A very polished production for a first attempt. His reasoning and conclusions are well presented and he is quite personable. Watch your back Steve, the next generation is moving up on you. : )
I applaud you... you not only did your research, but actually took the time to audition the gear and felt the love for the music through your ears and the passion of your father. Stay humble, transparent, and you will go far!!!
There was a time when Technics was very well known. PJ's review may help the brand out a bit as they try to re-position and establish themselves. Thank you, Steve and PJ.
Maybe. These speakers actually got some negative reviews in Europe and I would describe Stereophile's praise as muted, concluding that the speakers sounded "analytical." Especially for the price, expectations should be very high, perhaps higher than a bookshelf design from any company is prepared to meet. So much in audiophile-world is not about objective performance but subjective preference, the genre typically listened to, and even the perceived social status of the brand, engineer, or outlay required to own it, etc.
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@@ReflectedMiles No serious audiophile cares obout stereophile says
Wow! Really suffered with the LS50s. Kudos for persevering with them for so long despite the pain. It seems as if you were looking for a particular smooth sound. Congrats on finding it!
Execellent review. Technics is my favourite brand and I own a lot of vintage technics. I am glad they are making a comeback and young generation is accepting.
I appreciate PJ's take on the tonality of the bass vs dynamic punch. Also it is nice to see someone bravely swim against the current and give clear reasons for why he made his choice. Cheers and well done.
Thanks Steve and PJ. So great to hear about others' journeys. His story just emphasizes 'that it depends '. :) Equipment matching, the room, the budget, demo availability, personal tastes, and many other factors, etc, etc... The fun is to just go the journey any way you can or choose to and share with others. I was going to get rid of my LS50s for similar reasons, but glad I kept them. I was fortunate enough to pick up a used Parasound A21 (high watts / high current) in great shape and this made a huge difference. Set this up in a 15x20 room with decent natural room treatments and the detail, soundstage, imaging, and bass are all top shelf like many of the reviews PJ referred to. PJ, thanks for sharing and glad you found a solution you are happy with! For now anyway. :)
This was a great review PJ! I have hope for future audiophiles. I’m glad you took the plunge to change from 1 speaker to another and that it really worked out for you! Cheers
It's great when someone finds a product they really like. We're all so different when it comes to our gear. I wasn't even sure technics was still around!
@@ecyfoto No, that was back in 2016. I have the Technics SL-1200G that was released back then for about two years now, sounds very good. It's may be pricey for a turntable, but not for a modern high-end direct drive.
I like PJ. My Dad and I are regular visitors to RMAF and we always go to the Technics room. Technics is really designing some excellent products. I am personally very impressed with the sound of the SB-C700 and does not surprise me that PJ purchased a pair. Very good decision and I believe they will scale up as you upgrade electronics.
Great job, PJ! You’re off to a great start. I also spent all of my money on audio equipment as a teenager, starting with a Denon receiver, and I don’t regret it.
I enjoyed this review and appreciate knowing about PJ's journey. As a father also fun to see how our kids take aspects of us into their life but ultimately have to find their own voice and their own sound. This review can easily be called "synergy - how you never know if its your speaker or your amplifier that makes it all sound that way". At the end of the day, its hard to know based on this review what these two speakers LS50 and the Technics are capable of when playing at their respective peaks.
PJ has quite a bright future ahead (Pun intended). Seriously, wonderful job young man. I was 19 sophomore in college when a classmate invited me to his parents home during spring break. In his bedroom he had NAD pre- amp and amp, two Technics SL1200 turntables and a mixer (remember this is '79, DJs were considered hot by college girls). The speakers were Polk Audio 10B monitors. I was hooked. Enjoy the journey PJ. You already know it can be frustrating and disappointing at times, but then comes the joy of discovery.
People make too much fuss about KEF speakers. Have heard a few models, from big and expensive to the LSX50's. None of them did impress me. You made me curious about the Technics speakers :-) Love to see younger people such as PJ with love for music!
I've listened to lots of reputed gears who don't align with my personal taste. They're just not your thing. No need to be disapointed really. Doesn't mean that they are overrated either.
That was an excellent review!!! The technics speakers seem fantastic! They create incredible spatiality on TH-cam, paired with beautiful tonality. I'll make an appointment with our technics dealer tomorrow, I'm absolutely curious!
Hi PJ: Thanks so much. You really did a very thorough and excellent job. As a delighted ‘50 owner with 95 watts @ 8ohms of Linn LK140 power, I found your review quite interesting. As you know, it’s very rare to hear a negative review of the 50’s. At the end of the day, the sound we seek is so personal....there’s no right or wrong. The only review that really matters is our own. And of course, the room and recording quality play huge roles as well. Nonetheless, someday you should give a listen to the KEF R3’s as Steve knows well. So glad to see that you are into it at your age. Maybe you can help convert some of your friends? Just curious, where in Upstate NY are you (in general for confidentiality of course). Some people call Westchester Upstate. To me, Upstate is Albany to Buffalo, despite many downstaters considering anything past Albany another state, if not country...out of sight & mind! All the best to you and please never forget that in the end, it’s all about the music. Happy listening and thanks again for your great output here.
Hi Michael! Thank you so much for watching and the feedback! I totally agree with you, everything is subjective! I heard the R3's in a store once, but it was quite a short audition, and the music was selected by the salesman. I'd love to get some time with them in the future! Being able to share my passion for sound and music with my friends has been amazing, however few of them really develop an interest of their own unfortunately. Most of them love the bass when I crank the sub though... definitely a different type of listening experience. And I live just outside of Albany! Thanks so much again!
