[@jeromemeyers7079]

I've been listening to LS50 Metas in my office for 8+ hours a day and there's zero fatigue. They're great speakers, especially for the price.

[@bryangibson8479]

Same here. Been listening to them nearfield every day for six months and love them.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎 what amp are you using? 😊

[@jeromemeyers7079]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Pass Labs INT-25 - obviously a bit unbalanced in terms of price, but they work well together. The INT-25 pairs well with everything I've tried.

[@bryangibson8479]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 An Outlaw Audio RR2160MKII receiver. I know receivers aren't in vogue these days, but this is an underrated unit. Sounds wonderful to my ears. Great channel, BTW!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@bryangibson8479 thank you 😊

[@sc51153826]

I too have seen some Chinese Hi-Fi product prices that are much less here in HK than abroad. They are about par or even lower within the mainland than their UK counterparts. It's popular in HK to buy 2nd or demo speakers from the UK and ship them back from the UK.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Interesting. Thank you for sharing 😊

[@9madness9]

Hope to see your review of ls60, love the sound of the meta speakers

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@violin-schwerin]

I've got the Linton 85ths, endgame speakers for me :)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎

[@tellthemborissentyou]

Because of this series I have started reading ecoustics. Ian's reviews a really well written and if you google him you can find stories about needing a record brush or arm wrestling a woman for a Sam Cooke record.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

That is very cool. I will have to ask him about it 😉👍

[@温老師]

You can get the Denton 85th Anniversary for US$600, no tax, in Hong Kong now, almost the same price as a pair Diamond 12.2. That makes it an even better value. By the way, I bought a pair of Diamond 12.2 last year and I love it. For US$560, it’s lauded locally to be the new reference speaker in that price range.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@fredericktennant9151]

Thoes Dentons was on my shortlist but I managed to grab the Lintons for the same price with the stands, yes they are bigger (a lot bigger) but it still works well with my tube amp and turntable.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

That is great 👍

[@kjbiz]

Thanks both. Tarun may remember I have KEF LS50’s paired with Audiolab 8300A. They could sound bright depending on genre. I recently added a REL T5/x and a Limetree phono stage and the brightness has definitely dissipated. Sounds more well rounded. I will be looking to swap out Amp and speakers eventually and will use KEF’s and a T/zero for movies. What small amp would you recommend Burson? Have you heard Copland? Cheers

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing. I don’t know about small amps but they sound great with Arcam and Hegel 😊

[@jimwright98]

Hmm food for thought. I'm looking for a new pair of bookshelf speakers to replace my B&W606's which i find stunning...with perfect recordings, but just too bright most of the time. Or more to the point lacking in mid detail I think, which tends to let the brightness gain prominence.

[@andreassouth1523]

The truth is that most speakers (about 80%) have more or less bright sound. When the Q 3030i arrived it was like an oasis in the desert. I have it for a month with Yamaha A-S 501.Great synergy. In home theater the room shakes from low frequencies. Crystal clear highs (but not offencive) sweet mids and seismic bass!!Up to 1000 euros there is no speaker with real deep bass, except Q3030i.If you can not torelate bright sounding speakers this is your harbor to dock!

[@carlitomelon4610]

I moved from proac tablettes to the Ls50s in my well damped British bungalow style home. With musical fidelity amps and rel subs, I haven't noticed any brightness. Vocals sound spot on, and imaging scale amazing across the whole soundstage (as opposed to the small tablettes image, truncated at the edges)! ->However the Magnepan LRS* are my favorite "little" speaker under $1000 🎶🤫🎶 *Little Ribbon Speaker

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing. Musical Fidelity amps typical work well with Kef speakers 😊

[@carlitomelon4610]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 THANKS for sharing, Tarun:-)

[@edwardcase]

I wanted to make an excellent speaker for 120 USD per speaker. The work to make them I did myself. My design parameter was robust 80 watt 8 ohm system with as simple a crossover as can be. So I looked for drivers that could pair up to make the crossover simple. The 19mm Peerless silk dome and 6,5" Peerless nomex drivers are so close in sensitivity and the crossover point is 2200, such that off the shelf components would work

