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id10tsandwich 34.4K Views
Dec 24, 2022 6:14 AM

KEF LS50 Meta Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Carbon Black)

$1,131

$1,600

29% off
+ Free Shippingat Amazon
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Deal Details
Amazon has KEF LS50 Meta Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Carbon Black) on sale for $1,131.46. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member id10tsandwich for sharing this deal.

Note: Price may fluctuate

Specs:
  • Design: Two-way bass reflex
  • Drive units:
    • HF: 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminum dome
    • MF/LF: 130 mm (5.25 in.) aluminum cone
  • Crossover frequency: 2.1 kHz
  • Frequency range (-6dB): 47 Hz - 45 kHz
  • Typical in-room bass response (-6dB): 26 Hz
  • Frequency response (±3dB): 79 Hz - 28 kHz
  • Harmonic distortion (90dB, 1m):
    • <0.4% 175 Hz - 20 kHz
    • <0.1% 300 Hz - 10 kHz
  • Maximum output: 106 dB
  • Amplifier power (recommended): 40-100 W
  • Nominal impedance: 8 Ω (min. 3,5 Ω)
  • Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 85 dB
  • Dimensions (HWD): 12" x 7.9" x 12.2"
  • Weight: 17.2 lbs.

Editor's Notes

Written by SubZero5 | Staff
  • About this Deal:
    • While supplies last.
    • Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon from over 200 reviews.
    • Rated 5 out of 5 at What Hi-Fi, 9.2 out of 10 at Hi-Fi Trends

Original Post

Written by id10tsandwich
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Amazon has KEF LS50 Meta Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Carbon Black) on sale for $1,131.46. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member id10tsandwich for sharing this deal.

Note: Price may fluctuate

Specs:
  • Design: Two-way bass reflex
  • Drive units:
    • HF: 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminum dome
    • MF/LF: 130 mm (5.25 in.) aluminum cone
  • Crossover frequency: 2.1 kHz
  • Frequency range (-6dB): 47 Hz - 45 kHz
  • Typical in-room bass response (-6dB): 26 Hz
  • Frequency response (±3dB): 79 Hz - 28 kHz
  • Harmonic distortion (90dB, 1m):
    • <0.4% 175 Hz - 20 kHz
    • <0.1% 300 Hz - 10 kHz
  • Maximum output: 106 dB
  • Amplifier power (recommended): 40-100 W
  • Nominal impedance: 8 Ω (min. 3,5 Ω)
  • Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 85 dB
  • Dimensions (HWD): 12" x 7.9" x 12.2"
  • Weight: 17.2 lbs.

Editor's Notes

Written by SubZero5 | Staff
  • About this Deal:
    • While supplies last.
    • Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon from over 200 reviews.
    • Rated 5 out of 5 at What Hi-Fi, 9.2 out of 10 at Hi-Fi Trends

Original Post

Written by id10tsandwich

Community Voting

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Top Comments

sr2002
172Comments
58Reputation
Just a PSA for those who don't already know. The KEF LS50 (including Metas) have been notoriously picky with the type of amplifier they are paired with. These speakers require high power as their impedence goes pretty high in the mid and low frequencies. They tend to sound thin and harsh if paired with cheap Class D amps from a receiver or cheaper amps in general that dont have the ability to provide high current on-demand.

Would highly recommend Class AB amps with these speakers to get the best out of them. Example: Rotel RB-1552 or RA-1572; Arcam SA20 or higher; Monolith 2x200watt amp or higher; McIntosh MC152 (have personal experience with this one and sounds amazing with the LS50s). Etc.
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greenwich
993Comments
232Reputation
I'm a KEF fan but these speakers are not for everyone. You need a good amp + a good subwoofer. You'll be in for a disappointment if you don't do the pairing correctly. Previous comment did mention the amps, but i would skip the Rotel and Monolith. They r bright amps. Bright amp + bright speakers = ear bleed. Get warmer amps like Arcam SA20, Marantz 40n. And yes, big no-no to class D amps.
Go to Comment
LivelyThread9350
24Comments
10Reputation
I don't want to get into a debate here but this is absolutely wrong advice. All amps sound the same given they have enough current and low floor noise and distortion. Class D has come a long way, you can easily get your hands on sota class D amps like Purifi for $800.

This deal is cracking though, have been very happy with my metas being drive by a 18 yr old receiver. To reach 90DB SPL at 1m distance, you only need 8W of power to drive these (just use any power calc). Don't let anyone try to sell you audiofool bs.
Would recommend getting a sub if its for a larger space.
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162 Comments

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Dec 24, 2022 7:24 PM
534 Comments
Joined Feb 2008
ucftechguruDec 24, 2022 7:24 PM
534 Comments
I thumbs up this deal because it is a good price for the Metas and I do like the Metas. However, I tried these KEF speakers and the KEF R300 (preferred the Metas vs the R300 and KEF R3) against a dozen other similarly priced speakers under $2K and preferred the Heco Celan Revolution 3 which are usually priced similar to these but now on sale for $1100 too. Everyone's ears are different and I believe most people will prefer the Celan UNLESS you do not like brighter speakers. The Celans are a little brighter but not harsh bright like Klipsch horns tend to be. A few friends also listened to the Celans and we all preferred the Celans over the other speakers including Dynaudio Contours and Dynaudio Special Fortys. You'll thank me later if you get the Celan.

