KEF LS50 Meta & LS50 Meta Wireless speakers on sale for $1200 and $2000

neomatrixviper

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Nov 5, 2025 6:53 PM

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neomatrixviper

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Nov 5, 2025 6:53 PM

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How does the pair of Sonos Five or Play Five compare to the KEF LS 50? I know KEFs are more targeted for the audiophile. If I am mainly listening to lossless on Apple Music or Spotify, will I notice the difference? Thanks

whodiini

Nov 5, 2025 7:00 PM

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whodiiniNov 5, 2025 7:00 PM

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Quote from neomatrixviper

:

How does the pair of Sonos Five or Play Five compare to the KEF LS 50? I know KEFs are more targeted for the audiophile. If I am mainly listening to lossless on Apple Music or Spotify, will I notice the difference? Thanks

I replaced my pair of SONOS 5 with this much cheaper and better system: Triangle Borea BR02, Wiim Pro and Loxjie A30. The SONOS 5 are mid-fi, not that refined, not detailed and boomy. So if you are looking at a SONOS comparison, look into this,. The KEF are another step up in quality and price in terms of more detail and clarity.

macpro

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Nov 5, 2025 7:03 PM

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macpro

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Nov 5, 2025 7:03 PM

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Quote from Zorbat1446

:

IMO you're still better off buying passive speakers with a mini-amp the size of a paperback novel, e.g. https://a.co/d/5mLYaeh

As for the passive LS50 Meta, those are a lousy 85db sensitivity and 79Hz F3, meaning that aside from nice holographic mids they desperately need a sub and don't expect much room filling capability from them.

For $1200/pr you could do a whole hell of a lot better---the main thing the LS50 has going for it is aesthetics.

This speaker is not for everyone and there are countless speaker options out there. You point to the speakers being inefficient, yet recommend an amp that is underpowered and won't allow the speakers to perform at the level they can. And wow, shocker, you drop the bomb that the LS50 needs a sub! Wow. Never heard that said before, by anyone, anywhere Wink

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Zorba1446

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Nov 5, 2025 7:47 PM

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Zorba1446

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Nov 5, 2025 7:47 PM

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Quote from macpro

:

This speaker is not for everyone and there are countless speaker options out there. You point to the speakers being inefficient, yet recommend an amp that is underpowered and won't allow the speakers to perform at the level they can. And wow, shocker, you drop the bomb that the LS50 needs a sub! Wow. Never heard that said before, by anyone, anywhere

My comments are directed at newbies to the speaker game who don't realize the considerable downsides to the LS50 and are easily seduced by its hyped up stature in the corrupt "audiophile" press and by cultish KEF fanboys online, plus its pretty looks and inflated-to-impress pricetag.

As for the Ayima amp being underpowered, you apparently are under the spell of the audiophool establishment too if you think wattage numbers amount to a hill of beans for the vast majority of people who listen in the typical 60-75db range not reference levels. You are probably ignorant of the fact that a 50watt amp vs a 100watt amp makes for a lousy 3db difference in real world SPL.

Last edited by Zorbat1446 November 5, 2025 at 11:50 AM.

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whodiini

Nov 5, 2025 8:00 PM

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whodiiniNov 5, 2025 8:00 PM

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For newbies, the most important aspect in an audio system is system matching components. In an all in one system, they have done that for you and of course, you pay for that. The LS50 meta you need a decent relatively higher power amp that is refined. If you dont understand what that means, save your money or find someone who has experience and that means they own that equipment and dont go by hearsay. You will find a lot of people who have strong opinions yet dont own the equipment so they have insufficient information, yet they love to provide their opinions. Just ignore them or ask - do you own that equipment you are commenting on? Usually you will not get an answer.

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macpro

Original Poster

Nov 5, 2025 10:27 PM

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macpro

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Nov 5, 2025 10:27 PM

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Quote from Zorbat1446

:

My comments are directed at newbies to the speaker game who don't realize the considerable downsides to the LS50 and are easily seduced by its hyped up stature in the corrupt "audiophile" press and by cultish KEF fanboys online, plus its pretty looks and inflated-to-impress pricetag.

As for the Ayima amp being underpowered, you apparently are under the spell of the audiophool establishment too if you think wattage numbers amount to a hill of beans for the vast majority of people who listen in the typical 60-75db range not reference levels. You are probably ignorant of the fact that a 50watt amp vs a 100watt amp makes for a lousy 3db difference in real world SPL.

Love it when people reference that "such and such more watts is only 3 dB more" It's one of those stats that has limited relevance. Every amp is different (beyond the watts). But I just know from firsthand experience that LS50's (if you want them to really do their best) need an amp with plenty of current available (from hearing them on many occasions, paired with many different amps). And I just don't think that Aiyima unit will do them justice. Will it power them just fine? Yes.

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Zorba1446

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Nov 6, 2025 3:41 AM

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Zorba1446

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Nov 6, 2025 3:41 AM

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Quote from macpro

:

Will it power them just fine? Yes.

"Just fine" is more than enough for that the 99.99999% of humanity who are NOT fussy-eared "audiophiles" --- and those are the folks who need saving from the usual tiresome micro-elitism that plagues this sadly dying hobby.

