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KEF LS50 Meta (Pair in Titanium Grey & Carbon Black) $2120 Delivered @ Amazon AU

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Fantastic High End Bookshelf speakers that can open up a few extra notes you haven't heard; especially if you are playing Hi-Res music (Tidal, Apple Music, Qobuz).
Price reduced for Carbon Black and Titanium Grey only.

Add a Sub if you really need to but the LS50 Meta are just brilliant tech from KEF even without the Sub.
KEF Sub on sale for $450 less 2,545 - https://www.amazon.com.au/KEF-Subwoofer-Uni-CoreTM-Technolog…

KEF LS50 Meta Reviews:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/k…

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/kef-ls50-meta

In case you are after Wireless Metas:
$3995 - https://www.amazon.com.au/KEF-Wireless-Speaker-Airplay-Chrom…

Other KEFs are also on sale: https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=KEF

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.

Related Stores

Amazon AU
Amazon AU
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closed Comments

  • +14

    wow………..

  • +43

    Finally, a nice upgrade from my second hand Logitech z120 speakers.

    • +3

      I guess you bought 10

      • -2

        And replaced your hearing aids

  • -7

    Does the Edifier 3000 Pro still out perform these?

    • +4

      How exactly does Edifier 3000 Pro outperform LS60s apart from price?

      • +3

        *50s

        Id love some 60s one day. Noticed RRP went up $1k though ffs

        And to your question, no way.

        • +1

          typo, sorry.

        • +5

          U should see the price increases on the B&W 700 Series. I held off buying 702 S2 floor standers back in 2020 and have regretted it ever since. They havent gone on sale since boxing days $5500 sale for that year. Now they stopped making them and released Series 3 at over $10k

          • +1

            @DanielP2: Ouch that's nasty.

            I'm always extra skeptical with KEF though as the Aussie distributor got in legal trouble for shafting us, NZL was actually paying less.

            • +1

              @scuderiarmani: Yeah get ripped for most stuff here.
              Not the type of product you'd want to buy internationally though.

              • +3

                @G-rig: Absolutely not.

                I'm also extra cautious with the active range. I've had 2 or 3 odd moments with my initial Ls50w over the years.

                Passive speakers can and do last a lifetime, I don't expect actives to do anywhere near….

                • +1

                  @scuderiarmani: Yeah was kind of coming from the point of damage in transit and local support is worthwhile if something goes wrong - good when spending 2-4k. Some audio stores even let you try at home for a period of time. A mate's Dynaudio passive bookshelves started to deteriorate (the wood) on one of them, not very old at all but was sorted out easily with a new upgraded pair.

                  I'm a bit dubious about the new form factor of actives, containing networking/streaming, DAC etc all internally. Look quite messy with cable spew out the back of at least one speaker, plus not wanting to pay extra for that stuff. It's a nice solution for future-Fi'ers but I am happy with my DAC and Rpi4 setup.

                  Btw have had my Yamaha monitors for over 10y, probably a bit more and still fantastic.

          • +1

            @DanielP2: Love my 705s.

            • -1

              @bargainy: yeh I have 705s at the moment because we have a small room. We are moving soon so i wanted to upgrade to 702s and use the 705s in the rear (overkill but, why not i guess). If I cant get 702s its not the end of the world as the 705s are amazing

        • Yep entirely different speakers for entirely different applications. We used the LSX for home theatre and tbh it wasn't that great at all. We swapped them out for S3000PRO which do much better in that certain application. Though I use the LSX in the study for casual listening, and they sound incredible in the small room, like you said, you can't compare them, in certain applications.

          • @onlinepred: Yeah, lsx definitely isn't ideal for HT. Personal listening setups in small rooms are perfect though.

            I actually wanna downgrade my desk to the lsx 2 from the initial Ls50w I got in their atm, not suited at all to the room.

            • @scuderiarmani: Agreed, the LSX are cute but wouldn't fill a room much bigger than a bedroom imo.. perhaps if you added a sub you could, and wire them up for high/low pass

            • @scuderiarmani: All of their range, and I expect even the Ls60 too, absolutely benefit from a sub.

              You can say you like it all you want without, but once you connect one it's huge. I'd just do it solely to put less wear and tear and demand on the mid woofer too.

            • +1

              @scuderiarmani: Smallish lounge room, say 4 X 6m, Lsx with a REL T-zero sub on sale for say $650 and the systems ace. Def need a sub, for music or movies. Turn the wick up on all your defaults (desk/wall mode/ extension etc) otherwise it'll limit your detail. Adjust your sub crossover/ gain for different genres, create 5-7 profiles and your away.

