After having owned the Def Tech BP7000SC speakers for a number of years, I wonder if I am crazy to even contemplate buying the KEF LS50 speakers. The Def Tech speakers are full range speakers with a built in 14" sub driven by an 1800 watt amp. The Def Tech speakers are rated for 1000 watts of input power. Using them with my Krell KSA-250, I have never found a point on the volume control where either the speakers or amp cry "Uncle." Your ears will give out first.
I am intrigued by the little KEF LS50 speakers. There has been a ton of engineering that went into them. The coaxial driver is very high-tech and so is the cabinet. Lots of work went into designing the front baffle, and the interior of the cabinet with its bracing and constrained layer dampening. All of the reviews have been glowing including the show reports from Newport 2013. I have a pair of the Def Tech subs which have the same 14" woofer and 1800 watt amps that are in the BP7000SC speakers so bass shouldn't be an issue (other than two 14" drivers and two 1800 watt amps would now be out of the picture). My concern would be getting satisfactory SPLs out of these speakers in my 15' x 23' x 9' room (not to mention the L-shape portion which adds another 4' in width at the listening end of the room). I would hate to blow the damn things up.
I do think that based on their shape they should image like crazy, be very coherent sounding with very little cabinet distortion. I think that large floor standing speakers that are heavy have to store and release much more energy which would smear the sound compared to a pair of LS50 speakers. If that little JOB amp that is currently the rave sounds as good as the initial reports, it may be just the ticket for the LS50s. I'm afraid that my KSA-250 might be too much amp for them in terms of available power.
So, I am looking for opinions on whether this would be a stupid move or possibly a good move. Something about them intrigues me. I do feel that they may go up in value over time if they are truly limited in their production.
I am intrigued by the little KEF LS50 speakers. There has been a ton of engineering that went into them. The coaxial driver is very high-tech and so is the cabinet. Lots of work went into designing the front baffle, and the interior of the cabinet with its bracing and constrained layer dampening. All of the reviews have been glowing including the show reports from Newport 2013. I have a pair of the Def Tech subs which have the same 14" woofer and 1800 watt amps that are in the BP7000SC speakers so bass shouldn't be an issue (other than two 14" drivers and two 1800 watt amps would now be out of the picture). My concern would be getting satisfactory SPLs out of these speakers in my 15' x 23' x 9' room (not to mention the L-shape portion which adds another 4' in width at the listening end of the room). I would hate to blow the damn things up.
I do think that based on their shape they should image like crazy, be very coherent sounding with very little cabinet distortion. I think that large floor standing speakers that are heavy have to store and release much more energy which would smear the sound compared to a pair of LS50 speakers. If that little JOB amp that is currently the rave sounds as good as the initial reports, it may be just the ticket for the LS50s. I'm afraid that my KSA-250 might be too much amp for them in terms of available power.
So, I am looking for opinions on whether this would be a stupid move or possibly a good move. Something about them intrigues me. I do feel that they may go up in value over time if they are truly limited in their production.