Great review! I think you're the first person that's really described what one can expect if they buy these. Too many reviews, and as you pointed out there's not much on these at all anyway, talk about all sorts of stuff. But leave out the most important parts to me. I want to know if they're laid back, or not. If the high end/midrange is smooth, or not. And an accurate description of the bass. You did that perfectly for both speakers. And for that I thank you. ✌️
It's great that someone his age has an interest in audio. This makes me feel that our hobby has a future. I was about his age when I got hooked as an audiophile. I am not a fan of Technics turntables (or of direct drive turntables in general) and Technics has never been known as a great speaker company. However, his review speaks for itself.
Er... Technics was founded as a speaker company! The Technics 1 came out in 1965 and since then they're made some pretty impressive speakers - such as the SB-1000, SB-10000, SB-F1 and SST-1.
I pretty much had the exact same experience as PJ with the LS50s except with more expensive Hegel electronics - so it’s not just the Denon amp causing those piercing highs, closed in mids and popcorn bass. I’ve owned many bookshelf speakers since and preferred almost all of them to the LS50. Seems to be a love/hate thing with them. Now I’m intrigued by the Technics as well!
Great review, and really well done with respect to describing the characteristics of these speakers. I was already interested in these Technics speakers but this has inspired me to look further in to them.
I have the LS50ies but I also listened to a lot of other speakers and even built a lot of speakers. The LS 50 cannot be driven by a small denon receiver. and it's not about watts. I am driving mine with a naim uniticute2 which has 2x 30 watts. However you need stable current to make the bass on these come to live. Also the LS50 have a really long run in time till they lose their initial harshness in the top end. Also very importantly these need to be dampened and not spiked. I had them on spikes first and the bass and treble was just like you describe. I put them on cheap oehlbach shock absorbers and the sound improved immensly. The LS50 are sounding great under the right circumstances. It's very easy to make them sound terrible with wrong amps and positioning and dampening. That said I also love the Technics and they do sound great. So congrats to your setup.
Good point about the long run in time, the treble on mine was painful for the first ten hours or so, then they settled down. I'm driving mine with a Cambridge Audio CXA81 which seems to be a very good match so far. Well produced music like Radiohead sounds amazing on them.
A man after my own heart. I was in the same boat you were, not sure whether or not to get the Technics or the LS50. This was really helpful, and if I had this video a year ago I’d probably be down a couple thousand dollars right now lol. Either way, great video!
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The future audiophile. Glad to see the addiction continues.
Me to mines started at 15 yrs old and I'm 56 Now. Kenwood amp, Pioneer table and C.deck and The New ADVENT Loudspeaker,👍💯. Nobody I knew at the Time could F with!!👍💯🔊
Very interesting. Like you, I started getting into audio in my teens, so a lot of my “early years” were characterised by a small number of small boxes. I’ve had a lot of big gear since then, but I find the small and simple aesthetic impossible to shake off. There’s always a place for these kinds of system, from my office to my bedroom. I love small systems to bits - so thank you so much for introducing me to a new solution in this space!
Nice review, and nice to hear someone from the USA pronounce Technics properly. The LS50 are very fussy regarding amplification and positioning, needing to be away from walls (at least 50cm ). They don't necessarily need lots of watts but they do need quality amplification. Mine are very happy running with a Primaluna Prologue 2. Also I believe they dont need a sub in a small room and I think a badly set up sub can mess up the entire sound.
Excellent review! I like this guy a lot. I had an LP120 a few years ago as my first turntable in college too. Before you upgrade anything else, get a better TT, the used market is your friend. Happy listening!
Great job PJ; down to earth review that I can relate to. I was in a bookshelf speaker journey not long ago. I was sooo curious like you about the LS50's (no local store in San Antonio, TX has them for auditioning) and I was about to audition the Technics, but I went on hold due to being really happy with the Monitor Audion Studio's. I will audition the Technics one day and now that I viewed your review, I am not sure what other people like about the LS50's so much. I have heard from a few people, just comments, that they are too bright. I will have to check them out one day if I can to just be a witness and say that I have auditioned them. Thanks PJ and Steve.
This was awesome. I love hearing someone's honest and personal evaluation of a speaker even if it is against something as precious as the kefs. Think there must be so many great unknown speakers out there and love to hear about them. Nice work champ.
Wish my parents were into audio. I'm in my mid 30's and my folks get my hand-me-downs. edit: also, great review! I've never heard of these speakers before, wish I had.
Great, articulate review. This was a great lesson in system matching, as I think the Denon receiver is the weak link in this system and the LS50s were more revealing of the Denon's sonic signature, if the Denon receiver in my A/V system is any indication. I had the LS50s for a month in my audio system with some middling separates (Adcom 565/Parasound 2125) and was blown away by their sound, preferring them to the more expensive LS50 wireless. But in this system, the Technics were obviously a better match and at the end of the day it's all about the sound YOU like, so great job looking past the hype and finding what works best in your system.
I have a Crown XLS1502 amp driving KEF LS50 speakers, fed from a Schiit Saga Preamp, and it sounds great, especially with the tube engaged. I’ve tried the LS50’s with a number of different amps with different results. My old Peachtree Nova (60wpc) didn’t really rise to the occasion. But interestingly, the vintage NAD 3020 sounded meaty and full through these speakers.
My neighbour knocked on my door to complain about the bass from my new ls50’s a few years ago. I invited him in, he said “God they sound great”. Last month he told me he recounted this to a neighbour below me who auditioned and bought the LS 50’s for himself. He loves them. Anecdotal but speaks for itself. I love my Rose gold and black LS 50’s because they sound great. (Arcam CD player. Monitor audio A100 amp with wireless/AirPlay.)
My ONLY complaint about his opinion was the lack of explanation of WHY he didn't like something. It's easy to be dismissive of something but it's very helpful if you tell us why you didn't like it.