[@edwardcase]

1 air core inductor and 1 metalized poly capacitor for each driver. My crossover has 4 components. I have no baffle-step compensation, but the driver spacing is very close and the system response is all it should be in living room listening levels. My comments are such that the system DESIGN emphasis very much makes all the difference.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@edwardcase thank you Edward. I hope it was a fun project 👍

[@chriswidden7685]

Just watched your very helpful review again. What you did not cover is positioning and stands which is surely as important as amp natching. Everywhere you look "Bookshelf" speakers are referred to as Standmount speakers, and received wisdom is that they should always be on stands. But many of us don't have the space to do that. So which perform best in a cramped location on say a sideboard ar a wide shelf, maybe in a wide alcove or either side of a chimney breast ? I'm sure many of us have this dilemma. Is it worth addressing ? I hope so ! If you have been, thanks for reading.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Chris 😊

[@paulkabrna345]

Tarun, good to meet you today at the North West Audio Show. My local hifi dealer Stuart of Wilkinson's HiFi was looking forward to seeing you. Hope you managed to find his Fyne Audio demonstration room. In my humble opinion I really liked how Fanthorpes had set up there gear. The PMC Fact 12 Signatures sounded great with the careful choice of music to listen to, and the volume on the lower side which helped to fully appreciate the speakers. Good thought process by the dealer. Having said that they are expensive at c. £15000. Keep doing what you are doing. Takes me back to my younger days! Just become a Patreon at the entry level.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Hi Paul, it was great to meet you too. I really enjoyed our chat. There were so many interesting systems at show at the show (I haven’t learned to listen through the environment to some extent). I agree about the PMCs. I would just like to thank your kindness, support of the channel and becoming a Patreon. It means a lot. All the best with your new venture 👍😊👍

[@boubakane]

Hi U 2 gentlemen 🌟. Mr aba I still love my new ae100 mk2 and still regret selling my Spektor 2😜. (Full intention to redeem myself). I have a question for Ian: q3030i, totally agree with the power needed (my most powerful is Yamaha rn-803 and it opened them up !) but have you tried them with the io? It's in paradox goodness territory those two together (for my 👂). Thx again for everything you guys do to help us understand and Love ❤️ Audio even more (especially this New under +/-1000 everything Audio 🤯😋)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you BB 👍

[@bengleason508]

Hell or High Water, would you please do a review of the Kef LS50 Meta?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I am working on it 😊

[@williamvezina1944]

ElacBu52 2.0 Really good, neutral, good bass, 3 way, handle at least 140watts,6ohm, sounds great on most amps, 2020 speaker 🤘❤️😁 aluminum, cirmentric woofer's, soft dome Tweeter 👀❤️

[@vtkz]

neutral ?? not realy, look at the measurments. A lot of resonances and colored sound. Its a cheap entry level Bookshelf, you dont get linearity & high quality for under 400eur

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for watching 😊

[@williamvezina1944]

Couldn't disagree more, 659.00 USA, got sale, 489.00 read reviews... Steve, Ron, Randy, thought you knew your stuff, disappointing 😘

[@williamvezina1944]

@@vtkz I think you're thinking wrong speaker, They measure amazing! New generation, Elac reference 2.0,read Dan's "Records" review, he does 2,one is measured, other is literally listening reviews, Steve g., Cheap audio guy, Randy, Etc. Check there reviews, they know there stuff, well respected, I couldn't find a bad review, so maybe your thinking 1st generation!? 🤘😁

[@fletchermunson6225]

Thanks guys. For about $1200 you can get a pile of parts from CSS audio and make a wonderful speaker the Criton 1TD-X. The down side is you have to put it together. Not rocket science but fun if you have minimal skills.

[@erics.4113]

It's rocket science if you plan on installing these speakers in your dedicated listening pod on your ... Rocket

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

True Jim. The DIY approach can be great value for money for those who are prepared to put in the elbow grease 😊

[@4thewinir344]

Just built a set of top end Critons, connected to my Audiolab 6000, and they are leagues above my Wharfedale Linton’s - and half their size. They are truly amazing. But it took me taking a week of holiday to find the time for the cabinet finishing. They look, sound, and give high amounts of joy and intrinsic pleasure that no other speaker I will ever own can approach. Can’t recommend the Criton 1TDX with best Xover ENOUGH.