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macpro

Original Poster

Nov 6, 2025 5:10 PM

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macpro

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Nov 6, 2025 5:10 PM

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Quote from Zorbat1446

:

"Just fine" is more than enough for that the 99.99999% of humanity who are NOT fussy-eared "audiophiles" --- and those are the folks who need saving from the usual tiresome micro-elitism that plagues this sadly dying hobby.

I get a good laugh every time someone says the Hifi hobby is dying. There's constantly more gear being introduced. The proof: if you look at the popular audiophile sites, they are filled with countless products. And a fair amount of the gear is affordable. And Hifi shows continue to draw people. (In fact the NY Hifi show just happened a few weeks ago after a hiatus.) The Hifi "hobby" will never die.

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Zorba1446

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Nov 6, 2025 6:43 PM

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Zorba1446

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Nov 6, 2025 6:43 PM

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Quote from macpro

:

I get a good laugh every time someone says the Hifi hobby is dying. There's constantly more gear being introduced. The proof: if you look at the popular audiophile sites, they are filled with countless products. And a fair amount of the gear is affordable. And Hifi shows continue to draw people. (In fact the NY Hifi show just happened a few weeks ago after a hiatus.) The Hifi "hobby" will never die.

Audiophool websites are full of advertising for boutique products esp. the snake oil variety like $250/ft cables---aimed at a microscopic sliver of the population that has more money than sense. Big box stores, where the vast MAJORITY of the population shops, continue to shrink their offerings in favor of bluetooth speakers and soundbars.

1

Minisci15

Nov 7, 2025 9:26 PM

9 Comments

Joined Aug 2017

Minisci15Nov 7, 2025 9:26 PM

9 Comments

I got a set of the LS50 Metas about 2 months ago thinking they were going to be super tinny without a sub but after removing the rear baffles you can EQ a decent amount of bass out of them even with a small Fosi amp. That being said, I did eventually hook them up to a Denon X3400H and paired them with a Rythmik F12 that fills in the bass dip below 60ish Hz and they are so so good in the small room I have them in.

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MelodiousThunk

Nov 10, 2025 2:16 AM

50 Comments

Joined Aug 2022

MelodiousThunkNov 10, 2025 2:16 AM

50 Comments

Quote from Zorbat1446

:

IMO you're still better off buying passive speakers with a mini-amp the size of a paperback novel, e.g. https://a.co/d/5mLYaeh

As for the passive LS50 Meta, those are a lousy 85db sensitivity and 79Hz F3, meaning that aside from nice holographic mids they desperately need a sub and don't expect much room filling capability from them.

For $1200/pr you could do a whole hell of a lot better---the main thing the LS50 has going for it is aesthetics.

What amp did you use when auditioning the LS50 Metas? And, what size was the room? They are great speakers. They are especially great if you can get them away from walls. Add a KC62 and they are hard to beat.

1

Staticks

Nov 20, 2025 11:01 PM

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Joined Aug 2011

StaticksNov 20, 2025 11:01 PM

1.1K Comments

How the hell are the LS50 Metas going for $1200 "on sale?" I couldn't sworn I've seen these things go for around $800 or less, not too long ago.

macpro

Original Poster

Nov 21, 2025 1:44 AM

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Joined Jul 2008

macpro

Original Poster

Nov 21, 2025 1:44 AM

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Quote from Staticks

:

How the hell are the LS50 Metas going for $1200 "on sale?" I couldn't sworn I've seen these things go for around $800 or less, not too long ago.

Your memory is off. $800 is the typical used price. They debuted at a list price of $1500. Then list was adjusted to $1600. For years the 'on sale about once a year so hop to it' price was $999.

macpro

Original Poster

Nov 21, 2025 5:07 PM

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Joined Jul 2008

macpro

Original Poster

Nov 21, 2025 5:07 PM

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Quote from Minisci15

:

I got a set of the LS50 Metas about 2 months ago thinking they were going to be super tinny without a sub but after removing the rear baffles you can EQ a decent amount of bass out of them even with a small Fosi amp. That being said, I did eventually hook them up to a Denon X3400H and paired them with a Rythmik F12 that fills in the bass dip below 60ish Hz and they are so so good in the small room I have them in.

Be careful with Bass EQ and LS50's. It's easy to overdrive them when bass boost is used. Personally, I would recommend against it. To get more bass with them, what I do is use a high crossover point on the subwoofer. I think I'm at 120- 130 hertz.)

mandrsn11

Nov 21, 2025 10:14 PM

145 Comments

Joined Sep 2007

mandrsn11Nov 21, 2025 10:14 PM

145 Comments

Quote from MelodiousThunk

:

What amp did you use when auditioning the LS50 Metas? And, what size was the room? They are great speakers. They are especially great if you can get them away from walls. Add a KC62 and they are hard to beat.

My home office setup is the LS50 wireless and the KC62. Love the sound.

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KEF LS50 Meta & LS50 Meta Wireless speakers on sale for $1200 and $2000

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$1,600

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KEF LS50 Meta & LS50 Meta Wireless speakers on sale for $1200 and $2000

$1,200

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Community Reviews

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Does the KEF LS50 Meta need a separate amp and subwoofer?

Is $1200 a good sale price for the LS50 Meta?

Can the LS50 Meta work well in a small room without a subwoofer?

Are refurbished LS50s from A4L a cheaper alternative?

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