@@morrisonAV Hi! I'm PJ! I totally understand your complaint, and I totally agree! After rewatching my video I realize I left out some fairly important information. My main reason for disliking the LS50s, besides their unfavorable tonal qualities, was that I felt they were cold and lifeless. They made music that I love sound robotic and mechanical, removing all of the excitement. Again, I don't want to put all of the blame on KEF and the LS50s as I'm well aware that there are lots of variables that could be the driving force behind this issue I had. The Technics, for me, are incredibly emotional speakers, and this was the thing that really sparked my interest while I demoed them. Music sounds lively and energetic. I could not control the way I responded when I heard the Technics for the first time, I literally almost started crying!
@@pjnamkoong8732 Did u audition any horn loaded speakers? I too have the LS 50's and have recently purchased the Klipsch RP 600's. Horn loaded sound can be adictive. Just ask Steve. Am using a Bryston 4B ST and an tubed Audio Research SP9 pre.
6 Months after I got my first job, bought brand new Technics HiFi system. Served me 20 years and never had any problems with. Last year replaced my Technics with Yamaha setup. Wanted Technics again, but today they make High end audio only which must be fantastic, unfortunately I am on budget. My old trustful "friend " now is in the attic, right above my living room where served me so good for years.
I had my LS50s plugged into an older Rotel RA-05 integrated and they sounded really lacklustre. I had this setup for over 5 years. I finally lost my rag and bought the Cambridge CX-A60 and the Kefs really woke up. Everything was there, detail, imaging and depth. The Kefs are very fussy with what you feed them. I then bought some Tannoy floorstanders, because the Kefs ultimately were too small for my living room. They are now in my bedroom. :D
I found moving the LS50s out from the back wall helped a lot, the further the better. I found them painfully sharp and boomy as well but moving them helped a lot, they sound great to me now.
Well articulated review. Something new to listen to. Personally not an LS50 fan , the times I've heard them never liked them. Bass wasn't the problem for me but the treble is way to hot. 20-30 minutes that's it just to uncomfortable for me. Nice job
Great job! Very informative, relatable and personal. You touched on a multitude of important “real-life” considerations that regular people seeking aural fulfillment need to know particularly the fact that we should be seeking “our sound”. The only part of the video I found superfluous was your age. You are educated, articulate, expressive and engaging, making your age somewhat irrelevant. Congrats.
I was affirmed that he felt the same way I do about the KEF LS50. To us, the sound was brassy and fatiguing. We didn't have the Technics to listen to, but it sounds as if we might have liked them.
I thought this species, "igenaudiophiliasapien" was extinct; this is as rare a sighting as seeing a Mastodon walking down the street. In a world where most young people couldn't care less about sound quality, it's so refreshing listening to the astute, discerning PJ in this video!
Nice review, I didn't know Technics has entered the audiophile realm, at least since the early 1980s. This kid has tenacity, I think if my dad had given me a pair of Mirage towers my search would have been over haha😊!
I feel your surprise Dutchman. I felt the same way after watching an upscale audio show on TH-cam where Technic was a major contributor with new amps, speakers, turntables etc. I had always thought it was a middle of the road company making good, affordable equipment. Guess I was wrong.
A great review from an up an coming audiophile addict. Welcome to the club PJ! But Steve, YOU can't call these speakers "a single driver speaker" if it is a coaxial speaker with a crossover at (the vocal critical) frequency of 2.5 kHz (which makes it so much worse than it could be). Magneplanars mostly have their their crossover at 500 Hz, leaving the critical vocal range free to work better. Note too why the full-range Bose 901s - hated as they are - still do vocals SO right which is why I still keep a pair - just ignore the totally non existent sound-staging! MangerAudio loudspeakers too - with their unique 'air squeezing' tweeters - have their crossover below 500Hz. That is why THESE loudspeakers sound sublime! I believe that any speaker that has a crossover in the critical vocal region you will continue to keep chasing your tail trying to remove an 'unknown' niggling imperfection; and now YOU know why!
Your description of the LS50s is exactly what I found. Still can't figure out why there are so many good reviews. What didn't you like about the Triangle sound? Do you generally prefer a warm or a bright sound? Thanks
Hi, PJ here! I can't really define my taste yet, but it seems to be leaning towards warmer and musical. I didn't dislike the Triangle sound by any means! However, I wasn't blown away to the point I felt it would be a reasonable decision to replace the LS50s. The Technics literally blew my mind. I knew after only a few songs that they were worth the upgrade.
I own the SB C-700s and also the Def Tech D9s. Comparing the two, the most striking advantage of the Technics 700's are the upper-midrange to high treble clarity, openness, speed and resolution (similar to going from a 24 fps 1080p TV to a 300fps 4k screen). In my experience the Technics also have deep bass extension. I use them in combination with a sealed Power Sound Audio dual 15" sub and I have thought several times that I have had the sub turned on when I haven't (I know that might sound typically cheesy to some but it's true, they go very deep). The specs don't seem to do Technics extension justice. The Def Techs are famous for their imaging, but the Technics seem to match them, and also surpass them in that they are the only speaker I've heard where I experience a definite height in the sound stage (up to the ceiling in one particular recording, i know crazy right?). I also like their uncoloured sound. You hear just whats on the recording, like a calibrated computer monitor, they are colour accurate. The strengths of the Def Techs over the Technics are maybe the High level dynamics and power handling... Although both play loud enough to where you can't hear yourself shouting while playing them (in a room 5m x 7m) The negatives for the Technics: (and there always are) They are neutral, but (maybe) a little dry sounding?.. I dunno. My daily drivers (excuse the pun) are a pair of Australian made vintage PYE coaxial speakers, using pairs of 10" paper drivers with wizzer cones and they have a smooth, natural warm nature which I keep coming back to, so for the Technics I recommend pairing them with electronics that sound rich if you like that kind of thing or at least something that sounds smooth, as the micro-dynamic abillity of the Technics is really impressive, but if you listen to a lot of pop recordings they can be too revealing as you will hear all the faults in the recording. Anyways that's just my 2 cents.
