KEF LS50 Meta - Bookshelf Speaker (Royal Blue - Special edition) | HiFi | Home Theatre | 40-100 Watts

I moved to these speakers from a Sonos Arc. The reason for this was my PC was having constant driver issues with Dolby Atmos so last weekend I decided I had enough. I decided to go back to a more simpler stereo set up but did not want to step down on audio quality. Initially the KEF KS50 Wireless II caught by eye and there were a few times I almost pulled the trigger on the purchase. However, the KS50 Meta had caught my eye but I’ve never had passive speakers before and didn’t know anything about using amps. My intended use is music, movies and gaming.Several YouTube videos later I decided to take the punt and bought a pair of Metas and my amp of choice was the Sonos Amp (2019 version). This was because the Sonos had more than enough power to drive these speakers and had an arc connector which is all I needed. The plan was to set these up with Amazon basics banana plugs and place the speakers on top of the audioengine ADS2 desks stands (perfectly stable fit by the way). My TV is the LG CX and I have the REL T5i sub connected.Set up was surprisingly easy apart from removing the banana cable plugs from the speakers. I ended up breaking and splitting several finger nails trying to prise them out (it took about 45 minutes to remove all four of them, they were ridiculously tight, particularly the red ones). I read that you could use a knife to get them out but this seems excessive and I would have been annoyed had I slipped and scratched the speakers. I think they should use something simpler to cover the holes, or include a tool to easily remove them.Once set up I couldn’t help but notice how very good these sound. I’m not an audiophile but I could hear things right away in familiar music tracks that I could swear were no these before. It wasn’t difficult at all to hear the difference and this was comparing to the Sonos Arc which isn’t exactly a slouch in the audio detail department either.Obviously these won’t give you that virtual surround from a soundbar but the Sonos Amp does support stereo speakers with producing a virtual centre channel. I was doubtful this would be any good but I can say the Metas helped make this effect very convincing, although I have nothing else to compare them with.I watched the Mandalorian and the sound was just amazing. You could feel it around you, the last time I felt this kind of immersion was at the cinema. I was completely absorbed by it, at no point was my attention taken away or tempted to look at my phone. It gives you escapism.Onto the games then, and it’s the same story. More detail and more immersion. The virtual centre channel from the amp really shines here also. Firing a gun in Crisis remastered becomes a much more serious act to consider. Demons Souls on the PS5’s dark atmosphere is enhanced with depth and makes the world feel much more bigger and unforgiving, or perhaps you much smaller.There are already plenty of reviews out there telling you how good these are with music and they aren’t wrong. I played the Night Kings soundtrack from Game Of Thrones and the bits with the piano were like it was in the same room. I could feel the keys being pressed, it’s hard to describe but I have an actual piano and it just felt the same.Overall, I feel I got what I wanted from these speakers. Well, almost because I actually ordered the black ones but Amazon accidentally sent me grey. But they look very good (I found out they were the wrong colour when I opened the box and took them out, I have told Amazon who were ok with this) and felt wrong to send them back just because the colour was wrong. These speakers will offer you a great experience, the quality match the price so no complaints here.

First of all, let's talk about the design of these speakers that I fell in love with at first sight. The form factor and colour of the speaker was crucial to me, and it had to match with the rest of the furniture and the minimalist style of the living room. Kef LS50 Meta delivered this with no effort at all. Beyond the design, the sound coming out of these speakers is magical. I'm not an experienced audiophile - although I have sensitive ears and I am a trained listener - and this is my first experience with a relatively expensive sound system. After I was sure about the Metas, I spent considerable time finding other matching devices. I must honestly say that in the end, perhaps, only luck completed this journey. The hardest part was finding the matching amplifier. After reviewing a few devices, including Music Fidelity, Cambridge Audio, NAD, Audiolab and Roksan, I have finally chosen Arcam SA20, Class G 90W, and I am delighted with this decision. The sound that this system produces is unparalleled. Sound stage and instrument separation are straightforward for my inexperienced ear. The clarity and appeal of the songs are very high. I should mention that although the amplifier is 90 watts, I feel I have a bit of distortion at a very high volume, but I do not listen that loud. I mostly listen to jazz and classical music, and the maximum volume is 60%, which is very loud, and I have no problem with that. I also hear a slight unpleasant echo in the high volume because the speakers are not mounted on a stand and are on top of an empty cabinet. Of course, this has nothing to do with the system and is due to my limitations and choices. This issue does not exist at all at low volume. Since this system was completed, I am always trying to be alone at home to listen to music. And I listen to music way more than before. I am fascinated by the extraordinary quality of this pair of loudspeakers, and I am delighted with my choice. The system includes a Rega P2 turntable with upgraded Exact cartridge, Raspberry Pi 4, Volumio with Tidal Connect, Topping D70s Dac, Arcam SA20 and Kef ls50 Meta.

These are far and away the best speakers I've owned.Started with Dynaudio Emit 10s which were great and then KEF R3s which I lovedBut due to a lack of space I needed to get slightly smaller speakers. I was worried these would be a step down in sound quality.They blow the R3s out of the water. The clarity is amazing, better on every level.I've got them wired to Cambridge Audio CXA81 .

Great sound from these small speakers, good bass, midrange and treble. The sound really spatial.

I would recommend getting a subwoofer as I felt the bass needed enhancing. Once I had done this my music listening experience was greatly improved. On first listening to them I felt there was something missing and it really brought the whole package to life. Very happy now.

I'm using these with 45W Tube Amplifier. They sound absolutely brilliant. Detailed, not too sharp with tremble, good soundstage, good bass (though might not be enough for some). They look amazing - way better in real than on any pictures actually. Suberb product.

Great treble, midrange and wide open soundstage. Modern looks and great build quality but the speaker’s ability to resolve detail and separate voices from instruments could be better. Also, while the treble and midrange are great, the bass, while deep for a small speaker, could do with better definition. This is a great speaker for the price but it isn’t the ‘giant killer’ many people make it out to be.

Great speakers