Advice on current Kef LS50 Wireless II system and potential additional system

[mcdreamer]

Hello all. A few months ago I replaced my ancient Tannoy P30s + Rotel RA-01 after it developed an issue. The system is based in my office, where I spend most of my time, which is just larger than 2m2. I now have a pair of Kef LS50 Wireless IIs and a Rel Tzero mk3. Overall I'm very happy with the sound, however I do wonder whether this system is a little too big for the room.

At the same time, in my cellar (3m * 3.5m) I would like to upgrade from my old Sony separates system from the 90s. It still sounds good but I want greater clarity.

One thought I've had is to move the office setup down into the cellar, and then to buy something smaller for the office. For example, LSX IIs + another Rel sub.

Another option I'm weighing up is to keep the office system in place and buy something like the Kef Q7 Metas and an as yet unknown amp for the cellar. Budget would be up to £2k, but could stretch a little further. One thing I would like to add in the cellar either way is some streaming support.

The office system is used exclusively for music. The cellar system is used for a mix of music and console gaming, with very occasional film watch (i.e. I'm not looking for a home theatre setup). I also have a turntable hooked up in the cellar. I mostly listen to ambient and electronica, with some 70s prog and a bit of metal to add some spice.

For reference, I also have another desk based system for music production using a pair of Adam A4Vs. I've been completely blown away by the clarity of those monitors, especially in the high end (no doubt thanks to the ribbon tweeter).

The LS50s are on the official Kef stands, and the LSX IIs would be as well if I bought them. In the cellar bookshelves on stands would be fine (roughly what I have now) but there's also space for floorstanders.

My main concern about going smaller in the office is that I spend a lot more time listening to music here, so wouldn't want to have any perceptible loss of quality. However, I'm also concerned I'm missing out on the best the LS50 have to offer (as I can go louder in my cellar).

Based on what I have, and my budget for any potential additional components, what would people recommend I do? Buy a larger system for my cellar, or swap things around and go smaller in the office?

 

[davidf]

The speakers have to suit the room. If not, you'll never get the best from the system, regardless of the electronics you put in front of them. And it's best not to "push" speakers near their limits - all speakers will have a comfortable level they can play at and sound as they have been designed. Push any speaker too far and it'll start to sound edgy and harden up.

 

[mcdreamer]

The speakers have to suit the room. If not, you'll never get the best from the system, regardless of the electronics you put in front of them. And it's best not to "push" speakers near their limits - all speakers will have a comfortable level they can play at and sound as they have been designed. Push any speaker too far and it'll start to sound edgy and harden up.

Yes indeed, which is what I'm wondering about really. I can tell I've got a lot of headroom with the LS50s in my office and I doubt all of that would be taken up in my cellar either. I suspect the same would be true of the LSX IIs in my office too (especially with a sub).

Likewise, I'm also wondering whether I'd be "wasting" too much headroom with something like the Q7 Metas (or even R3 Metas + sub) in my smallish cellar.

 

[RoA]

I had the Wireless II for about a year. They replaced active Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo’s.

The Kef’s only have a tiny bass/mid unit, probably under 5” once you take the space taken by the tweeter away. They are, imho a small space speaker but you are using them with a subwoofer which should give them needed additional dynamic range (my main criticism of an otherwise good speaker). I would have thought that this combination is more than adequate for a still relatively small 3.5 sq meter room. Whether you will have problematic room modes I can’t say but you have some DSP which could help.

Any speaker is heavily room dependent so I can’t comment on other products. You should, if possible, try at home.

 

[davidf]

Yes indeed, which is what I'm wondering about really. I can tell I've got a lot of headroom with the LS50s in my office and I doubt all of that would be taken up in my cellar either. I suspect the same would be true of the LSX IIs in my office too (especially with a sub).

Likewise, I'm also wondering whether I'd be "wasting" too much headroom with something like the Q7 Metas (or even R3 Metas + sub) in my smallish cellar.

The LSX is an unsurprisingly good little speaker, retaining KEF's typical sound and its benefits of point source reproduction, but obviously it'll lose out a little to the LS50s. I temporarily used a pair of the Mk1 versions at home in a room just under 4m square, in place of the stereo set up I had at the time which I mainly used for watching films. I was impressed by how deep they dug, the way they sounded nicely balanced, and the way they didn't sound as small a speaker as I had expected them to. They're worth auditioning if you're after something for a small space that doesn't need huge volume, and may even suit better than the LS50, especially as you have a sub.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

OP; How big is your office / main listening area ? You suggested 2 metres squared in the 1st post.....?

 

[nopiano]

I’m surprised you need a sub, but then I’m not a bass fiend. Surely you need a friendly KEF dealer to lend you their demo LSX then you can experiment?

I’d definitely not attempt with the R3 or Q7 in a space like that, as a suitable amp and giving them enough space is likely to be a further challenge. Besides, the actives have DSP options that are surely useful?

I’m not familiar with the Adam sound but I believe they have a vast range, so maybe they have something to suit too?