Those frequency response ratings scream deception to me, specifically, the -10dB and -16dB tolerance. I very much prefer to see a reasonable rating with the defacto standard 6dB tolerance (3dB above & below 0dB). Technics isn't the only brand that does this though. Good job on the review though. I'm happy to hear he found the sound he was after. "Good" speakers only sound good if the owner is happy with them.
Hi, I'm PJ! Thanks for watching and for the feedback! I was super skeptical at first too (and I still am), but the specs became irrelevant after I actually got to listen to them!
Since I was 13 I loved using different gear some 45 years ago. Many friends have asked me my opinion of what kind of speakers they should get for themselves.... I tell them to go audition as much as they can in their price range. As imperfect as we humans are in the shapes of our head, placement of our ears, ear shapes, and of course the overall build quality of the hearing equipment built into our heads, that's more than enough variables for reasons they should not just listen to my viewpoint. On top of that, they would then have to wade thru my own bias and tastes... Whey! I give my friends some things to think about, what they need to understand about how everything works together... Send them on their way. When they narrow down their decisions to a few models... I will go with them to point some things out... and then hopefully... they make a purchase and feel good about how much better their choice might be over something they heard at my house. ;-) Mission accomplished! ( I wrote this, because a friend found a review from What! Hi-Fi on the SB-C700 vs. KEF LS50)
Welcome to the club. I was in the industry with a high end audio company for many years, went on to run technology companies, a musician and audiophile. Congrats on your perseverance achieving a balanced system vs budget. No mean feat. Couple of things. The amount of watts doesn’t equal ability to drive speakers, the power supply is crucial and expensive to do well. An amp might measure 100 watts into a 8 ohm resistor but in the real world when speakers are being pushed into low end frequencies they put up significant resistance which expose amps with limited power supplies causing the system to sound thin, flabby and bright. The Kef LS50’s will pick that up as they present a tricky load to amps. I have a high end Kef Blade 2 system and my son has LS50’s which he got prior to my Blades. Like you we found them bright and lack lustre. Once partnered with a great quality source and amplifier they then became sweet and immersive and one of the best speakers we have heard...period. But it cost more than anticipated to achieve it. This was always true of the legendary L3/5a they were inspired by. It was because of his system I bought the Blades. Perhaps try out the LS50 wireless as they are a complete active system and sound incredible because everything matches up perfectly to hear how LS50’s can perform.
My rig at his age was Technics SA-C05s, Technics SL-7 and AR18b in college; a very mobil rig. I had a JVC Deck/JVC 3 way spkr/Technics SA-100? in high school.
Also i think the best affordable speakers are : Wharfedale Diamond 11 series , EVO series and Elysian series designed by Peter Comeau. They sound and look like speakers that cost 3 or 4 times more , they are unique and very good built. I HAVE SPOKEN :D
Excellent job PJ! Your description about your father being a “retired audiophile” was one I found interesting. I take it that he is an audiophile who just happens to be retired. That would describe me as well. I will bet he has not retired from being an audiophile. Once an audiophile always an audiophile. “Till death do us part”. 😂😂😂
Yep, I agree. I'm a retired audiophile myself have had everything from Bose 901s when I started to Altec 604s from my days in recording studios. I just use an iPad and headphones these days but I am as much of an audiophile as ever.
Hi! Actually... I meant my dad has retired from being an audiophile, he's still working! He absolutely has NOT lost his passion for music, or his love for good sound, but he simply doesn't have time to sit down and listen anymore. Also, the endless journey which we all know became a bit too much. Now, he's settled for his 5.1 Nakamichi system in the living room. All wireless! No clutter, no nothing. I totally understand how the simplicity is nice... plus, I get to use all of his old gear! Thanks for watching!
Kef is not for beginner, I take some knowledge with the 50, and my conclusions is a stunning speaker but with some work, in my opinion this speakers need a good (not massive big) stereo amplifier (I heard Ls50 with onkyo avr and yamaha avantgarde terrible sound) with a restored sansui 607 was very good, but now with a Cambridge CXA80, Right position with a isoacoustics stands, a standalone dac, ps audio dectet supply, jitterbug, etc at this point sounds amazing, they only sound harsh in very very crap material or with massive loudness level... But is not a "beginner speaker" take a lot of time to get right. If you are simple buy Dali or Wharfedale easy to match and drive, but not amazing (except Rubicon 2)
Dont know about the technics but i have ls50 and have owned many different speakers, i think pound for pound their very good and i dont find them bright at all, and ive had many that are brighter, but hey we like what we like.
Hi Steve, First I love your channel. Great review. So nice to see a young audiophile who obviously knows this space and can eloquently explain it - Great Job PJ!! I read your cnet review and it mentions that you used a Vinnie Rossi LIO with these speakers - was it a good match?
It’s a shame the Technics speakers aren’t better known. I read a very positive review a few years back but have never auditioned them. Not even sure where I can even buy them in my city. The major downtown audio video retailer where I live carries the full line of Technics turntables (even the SL-1000R) but no longer carries the Technics speaker although I suppose I could order them but I’d want to audition them first. Obviously component matching is a major factor. I’ve heard the LS-50s and thought they sounded great. And they”re in the in A list of recommended speakers in Stereophile magazine. I wonder if break-in is a factor with the LS-50s. Looks like his system is in a very small room and his speakers are quite close to the wall. So obviously he’s dealing with some constraints here. One of the great things about being an audiophile are the revelations in sound quality as one travels on the path to audio nirvana. Discovering things like speaker placement, managing room acoustics, isolation, the magic of a good clean power supply, etc etc.