              • @Ryanmyo: I'm gonna start looking at better subs shortly, it's something I've never put much money in. Well, home subs atleast…. done my fair share of Car varieties.

                My main setup had a bit of a bass vacuum in the main seating area, to the right is great, I added a second sub in the rear and its 90% right. But I figure one good one may be the best.

    • +12

      Depends on type of Jazz you're listening to - for American Jazz, Edifier's better, but for Brazilian Jazz, Kef has has conjecturable advantages.

      • +13

        what on god's green earth are you on about

        • +5

          conjecturable advantages, duh!

    • Still??

    • +4

      lol how would it..
      Edifer seems more like a PC speaker brand.

      • @pformag they aren't even on the same level.

      • You need to look at the s3000pro, they are quite large, and would obviously offer things the KEFF can't, but no, they are different levels and used for different things. I have a mate who uses the KEF LSX as their stereo tv setup, and I honestly prefer my s3000pro for the TV/Movies. I would take the KEF for loungeroom music anyday though. These just don't have enough bass for most applications IMO. These KEF rely strongly on the source, amp and positioning to get decent sound, that and it may not even suit what you are after anyway, so you have to check them out first in person.

        • +1

          Yeah pretty hard to use the one setup for everything. Nothing wrong with having a variety of gear - I got streamer-dac-monitors for music and Samsung q950a soundbar with sub including atmos rears for tv and movies - best of both and enjoy having separate setups.

          • @G-rig: Oh nice! I actually replaced my old q900a with the KEF LSX, then eventually the S3000PRO. I miss surround sound, but man everything else sounds so much better out of good speakers than a soundbar

            • @onlinepred: Agreed good 2ch for music but not the best for tv and movies. They still cant do the bass like a sub or surround like surrounds.

              Obviously have to get a pretty decent soundbar (around 2k RRP , but got mine for under 1k).

              • @G-rig: You will find that the soundbars just can't reproduce the quality bass or dialogue ability of good bookshelf speakers, I mean a soundbar is just a bunch of tiny speakers and then a huge sub. The S3000 pro actually product much cleaner, more accurate bass which is less boomy but still very deep, while making every thing I watch clear and dialogue is easily heard, while on my soundbar I had to change modes and settings constantly to suit the show. Given most TV shows are suited to stereo more than surround sound, and that soundbars don't really have great stereo ability as the centre/left/right is all in one narrow unit in front of you, soundbars rely heavily on virtualizing everything - if you don't have a 4x4 room with soundproofing, then it really won't sound great because of this. Physical speakers will always trump virtual, and it's why for most TV/Movies the speakers sound significantly better - except in surround sound.

                • @onlinepred: Yeah don't care much for tv but 4k streaming with Atmos is good and I'm happy with that. Much better to integrate remotes and Google TV with eArc. 2ch is too limiting for that use and usually don't even get Vol control with Optical out of an amp etc. 2ch is great for music obviously.

                  Anyway just so whatever makes you happy.

                  • @G-rig: Oh I just made my TV remote control the speakers, was very easy. Only have one remote. Yea I have my trusty Jamo setup for actual surround sound stuff, you can't really compare virtualised speakers from soundbars to stereo or surround sound, they are amazing at convenience and appearance though!!! I do find I use the surround less and less, just sticking to actually high quality stereo. I wouldn't mind a 3.0 setup one day.

                    • +1

                      @onlinepred: Yeah depends if you care about surround and movies, I didn't used to really.. but with 4k/Atmos being offered it turned out being a good setup with the Google TV plugged directly into the soundbar (tv doesn't have atmos). I didn't use to worry about it as those codecs go out of date reasonably fast, unlike music decoding. Anyway had it with HT receivers, components and wiring over 10y ago.

                      Music is the main thing but these days enjoy both setups. Can take years experimenting and swapping different gear.

    • In bass yes, and possibly in certain applications like as a TV/Movie setup.

  • +39

    when i can afford to spend on these speakers I no longer need to be on ozbargain

    • +11

      This is absolutely untrue. There are plenty of wealthy people on OzBargain!

      • +37

        I think you meant: There are plenty of people who were wealthy before they discovered OzBargain. 😅

        • +13

          How to make a small fortune on ozbargain. Start with a large one

      • +1

        Yes. They are called "Tight A$$"s"
        :)

      • +1

        Inherited wealth, those that have created wealth don't waste time on OzBargain!

      • there are 32 of them….

    • +3

      i can afford more toys coz i save on everything through this place :D

  • +4

    I think you can safe to say it's FREE DELIVERY.

