Tony L
Administrator
I've still not heard any explanation as to why the LS50 cannot convey Freddie Hubbard in full reach or Miles with harmon mute, and certainly nothing in the measurements explains it. However I believe Dave has heard much better results from trumpet recordings since.
I thought they were great on Miles, I heard Someday My Prince Will Come, which is one of my system tests, superb on sax too with Sonny Rollins The Bridge. Again it needs stating this was with superb amplification, many multiples more expensive than one would normally partner a speaker of that price. I’m a big fan of having some valves in the picture with a small speaker, and the pre in this case was a high-end Croft or Conrad Johnson (can’t remember which as the owner changed from the former to the latter, but I can’t remember when). They cast a huge wide soundstage with remarkable presence and heft.
I have also heard the LS50 up against a ProAc D1, the 1SC replacement (the 1SC possibly being my favourite ported small stand-mount) in the same system and they were no worse to my mind. I could happily have lived with either speaker (the owner preferred the 50s). I'd have picked the D1 as I hate the looks of the Kefs! Stands were Target R4s, and one should never underestimate how much heft and solidity they can bring to a small speaker.