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KEF LS50s compared to Maggies...

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Posted on April 26, 2017 at 06:50:48
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003
 well I just spent about a month listening to the highly rated KEF LS50s. I then removed them to compare to my Gunned MMGs. Initially I planned to do a long, formal review over at the speaker forum but there's no need to. The fact that I'm posting in this forum should give you a hint which took first place.

I gotta say this however- the LS50 has a LOT going for it: killer imaging, greater dynamics, and greater resolution (perhaps a 10 vs a 8 compared to the MMGs). What it lacks is the 'magic' the maggies bring. It's hard explaining, best way I can put it is the LS50s (and most box speakers in general) play 'at' you rather than 'to' you. Just my own observation!

The LS50s will absolutely 'vanish' on you, an incredible little guy!









 

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RE: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies..., posted on April 26, 2017 at 10:01:48
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Always impressed at the shows. When I saw 'em, shown with Parasound electronics.
Too much is never enough

 

RE: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies..., posted on April 26, 2017 at 10:42:30
Norman M
 "The LS50s will absolutely 'vanish' on you..."
You might put a picture of a bust (or death mask) of LvB at the bottom of this post.

 

RE: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies..., posted on April 26, 2017 at 12:46:36
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8491
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 Did you use a sub in the LS50 set up?
Gsquared

 

RE: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies..., posted on April 26, 2017 at 14:33:05
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003
 I used my REL strata but soon removed them, not a good match IMO.

Obviously they lack in bass but I could still listen to them play small jazz combos all day. Ditto for the MMGs; neither are going to kick you in the chest but I didn't expect them to.

I will say one thing regarding the LS50s, they're small and don't visually distract or overpower a room. Very high WAF I'm willing to bet.













 

RE: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies..., posted on April 26, 2017 at 17:20:16
ghost4man
Audiophile

Posts: 85
Joined: February 18, 2016
 The very first pair of maggies that I bought were MMG's off a chap who coincidentally had a pair of LS50's.

I spent about an hour listening to them and then listened to the maggies.

Everything was kept the same other than the speaker change.

It was an intimate setup with a definite near field listening.

The LS50's were superb.

But the maggies were better. Definitely better to my ears.

I think what the maggies have which has remained to my observations is
an airiness and ethereal quality particularly with live music that stands
out.

Voice elements were just that much better on the MMGs.

I sometimes wonder if the physical presence of the maggies serves as a
distraction to perception.

 

RE: it's the room guys..., posted on April 27, 2017 at 13:12:48
BigguyinATL
Manufacturer

Posts: 3475
Joined: April 10, 2002
 The dipole speaker that distorts more (MMG), has a lobbing spatially output (MMG) and radiate as much energy backwards as forwards (almost - MMG) sounds better because there is less sidewall and floor/ceiling reflected energy.

Both have similarly fairly flat pink noise response in my room - the MMG a bit brighter in the last octave by measurement.


"The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat" - Confucius

 

RE: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies..., posted on April 27, 2017 at 13:53:50
DrChaos
Audiophile

Posts: 2063
Location: San Diego
Joined: July 13, 2009
 The MMG's are not high-resolution Maggies---the 0.7's are quite a bit better.

And the 3.x a jump up from there.

 

RE: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies..., posted on April 27, 2017 at 17:53:43
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8491
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 I asked because when I got my Rythmic sub placed right and integrated with my ProAc Studio 3s the boxes disappeared and the sound is immersive. I'd play with the LS 50 REL combo a little more before you give up.

I love Maggie sound and had an original pair of SMG as.
Gsquared

 

RE: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies..., posted on April 27, 2017 at 19:58:27
russ69
Audiophile

Posts: 951
Joined: December 13, 2009
 I have a pair of LS-50s and a pair of MMGs. I'm really at a loss why people like the LS-50 so much? It's OK in the middle but lacks a top end. They do better in a really bright room but imaging is only fair. Maybe it's that they do a lot for their size but they didn't do it for me...they are now in my garage system.

 

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