  • good price on these and the LSX II. Waiting for a deal on the 10b sub though

  • +3

    I'm a fan of the kef sound.

    That said, even half decent bookshelves as these do pair well with a subwoofer; takes a bit of pressure if the main drivers to focus on frequencies above ~100/120 hz.

    As always, find them in store, have a listen and see if you like their sound.

    • +2

      Anyone saying a subwoofer isnt required for quality audio immediately has their opinion put firmly in the bin, as far as Im concerned.

      • +1

        Pretty much, as where the left and right speakers are located is almost always is a big compromise for a good bass response. A carefully placed sub restores the joy.

      • Subs are optional and shouldn't be necessary on a 2ch setup. Of course, it depends on the size of the drivers, if the ports are front or rear facing, the size of the room etc. I find 8" don't require one, but definitely for the LSX.

        Subs are great for movies and boomy effects.. may as well complete the setup with a centre and rears then.

        • -3

          Thank you for your opinion @g-rig. It's firmly in the bin, of course.

          • @[Deactivated]: Oh right, what's your problem champ?

            8" monitors rear ported and I don't need a sub. I said those small LSX definitely would benefit from a sub.

            Enjoy your fully sick bass..

            • @G-rig: Post the response graph. Go on then.

              • @[Deactivated]: Look it up yourself hs80m. Rear ported and less than 500mm from Wall in an apartment.

                What speakers and sub you got, may help validate your opinion.

                • @G-rig: Strange, that's a lot of words without a response graph.

                  So here's a response graph. https://imgbb.com/SsZznMJ

                  So HS80's are "okay" studio monitors. At their pricepoint, they're even "good".

                  For the beginner taking their first step up. Like, a little step. A tiny, vanishingly small step in the "relative" scale of the audio world.

                  So anyway, Oof. What's that, +5ish db across most of the treble with a nasty dip at 8k? Looks like someones trying to tamp down sibilance from a shitty tweeter.

                  Meanwhile regards to bass, It's got a nonsense peak at 70-80hz and drops off sharply below, as you'd expect. Bass guitars getting down to 40hz (easily) are now at -10db, and sub-bass and all of it's contributions to harmonics are, well, non existent on this setup. It's gone completely under 40hz.

                  What's that scooby? There's a reason the speakers we're talking about come with a low cut switch at 80 or 100hz because they're literally designed to be used with a subwoofer?. Cool info scooby!

                  So you're talking about low-mid end active studio monitors that can't really play music properly. While literally anything people produce in a studio can be expected to be played in venues/clubs/festivals that have, you know, subwoofers. Not just a wall of 8" drivers. For a reason. Hell even many cars are coming out with them now.

                  Oh and regards to movies, okay, sure, we get it. You're too cool for explosions. Lucky, because these speakers can't actually reproduce, you know, sound properly.

                  I'm sure your speakers sound okay. I'm also sure that almost literally any other system around the pricepoint will sound better with a sub. Which was the point, and it's correct.

                  • +1

                    @[Deactivated]: Never said it wouldn't, I could easily go and get the matching sub but never felt the need to be honest.

                    Fair few settings on the back to get sounding reasonable for my place. The clarity and natural sound is better than most ht systems for music, don't need rumbling bass. My DAC has plenty of settings to tweak the EQ but haven't bothered (Adi2 fs).

                    Besides I have a sub with the soundbar setup for tv/movies, don't need another one.

                    Btw was comparing this to the little LSX's which definitely need a sub.

                    No one has really recommended the next 'upgrade' from the Yamaha's anyway - perhaps Neumann or something. These were great for the price , still sound fairly musical not clinical and would need to spend another 2k for something that may be 10% better. Or another 4k for passive stand speakers and an amp.

                    You must have the Kef I'm guessing.

                    • @G-rig: Could you please stop moving the goalpost to comparative performance between models, when the discussion is about comparative performance between system configurations.

                      It's not about you or your feelings. It's a subjective fact that a 2.1 system is going to be superior at accurate sound reproduction, all other things being equal. Which you've tried to dismiss as "fully sick bass", "movies" or "boomy effects" when all of that is unmitigated nonsense.

                      A half decent subwoofer setup properly isn't "rumbly" anything. In a proper system you shouldn't be able to readily identify that it even exists apart from the smooth lower extension.

                      The fact you don't know this is demonstrating nothing more than your lack of knowledge and general experience, and I take objection as you offering your opinion as expert if it isn't.

                      Anyway, good day to you.

                      • @[Deactivated]: You aren't actually providing anything of use anyway mate, all gaff. A waste of time squabbling on here for no reason.

                        I like and am aware of microsubs, doesn't mean I'm going to run out and get one because old mate on the forums is on about subs.

