dolby
Minor Hero
Posts: 62 
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Post by dolby on Mar 30, 2018 4:45:23 GMT -5
Anyone have this combo at all?
A little bass shy and thin. Well rated speaker and amo, so just wondering if the combo or placement?
My other speakers (Elac 407) sound great though.
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Post by novisnick on Mar 30, 2018 5:07:40 GMT -5
Yes, Ive listened to this combo and you are correct about wht you’ve heard but the problem is the amp and NOT the LS50’s.
The XPA-5 gen 2 is a fine amp but was built for HT and Not two channel music. I have found it sluggish when aske to play stereo music only.
The LS 50’s require monoblocks or an excellent stereo amp! Both should have plenty of guts as these speakers will dip blow 4 ohms on a regular basis. They loved the ST-120 tube amp and the XPR-1’s . They are dynamic and wonderful close proximity speakers, in a bit larger room a sub may be required but I found placement from a rear wall wothout the port plugs sound just fine.
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dolby
Minor Hero
Posts: 62
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Post by dolby on Mar 31, 2018 3:29:28 GMT -5
Thanks.
A bit upsetting - as I thought the XPA (even the multichannel) was an extremely competent amp, even for stereo. My Elac407 sound amazing through it, so was hoping these would as well.
Maybe something like NAD or AudioLab?
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Post by Loop 7 on Mar 31, 2018 11:14:20 GMT -5
Thanks. A bit upsetting - as I thought the XPA (even the multichannel) was an extremely competent amp, even for stereo. My Elac407 sound amazing through it, so was hoping these would as well. Maybe something like NAD or AudioLab? I love NAD's sound and currently use one of their DACs but, speaking from experience, reliability can be an issue. You might also add Parasound to your list. KEF seems to use Parasound A LOT at audio shows to drive their LS50s and other speakers. Parasound's build quality is outstanding. Not to derail your thread, but a tube amp would be a game changer. |
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Post by mercury on Apr 1, 2018 23:48:53 GMT -5
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Post by mercury on Apr 1, 2018 23:52:52 GMT -5
Powering my LS50’s with mini-x a100, sounds good. Have tried my XPA-200 much better.
Have not hooked it up to my XPA-2 yet. Will try and see.
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Post by mercury on Apr 2, 2018 0:02:21 GMT -5
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Post by leonski on Apr 2, 2018 1:16:19 GMT -5
Yes, Ive listened to this combo and you are correct about wht you’ve heard but the problem is the amp and NOT the LS50’s. The XPA-5 gen 2 is a fine amp but was built for HT and Not two channel music. I have found it sluggish when aske to play stereo music only. The LS 50’s require monoblocks or an excellent stereo amp! Both should have plenty of guts as these speakers will dip blow 4 ohms on a regular basis. They loved the ST-120 tube amp and the XPR-1’s . They are dynamic and wonderful close proximity speakers, in a bit larger room a sub may be required but I found placement from a rear wall wothout the port plugs sound just fine. Saw LS50s at a show. KEF was shown with PARASOUND. The LS50? Mated to the A23 of 125X2 @8. Not massive power, but certainly got the job done. Matched to the newer P5 preamp, it makes a reasonably cost-effective 2-ch solution since the preamp has a decent DAC and includes some bass management features so you can either DIY or add a powered sub. All the above available at slight discount, so take that into account, too. A good, medium to small room system. In a near-field setup? I doubt the LS50 would need even A23 level power. In the Parasound like, you could delete the A23 / P5 combo and go with a one-box solution with the Halo Integrated. More power, too. |
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dolby
Minor Hero
Posts: 62
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Post by dolby on Apr 2, 2018 2:11:34 GMT -5
but a tube amp would be a game changer. Thanks I did think about that, but aren't they too demanding with 85db sensitivity? Under the impression the speakers need to be high efficiency for tubes? |
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dolby
Minor Hero
Posts: 62
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Post by dolby on Apr 2, 2018 2:14:24 GMT -5
Parasound .... Hmmmm. I'll look. The speakers seem to be opening up the longer I play. Maybe there were still needing to be run in longer  Thanks for the replies. |
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Post by rbk123 on Apr 2, 2018 8:44:25 GMT -5
Are your Kef's still new with low hours? Note, your ears will also "break-in" over time to newer sounding speakers.
How big is your room? I'm guessing the Kef's being mini-monitors just aren't going to have the full range like your floorstanding Elacs.
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Post by garbulky on Apr 2, 2018 9:15:41 GMT -5
I've heard the KEF speakers. I would try to change your speakers. Lots of good speakers out there. For instance I would take the Airmotiv t1's or T2's over the KEF. The photos make the T2 look huge, but it really isn't. It's a small-ish mid tower. The T1 is even smaller.
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Post by simpleman68 on Apr 2, 2018 9:58:47 GMT -5
Parasound .... Hmmmm. I'll look. The speakers seem to be opening up the longer I play. Maybe there were still needing to be run in longer Thanks for the replies. I have an extra Parasound A21 that I would sell for $1300 + ship if you're interested. They sound great on every speaker I've ever played them with. Scott |
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Post by Loop 7 on Apr 2, 2018 13:07:34 GMT -5
Thanks I did think about that, but aren't they too demanding with 85db sensitivity? Under the impression the speakers need to be high efficiency for tubes? can likely answer this question (tube amp options). |
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Post by novisnick on Apr 2, 2018 13:22:26 GMT -5
audiobill can likely answer this question (tube amp options). The Bob Latino ST-120 I have for sale sounds excellent with the LS50’s. Tube watts seem different then SS watts to me. Im no engineer bit it works great. Ive gone to a much larger room and speakers and now have both for sale. Make an offer.  |
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Post by leonski on Apr 2, 2018 13:53:32 GMT -5
audiobill can likely answer this question (tube amp options). Many low-sensitivity speakers work well with tubes. Look at the HARBETH line. Especially whatever they're now calling the LS3/5 'copy' which was originally a BBC 'project' for a monitor speakers. I think the originals were 16ohm. But they DO play well with tubes. www.cnet.com/news/this-could-be-the-last-hi-fi-speaker-youll-buy/From CNET, of all sources. |
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Post by Loop 7 on Apr 2, 2018 14:38:19 GMT -5
I'm only a few years into tubes but actually drove a pair of ELAC B6s (87 dB) with a 15 watt tube amp.
A good tube amp would make the LS50's sing.
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Post by rbk123 on Apr 2, 2018 14:47:33 GMT -5
A good tube amp would make the LS50's sing. A good tube amp would make any good speaker sing... But I imagine he's still going to have problems with bass regardless, due to their size. |
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Post by novisnick on Apr 2, 2018 15:00:35 GMT -5
A good tube amp would make the LS50's sing. A good tube amp would make any good speaker sing... But I imagine he's still going to have problems with bass regardless, due to their size. Bass will depend largely on the room, treatments and distance from the wall. The LS50’s are rear ported and placement is king. For larger rooms a small sub to accompany them wouldn’t hurt. |
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