[@fletchermunson6225]

@@4thewinir344 They now make a cabinet out of BalticBirch instead of MDF so you can simply glue it together, lightly sand and spray with clear finish. No veneer which is definitely a time killer and needs some education. Another alternative is to simply take your MDF cabinets to a painter. My friend took his to an auto body shop and they pt a nice piano finish on it. I think most auto shops have spare left over paint to cut cost.

[@erics.4113]

@@4thewinir344 that's awesome to hear and congrats. I'm looking to do a diy some day and it will likely be those or Danny's encores

[@rcgrapevine]

The KEFs are worth a listen.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 👍

[@thomasward00]

Don't forget about the Denton 80th, they are $500 ish and a bit warmer than the 85th... More in line with the Linton...

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@drkenl5727]

I have the KEF LS50 Metas powered by the NAD M10 and its internal DAC. About 90% of the music is wonderful, but maybe 10% is too bright. Might be the content of the song, how the sound engineer rendered the song, the DAC or the amplifier (or all of these). I'm trying to better the situation with Dirac EQ (helps) and have also tried different speaker wires (minimal improvement). Any other comments welcome!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing Ken. Matching the right amp will be important 😊

[@drkenl5727]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Or maybe pairing the NAD M10 with different speakers. Been thinking about the Buchardt S400 MKII given the outstanding reviews (and the strong dollar). Any thoughts on the M10/S400 combination?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@drkenl5727 i would expect that combo to be clean and dynamic sounding but may be a bit thin in the midrange 😊

[@harpotwitchell]

Hello Tarun, I'm interested that one of your selections is the LS50 Meta. I had written to you some time ago and shared that I'm an anthropologist in Thailand who's looking to upgrade to better loudspeakers for use in my classroom, and that for classroom use a wide dispersion pattern is very helpful. At that time you suggested LS50 Meta, and somehow I didn't give it that much thought, but your comments here and others' appreciation of the LS50 Meta have made me consider them again. (I haven't heard them yet.) I've also been thinking about Amphion. Just today I had the chance to go to Amphion's only dealer in Thailand, and they have a used Amphion Argon 3 (not 3S) for about the same price that I would need to spend for new LS50 Metas (around $1,500 USD). Both these speakers have a very wide sweet spot, if I understand correctly. The Argon 3 is about six years old. I had the chance to listen, though not extensively, and I liked the sound very much. As a dealer for Amphion they can replace drivers quickly and for a reasonable cost should that be needed, but I'm not sure if it makes sense to buy an older speaker like that. New, however, they were around $3,000 (these are the walnut finish). Anyway, if you have a moment, I wonder if you have any thoughts on weighing these kind of options. One of the larger questions is how to factor in age when it comes to loudspeakers. I have noticed that you very much appreciate your ProAc speakers, and I take it that they are getting on in years. Thanks much!

[@harpotwitchell]

Forgot to say that we use the audio system in the classroom for music as well as for watching films.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Hi Theodore, if it has been well looked after, the Argon 3 should be good for many years to come. The LS50 Meta will have a wider sweet spot though. You also need to consider partnering amplification 😊

[@harpotwitchell]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Hey, thanks a lot, Tarun, for taking the time to respond. I didn't realize that the LS50 Meta would have a wider sweet spot. Your comments help me to think further. All the best!

[@Norman-bone13]

I feel the “Made in China” negativity is stale. Wharfedale owns their own factory in China and maintains strict adherence to their specific standards. They build a quality speaker that usually provides the listener with an enjoyable experience. I’ve gone British with my stereo rig. Cambridge Audio integrated amp powering Wharfedale speakers, and I’m a happy musicophile! 🎶👍🏼😎

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Great 👍

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

I love dynaudio bookshelves

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

They makes some very nice speakers 😊

[@violao206]

