05-Feb-2018, 20:12
(05-Feb-2018, 19:33)rdavidhalljr Wrote: Thank you very much for all feedback. Specifically, how would you say that the sound of the phantoms would be incomparable in presentation to LS50W with a highly capable subwoofer?
From my listening, the phantoms sound good, but are a bit lacking in midrange and treble refinement. I have also had a pair of phantom gold in my old space, and they are capable of producing prodigious slam with respectable deep bass authority, however, they were simply no match to the capability of a 13.5"driver with 1000wRMS. My thinking is that the greater high/mid refinement of the LS50W compared to the phantoms, in addition to the subwoofer which has proven itself to be in a separate league of capability beyond phantom's very laudable bass production, would lead me to believe that sonicator, the KEFs + sub would be the best decision from a sound quality standpoint.
Not trying to step on toes, just genuinely need help making the decision.
Thanks everyone!
Some might have problems with the software side of Phantoms, Dialog, and Spark. But when there is no network or power supply i.e. PLC issues the Phantoms perform great and reliable for years. Great HW! Not so with the LS50W that seem to be a cheap design with many returns and complaints. Check e.g. in the Roon forum, many unhappy customers that after a lot of trouble got their money back or are waiting for replacements for weeks without Kef acknowledging that there is a clear reliability issue. I have no experience with Kef but only want to indicate that the Phantoms have a great design and built quality that apparently the Kefs do not have.