                        • @G-rig: I provided a response graph.

                          • @[Deactivated]: Seen that and looked it up years ago.

                            • +2

                              @G-rig: In all fairness studio monitors for mixing have a flat response where its needed. You can add a sub if you want. But for mixing it's more about accuracte critical listening, but tends to sound clinical to me. For me a sub was needed to fix room mode issues. An in room response graph is where we the real discussion can take place, you two dont need to argue. We all have our preferences & constraints (such as WAF).

                              • +2

                                @dingaling2: true mate, they are flat and detailed but prefer that and the clarity of coloured messy sound. Wont keep these forever so haven't bothered with the sub but no odubt would be better - just not ready to throw 600$ on the yamaha one.

                                Down the track wouldn't mind something better (would call it a day with the LS60s), or even a passive set of standmount speakers, would need to spend a lot more matching an amp (which is trial and error to some degree) and would invest in a microsub like the SV3000, (although the price for a lot of them are a bit rich i.e. Kef KC62 $3000 rrp).

                                Don't mind checking out Darko's suggestions and product 'reviews', entertaining and informative, plus he's not one of these old man audiophile snobs that take it personally and get ruffled so easily:
                                NO SUBWOOFER REQUIRED: Monitor Audio's Silver 100 7G Limited Edition

                                Cheers,

                                Anyway my headphone setups are far better and make most speakers sound average ;).

                                • @G-rig: Picked up the matching hs8s sub - pretty good setup now 😎. Quite easy to integrate with actives and all the controls on the hs80m. Already had the low cut on flat, good room control and high trim settings too on the monitors as we can't all have a studio with them 1.5m away from the wall.

                                  Better spending $600 instead of $6k changing everything around.

                              • +1

                                @dingaling2: ps. These KEF LS50 Meta seem like a pretty good deal, I've asked a few times around the place but no one has said what an obvious upgrade path is from the Yamaha monitors.. I'd assume something like the LS50's ($2.2k), the Kef sub ($2.2k) and a suitable amp (at least $2k).. Happy with my DAC and RPi4 (and the Wireless 2's are a fair bit more just for that feature).

  • -2

    How well do these play fart noises? Will the sound follow through with the goods?

  • +6

    The only extra notes you'll be hearing are the ones streaming out of your wallet

  • +5

    Good price. Of course there are comments complaining that there are more categories than "budget".

  • +3

    I've been looking for some passive bookshelf speakers, however these sound pretty disappointing:

    These have wonderful reviews and in an age where it is really very difficult to go and listen to things, often one is going on reviews. However I have to say I was notably disappointed. Yes they sound ok but for something just shy of a thousand pounds I expect more than ok.
    I spent some time discussing with a friend who used to run a hi-fi shop. Our feeling was that while Keff have done amazing things with one small central speaker, perhaps they wouldn't have had to try so hard if they had used a more traditional setup. Hamstrung by their own genius.
    I purchased a more traditional speaker set from another big UK producer and indeed it sounded immensely better. Really it was no battle at all and that at almost half the price.

    I don't know much about audio, but i believe it's more efficient to have speakers of various sizes to delivery frequencies clearer & with less wear on the membrane. (Which this amazon review above apparently confirms with this model). Why are such expensive speakers being peddled with a single driver?

    • +8

      It's a coaxial driver, not a single driver. This means it has a tweeter positioned in the centre of the bass driver, allowing better phase alignment and generally a more natural sound.

      • +1

        The less membrane on midbass driver also reduces its ability to push more air. Plus the small 5.25" driver, I dont think it's for me.

      • Interesting, i didn't understand what they meant by "driver array".

    • +2

      me thinks that reviewer needs to share what they smoking :) but again sound is a very personal choice also!

      • -1

        Why should it be a personal choice (subjective?)? Don't we want a perfectly even frequency reproduction across the human hearing range, plus a bit below that. Shouldn't there be a simple and objective measure of this?
        Why wouldn't we just aim for an even frequency range & eq the sound before it gets to the speakers?

        • +2

          Because in theory everyone perceive audio slightly differently depending on their ear shape, age, whether they are trained musically and even cultural background.

          • @BargainDemon: Is there a benefit to hard-crafting these differences vs modifying the audio to match preferences before it gets to the speaker?
            Is it just because we can't make speakers good enough?

            • +1

              @ssfps: Definitely, that's why each speakers has its own sound signature which can often preferred by some group of people but not by others.

        • -2

          Have you ever demo'd a pair of speakers? Everyone has different tastes.