Tarun, you have me truly GAS'ing (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) for the Acoustic Energy AE100 mk 2 speakers for a secondary bedroom listening system. Only 259 pounds?! Wow! It is such a shame that here in the States we get soaked with import costs and virtually non-existent distribution of British brands. There is only one retailer mail-ordering AE100s for $400 USD. Gah... And Splendor? I have been a keen enthusiast for decades and have never heard of Splendor. Once again, it is under-representation of British brands in our markets. It seems the only badges we see here are KEF, Audiolab, Rega, ATC, B&W, Q Acoustics, Wharfedale, Naim, Tannoy, Arcam, Monitor Audio, and Cambridge. well...I guess we don't do too bad, but still. BTW, I ove this channel!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Michael. If you get the AE100 Mk2, please let me know how you get on 😊👍

[@DistroUser]

$400. is not much more than 259 pounds and when you consider that it includes delivered in the US, it's a no brainer! That is what I paid here in the US and have no regrets...amazing speakers for the money when teamed up with good electronics!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@DistroUser thank you for sharing 👍

[@danielgeodoiu1779]

What amp topology do you conider is best suitable for the Kef Ls50? Can you select 3 amps you think would sound best with the kefs?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Not so much about topology but sonic characteristics. I would choose between the Hegel H95/H120, Arcam SA20/SA30 and Musical Fidelity M5Si 😊

[@joekool5676]

Do either of you have any comments on KEF Q350 bookshelves? Also would amp would you pair with KEF LS50 Meta

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I haven’t heard the Q Series in years 😊

[@Andy_Stoke]

I've been thinking of getting the 3030i but that sounds like a major limitation if Ian means that they don't sound their best unless you turn the volume up a lot on most amplifiers. I was thinking of pairing it with a Rotel 11a tribute but it's hard to find out how good the pairing is without taking the plunge. Is it clear what amp Ian actually recommends with the 3030i? Or maybe it's worth the extra £200 to go for the 3050i since it's easier to drive? Cheers

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I don’t want to speak for Ian but the 3050i would be a good match for your amp 😊

[@progrock3603]

Polk R200 and with minor upgrades like No Rez. Awesome.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎

[@vtkz]

Abacus Cbox 4 👌 Dolifet Amps, German Build, based on Knowledge and not Mass Production. Fast, Neutral Tonality with an open Sound and a lot of Details & Microdynamics.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@johenkay1129]

The Denton 85's are so underrated. People claim that it's overly harsh, it is not. It sounds better than my harbeth p3esr's in my chain. It's just a grander, bigger, and more dynamic sound from the Denton's. The only thing I think the p3's have over the Denton's is that it disappears better than the Denton's, but not by much.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@melvinp1324]

what about for DJ ? what would you go for ?

[@IrenESorius]

USA,ian and Canadian HiFi-products are ridicoulus expensive in the EU, and after Brexit, so are HiFi-products from the UK. Taxes, taxes and mooooooore taxes. 😖 Thank you and cheers to you both,, 🍻🍻💖👍‍‍👍‍‍

[@user-xg6zz8qs3q]

Just buy French hi-fi products

[@IrenESorius]

@@user-xg6zz8qs3q ,, or from whatever country inside the EU.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Irene 😊

[@IrenESorius]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 💖💖

[@ENGBriseB]

The best Subwoofers are a lot cheaper in the US than in the UK. But yes KEF and Wharfedale, Bowers & Wilkins. Are cheaper in the UK but are worth it if you can get a good deal.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@sujithchandran2832]

Hi Tarun , Thanks for the Video. Would like to buy a good pair of speakers , but stuck in between Proac Response 1SC and Harbeth P3ESR . May I know do you have any preferences, appreciate your feedback.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I would choose the P3ESR for nearfield listening and the 1SC for a regular setup 😊

[@sujithchandran2832]

Thanks for the advise , brought 1SC 🙏

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@sujithchandran2832 please let me know how you get on. Tip: it is demanding of amplification 😊

[@sujithchandran2832]

Hi Tarun, Sure thanks.I’m a regular viewer of your channel. I’m having the Willsenton R8 with upgraded tubes , and a Hegel H120 . Hope it matches well . Will update 👍 Thanks Sujith

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@sujithchandran2832 They should do fine 😊