My first non boombox speakers were some technics 3 ways. My dumb ass sold them to a friend 25+ years ago & every few years I go to his cabin & there they are hooked up to ol' an pioneer receiver in the living room sounding & looking solid. 🥴
Nice work PJ! PJ I'd invite you to try out the Denon PMA 1600NE stereo integrated amplifier with built in DAC vs. your Denon receiver. Check it out on Amazon. Low-ish price with exceptional performance, high current and excellent DAC.
I wonder if he would like the sound ZU Audios entry-level floor standing speakers? I forget the model. He seems to like a coaxial design and his budget is around the price of the LS50s. It may have been his gear that was giving him a bright and fatigueing sound. He could have added the Schiit Audio Loki Mini Tone Control to his system. To help taller his sound. I find that the LS50s work great on a desk nearfeild. But I'm glad that he found a sound that he enjoys. As long as it sounds good and enjoyable to you. That's all that counts.
It's great to see this, nice job PJ. Are you going to a SUNY school? Along time ago when I was your age I could barely afford a car with a crappy stereo. Thank you and SG.
Hi, thank you so much for watching and your feedback! I attend Emerson College in Boston. I'm a Visual Media Arts (film) major with a concentration in sound design and audio production. I'm also a part of Emerson's Honors Program which offers a generous scholarship. Working for the past few years as a free lance photographer, videographer, video editor, graphic designer, and DJ has helped fund my interest in stereo equipment!
You are right about the LS50 being very picky with electronics pairing with it. I ended up driving with an amp costing much more than the speaker itself to get that sweetness and clarity out of them. So be prepared to spend some significant money on the amp if you want to own the LS50.
I think there is an elephant in the room here. The Denon receiver! It seams definitely not to be up to the job with the KEFs. With the right partnering they can be a proper treat. Unfortunately the LS50s really like high quality gear(=+$€£). The fact that the SB-c700s sound as good with Mc amps as with the Denon reveals that the weak link is to be found in te speakers. But I like your confidence. We need young audiophiles to keep feeding this beautiful industry!
Nice presentation. I just don't get the concept of bookshelves that need to be pulled out from the bookshelf and put on stands that cost a pretty penny. Why not just get floor standers?
Hi Mondo, I'm PJ! For me, space is an issue. I would love to get a pair of nice floor-standers, and that would probably help with the bass I was looking for. However, while I'm at school I live in a very small dorm room and I wouldn't be able to fit floor standing speakers. In my dorm I have the Technics on my desk, and I listen near field (they're awesome for this too). But, when I'm home, and I have enough room, I like to put them on stands. From what I can tell, I think that bookshelf speakers sound the best when isolated from any surfaces. At school I get a lot of desk reflections and wall reflections.
Great review PJ - How do you like that Denon receiver? Does it seem to have a decent DAC? I've been considering it as an upgrade to an old receiver I inherited.
A very polished production for a first attempt. His reasoning and conclusions are well presented and he is quite personable. Watch your back Steve, the next generation is moving up on you.
: )
A summary or conclusion would have been nice though
Great review , Very articulate , No BS Audiophile Salesmen talk, Your father did well he passed on his love for music to you .
I applaud you... you not only did your research, but actually took the time to audition the gear and felt the love for the music through your ears and the passion of your father. Stay humble, transparent, and you will go far!!!
There was a time when Technics was very well known. PJ's review may help the brand out a bit as they try to re-position and establish themselves. Thank you, Steve and PJ.
Maybe. These speakers actually got some negative reviews in Europe and I would describe Stereophile's praise as muted, concluding that the speakers sounded "analytical." Especially for the price, expectations should be very high, perhaps higher than a bookshelf design from any company is prepared to meet. So much in audiophile-world is not about objective performance but subjective preference, the genre typically listened to, and even the perceived social status of the brand, engineer, or outlay required to own it, etc.
@@ReflectedMiles No serious audiophile cares obout stereophile says
They sell a lot outside the US.
Wow! Really suffered with the LS50s. Kudos for persevering with them for so long despite the pain.
It seems as if you were looking for a particular smooth sound. Congrats on finding it!
Execellent review. Technics is my favourite brand and I own a lot of vintage technics. I am glad they are making a comeback and young generation is accepting.
Good to see Technics getting some love - they have pedigree with small speakers, starting with the SB-F1. Nicely done, PJ, you made your points well!
I appreciate PJ's take on the tonality of the bass vs dynamic punch. Also it is nice to see someone bravely swim against the current and give clear reasons for why he made his choice. Cheers and well done.
Thanks Steve and PJ. So great to hear about others' journeys. His story just emphasizes 'that it depends '. :) Equipment matching, the room, the budget, demo availability, personal tastes, and many other factors, etc, etc... The fun is to just go the journey any way you can or choose to and share with others. I was going to get rid of my LS50s for similar reasons, but glad I kept them. I was fortunate enough to pick up a used Parasound A21 (high watts / high current) in great shape and this made a huge difference. Set this up in a 15x20 room with decent natural room treatments and the detail, soundstage, imaging, and bass are all top shelf like many of the reviews PJ referred to. PJ, thanks for sharing and glad you found a solution you are happy with! For now anyway. :)
This was a great review PJ! I have hope for future audiophiles. I’m glad you took the plunge to change from 1 speaker to another and that it really worked out for you! Cheers
What an intelligent kid he knows his stuff👍
Great job PJ, so nice to see to see such an honest review at such a young age
Very good review, honest and straight to the point. Glad to see a guy from your age being so professional about hifi and sound.
