but it makes sense from an r and d stand point that they needed something to prototype the blade and the LS series before that they can also sell. in fact from 300hz to 55khz (while the blade only goes up to 35khz) the measurements are better and they don't only look the similar in the outside but use the same technology on the inside including the diffusing internal blades and the sealed suspension system that the Meta material is supposed to solve. I did some research and found out that the 3001SEs was so over engineered because it was literally the prototype to the Blade. I couldn't believe it so had someone else online try picking up a pair and he was equally floored. It turns out the 3001SEs weren't only built better, sound better, and solved all the issues the ls50 meta is supposed to solve years ago, but it literally beat the ls50s in every blind test no matter how I placed them. Got them expecting to use them in my lounge and grabbed the 3001SEs thinking they'd be good as surrounds. Surly Sid said:The KEF LS 50 is THE MOST OVER RATED speaker in history. We’ve heard more enthusiastic rivals, but none that can match the KEF’s many and varied range of strengths. There’s a good degree of punch to the bass and the KEFs render rhythms in a surefooted manner. Their detailed and clear midrange performance makes the most of Cherry’s passionate vocals, delivering dynamic nuances and subtle shifts in timing superbly. We switch to Neneh Cherry’s Blank Project and these KEFs continue to shine. We’re also impressed by the image’s stability when the music gets demanding. The LS50 Meta generate an expansive and tightly focused soundstage where the instruments are layered convincingly. KEF’s Uni-Q designs tend to image well by their very nature, and these speakers are no different. They will reveal the shortcomings in poor recordings, but don’t go out of their way to be nasty. The KEFs sound smooth and balanced while still having enough in the way of high-frequency bite. There’s little to complain about when it comes to tonality. These are refined and composed performers that rarely sound stressed unless volume levels are high. Large-scale dynamics are handled well and there’s a good amount of muscle for a speaker of this size. The LS50 Meta make the older non-Meta R3 speakers sound congested and ham-fisted in comparison, and that’s a real shock. These new KEFs sound so much cleaner and more sophisticated than before, particularly at higher frequencies. But you might miss out on the LS50 Meta's lovely sense of integration.Īnd the Metamaterial technology really works, too. Stretch to the likes of the newer, larger three-way KEF R3 Meta (£1900 / $2200 / AU$3900) and you’ll get notably more in terms of low-frequency reach, refinement and openness. Still, there’s only so deep a 13cm magnesium/aluminium mid/bass unit in a smallish, 30cm-tall cabinet can go. ![]() It’s a surprisingly full-bodied presentation with a good degree of authority for such compact speakers. They sound so much more transparent than before and manage to render low-level details, such as instrumental textures, much more convincingly. Listening to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, we’re soon marvelling at the LS50 Meta’s delicacy and precision. ![]() While the basic sonic character is instantly familiar, the new ones have gained a level of clarity and finesse the originals only hinted at. It doesn’t take long to realise that the LS50 have improved significantly. ![]() We've also suggest placing them on dedicated speaker stands for the best results. They won’t sulk if you do, but they will sound a lot better if placed around 50cm into a room and well away from the sidewalls. In fact, these LS50 Meta speakers are now a staple of What Hi-Fi?'s listening room reference system, and we pair them with most price-compatible sources and amplifiers that go through our reviewing process.Īt just 30cm tall, these KEFs are pretty compact, but don’t be tempted to stuff them in a bookshelf or right up against a wall. ![]() We've tried all three combinations, including pricier models, over the last few years and the KEF more than hold their own. We suggest the five-star Cambridge Audio CXA81 and Arcam A15 integrated amplifiers with a suitably capable source, though such are the LS50 Meta’s capabilities that you could easily use the likes of the more premium Naim SuperNait 3, and the speakers wouldn’t be limiting. These aren’t particularly sensitive speakers, at a rated 85dB/W/m, and the minimum impedance is just 3.5 ohms, so it makes sense to partner them with an amplifier that has a bit of grunt. Aside from a slight shift in crossover frequency – from 2.2kHz to 2.1kHz – the specifications look identical. There have been tweaks to the crossover to take all the drive unit changes into account.
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