[@anonimushbosh]

I'm utterly confused. Are you saying the Dali Spektor 2 is on a par with the LS50 Meta or just that it represents equally good value? Is this a shortlist of best value speakers or simply the best ones under £1000 regardless of price?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Best value. The Spektor 2 does not perform at the same level as the LS50 Meta 😊

[@petetalbert]

I have a vintage Yamaha with 65 watts per channel into 8Ω. Can it power the Denton 80 or 85s you think? What about the qAcoustics?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Unfortunately, wattage only determines how loud a given speaker will play and not how difficult it is to drive 😊

[@suburamaa]

I am surprised whenever I see any audiophile talk of Wharfedlae 85. :) I own Wharfedale 85 and drive it with Hegel. I always wondered how would Linton compare with 85 ? Or for that matter KEF . Tarun - Whats your opinion of 85 over KEF? How much of high end clarity am I missing? Any plans to review to 85?

[@gemreylopez5022]

I'm very curious about this myself too, hopefully somebody share their experience. TYIA!!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

The Kef LS50 is a more resolving speaker than the Wharfedale Denton 85 but is more demanding of partnering equipment. You may also prefer the warmer tone of the Denton 85 😊

[@suburamaa]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thank you

[@watchanarchi7386]

I have the Fyne Audio F500 ......for 599 Euro ! Very nice 👌

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎

[@TwangThang57]

I was thinking the Triangle Titus Esprit EZ might have had a mention.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I haven’t heard them 😊

[@TwangThang57]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Gotcha!

[@bobbubevski2719]

where do the Polk R200 sit in the mix? strong bass and smooth tweeter.....neutral sounding

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I haven’t heard them 😊

[@lextr3110]

would you take the ls50 meta vs dali menuet SE .. can you compare them

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Would love to. If only Kef would send me a pair 😊

[@Space-O-2001]

Hi Tarun, have you ever listened to any Monitor Audio speakers? I only ask because I can't find anything in your video list and it's not a brand I see often out in the wild . (But then I'm not that well informed)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I have heard them over the years but not the latest offerings. I did reach out to them a couple of times but never heard anything back 😊

[@Space-O-2001]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thanks for taking the time to reply. It makes me wonder. I appreciate that companies have other priorities but in these ever changing times I think perception is quite an important currency and there is a danger that either you're trying to attain some sort of super exclusive brand image or worse you have something to hide (I'm not suggesting this applies in this case). I wish more brands were more pro-active with their distribution of their loan/review stock.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@Space-O-2001 I think it is just a case of many brands don’t fully appreciate the influence that KZbin has on peoples buying decisions. They seem to be still wedded to sending out their review samples to the traditional publications 😊

[@PauloFerreira-hh6zv]

If you had to choose one amp for the Q Acoustics 3030i and one for the Wharfedale Denton 85, which amps would be?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Audiolab 6000A 😊

[@PauloFerreira-hh6zv]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Considering only the amplification part, do you think the Audiolab 6000A is a better amplifier than the Rotel A11 Tribute? Both are 50w at 8 ohms.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@PauloFerreira-hh6zv I haven’t heard the Tribute 😊

[@PauloFerreira-hh6zv]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thank you Tarun.

[@markcarrington8565]

Everyone, except me, says buy the best speakers you can afford then spend pocket change on source and amp. Might be exaggerating a tad, however, here we are again with speakers costing far below high end with folk telling stories of how much they enjoy them when driven with great amps. One day you’ll all believe me when I say, it’s the source that matters most, followed by an amp with enough quality and juice to make most speakers sound great. Those Q Acoustic 3030i sound like just the sort of pain in the backside speakers I’ve come across in the Monitor Audio range. Big drivers with prodigious bass which require real grip from the amp to prevent them overwhelming the small rooms they’re most likely to be used in. Users of cheap class D amps, beware!

[@gnd144]

Kef plays games with price amounts on Ama zon.

