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JBL Studio 530 vs KEF LS 50?

absolve2525

absolve2525

Super Member
I recently bought the 530s and I really enjoy them, but a pair of LS 50 unopened in box popped up locally and I'm tempted. I know the LS 50s retailed for about double the Studio 530, so it's not the best comparison, but just curious if anyone might have some input on how to the two compare. Thanks!
 
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Depending on where you are, if you are interested in LS 50’s I would watch the used market. Recently, Kef has dramatically dropped the price on new LS50’s. This has caused the used market to drop off as well. A year ago, I picked up a pair that had a deep, 2” long scratch on one cabinet for $450. They came with all the original packaging, etc. and I thought I got a good deal at $450. Recently, I have seen pairs in superior condition sell for less.

As for comparison, I haven’t heard the JBL’s, but I really like the Kef’s.
 
I have never heard the JBL 530s, but other JBLs were never my cup of tea. That being said, I did audition the KEF LS50s for several weeks but sent them back. They had the clarity, transparency, detail and imaging of my 40 year old KEF Calindas, but did not exhibit the smooth rich full sound of the Calinda. The LS50 also did not have the bass extension of the KEF Calinda. The LS50 seemed somewhat harsh compared to the Calinda. I did try several different amps with the LS50, Onix A-120 (120 wpc) and a McCormack DNA 125 (125 wpc) but noticed no difference.

This was for my wife's system. We ended up with a pair of Gallo Acoustics Classico CL1 speakers at a fraction of the cost of the KEF LS50. Surprisingly, the Gallo Acoustics speaker was much closer to the smooth rich sound of the KEF Calinda.

Of course everyone's hearing, preferences, system and room acoustics are different and your experience may be different.
 
Wow I hate to say this.

After all the Hype about the LS-50's, finally got to hear a pair in a friends set up, not even realizing he had bought them before visiting.

I am not "Sure" they lived up to the hype honestly, but have nothing truly bad to say, other than they might be much better in a small room. They were a bit lacking in total output and deep bass obviously, and seemed voiced a "bit" too forward.

I see why many like them, but I have speakers that are more "Listenable", over the long term.
Still a great small speaker that impressed me!
 
Thanks guys! I decided to pass on the LS 50s. I have other vintage KEFs that I really enjoy, as well as the JBLs. Maybe some day I'll give them a shot.
 
I listened at length to a friend’s
LS 50s versus some single driver diy bookshelf speakers including some Jordan’s and my Mark Audio 10.2s and just did not like the harsh treble of the KEFs...it could have been the room or equipment. They did sound coherent as the full range drivers which was a positive.
 
I think you made the right move. I've had both...and both are now gone. LS50's were rather boring, although I can't fault them for much more than that. Given that the bar is constantly getting raised for stand mounts in the $600 and under category, I'm not sure the LS50's are very relevant any longer (unless you're getting them used at a fraction for what they cost new). The 530's are pretty nice, but I found them a little lean at the bottom end including mid-bass, and maybe just a tad bright at upper mid-range and higher....so you could say I'm not really a fan of how they're voiced. Now, with a few subs and the right upstream electronics I'd probably change my tune...but subs may not be an option for you. I'm pretty smitten with the Triangle Borea BRO3 at the present. Just got done trying the Elac 2.0 Debut Reference but sent them back once I heard the Triangles.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/triangle-borea-bro3.904825/

Michael
 
In defense of the LS50, those aren't speakers you can just connect to any amp and get good results. They're not particularly sensitive to begin with, but they're also a fairly tough load to drive. They have impedance as low as 4 ohm and phase angles that swing over 50° positive and negative. You can forget tube amps and write off virtually all vintage receivers. They're designed to be used with fairly muscular solid state amps with a good damping factor and good current delivery ability.
 
I tried the LS50 with an Onix A-120 (120 wpc) integrated amp, McCormack DNA 125 (125 wpc) amp, and I forgot to mention in my previous post,a Belles 150A (125 wpc) amp. All three amps are rated for 4 ohm impedance and are all considered high current amps. The results with all three amps was similar. The sound was somewhat harsh and thin and not anything like the smooth, rich, full sound from my old KEF speakers.
 
For the 'searchers' that land on this thread...

Currently have my LS50's hooked up to a Sansui 9090db... :yikes:... not really, actually sounds very nice. I don't listen at loud volumes and this room is large and very dead acoustically... I think that works a lot in their favor. Besides a person's individual tastes/biases, the room is a big part of the formula. I have a strong feeling I may not like them in a 'hard' room (wood floors, not much absorption).
 
Kefs no matter the model are a little to bright for me above 5 kHz or so. JBLs start elevating the speakers response below 2,000 hz all the way up to and above 20,000 HZ. So JBLs are also more forward where the KEFs are more zippy has been my observation. Tone controls work better with the JBL because they match up. Where with the KEF's you start loosing to much lower highs and upper midrange trying to turn dow the offensive highs above 5,000 hz. Now guys who are hard of hearing might prefer KEF. But I don't.
 
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