It's great when someone finds a product they really like. We're all so different when it comes to our gear. I wasn't even sure technics was still around!
They are still making their DD TT and are pretty pricey now.
They reintroduced an entire line of electronics to go along with their new TTs last year. Maybe the year before. Pricey stuff.
@@ecyfoto No, that was back in 2016.
I have the Technics SL-1200G that was released back then for about two years now, sounds very good.
It's may be pricey for a turntable, but not for a modern high-end direct drive.
I like PJ. My Dad and I are regular visitors to RMAF and we always go to the Technics room. Technics is really designing some excellent products. I am personally very impressed with the sound of the SB-C700 and does not surprise me that PJ purchased a pair. Very good decision and I believe they will scale up as you upgrade electronics.
The Technics room would be my first stop too!
Great job PJ....took guts and it was well presented with some excellent info. 😎
Great job, PJ! You’re off to a great start. I also spent all of my money on audio equipment as a teenager, starting with a Denon receiver, and I don’t regret it.
I enjoyed this review and appreciate knowing about PJ's journey. As a father also fun to see how our kids take aspects of us into their life but ultimately have to find their own voice and their own sound. This review can easily be called "synergy - how you never know if its your speaker or your amplifier that makes it all sound that way". At the end of the day, its hard to know based on this review what these two speakers LS50 and the Technics are capable of when playing at their respective peaks.
PJ has quite a bright future ahead (Pun intended). Seriously, wonderful job young man. I was 19 sophomore in college when a classmate invited me to his parents home during spring break. In his bedroom he had NAD pre- amp and amp, two Technics SL1200 turntables and a mixer (remember this is '79, DJs were considered hot by college girls). The speakers were Polk Audio 10B monitors. I was hooked. Enjoy the journey PJ. You already know it can be frustrating and disappointing at times, but then
comes the joy of discovery.
Thank you, PJ and Steve!
Well studied and researched review, delivered in an interesting, thoughtful way!
Bravo!
very good review- ideas presented in such a clear manner that it has given me pause to reconsider how I have been evaluating the sound of speakers.
People make too much fuss about KEF speakers. Have heard a few models, from big and expensive to the LSX50's. None of them did impress me. You made me curious about the Technics speakers :-) Love to see younger people such as PJ with love for music!
I agree with you regarding the LS50, but listen to the R3 before you make up your mind about KEF.
If you are underwhelmed by the LS50, the technics don't even offer any of the positives the LS bring, truly disappointing
I've listened to lots of reputed gears who don't align with my personal taste.
They're just not your thing. No need to be disapointed really. Doesn't mean that they are overrated either.
Yeah bro. Each to their own..bit like surfboards.
That was an excellent review!!! The technics speakers seem fantastic! They create incredible spatiality on TH-cam, paired with beautiful tonality. I'll make an appointment with our technics dealer tomorrow, I'm absolutely curious!
Hi PJ:
Thanks so much. You really did a very thorough and excellent job.
As a delighted ‘50 owner with 95 watts @ 8ohms of Linn LK140 power, I found your review quite interesting. As you know, it’s very rare to hear a negative review of the 50’s.
At the end of the day, the sound we seek is so personal....there’s no right or wrong. The only review that really matters is our own. And of course, the room and recording quality play huge roles as well.
Nonetheless, someday you should give a listen to the KEF R3’s as Steve knows well.
So glad to see that you are into it at your age. Maybe you can help convert some of your friends?
Just curious, where in Upstate NY are you (in general for confidentiality of course). Some people call Westchester Upstate. To me, Upstate is Albany to Buffalo, despite many downstaters considering anything past Albany another state, if not country...out of sight & mind!
All the best to you and please never forget that in the end, it’s all about the music. Happy listening and thanks again for your great output here.
Hi Michael! Thank you so much for watching and the feedback! I totally agree with you, everything is subjective! I heard the R3's in a store once, but it was quite a short audition, and the music was selected by the salesman. I'd love to get some time with them in the future! Being able to share my passion for sound and music with my friends has been amazing, however few of them really develop an interest of their own unfortunately. Most of them love the bass when I crank the sub though... definitely a different type of listening experience. And I live just outside of Albany! Thanks so much again!
Great review! I think you're the first person that's really described what one can expect if they buy these. Too many reviews, and as you pointed out there's not much on these at all anyway, talk about all sorts of stuff. But leave out the most important parts to me. I want to know if they're laid back, or not. If the high end/midrange is smooth, or not. And an accurate description of the bass. You did that perfectly for both speakers. And for that I thank you. ✌️
It's great that someone his age has an interest in audio. This makes me feel that our hobby has a future. I was about his age when I got hooked as an audiophile. I am not a fan of Technics turntables (or of direct drive turntables in general) and Technics has never been known as a great speaker company. However, his review speaks for itself.
Er... Technics was founded as a speaker company! The Technics 1 came out in 1965 and since then they're made some pretty impressive speakers - such as the SB-1000, SB-10000, SB-F1 and SST-1.
I pretty much had the exact same experience as PJ with the LS50s except with more expensive Hegel electronics - so it’s not just the Denon amp causing those piercing highs, closed in mids and popcorn bass. I’ve owned many bookshelf speakers since and preferred almost all of them to the LS50. Seems to be a love/hate thing with them. Now I’m intrigued by the Technics as well!
Great review, and really well done with respect to describing the characteristics of these speakers. I was already interested in these Technics speakers but this has inspired me to look further in to them.