[@adamcfada5071]

Been thinking about buying the Denton 85 speakers. I've seen positive reviews on KZbin. However one mentioned that they can be a little bright with some amps , the video I saw used the Rotel 11 Tribute which I also considered as a possible buy. As I'd rather buy an amp to suit speakers rather than vice versa (experience has taught me not to go that route), So looking for a good match, a warm amp ( Cambridge?). If anyone has the Dentons, please let me know your opinion.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for watching and sharing. I hope someone has tried that combo 😉

[@gemreylopez5022]

I pair my 85s with Denon PMA390 (old entry level amp) and I seldom have problems with brightness. When I do, I simply EQ and cut 8Khz by just -2db but not more than that.

[@suburamaa]

Bit surprised at the review you are talking about. Can you paste link. In fact, Wharfedales are known for warm sound, opposite end of spectrum of brightness. In order to not to get too much of a good thing , I pair it with neutral Hegel you could do with even a good Class D ( not warm amps ) . I use both Hegel and BlueSound Powernode.

[@adamcfada5071]

@@suburamaa kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqKWYnaAabeVnck

[@adamcfada5071]

I was also surprised - I think the reviewer was too!

[@thevintagehifiambassador8524]

Best speaker in the world if you only had 6 different ones: BMW CDM 6000 viewers may find out which model I mean in my next videos :-)

[@dittonworks]

The Q Acoustics are really good.. I liked the original LS50 but not enough to buy a pair. I’d love to hear the Meta, John used to use SL600 then SL700se as his reference speakers.. I wonder if he’s still got them? Great video guys.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you buddy 👍

[@alex.j87]

I see many reviewers putting the Lumina I in “up to 1000” category.. How much is the price of the Lumina II in the UK? Because i bought them two months ago for 950 gbp.

[@nc3419]

How do you find the Lumina II, more/less musical vs HiFi, how is stage depth, tonality and separation? Do they do equally well for music as well as movies/soundtracks? Thanks.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I hope to review it 😊

[@doifeellucky]

They’re £999 retail

[@carewser]

The audio world loves the LS50's but I know two people that own them, one likes them but has had bluetooth problems with his pair and the other doesn't so i'm not convinced they're that great.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Are you referring to the powered, wireless version?

[@carewser]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Yup, I thought the LS50's were all powered and wireless

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@carewser the wireless version was based on their passive design with build it amplification, DAC and streamer. The LS50 passive is well regarded on the whole and the wireless version not so much.

[@themastroiannis]

i wish Ian would allow Tarun to speak without interrupting so often... jeess!!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Understood.

[@audiophileuk1341]

Hes not letting tarun get a word in edge ways ...is he for real

[@Notinpotatoquality]

Could you do a comparison kef ls50 meta vs neumann kh 120?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I did contact Kef but they politely declined to send me the Metas for review.

[@Notinpotatoquality]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 what's your take on neumann kh 120? if you have had the chance to listen to them, compared to $1k - $2k bookshelves speakers.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@Notinpotatoquality I haven’t unfortunately.

[@spunkthecombo]

Interesting reviews, thanks. Ian's mic is picking up RF, badly!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@syanhc]

I would argue Wharfedale are under appreciated because they are cheaper than other brands. But they perform just as well as more expensive brands….

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 🙂

[@syanhc]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 It’s good to support British brands…..I’m in Leeds mate…Love the British effort in the Hifi industry…

[@xstensl8823]

no mention of the little Rega's?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Rega politely declined to sent me product to review 😊

[@hoobsgroove]

well I don't know but I think the distributed put too much of a higher market price in America. I get a feeling the British manufacturers don't put a set retail price on the American distributors. basically it's down to greed, probably tell the British manufacturers they will not distribute their product at that price! more independent guys selling it at a cheaper price will force the market down

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@paulgillard5094]

Grado headphones are much cheaper in the US compared to the UK.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Indeed 😊

[@KarelSmout]

I'd settle for Fyne F500

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool

[@buttonman1831]

I find British speakers are generally better value even in North America. I'll take Proac, Monitor Audio, Kef, Spendor, and Atc over most North American speakers any day.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Glad to know,that they are appreciated over there 😊

[@johnholmes912]

What no Triangles??

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I like Triangle speakers but it is a competitive market segment 😊

[@boris1968-i8l]

Second sale is full of these Kef's...thay haven't lively presentation..l had ls50..the music is not detail..

