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JA's KEF LS50 review

Posted by the old school (A) on November 8, 2012 at 21:24:01

Finally a review I totally agree with! JA concluded his review: "It is rare to find a loudspeaker that offers this combination of clarity and neutrality. For KEF's LS50 Anniversary Model to do so for a penny under $1,500/pair makes it even more remarkable. This thoroughbred both shows a clean pair of heels to the venerable LS3/5a and, within its limits of dynamic range and bass extension, will provide Class A sound for those with small rooms. Recommended. Highly."

I had the Audio/Vision KEF 50 room in my top 5 favorite rooms at the 2012 CAS. Here is what I said about the KEF 50: "I was stunned at the sound of the KEF 50 with the Unison research SET amp. Both my Chet and Billie Holiday vinyl records sounded better in the Audio/Vision KEF 50 room than they did via the $500,000 Magico system. Look out for both the KEF 50 and the Unison Research. Both are affordable and great sounding." On theBillie Holiday cut "I didn't know what time it was" from the "Songs for Distingue' Lovers" record, Billie's voice was as realistic as it was in the Vivid room (with a $35,000 or so speaker, another room in my top 5). All of the subtle dynamic shadings in Billie's voice were there as was, even more importantly, the emotion that you get on the best of jazz singers. When Big Bad Ben Webster enters with an extended solo, the explosive dynamics and palpability of his sax just appeared in the room! Five minutes later, I got the representatives in the Magico room to play the same cut, and, IMO, the $500,000 Magico system failed to match the realism of the tiny KEF 50! Two attendees at the show spoke to me after the cut ended, and asked me if I noticed that the Magico system had the channels reversed. I said that I did, and then asked them which room they preferred on the Billie cut. Their reply" "Why the KEF 50 room. Billie sounded like she was in the room."

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