I have the LS50ies but I also listened to a lot of other speakers and even built a lot of speakers. The LS 50 cannot be driven by a small denon receiver. and it's not about watts. I am driving mine with a naim uniticute2 which has 2x 30 watts. However you need stable current to make the bass on these come to live. Also the LS50 have a really long run in time till they lose their initial harshness in the top end. Also very importantly these need to be dampened and not spiked. I had them on spikes first and the bass and treble was just like you describe. I put them on cheap oehlbach shock absorbers and the sound improved immensly. The LS50 are sounding great under the right circumstances. It's very easy to make them sound terrible with wrong amps and positioning and dampening. That said I also love the Technics and they do sound great. So congrats to your setup.
Good point about the long run in time, the treble on mine was painful for the first ten hours or so, then they settled down. I'm driving mine with a Cambridge Audio CXA81 which seems to be a very good match so far. Well produced music like Radiohead sounds amazing on them.
A man after my own heart. I was in the same boat you were, not sure whether or not to get the Technics or the LS50. This was really helpful, and if I had this video a year ago I’d probably be down a couple thousand dollars right now lol. Either way, great video!
The future audiophile. Glad to see the addiction continues.
Me to mines started at 15 yrs old and I'm 56 Now. Kenwood amp, Pioneer table and C.deck and The New ADVENT Loudspeaker,👍💯. Nobody I knew at the Time could F with!!👍💯🔊
Very interesting. Like you, I started getting into audio in my teens, so a lot of my “early years” were characterised by a small number of small boxes. I’ve had a lot of big gear since then, but I find the small and simple aesthetic impossible to shake off. There’s always a place for these kinds of system, from my office to my bedroom. I love small systems to bits - so thank you so much for introducing me to a new solution in this space!
Nice review, and nice to hear someone from the USA pronounce Technics properly. The LS50 are very fussy regarding amplification and positioning, needing to be away from walls (at least 50cm ). They don't necessarily need lots of watts but they do need quality amplification. Mine are very happy running with a Primaluna Prologue 2.
Also I believe they dont need a sub in a small room and I think a badly set up sub can mess up the entire sound.
What's usually wrong with Technics pronunciation?
English pronounce of Technics always sounds funny to me, like Teknix or Tekniques 😂
Somewhere an LS50 owner is clicking thumbs down right now. The SB-C700 seems to be universally preferred over the LS50.
They should be for $1700 /pr.!
@@stevefick3919 Right. The SB-C700's cost $800 more! 😂
Well they are much more expensive and the KEF would obviously not go well with a mediocre Dennon receiver
That's abolutely not true. www.whathifi.com/technics/sb-c700/review
@@tikirama8427 Everyone is aware of the What Hi-Fi? Review. I'm talking about real hobbyists that have owned both.
Excellent review! I like this guy a lot. I had an LP120 a few years ago as my first turntable in college too. Before you upgrade anything else, get a better TT, the used market is your friend. Happy listening!
Great job PJ; down to earth review that I can relate to. I was in a bookshelf speaker journey not long ago. I was sooo curious like you about the LS50's (no local store in San Antonio, TX has them for auditioning) and I was about to audition the Technics, but I went on hold due to being really happy with the Monitor Audion Studio's. I will audition the Technics one day and now that I viewed your review, I am not sure what other people like about the LS50's so much. I have heard from a few people, just comments, that they are too bright. I will have to check them out one day if I can to just be a witness and say that I have auditioned them. Thanks PJ and Steve.
Great reviews from fans! I really like it.
Really enjoyed this young man's review very watchable and very knowledgeable well done. Glad you found what you were looking for.
I think a knowledgeable person wouldn’t have paired the Dennon with the KEF LS50s, but that’s just me
He gives me hope for the next generation. Wow! Well spoken coherent mature review.
Start a channel brother!
This was awesome. I love hearing someone's honest and personal evaluation of a speaker even if it is against something as precious as the kefs. Think there must be so many great unknown speakers out there and love to hear about them. Nice work champ.
Iv'e been waiting for this review since i bought two pairs of the SB c-700's ...and role camera!
Wish my parents were into audio. I'm in my mid 30's and my folks get my hand-me-downs.
edit: also, great review! I've never heard of these speakers before, wish I had.
Great, articulate review. This was a great lesson in system matching, as I think the Denon receiver is the weak link in this system and the LS50s were more revealing of the Denon's sonic signature, if the Denon receiver in my A/V system is any indication. I had the LS50s for a month in my audio system with some middling separates (Adcom 565/Parasound 2125) and was blown away by their sound, preferring them to the more expensive LS50 wireless. But in this system, the Technics were obviously a better match and at the end of the day it's all about the sound YOU like, so great job looking past the hype and finding what works best in your system.
Great review. I’m in love with the LS-50, which to me sounds fantastic. Wasn’t aware of the SB-C700. But now I’m curious to hear it.
I have a Crown XLS1502 amp driving KEF LS50 speakers, fed from a Schiit Saga Preamp, and it sounds great, especially with the tube engaged. I’ve tried the LS50’s with a number of different amps with different results. My old Peachtree Nova (60wpc) didn’t really rise to the occasion. But interestingly, the vintage NAD 3020 sounded meaty and full through these speakers.
isn't that 300w at 8ohm / in dual speakers layout ? Isn't that overkill ?
My neighbour knocked on my door to complain about the bass from my new ls50’s a few years ago. I invited him in, he said “God they sound great”. Last month he told me he recounted this to a neighbour below me who auditioned and bought the LS 50’s for himself. He loves them. Anecdotal but speaks for itself. I love my Rose gold and black LS 50’s because they sound great. (Arcam CD player. Monitor audio A100 amp with wireless/AirPlay.)
Great job PJ!!!! Hope to see your own channel up soon!!
I like when he says "I didn't like it" Straight up As it should be.
My ONLY complaint about his opinion was the lack of explanation of WHY he didn't like something. It's easy to be dismissive of something but it's very helpful if you tell us why you didn't like it.