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@totalplonker824]

Does Ian white and Daniel Craig lookalike.... I don't know but I think they sure do Bond 😁

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Good one 😊

[@2HatHudders]

American products are very expensive in the UK

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thanks. I think it is worse the other way around 😊

[@nagumaninagu9368]

Hi sir

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Hi NN 😊

[@DougMen1]

Looking at Richer Sounds, the LS50 Metas and Wharfedale Lintons are both 1099, not under 1000. They both cost $1500 here in the US. However, IMO, the Aria 906 from Focal at 799 pounds blows them all away, although they are $2200 here in the States. However, IMO, even the Chora 806, which is 479 there, and $999 here, blows away the Metas and Lintons. The Aria 906 is the best speaker available under 1000 pounds from any company, and the 806 is the best under 500. Even at their US prices they are amazing. The 906 costs the same here as the KEF R3, and I love the R3s, but I'd still rather have the 906s. And, Focals are ALL made in France, not China.

[@nealcaffrey1251]

Absolutely true, but just a few reviewers has heard of Aria's, when I searched speakers for myself, I visited 10 audio salons, listened to everything up to 2000 euros: Monitor audio, Sonus Faber, Wharfadale, Q Acoustics, B&W, Mission's, Elac, the list can go on... When I listened Aria I forgot about them all, the YBA Heritage A200 amp is the best match for Focal's then anything I've ever heard, even better than Naim and Exposure. And you can get Arias with S T A N D S for ~650 euros on summer sale from France. Not a single bookshelfs even stood close to aria until you doubled the price.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@JG259-io4yd]

Notice that the Denton's recessed front baffle are not in keeping with current flush baffle like Watkins Gen 4 or backward curved baffle design like KEF LS50. We sometimes hear speaker designers claim recessed baffle result in loss of quality in sound reproduction. In your opinion is this actually a issue thats discernable by the listener or more likely a marketing talking point. Your channel is top notch, really enjoy your presentation and speaking style.

[@rcgrapevine]

There are some good engineering articles regarding the KEF curve on its baffle - along with the rest of the enclosure. The history and science on the original LS3/5A & the next generation LS50 is also an interesting.

[@adamcfada5071]

If you watch the GR Research video on the Linton mods, you'll see the baffle diffraction from the raised edges. Wharfdale have only done this to keep in with the style of the original Denton and Lintons. They would have had less diffraction with a flush baffle and magnetic grills. Shame. Curved baffles are the best, thus the KEF LS50 shape.

[@JG259-io4yd]

@@adamcfada5071 thanks, I usually watch all of Danny's videos, will go back and have a look. All the baffle step loss are measurements and my real curiosity is how easy is it to pick up on without measureing equipment?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@JG259-io4yd Edge diffractions certainly has an impact on time smearing the signal which will be audible. It is more of a concern with more expensive/resolving speakers than the Denton. The priorities for a speaker designer are usually drivers, crossover and then cabinet. In that order 😊

[@JG259-io4yd]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thanks

[@jamestartaglia7686]

I've seen your proac speakers and the floor.standing model for sale for less the 800 dollars maybe you should review older speakers that end up as good or better than all this cheap ok kinda garbage new stuff....? 🤔

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I appreciate the suggestion. There is losts of good new stuff too 😊

[@matthewwright4458]

I swear, if he says "credenza" one more time...

[@cremersalex]

If you think the Dentons are like Spendors, wait until you see the new Castle bookies, presumably designed by Peter Comeau as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJDUlI1neZqrqNk

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for the heads up 👍

[@benjaminpaulh5249]

Daniel Craig? Wishful thinking there fella! 🤣😂

[@thomasrandleman7057]

30 30 I, QQ, AOX II, a,b,c, XX OO, HELP!!!!!! It simply turns me off and off. All the accompanying numbers and letter to speakers, amps, pre-amps, etc. This type of audio names and numbers has made me SICK.

[@perrymaizon]

Sorry dude! Looks nothing like DC x james bond

[@samlee2562]

Huh James Bond isn't so exciting on his days off... 🥲