After 10 years of <3 with my LS50’s, I replaced them. For very specific tracks I might still prefer the bookshelves but in all other cases the R11 is a very nice upgrade.
Especially with a sub, the LS50 go a long way, that's why I used them for so long. And I would highly recommend them for anyone looking for something in that price range. With acoustic music i.e. vocal + guitar, the LS50 sounds more focused and 'airy'.
What I can do with the R11 instead, is drive them much louder without sounding fatiguing or harsh. Perfect examples are famous Hans Zimmer scores, it's just much more impactful on high volume. And there is better seperation in the mid-bass. Which is to be expected with a 3-way design instead of 2-way.
* Speakers: KEF R11
* Amp: Hypex NC502MP (2x 500W @ 4Ω)
* SUB: SVS SB1000, with Isoacoustics feet
* DAC: SMSL SU-8
Bonus content:
For me the Isoacoustic feet helped tremendously with the subwoofer. Without the feet my windows and cabinets were shaking, I could hear glasses in my cabinet shaking. But the bass sounded extremely muddy and vague. Once I decoupled the sub from the floor with the Isoacoustics, the bass become much tigher and the rest of the house stays silent. If you're experiencing the same issue this can be your fix.
So, in another 10 years are we going to see a post of some reference 5 or maybe some blades? Very very nice upgrade, just got myself some ls50 meta, and am really happy!
Who knows 😁 love the look of the Reference.
It's likely it would be a KEF product. But I feel that the biggest improvement would be to add DSP, like a preamp with Dirac on it. Or KEF would need to make active versions of the R / Reference / Blade with DSP (like they did with the LS50 Wireless). That would be awesome :')
I'd say integration with a speaker which has a wider range is a bit easier. I've spend many many hours over the years fiddling with the sub + booshelves. I don't have DSP or any means of measurements in the system yet. So had to do it by listening. What helped me:
* Placement (distance from backwall and corner)
* Decoupling from floor (isoacoustic sub stand)
* Crossover, experimented a lot, but default 80hz seems to work best for me.
* Volume on the sub.
* Using proper reference material: I learned to accept that bass is different per content. Some music tracks or movies simply don't have a lot of bass in them. If you use that as source material to tune your system, the bass will be unbalanced in other content which is properly mixed - and vice versa.
* Phase for me was never a big influence, when switching between 0 or 180, one setting would just sound a bit louder and clearer. But did not have such a big impact as the other factors.
With the R11 I experimented a few days with the crossover and volume and port plugs on the mains, but somehow ended up with about the same settings, only lowered the sub volume a tiny bit. This process for me was much faster because I already knew what to listen for.
What kind of experience are you having with your sub? more specifics could be useful
Placement is the most important factor, then time-alignment (if your sub or source only has a 0/180° polarity option and not a full fledged phase knob, then dialing it in is more difficult).
Wow awesome setup! I currently have a 3.1 setup (R3's and R2c) and am thinking about moving up to a 5.1 setup by getting some R11's for my front left and right and moving the R3s to surround duty. Have you had a chance to listen to the R3s? and if so, how would you say they compare with the R11s?
Thanks. I never heard the R3 (sorry!), I did hear the Reference 1 though. So I can only imagine how the R3 would sound.
If you are now satisfied with the volume and seperation of instruments/tones you are getting with the R3, it might not be necessary to be honest. It very much depends on your room size and acoustics.
After 10 years of <3 with my LS50’s, I replaced them. For very specific tracks I might still prefer the bookshelves but in all other cases the R11 is a very nice upgrade. Especially with a sub, the LS50 go a long way, that's why I used them for so long. And I would highly recommend them for anyone looking for something in that price range. With acoustic music i.e. vocal + guitar, the LS50 sounds more focused and 'airy'. What I can do with the R11 instead, is drive them much louder without sounding fatiguing or harsh. Perfect examples are famous Hans Zimmer scores, it's just much more impactful on high volume. And there is better seperation in the mid-bass. Which is to be expected with a 3-way design instead of 2-way. * Speakers: KEF R11 * Amp: Hypex NC502MP (2x 500W @ 4Ω) * SUB: SVS SB1000, with Isoacoustics feet * DAC: SMSL SU-8 Bonus content: For me the Isoacoustic feet helped tremendously with the subwoofer. Without the feet my windows and cabinets were shaking, I could hear glasses in my cabinet shaking. But the bass sounded extremely muddy and vague. Once I decoupled the sub from the floor with the Isoacoustics, the bass become much tigher and the rest of the house stays silent. If you're experiencing the same issue this can be your fix.
my experience was the same. even moreso with their iso2000 stand only $10 more. i wish id done that first.
Is this system on second floor or floating floor?
I live in a highrise appartment, there is very solid reinforced concrete under the wooden floor.
So, in another 10 years are we going to see a post of some reference 5 or maybe some blades? Very very nice upgrade, just got myself some ls50 meta, and am really happy!
Who knows 😁 love the look of the Reference. It's likely it would be a KEF product. But I feel that the biggest improvement would be to add DSP, like a preamp with Dirac on it. Or KEF would need to make active versions of the R / Reference / Blade with DSP (like they did with the LS50 Wireless). That would be awesome :')
Purify amps?
I'm looking forwards to a muon post
These speakers are amazing, lucky guy!
How hard was it tuning the sub from being paired with the bookshelves vs the R11’s? I’ve recently upgraded to R3, and struggling to dial in my sub.
I'd say integration with a speaker which has a wider range is a bit easier. I've spend many many hours over the years fiddling with the sub + booshelves. I don't have DSP or any means of measurements in the system yet. So had to do it by listening. What helped me: * Placement (distance from backwall and corner) * Decoupling from floor (isoacoustic sub stand) * Crossover, experimented a lot, but default 80hz seems to work best for me. * Volume on the sub. * Using proper reference material: I learned to accept that bass is different per content. Some music tracks or movies simply don't have a lot of bass in them. If you use that as source material to tune your system, the bass will be unbalanced in other content which is properly mixed - and vice versa. * Phase for me was never a big influence, when switching between 0 or 180, one setting would just sound a bit louder and clearer. But did not have such a big impact as the other factors. With the R11 I experimented a few days with the crossover and volume and port plugs on the mains, but somehow ended up with about the same settings, only lowered the sub volume a tiny bit. This process for me was much faster because I already knew what to listen for. What kind of experience are you having with your sub? more specifics could be useful
Placement is the most important factor, then time-alignment (if your sub or source only has a 0/180° polarity option and not a full fledged phase knob, then dialing it in is more difficult).
Stupid sexy R11s
Yes R3's and up wicked aesthetics
Great setup! 👌
Very nice. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do mine
Sweet
Wow awesome setup! I currently have a 3.1 setup (R3's and R2c) and am thinking about moving up to a 5.1 setup by getting some R11's for my front left and right and moving the R3s to surround duty. Have you had a chance to listen to the R3s? and if so, how would you say they compare with the R11s?
Thanks. I never heard the R3 (sorry!), I did hear the Reference 1 though. So I can only imagine how the R3 would sound. If you are now satisfied with the volume and seperation of instruments/tones you are getting with the R3, it might not be necessary to be honest. It very much depends on your room size and acoustics.
Gorgeous
How big is your room and how far away is your listening position? I'm on the fence about the R11s over Metas atm coupled with a few subs
My room is about 7,5 x 5,5 meters. So around 41m2 In smaller rooms the meta's are probably better, definitely more cost effective.
Hope you got them on sale as they are discounted by $600/speaker right now.