Next gen?

[Eggman]

I first bought a white, and I was happy with it. When the silver came out, there was no question I would upgrade. From a pair of silvers, I wrestled with the upgrade to two gold, but eventually did it, and I'm happy with it. But the thought of a new platinum or diamond or plutonium version seems to yield diminishing returns. I don't think I'd upgrade beyond the wonderful golds. I can't imagine how additional watts or a beryllium tweeter could offer a jump in sound quality that would warrant another price increase. I suppose there's still room to grow because even an $8,000-$10,000 Phantom system is still cheaper than a lot of audiophile setups, but it's starting to get into rarefied air.

[midi]

[quote='cyrus.b' pid='64647' dateline='1501205046']
can you guys elaborate on the difference between the a stereo setup of white phantoms vs gold?  I have the opportunity to upgrade but am unsure if i will benefit significantly.  if it helps, i use the phantoms for spotify streaming and tv/movies

100% worthwhile upgrade. The Golds are a considerable upgrade in terms of dynamics, resolution, bass response and power, imaging and soundstaging, and overall realness. They are really and truly a step up.

I personally find the Golds to produce a much bigger soundstage that is a lot more accurate and believable.
[/H
+1

I have the same question. But I think I should decide between the gold upgrade or a pair of KEF LS 50 Wireless (they are much cheaper).

[midi]

[quote='cyrus.b' pid='64647' dateline='1501205046']
can you guys elaborate on the difference between the a stereo setup of white phantoms vs gold?  I have the opportunity to upgrade but am unsure if i will benefit significantly.  if it helps, i use the phantoms for spotify streaming and tv/movies

100% worthwhile upgrade. The Golds are a considerable upgrade in terms of dynamics, resolution, bass response and power, imaging and soundstaging, and overall realness. They are really and truly a step up.

I personally find the Golds to produce a much bigger soundstage that is a lot more accurate and believable.
[/H
+1

I have the same question. But I think I should decide between the gold upgrade or a pair of KEF LS 50 Wireless (they are much cheaper).

[brit]

can you guys elaborate on the difference between the a stereo setup of white phantoms vs gold?  I have the opportunity to upgrade but am unsure if i will benefit significantly.  if it helps, i use the phantoms for spotify streaming and tv/movies

100% worthwhile upgrade. The Golds are a considerable upgrade in terms of dynamics, resolution, bass response and power, imaging and soundstaging, and overall realness. They are really and truly a step up.

I personally find the Golds to produce a much bigger soundstage that is a lot more accurate and believable.
[/H
+1

I have the same question. But I think I should decide between the gold upgrade or a pair of KEF LS 50 Wireless (they are much cheaper).

Well the fact that the Kef LS50 Wireless now have wireless (or Ethernet) support for direct connection to Roon, could perhaps also influence any decision  .
David

[midi]

I have the same question. But I think I should decide between the gold upgrade or a pair of KEF LS 50 Wireless (they are much cheaper).

Well the fact that the Kef LS50 Wireless now have wireless (or Ethernet) support for direct connection to Roon, could perhaps also influence any decision  .
David

Yes, that’s a uge argument. I will try them on Monday in comparison to my Whites. If Devialet would be able to bring the PROs and the Phantoms together to a multiroom system, things will change... but I am not really satisfied with the Phantoms at low volumes and silent sounds, seems that the KEFs are pretty good there, but the Golds shall also be much better in this matter.

[MountainGuy]

Well the fact that the Kef LS50 Wireless now have wireless (or Ethernet) support for direct connection to Roon, could perhaps also influence any decision  .
David

Yes, that’s a uge argument. I will try them on Monday in comparison to my Whites. If Devialet would be able to bring the PROs and the Phantoms together to a multiroom system, things will change... but I am not really satisfied with the Phantoms at low volumes and silent sounds, seems that the KEFs are pretty good there, but the Golds shall also be much better in this matter.

Having heard Beryllium tweeters, I can vouch that they are fantastic.  But the mids can also probably be improved - wonder if they can find ways to improve the mid range driver.

[ogs]

I have noticed that there is trouble with the LS50 Wireless. A thread on the Roon forum talks about this. One poster even says that KEF is deleting posts on their Facebook page related error reports on the LS50W. I do not own LS50W, but they are high on my list for a secondary system. Quite disappointing really... let's hope KEF sorts this quickly.

[daibaron]

Some of us are not ready yet for next gen problems .

[antilles]

I have noticed that there is trouble with the LS50 Wireless. A thread on the Roon forum talks about this. One poster even says that KEF is deleting posts on their Facebook page related error reports on the LS50W. I do not own LS50W, but they are high on my list for a secondary system. Quite disappointing really... let's hope KEF sorts this quickly.

A 1 year warranty on something Made in China is a major, major red flag. With the aluminium wiring and bargain basement crossover that spoiled the passive LS50, I'm quite turned off the company. How long can you cynically over-commercialise your 'mainstream' offerings and still maintain credibility at the higher end?

[midi]

First day with some KEF LS50 wireless in direct comparison with two White Phantoms (after the power update).

For me it seems that the KEF´s were hyped in all reviews. They are good, but in a direct comparison I see no need to change my Phantoms (both systems have the same good or bad conditions). The Phantoms have a much bigger stage and the instruments are much more separated and airy. I am really surprised because in all disciplines in which the KEF´s should be so great, I can not confirm this in a direct comparison. If you would ask me, what is closer to a "Boombox" (swearword) I would say the KEFs. The mids are good - ok, but not as far away as you can read it. The software is (also) horrible (yes, also in comparison to Spark). The first connection was difficult, I get always the message, that the track is incompatible, a few seconds later it´s playing the track ...

If the Golden ones are even better, the result is even clearer for me (this was also the meaning of my dealer, who is selling both KEF´s and Phantoms).