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KEF LS50s compared to Maggies...

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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!

Follow Ups:

RE: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies... - russ69 19:58:27 04/27/17 (0)
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.
RE: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies... - G Squared 12:46:36 04/26/17 (5)
Did you use a sub in the LS50 set up?
- RE: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies... - Green Lantern 14:33:05 04/26/17 (4)
  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... - G Squared 17:53:43 04/27/17 (0)
    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.
  - RE: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies... - ghost4man 17:20:16 04/26/17 (2)
    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: KEF LS50s compared to Maggies... - DrChaos 13:53:50 04/27/17 (0)
      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: it's the room guys... - BigguyinATL 13:12:48 04/27/17 (0)
      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... - Norman M 10:42:30 04/26/17 (0)
"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... - pictureguy 10:01:48 04/26/17 (0)
Always impressed at the shows. When I saw 'em, shown with Parasound electronics.
Too much is never enough

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