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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

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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.
Go to Comment
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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Pro
Dec 25, 2022 12:53 AM
9.4K Comments
Joined Jul 2005
fourml8r
Pro
Dec 25, 2022 12:53 AM
9.4K Comments
Quote from slickyslack View quoted comment :
Seems like many people here like to mix and match speakers and amps until they find a sound that they like rather than just getting neutral speakers and amps and learning to EQ to taste. One option is significantly cheaper and better…
different strokes for different folks. some like the "magical" equipment combination unicorn hunt. using EQ has its advantages, but not everyone is comfortable with it.
Dec 25, 2022 12:54 AM
24 Comments
Joined Jun 2022
LivelyThread9350Dec 25, 2022 12:54 AM
24 Comments
Quote from sr2002 View quoted comment :
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.
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.
Last edited by LivelyThread9350 December 24, 2022 at 04:57 PM.
5
Dec 25, 2022 1:01 AM
26.7K Comments
Joined May 2006
namlookDec 25, 2022 1:01 AM
26.7K Comments
Quote from LostSailorAtSea View quoted comment :
What did you do with them and why did you get rid of em if you don't mind
I sold them because I couldn't get them to sound as good as the wireless LS50 trying multiple amps.
Dec 25, 2022 1:08 AM
36 Comments
Joined Jun 2017
admaelDec 25, 2022 1:08 AM
36 Comments
I run em with class D icepower 200asp+200ac through a minidsp 2x4 hd with a Klipsch 12" sub.

sounds awesome.
Dec 25, 2022 1:31 AM
172 Comments
Joined Nov 2015
sr2002Dec 25, 2022 1:31 AM
172 Comments
Quote from LivelyThread9350 View quoted comment :
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.
Multitude of people including myself disagree with you on this. This topic has been debated to shreds. Every speaker is a reactive load and not a static load, its impedence changes at different frequencies. LS50s are inherently inefficient and become high on impedence at mid to low frequencies, which a lot of cheap amps can't supply enough current for at lower gain levels. This part isnt snake oil, its basic electronics. Class D amps have come a long way, but not at the entry level, those still have nowhere the headroom of a 400w torroidal transformer and 60,000uf capacitor bank based class AB amp (essentially most class AB hifi amps have this even around the entry level).

If you get into "Sound Stage" and "Separation" and all those audiophile buzzwords, thats a different story and I'm not suggesting any of that because its purely subjective.

As for your 18yr old receiver, its probably signification better than the ones they sell these days with switch mode power supplies and class D amps and a weak Capacitor bank to handle current spikes for reactive loads. Cheers and enjoy!
3
Dec 25, 2022 1:51 AM
37 Comments
Joined Dec 2009
ZorfunkDec 25, 2022 1:51 AM
37 Comments
Quote from ryewoods View quoted comment :
Modern class D amps are leaps and bounds from where they were a decade or so ago. Offerings from Purifi and Hypex exceed performance from competitors in class A/B/AB/G/H when it comes to output and distortion. I have seen bench tests of the Sonos and it performs fairly well. It certainly will have enough power to drive them. You can always start there and upgrade later if you feel like you are missing something.

Also consider this: If KEF thought ultra high end amps were needed to drive the speaker to satisfying levels, they would have used them in the active version of the LS50, but didn't.
This is the most correct post. Spend some time on audio science review and you'll be able to separate myth from reality. People saying class AB is superior have no clue about modern class D like Hypex and Purifi. I moved from ultra high-end ATIs and McIntosh to Purifi and they are absolutely better in every way.
Last edited by Zorfunk December 24, 2022 at 05:54 PM.
3
Dec 25, 2022 1:53 AM
37 Comments
Joined Dec 2009
ZorfunkDec 25, 2022 1:53 AM
37 Comments
Quote from sr2002 View quoted comment :
Multitude of people including myself disagree with you on this. This topic has been debated to shreds. Every speaker is a reactive load and not a static load, its impedence changes at different frequencies. LS50s are inherently inefficient and become high on impedence at mid to low frequencies, which a lot of cheap amps can't supply enough current for at lower gain levels. This part isnt snake oil, its basic electronics. Class D amps have come a long way, but not at the entry level, those still have nowhere the headroom of a 400w torroidal transformer and 60,000uf capacitor bank based class AB amp (essentially most class AB hifi amps have this even around the entry level).

If you get into "Sound Stage" and "Separation" and all those audiophile buzzwords, thats a different story and I'm not suggesting any of that because its purely subjective.