https://www.audioadvice.com/shop-...eaker-pair
2
Dec 24, 2022 7:27 PM
68 Comments
Joined Jul 2012
JackDiesel14Dec 24, 2022 7:27 PM
68 Comments
Quote from greenwich View quoted comment :
I'm a KEF fan but these speakers are not for everyone. You need a good amp + a good subwoofer. You'll be in for a disappointment if you don't do the pairing correctly. Previous comment did mention the amps, but i would skip the Rotel and Monolith. They r bright amps. Bright amp + bright speakers = ear bleed. Get warmer amps like Arcam SA20, Marantz 40n. And yes, big no-no to class D amps.
Ugh. I was hoping to go simple and use a Sonos Amp for them. At 125W per channel it's on the high side of amplification but it's a class D amp.
Dec 24, 2022 7:45 PM
10.4K Comments
Joined Sep 2013
alxshantiDec 24, 2022 7:45 PM
10.4K Comments
Quote from greenwich View quoted comment :
I'm a KEF fan but these speakers are not for everyone. You need a good amp + a good subwoofer. You'll be in for a disappointment if you don't do the pairing correctly. Previous comment did mention the amps, but i would skip the Rotel and Monolith. They r bright amps. Bright amp + bright speakers = ear bleed. Get warmer amps like Arcam SA20, Marantz 40n. And yes, big no-no to class D amps.
Any advantages for the Meta vs the regular LS50? I have Denon x3500h amp and a SVS SB-3000 sub.
Dec 24, 2022 7:49 PM
230 Comments
Joined Mar 2009

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

Dec 24, 2022 7:57 PM
620 Comments
Joined Sep 2007
nohoDec 24, 2022 7:57 PM
620 Comments
Rich people thread. Are we all here?
5
Pro
Dec 24, 2022 7:58 PM
9.4K Comments
Joined Jul 2005
fourml8r
Pro
Dec 24, 2022 7:58 PM
9.4K Comments
Quote from darkestwhite View quoted comment :
If these were active airplay speakers I might be more interested.. Otherwise a pair of Sonos Fives will be more practical.
different product for different uses. KEF offers 3 other wireless products at various price points LSX II, LS50 wireless and LS60 wireless.

this model is a bit more higher end / audiophile type product. very highly rated by pretty much every professional reviewer.
Last edited by fourml8r December 24, 2022 at 12:09 PM.
Dec 24, 2022 8:12 PM
2.9K Comments
Joined Nov 2006
Tike71Dec 24, 2022 8:12 PM
2.9K Comments
Anyone have rotel/b&w pairing to compare this to? Happy with my current cm5 and 2 channel rotel, but I'm open to exploring other setups.

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Dec 24, 2022 8:12 PM
846 Comments
Joined Oct 2011

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

Dec 24, 2022 8:18 PM
10 Comments
Joined Jul 2013
ChadR7371Dec 24, 2022 8:18 PM
10 Comments
Quote from JackDiesel14 View quoted comment :
Ugh. I was hoping to go simple and use a Sonos Amp for them. At 125W per channel it's on the high side of amplification but it's a class D amp.
There's too much hate for both products so everyone says not to do it but I'll anonymously confirm this works well. I even use the Sonos sub. Looking sharp is about 20% of my enjoyment and these all work well for me in my smaller sized room.
Dec 24, 2022 8:24 PM
68 Comments
Joined Jul 2012
JackDiesel14Dec 24, 2022 8:24 PM
68 Comments
Quote from ChadR7371 View quoted comment :
There's too much hate for both products so everyone says not to do it but I'll anonymously confirm this works well. I even use the Sonos sub. Looking sharp is about 20% of my enjoyment and these all work well for me in my smaller sized room.
Thank you! I don't need these for critical listening, I already have a good setup for that. Just a living room setup with high WAF.
Dec 24, 2022 8:25 PM
4.7K Comments
Joined Nov 2010
APhamXDec 24, 2022 8:25 PM
4.7K Comments
Damn if only the whites were these prices
1
Dec 24, 2022 8:26 PM
9.8K Comments
Joined Aug 2013
xtpDec 24, 2022 8:26 PM
9.8K Comments
this is audio bunk masquerading as hifi. $300 speakers have better bass lower distortion and plays louder.
7
Dec 24, 2022 8:38 PM
201 Comments
Joined May 2011
user_matDec 24, 2022 8:38 PM
201 Comments
The Metas sound great with the Cambridge CXA81. A 35 watt push-pull tube amp also sounds great. I don't think they are as hard to drive as people say. They just sound best with more power. I also don't find them bright or fatiguing. Very smooth across the sound spectrum and decent bass for a bookshelf design.
Dec 24, 2022 8:48 PM
201 Comments
Joined May 2011
user_matDec 24, 2022 8:48 PM
201 Comments
Quote from Danzilla View quoted comment :
Good little speakers, but really think they're overpriced for what you're getting.
I think they are overpriced at $1600 but at 30% off they are a good value. Audiophile performance and a nice looking speaker.

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Dec 24, 2022 9:05 PM
3.1K Comments
Joined Nov 2005
kabukichoDec 24, 2022 9:05 PM
3.1K Comments
Quote from Solarium View quoted comment :
I feel like the wireless version is a better option for most people who don't have the right amps to drive these. They're amazing as computer speakers.
Wireless version, as in via Bluetooth would it be?

Say laptop bluetooth audio to this? (but the wireless speakers need an amp is that right)

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