If you have the Harbeth I could lend you a pair of LS50's and you could compare yourself.
Keith
How do these compare with Harbeth PSESR?
S.
I have both the Kef ls50 and Harbeth P3ESR
the kef ls50 are faster/more dynamic, with deeper bass. The P3ESR are warmer, smoother, have better tone. The ls50 image (much) better. The ls50, despte having deeper bass, do sound perhaps thin in the midrange vs the P3esr. The biggest "problem" I hear with the ls50 is exagerated forwardness/brigthness between 2khz-6 khz which gives the ls50 are colder/brighter sound.
the P3ESR are more natural sounding and this is where for me, the P3ESR are in another league vs the ls50 because the instruments on the P3ESR sounds more real, have better tone, perhaps less detailed but a more mature and musical sound
The ls50 can play much louder then the P3ESR, perhaps 8 to10 db louder!
Slightly surprising description above, since I'd say the P3s are more revealing than LS50s. In a nearfield set up the P3s are much more refined and see-through. In a set up which is meant to pressurize and fill the room, it is a different matter; the LS50s have more weight.
We have discussed this comparison at length in the past, so it would be worth doing a search.
Slightly surprising description above, since I'd say the P3s are more revealing than LS50s. In a nearfield set up the P3s are much more refined and see-through. In a set up which is meant to pressurize and fill the room, it is a different matter; the LS50s have more weight.
We have discussed this comparison at length in the past, so it would be worth doing a search.
For jazz, folk, classical, harbeth all the way for me. for pop/electronica, ls50 is a safer choice
I've owned both and agree with all of the above - except I wouldn't call the LS50s bright. The main problem I had with them was the speaker/room interaction making them sound too bass-heavy for my tastes. In their favour, I would say their ability to recreate an impression of "acoustic space" surpasses the Harbeths.I have both the Kef ls50 and Harbeth P3ESR
the kef ls50 are more dynamic, more detailed with deeper bass. The P3ESR are warmer, smoother, have better tone. The ls50 image better. The biggest "problem" I hear with the ls50 is exaggerated forwardness/brightness between 2khz-6 khz which gives the ls50 a colder/brighter sound.
the P3ESR are more natural sounding and this is where for me, the P3ESR are in another league vs the ls50 because the instruments/voices on the P3ESR sounds more real, have better tone, perhaps less detailed but a more mature and musical sound. For example, Voices are reproduced with a magic that is slightly lost on the ls50. on the other hand, the ls50 Voices have better pin point accuracy placement in the soundstage.
The ls50 can play much louder then the P3ESR. for movies id probably take the ls50. if you need to play loud, id take the ls50 as the p3esr start sounding compressed quite fast. For jazz, folk, classical, harbeth all the way for me. for pop/electronica, ls50 is a safer choice
I've owned both and agree with all of the above - except I wouldn't call the LS50s bright. The main problem I had with them was the speaker/room interaction making them sound too bass-heavy for my tastes. In their favour, I would say their ability to recreate an impression of "acoustic space" surpasses the Harbeths.
I currently have Harbeth P3-ES2s but I now have a Quad pre-amp with good tone controls so I remain curious about the LS50s. Maybe I'll buy a pair and give them another try.
Both speakers are excellent in their own way.
I have both the Kef ls50 and Harbeth P3ESR
the kef ls50 are more dynamic, more detailed with deeper bass. The P3ESR are warmer, smoother, have better tone. The ls50 image better. The biggest "problem" I hear with the ls50 is exaggerated forwardness/brightness between 2khz-6 khz which gives the ls50 a colder/brighter sound.
the P3ESR are more natural sounding and this is where for me, the P3ESR are in another league vs the ls50 because the instruments/voices on the P3ESR sounds more real, have better tone, perhaps less detailed but a more mature and musical sound. For example, Voices are reproduced with a magic that is slightly lost on the ls50. on the other hand, the ls50 Voices have better pin point accuracy placement in the soundstage.
The ls50 can play much louder then the P3ESR. for movies id probably take the ls50. if you need to play loud, id take the ls50 as the p3esr start sounding compressed quite fast. For jazz, folk, classical, harbeth all the way for me. for pop/electronica, ls50 is a safer choice
I have both the Kef ls50 and Harbeth P3ESR
the kef ls50 are more dynamic, more detailed with deeper bass. The P3ESR are warmer, smoother, have better tone. The ls50 image better. The biggest "problem" I hear with the ls50 is exaggerated forwardness/brightness between 2khz-6 khz which gives the ls50 a colder/brighter sound.
the P3ESR are more natural sounding and this is where for me, the P3ESR are in another league vs the ls50 because the instruments/voices on the P3ESR sounds more real, have better tone, perhaps less detailed but a more mature and musical sound. For example, Voices are reproduced with a magic that is slightly lost on the ls50. on the other hand, the ls50 Voices have better pin point accuracy placement in the soundstage.
The ls50 can play much louder then the P3ESR. for movies id probably take the ls50. if you need to play loud, id take the ls50 as the p3esr start sounding compressed quite fast. For jazz, folk, classical, harbeth all the way for me. for pop/electronica, ls50 is a safer choice
Could you tell us how you've got the Kefs setup? E.g. Drivers at, above, below ear height... are you listening on or off axis? Distance of Kefs from front/side walls? Only asking as I shared some of your views on the Kefs forwardness and I overcame this with speaker positioning. Made a significant difference in fact (eg. 70cm from nearest walls, drivers about 3 inches below ear height, and I listen off axis).