          • +1

            @scuderiarmani: You haven't explained anything or provided a reason with this post @scuderiarmani , just provided a tautology that it's subjective because it's subjective.

            • @ssfps: Get some sleep mate.

              You are knocking arguably the most heralded and awarded speaker range ever based on words.

              Just. No.

              Thanks for your childish neg too.

              Also, big man up voting every negative, arguing or troll comment here. I think I'll just block you.

              • @scuderiarmani: I didn't knock anything, i was looking at reviews and seeking advice from people that know more than me.

                You, OTOH, have made every second post in this thread none of which have any valuable content, defending a brand you seemingly love by flinging shit without any substance.

                • +1

                  @ssfps: You. Haven't. Heard. Them.

                  You. Have. Zero. Credibility.

                  Yet you up voted the only neg here. A pathetic one at that too, says a whole lot about you.

                  I can fling shit, because I've had experience with dozens of KEF products, including owning most of them I have dealt with. I listen to 100s of Speakers, it's my interest.

                  I'm also not clueless enough to knock Kefs unique patent that's incredibly good, just cause reasons.

                  You've come into this thread to find a way to knock things. Not constructive. Not helpful.

                  • @scuderiarmani:

                    You. Have. Zero. Credibility.

                    This is what i mean by you making asinine replies across the thread with no substance. Where did i claim to be an expert, or be making blanket statements?
                    To quote myself

                    I don't know much about audio,
                    … but i believe
                    … this amazon review above apparently confirms

                    You're picking fights against imagined slights against your favorite brand, it would be funny if it weren't so sad.

                    You've come into this thread to find a way to knock things. Not constructive. Not helpful.

                    I've actually appreciated the info in several posts, just not yours.

                    • @ssfps: You up voted the childish neg here. Your intentions in this post are wide and clear.

                      Have a good night.

                      I'll learn my lesson next time, don't engage with someone who clearly has no interest in the product, hasn't heard it, yet forms an opinion based on some pathetic vague review. Yet you could have easily quoted the tonnes of articles, YT videos and the like praising it…. But they dont suit your agenda.

                      Amazon review. OMFG.

                      You say that like that actually means something? LMAO That's just embarrassing.

                      I also guess you are just ignoring the 4.8/5 from 155 reviews.. Cause, reasons.

                      • +1

                        @scuderiarmani:

                        You up voted the childish neg here.

                        I don't even know what you're talking about, try quoting it.

                        But they dont suit your agenda.

                        Haha, my agenda?

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                        28
                        Array.from(document.querySelectorAll('a[title="View user profile."]')).filter(o => o.innerText !== "scuderiarmani").length
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                        So, you've made approx 1/5 of all posts in this deal's thread.

                        • +1

                          @ssfps: Pretty easy to see the revoked neg comment. Don't pretend to be stupid.

                          You obviously have zero interest in the product. So clearly wanna mock anyone who does. I just caught you out.

                          • @scuderiarmani: You've obviously got a great crystal ball to see into my mind.

      • Or how much the other company paid em….

    • Your judging a speaker review, on on of the most famous speakers going around, on a written opinion? Right.

      And you are also claiming to have more knowledge than KEF designers. Who have a unique concept that is their own.

      And you say you don't much about Audio…

      Uh huh.

      • +3

        A coaxial speaker isnt even remotely unique. Punch the term into ebay and get back to us.

        • +2

          In 1988 KEF designed and patented the first coincident source speaker driver – Uni-Q. A 25mm (1 inch) tweeter sat at the neck of a 200mm (8 inch) woofer, precisely positioning the acoustic centres of both units to coincide. It also used Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnetic alloy, which was an advanced material at the time.

          This is unique. I never said coaxial, so don't put words in my mouth.

  • +3

    KEF R3 is on the radar 😂

    Don't forget, you'll need a decent amplifier and a decent DAC. May use an AVR but these speakers deserve better.

    I'd not recommend them for your HiFi setup for movies, just 2 channel listening.

    • +1

      I have R3's, they are sooooooooo good.

      • Where can I demo R3s? :D Now that R3 Meta is out, I don't think R3's will continue in production.

        • From memory Apollo hi fi in sydney have them plugged in

    • +1

      Have the KEF R700 in my main setup. Absolutely love.

      But absolutely wasting them with a slimline Marantz atm.

    • And DSP, and streamer…
      I wouldn't spend this much on a pair of speakers, but they do have many inbuilt functions that can be overlooked.

    • These are grey imports with an Australian Service Warranty

    • +1

      Grey import with no Authorised Australian warranty service

      • I did not know that, thanks.

        Warranty matters a lot when you're paying a hefty premium on toys lol

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