KEF LS50 problems

Just noticed from another topic, the UnitiQute has a setting for 'Large' or 'Small' speakers that changes the low frequency response. However the Unitilite doesn't have this feature, only 'Internal' or 'External'. I have mine set to internal  because I use no other external amp or sub. Should I change this?

Thanks for that MusicNuttyBoy. Sadly the NAP 250 is pretty expensive in its own right. I busted my (wife's) budget just paying for what I have now. By the way my speaker stands are Atacama Duo 6.

Sorry misunderstood. Yes the stands are spiked onto stone floor and filled with Atabytes. I have put the speaker bungs back in because they have to be close to a rear wall and suffer from boom if I remove the bungs. I agree that this speaker is better when played loud, but I don;t always have that luxury. Thanks again for the comments.

Hi Mark

When I first got my pair of LS50's I was very disappointed by the bass.  Especially given the comments I read in a variety of reviews.  But it turned out that these speakers are hyper sensitive to positioning.  Far more so than any other speakers I've owned.  I spent weeks experimenting with positioning and also with the foam bungs.  Even moving them 1 inch can make a dramatic difference to the bass.  I eventually lucked onto the right position almost by chance - it was like suddenly getting the tuning spot on on FM.  Everything seemed to spring into focus.  And the bass became, if not great, at least perfectly acceptable.

Like you I had been wondering if I'd made a mistake.  But now I know I can live with them.  Indeed more than that because what they do well makes these speakers a joy to listen to out of all proportion to their price.  They are never going to do deep or powerful bass - you are going to need bigger speakers for that.  But the bass is good enough for small speakers in small to medium size rooms.

I probably ought to have mentioned that I ended up using just the outer foam bung and about 21 inches from the wall behind them.  (Because of the shape of my room they are different distances from the side walls.

So please, keep experimenting with the positioning and toe in (and the bungs) and you might be in for a pleasant surprise.  It's a lot of hassle - but it's worth it.

Hi Mark

what speakers and system were you using before the Unitilite and KEFs ? Maybe you only need to let your ears become more accustomed to new balance.   Some budget kit has more bang and bluster.  What your hearing might be more "correct" with the bass level following a tune when needed and not the bass leading and dominating.  

cheers

When you want to have a listening session move the speakers out into the room more with all bungs removed, should do the trick.  When it's not critical listening time put them back along the back wall with bungs in.  Fiddly but will provide experience in how to "voice" the little KEFs.

cheers

Both good thoughts. My previous kit was a Cyrus 2 amp with Musical Fidelity MC2 speakers, which were definitely more bass driven.

A question back to forBarry - Do you have your speakers toed in or straight on?

They're toed in.  Pointing almost exactly at the listening sweet spot.  Maybe 2 feet behind the LSS.

It probably matters what speakers you have been used to.  My LS50's have replaced a much larger pair with at least an octave deeper bass.  This means that I am well aware what I am missing down at the bottom with familiar recordings.  This problem is not as acute with new or unfamiliar music.

But the bottom line is that I am enjoying many a happy listening session with them.  And their sound is attracting favourable comments from visitors - both experienced listeners and otherwise.

I would also recommend using a jig of some sort on the floor. Something that can give you easy visual clue about relative position regarding symmetry , I have used all sorts, spare shelves ,coasters, place mats , rug etc - anything that is same size and in multiples or of size of speaker distance. Helps in positioning and repositioning back.

Hi Mark 

 I use the Ls50  six months now with a Nac 172xs and a Nap 155xs . The speakers and the amplifiers of Naim need more than 100 hours to play music so as  to begin to deliver the sound right. Very important is that Barry mentioned the speaker placement. They must stand from the back wall more than 50 cm, while from the side walls it would be ideal if they were around 100cm. It is also ideal if the speakers are approximately 2.5 to 3 meters from each other . The minimum distance from the back wall should be 50cm and if you increase it the low frequencies weaken but they remain satisfactory until 100cm . Changing the distance from the back wall you will be able to hear the change in medium and high frequencies for their purity. Try to have from the back wall a distance more than 50 cm because if it is less the speaker is not heard clearly and loses  much of the magic of music that you can   enjoy . You have made a wonderful choide and an excellent combination.

@MarkiMark . . . you have answered your own question. LS50s are very susceptible to positioning. Close to a wall and bunged they will sound all wrong - they rely on the port to produce a full bass sound and the room placement to tune it.

If you want to improve the SQ, either experiment with position with the bung out, following the advice given by other posters above, or buy speakers that are happy close to a wall.

I have them with the NAIT 5si.  Key for me was no bungs in the back, even though they are close to the wall - but I have no bass boom in my setup.  I listen to many genre's and dance has no issue with bass. Playing in time and placement are key.

I take it you are using NACA5 too though ?

I have them in my home office system with Naim 5-italic-series integrated and CD. They sit on foam wedges on my desk without the bungs and I listen from a very near-field position with the speakers toed in considerably. They sound terrific in this setup, but as noted, positioning is key and angles and inches matter. I find them to be taut, crisp, balanced and very musical and definitely not lacking bass in my application. In fact, I often find them (and this system) as enjoyable as my larger system, just different.

Thanks for all responses guys. I will experiment and be happy. I leave a few observations below:

1. What bass there is sounds great, but nobody can deny that below a certain frequency there is nothing, it literally is not there. This detracts from some music.

2. 3 x cans of Kronenbourg 1664, dim lights, neighbours gone out, wife gone out, child upstairs, sound up, they sound brilliant!

3. The only thing that would have improved on 2. would have been a good quality Shiraz.

Thanks again to all.