Best LS3/5a with Naim amps?
Posted by: cheeselet on 01 August 2018
I’m moving my system to a smaller room. I’ve been using 282/HC/250dr with Neat Momentums for quite a while now and thinking about an LS3/5a type option as so many of the recommended mini monitors seem to be transmission line designs to maximise bass.
i find closed boxes less boomy especially in smaller rooms.
There seem to be so many brands and variations of the LS3/5 I would be interested to hear opinions of how well matched to the 250dr they might be?
notnaim man posted:Perol posted:cheeselet posted:I’ve got a pair of KEF LS50s to try out.
My initial reaction is - Missing the broader cleaner dynamic sound of the Momentums.
Someone saiid LS50s were developed along the lines of 3/5as ( I think!).
LS50 are great speakers indeed, bit silly no grilles are available
Nothing to do with LS3/5a at all
Quote from the KEF website -
LS50
An innovative concept inspired by the legendary LS3/5a, the LS50 mini monitor speaker is designed to bring a professional studio monitor concept into the home.
The LS3/5A was of course designed for professional monitoring purposes, to give as accurate a response as possible as nearfield monitors in small monitoring studios like outside broadcast vans (where the engineer would usually be only about 1 - 1.5 metres from the speakers), with so should work well in very small rooms (though don’t expect the bottom octave or so).
The LS50 is an amazing speaker for the money ........... I would have bought them ....... but for me they did not work close to rear wall ........ they need at least 300mm or more.
Richieroo posted:The LS50 is an amazing speaker for the money ........... I would have bought them ....... but for me they did not work close to rear wall ........ they need at least 300mm or more.
Exactly
Rear ported speakers usually need some space around them
I think I was expecting more from the KEFs in the circumstances. To be fair they are listed at less than a third of the price of the Neats which are geared towards Naim amps it seems.
Following on from the Momentums the LS50s sound less dynamic and a bit ethereal, male vocal in particular being a little opaque. And the 250dr seems a bit wasted on the little KEFs, probably being better suited to a mid market integrated.
Otherwise a nicely refined and beautifully finished speaker, but I’ll keep looking.
The Momentums may be difficult to replace, perhaps some Iota Alpha or Titans ?
Have you found a pair yet?
C.
I had a pair of Rogers 15 ohm LS3/5a speakers with high powered amps for 30 years before mistakenly selling them for a significant profit. Tried other brands of bookshelf/standmounts over the last several years and ended up going back to the LS3/5a this year. Best decision I made in a long time. Given the issues with the SP1003 B110 in the 15 ohm versions going out of spec, I opted for the 11 ohm version with the SP1228 B110. As others have pointed out many times, any LS3/5a should sound the same as any other (unless it's out of spec). I'd believe the BBC design and engineering before I'd put any faith in the "golden ears" who claim one brand is better than any other.
I can't speak to the post-1997 second generation versions (Stirling, Falcon, Graham, etc). While supposedly compliant with the BBC licensing requirements, I'm not sure how they do this with no oversight.
Careful with the volume control, Eugene!
In my experience the LS35a is voiced for vocals and as such is fabulous .... but in my opinion it does not swing and strut it's funky stuff. The Kan is arguably a step too far .... I think the LS50 is an amazing speaker irrespective of cost. I currently use a little pmc 20.21 and that is pretty darn good....and works close to a rear wall.