As for your 18yr old receiver, its probably signification better than the ones they sell these days with switch mode power supplies and class D amps and a weak Capacitor bank to handle current spikes for reactive loads. Cheers and enjoy!
Modern, high-end class D smokes A/B. A/B is far less efficient.
3

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Dec 25, 2022 2:05 AM
2.3K Comments
Joined Apr 2010
robj144Dec 25, 2022 2:05 AM
2.3K Comments
Quote from Xtracheese View quoted comment :
Wow, I didn't realize McIntosh gear had gotten this expensive. Think an integrated would be enough oomph? My separates days were over when I got married. Smilie
Hasn't McIntosh always been crazy expensive?
Dec 25, 2022 2:14 AM
172 Comments
Joined Nov 2015
sr2002Dec 25, 2022 2:14 AM
172 Comments
Quote from Zorfunk View quoted comment :
This is the most correct post. Spend some time on audio science review and you'll be able to separate myth from reality. People saying class AB is superior have no clue about modern class D like Hypex and Purifi. I moved from ultra high-end ATIs and McIntosh to Purifi and they are absolutely better in every way.
Show me a hypex module based Class-d Amp under $1000 USD and I feel you didnt read my post. I'm specifically calling our "ENTRY" level Class D and amps that are in receivers. Compare apples to apples, not low-end Class AB's with cream of the crop Class D.
Dec 25, 2022 2:15 AM
4.1K Comments
Joined Dec 2004
XtracheeseDec 25, 2022 2:15 AM
4.1K Comments
Quote from robj144 View quoted comment :
Hasn't McIntosh always been crazy expensive?
Yep, definitely. I was thinking their lower two channel was in the 4k range but obviously not.
Dec 25, 2022 2:23 AM
403 Comments
Joined Nov 2003
ryewoodsDec 25, 2022 2:23 AM
403 Comments
Quote from sr2002 View quoted comment :
Show me a hypex module based Class-d Amp under $1000 USD and I feel you didnt read my post. I'm specifically calling our "ENTRY" level Class D and amps that are in receivers. Compare apples to apples, not low-end Class AB's with cream of the crop Class D.
Here's an N-Core for you.

https://www.buckeyeamp.com/shop/p...-2-channel

Also, Purifi is far from entry-level, which was the manufacturer the poster you responded to mentioned. Maybe you didn't read?

Perhaps you can now show us a class A/B amp with 60K capacitance, and can drive a 2-ohm load at 450w for $750.
Last edited by ryewoods December 24, 2022 at 06:32 PM.
2
Dec 25, 2022 2:40 AM
37 Comments
Joined Dec 2009
ZorfunkDec 25, 2022 2:40 AM
37 Comments
Quote from sr2002 View quoted comment :
Show me a hypex module based Class-d Amp under $1000 USD and I feel you didnt read my post. I'm specifically calling our "ENTRY" level Class D and amps that are in receivers. Compare apples to apples, not low-end Class AB's with cream of the crop Class D.
I'm referring to a VTV Purifi. Lol what class AB are you talking about that's better than the VTV Purifi for $1k? Even a $2500 class ab isn't close for SINAD with equivalent wattage.
2
Dec 25, 2022 2:42 AM
3.1K Comments
Joined Jun 2006
luk350Dec 25, 2022 2:42 AM
3.1K Comments
Quote from ryewoods View quoted comment :
Here's an N-Core for you.

https://www.buckeyeamp.com/shop/p...-2-channel
Don't forget to shell out about $300 for PS and it still will be looking DIY. Sure you can DIY ncore for a grand, but IF, if you have skills and can source boards for cheap.

A/B class never been about efficiency and you can make scramble eggs using heat from class A radiator
Dec 25, 2022 2:43 AM
37 Comments
Joined Dec 2009
ZorfunkDec 25, 2022 2:43 AM
37 Comments
Quote from luk350 View quoted comment :
Don't forget to shell out about $300 for PS and it still will be looking DIY. Sure you can DIY ncore for a grand, but IF, if you have skills and can source boards for cheap.

A/B class never been about efficiency and you can make scramble eggs using heat from class A radiator
What? The buckeye is complete. I own this exact amp.

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Dec 25, 2022 2:49 AM
3.1K Comments
Joined Jun 2006
luk350Dec 25, 2022 2:49 AM
3.1K Comments
Quote from Zorfunk View quoted comment :
What? The buckeye is complete. I own this exact amp.
I had exactly same unit on my bench for repair, and his original PS is POS.

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