Geoffreybombom
pfm Member
Has anybody evaluated the above speakers against each other and if so can you report your findings. Thank you.
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That’s interesting, thank you.Yes.. my dad has ls50 and Stirling ls3/5a v2. They are very different but you can hear the similarities. Both render the midband for vocals in a very similar way with nice tonality and prescence.. the top end is pretty similar too but then stirlings are a more modern take on an old ls3/5, but the kefs pull away in the bass department. If I were to be blindfolded and with dads small rel sub in the equation there is surprisingly little in it..
Has anybody evaluated the above speakers against each other and if so can you report your findings.
I’d put whatever is the current ProAc in the mix too, the D1 or whatever it is called.
I was a bit surprised when I returned to the UK and listened to my Naim 32.5/Hicap/250 set up with a pair of SBLs on the end in the dining room. The sound totally trashed the Sonos streamer / Dali Oberon1 set up I got in Spain and to keep it fair I was listening to Radio stations which is the most level playing field I could muster. I was about 2.5 meters away from both systems when listening.Not directly against one another, but I know both (and the active version of the LS50) and I’d chose either in differing contexts. The LS3/5A is a very good sealed-box near-field monitor that is almost unique in being valve amp friendly in this genre. The LS50 is a very good modern rear-ported stand-mount that needs a very different amp and room placement and would likely be used in a different listening context. The LS3/5A also costs more than twice as much as a pair of LS50s (largely down to Chinese manufacture and scale).
Let your requirements lead you here, both are great speakers, but depending on context I’d put whatever is the current ProAc in the mix too, the D1 or whatever it is called. I’m sure there are many other candidates too; Spendor, Harbeth, Graham, PMC etc.
As ever context is everything.
I was a bit surprised when I returned to the UK and listened to my Naim 32.5/Hicap/250 set up with a pair of SBLs on the end in the dining room. The sound totally trashed the Sonos streamer / Dali Oberon1 set up I got in Spain and to keep it fair I was listening to Radio stations which is the most level playing field I could muster. I was about 2.5 meters away from both systems when listening.
I am now a bit unsettled. Should I replace the Sonos and Dali with a good quality Naim Streamer with something like a KEF LS50 meta on the end. I have to use bookshelf speakers in Spain.
You could get the metas and the matching kef sub for less I thinkI own 1978 Chartwell's (since new) and a pair of Kef R100's (very near cousin to LS50).
I agree mostly with oldsandals and hifi-dog here but like to add that LS3/5a's has clearly audible distortion in the bass, inherent in the B110, even when crossed over to a sub.
I think one will get two pairs of LS50's for the price one pair of LS3/5a's? I know where I would put my money if I started from scratch...
Larger speaker will generally produce more low-end extension and less distortion when listening from a distance.
How much can you spend?
Are you able to add a wireless subwoofer?
I have suggested replacing the Dalis with a pair of KEF LS50 metas but the wife says no.Yes I know the bigger speakers produce more low end extension but I can't really put say a pair of Briks on a sideboard without the wife going ballistic.
My problem is that I have two good Naim systems in my house but the wife who listens to it on a regular basis thinks it is absolutely fine. It's probably me just being picky but then all audiophiles are picky. I have suggested replacing the Dalis with a pair of KEF LS50 metas but the wife says no.
So it's either a case of happy wife, happy life or a lesser system.
Being short of top end isn't an accusation I expected to be levellled at the LS3/5A which, by design, is voiced with a hotter-than-neutral top end. Based purely on measurements, and not having heard the LS50 Meta, I'd expect the LS3/5A to sound crisper and more accentuated in the top two octaves of the audible band.I often replace the meta with the Rogers just for the different sound which is warmer than the KEFs and unsurprisingly a little short of top end compared to the metas.
Yes I know the bigger speakers produce more low end extension but I can't really put say a pair of Briks on a sideboard without the wife going ballistic.
My problem is that I have two good Naim systems in my house but the wife who listens to it on a regular basis thinks it is absolutely fine. It's probably me just being picky but then all audiophiles are picky. I have suggested replacing the Dalis with a pair of KEF LS50 metas but the wife says no.
So it's either a case of happy wife, happy life or a lesser system.
I will add that the LS50 may struggle close to the wall, mine are 3ft into the room and I still have sock in port hole.