I'd be interested in your opinions of the LS50s too.
I've repeatedly considered and then discounted getting a pair.
I've heard many good reviews used in nearfield mode and they seem to provide enough bottom end to escape the need for a subwoofer.
My main concerns were the larg(ish) footprint and the rear port.
Like you I would be using them up close to a wall.
I used to own the B&W 685 before I bought the KEF LS50. Frankly, the bowers can't match the kefs at all.
In my opinion they are perfect for near field listening. They are also the best bookshelf pair I have heard that doesn't cost more than 3000€. About the back bass port: KEF provides some material to put inside the bass port to lower the bass when they are close to a wall and it works really well. You can easily tell when the material is inside the ports or when they aren't. It really calms the bass down a bit, which is a good thing when you are listening to bass heavy music. I never had the feeling there was too much bass though, the speaker itself is well balanced.
The big soundstage hasn't annoyed me yet when I am listening to them in nearfield but I do admit they would sound better with the proper spacing between them. Frankly though, they are an amazing pair and would recommend them to everybody. They are my favourite pair of speakers by far (so far).
I tried using them with a subwoofer at some point, but for near field listening, they provide enough bass as it is so you don't need one.
I used to own the B&W 685 before I bought the KEF LS50. Frankly, the bowers can't match the kefs at all.
In my opinion they are perfect for near field listening. They are also the best bookshelf pair I have heard that doesn't cost more than 3000€. About the back bass port: KEF provides some material to put inside the bass port to lower the bass when they are close to a wall and it works really well. You can easily tell when the material is inside the ports or when they aren't. It really calms the bass down a bit, which is a good thing when you are listening to bass heavy music. I never had the feeling there was too much bass though, the speaker itself is well balanced.
The big soundstage hasn't annoyed me yet when I am listening to them in nearfield but I do admit they would sound better with the proper spacing between them. Frankly though, they are an amazing pair and would recommend them to everybody. They are my favourite pair of speakers by far (so far).
I tried using them with a subwoofer at some point, but for near field listening, they provide enough bass as it is so you don't need one.
IMO the 685 was by far the worst standmount/bookshelp/w.e. in that price range that I listened to, so I'm not surprised the Kef beat them out. Sadly never heard those Kefs though, as they have some really nice reviews. Ended up with a pair of Paradigm mini monitors and still love them to no end.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that desktop background form Five Nights At Freddy's? I've been seeing that game everywhere the last few days, and haven't got the guts to play it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that desktop background form Five Nights At Freddy's? I've been seeing that game everywhere the last few days, and haven't got the guts to play it.
I might be weird here, but I've noticed a LOT of people taking way expensive amp/DAC combos and then pairing them up with rather middling headphones. I feel like I'm missing something here.
I might be weird here, but I've noticed a LOT of people taking way expensive amp/DAC combos and then pairing them up with rather middling headphones. I feel like I'm missing something here.
Well if you're talking about me, it was because I got both the DAC and amp for $1000 including some blue dragon interconnects. I couldn't pass up on a deal like that!
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Sadly never heard those Kefs though, as they have some really nice reviews. Ended up with a pair of Paradigm mini monitors and still love them to no end.
