KEF Direct

Customer Reviews

Giant Killers - Can't Be Beaten for Less than 5-10x The Price Review by Gradofan

Would you recommend?
Build Quality?
Sound Quality?

I was stunned that all the reviews were right about these fantastic speakers - they truly are Giant Killers, especially for their price.

They're beautiful and their sound qualities are just as amazing - when set up correctly. They do require special care in set up to sound up to their potential. Any critical comments you may have seen, likely result from improper set up.

To sound their best, they must be placed out in the room, away from the walls, and with their ports fully open. In that configuration they really do disappear in a wall of lifelike sound, with a great soundstage and imaging.

Of course their other sound qualities are superior as well - great bass, mids, highs, tone, tenure, texture, timbre - very real, lifelike sound, without any boxy constraints.

They really do have bass, despite their specs - though, if you're a HT, or car audio buff, who loves inaccurate, boomy sound, you may be disappointed. I'm using the R400b with them, but they really don't need it, except for the very lowest notes.

They also require a powerful amp with high current output - 200+ w per channel into 8ohms. They're fairly inefficient.

And... I'm using them with the DSP Anti-mode 2.0 to eliminate the "room boom" - especially with a sub. Makes integrating a sub a "piece of cake." And... provides a very good pre-amp, as well. Add a tube buffer, as I have, and the sound doesn't get much better.

A great source, such as a great SACD player with XLR cables makes everything even better!

Do yourself a favor... and get a pair of these... unless "you have money to burn," and can spend $50K on your system, which is what it will take to better them.

(Posted on 3/19/13)

It's all true~! Review by William

Would you recommend?
Build Quality?
Sound Quality?

Even with very little break-in, I can tell you that John Atkinson in Stereophile was absolutely correct: Class A for smaller rooms. Also, read the What HiFi review.

These are solid as a rock, gorgeous finish, and provide the most amazing clarity I've ever heard. Wow! What a soundstage! Don't hesitate. If you love classics, Jazz, and vocal music, you will be in heaven.

(Posted on 12/6/12)

These speakers are little gems! Review by Bob

Sound Quality?
Would you recommend?
Build Quality?

I have owned a number of loudspeakers over the years starting with Polk, Martin Logan, Magnepan and Gallo. While they all had their strengths, none have impressed me as much as the LS50's. From the excellent build quality to the balanced sound and deceptive small physical size, these speakers are impressive. The LS 50's disappear and present the music with accuracy-,clear highs, articulate, realistic vocals and punchy bass-the LS50's are so enjoyable to listen to. For the size and price, they are hard to beat.

(Posted on 11/23/12)

Overall, a great pair. Review by Mike

Would you recommend?
Build Quality?
Sound Quality?

Overall, they are delightful to listen to. Add a sub and you might never need a big pair of speakers.

I have them matched with the following:

Vincent 236 Hybrid Integrated Amp
Thorens TD-309 Turntable with Shure MX-97E Cartridge
Pro-Ject Tube Box SE II Phono Pre-amp
Oppo BD-95 Universal Player
Olive Media Server


Test Music

Vinyl - the most crucial test

Buckingham Nicks - "Crying in the Night" from German LP Pressing - Incredible album - musically and sonically - but has never been re-released and the US vinyl copies universally suck - the German pressing is quiet and Lindsey's guitars jumped out into the room with me

Fleetwood Mac - "Dreams" - from recent 45 rpm double LP - This pressing beats the Japanese SACD and the US DVD-A. Its often a toss-up between these three formats (if a recording is lucky enough to get all 3) but the vinyl in this case is the winner - clean, quiet and ultra-transparent

Olivia Newton-John - "Country Girl" - from Japanese Pressing of Long Live Love LP - Japanese vinyl is meticulously well crafted and regardless of what you think of this aritst,, her early country recordings (coming out of England) with Cliff Richard's old Shadows band on back-up and producing - are magnificent. Great guitars, superb sonic layers, and a clear, clean voice that some speakers can't get right - but not the KEFs!

CD

Eagles - "New Kid in Town" from the West German Target CD - very early "flat" transfer - sounded superb - this is the Eagles CD to own - later versions have tinkering with the sonics

SACD

Eric Clapton - "Give ME Strength" from 461 Ocean Boulevard - guitars were warm and sweet and jumped out at you

Olive Server - I hate compression but Olive does pretty well

Vanessa Williams - "Midnight Blue" from "Everlasting Love" - great cover of the Melissa Manchester classic - sounded much better than I expected.

Overall, a great pair.

(Posted on 11/12/12)

Design is not for everyone, but excellent sound for the money Review by Brother52

Would you recommend?
Build Quality?
Sound Quality?

Amazing clarity and detail on vocals and acoustics. I really wish they had grills though as the shiny brass drivers can be an eyesore (they are for me.)

(Posted on 11/6/12)

Simply Amazing Review by Torgny

Would you recommend?
Build Quality?
Sound Quality?

I must say that I am amazed at these little loudspeakers! My current speakers are ProAc Response 2.5 which were purchased well over 10 years ago at a cost of $5,000 – the current model is called D28 which represents a slight improvement and retails for $6,250 . The KEF LS50 simply buries them! Dynamics, imaging, clarity – it’s all there. Alright, so the ProAc’s have a stronger bass, but frankly I prefer the KEF’s lighter touch, seems more in scale and certainly adequate.

I am finding myself pulling out all these old records I haven’t listened to for years and enjoying it immensively, never would have thought that a mere change in technology could rekindle musical enjoyment, but there’s no arguing with success.

Makes me wonder what The Blade can do – turn heavy metal into violin sonatas?

(Posted on 10/12/12)