@@morrisonAV
Curious which item you're referring to
@@morrisonAV Hi! I'm PJ! I totally understand your complaint, and I totally agree! After rewatching my video I realize I left out some fairly important information. My main reason for disliking the LS50s, besides their unfavorable tonal qualities, was that I felt they were cold and lifeless. They made music that I love sound robotic and mechanical, removing all of the excitement. Again, I don't want to put all of the blame on KEF and the LS50s as I'm well aware that there are lots of variables that could be the driving force behind this issue I had. The Technics, for me, are incredibly emotional speakers, and this was the thing that really sparked my interest while I demoed them. Music sounds lively and energetic. I could not control the way I responded when I heard the Technics for the first time, I literally almost started crying!
@@pjnamkoong8732 Did u audition any horn loaded speakers? I too have the LS 50's and have recently purchased the Klipsch RP 600's. Horn loaded sound can be adictive. Just ask Steve. Am using a Bryston 4B ST and an tubed Audio Research SP9 pre.
6 Months after I got my first job, bought brand new Technics HiFi system. Served me 20 years and never had any problems with. Last year replaced my Technics with Yamaha setup. Wanted Technics again, but today they make High end audio only which must be fantastic, unfortunately I am on budget. My old trustful "friend " now is in the attic, right above my living room where served me so good for years.
Excellent analysis, well articulated
Nice job. Nice detail on the Technics.
I had my LS50s plugged into an older Rotel RA-05 integrated and they sounded really lacklustre. I had this setup for over 5 years. I finally lost my rag and bought the Cambridge CX-A60 and the Kefs really woke up. Everything was there, detail, imaging and depth. The Kefs are very fussy with what you feed them. I then bought some Tannoy floorstanders, because the Kefs ultimately were too small for my living room. They are now in my bedroom. :D
I found moving the LS50s out from the back wall helped a lot, the further the better. I found them painfully sharp and boomy as well but moving them helped a lot, they sound great to me now.
Well articulated review. Something new to listen to. Personally not an LS50 fan , the times I've heard them never liked them. Bass wasn't the problem for me but the treble is way to hot. 20-30 minutes that's it just to uncomfortable for me. Nice job
Joe Gomez so just turn down the treble control. No wait... damn... audiophile amp... 😉
Technics: truly professional quality and performance 😎
Great job! Very informative, relatable and personal. You touched on a multitude of important “real-life” considerations that regular people seeking aural fulfillment need to know particularly the fact that we should be seeking “our sound”. The only part of the video I found superfluous was your age. You are educated, articulate, expressive and engaging, making your age somewhat irrelevant. Congrats.
I was affirmed that he felt the same way I do about the KEF LS50. To us, the sound was brassy and fatiguing. We didn't have the Technics to listen to, but it sounds as if we might have liked them.
Maybe move them off the wall a bit, they can be really bright if they’re right against it. Mine are like 2 feet away from the wall
The audio space AS2i tube amp was a revelation for me with the technics
Wow he did really good!
Great speaking skills. A few um's but not annoying at all. Very good.
I just got in my new KEF Q150s. I'm so excited and so far they do not disappoint. I would love to review a piece of gear for ya Steve!
I thought this species, "igenaudiophiliasapien" was extinct; this is as rare a sighting as seeing a Mastodon walking down the street. In a world where most young people couldn't care less about sound quality, it's so refreshing listening to the astute, discerning PJ in this video!
Nice review, I didn't know Technics has entered the audiophile realm, at least since the early 1980s. This kid has tenacity, I think if my dad had given me a pair of Mirage towers my search would have been over haha😊!
I feel your surprise Dutchman. I felt the same way after watching an upscale audio show on TH-cam where Technic was a major contributor with new amps, speakers, turntables etc. I had always thought it was a middle of the road company making good, affordable equipment. Guess I was wrong.
@@johntimm3507 Technics was the premium brand of Matsushita and later Panasonic.
A great review from an up an coming audiophile addict. Welcome to the club PJ!
But Steve, YOU can't call these speakers "a single driver speaker" if it is a coaxial speaker with a crossover at (the vocal critical) frequency of 2.5 kHz (which makes it so much worse than it could be).
Magneplanars mostly have their their crossover at 500 Hz, leaving the critical vocal range free to work better. Note too why the full-range Bose 901s - hated as they are - still do vocals SO right which is why I still keep a pair - just ignore the totally non existent sound-staging! MangerAudio loudspeakers too - with their unique 'air squeezing' tweeters - have their crossover below 500Hz. That is why THESE loudspeakers sound sublime!
I believe that any speaker that has a crossover in the critical vocal region you will continue to keep chasing your tail trying to remove an 'unknown' niggling imperfection; and now YOU know why!
Your description of the LS50s is exactly what I found. Still can't figure out why there are so many good reviews. What didn't you like about the Triangle sound? Do you generally prefer a warm or a bright sound?
Thanks
Hi, PJ here! I can't really define my taste yet, but it seems to be leaning towards warmer and musical. I didn't dislike the Triangle sound by any means! However, I wasn't blown away to the point I felt it would be a reasonable decision to replace the LS50s. The Technics literally blew my mind. I knew after only a few songs that they were worth the upgrade.
I own the SB C-700s and also the Def Tech D9s. Comparing the two, the most striking advantage of the Technics 700's are the upper-midrange to high treble clarity, openness, speed and resolution (similar to going from a 24 fps 1080p TV to a 300fps 4k screen).
In my experience the Technics also have deep bass extension. I use them in combination with a sealed Power Sound Audio dual 15" sub and I have thought several times that I have had the sub turned on when I haven't (I know that might sound typically cheesy to some but it's true, they go very deep). The specs don't seem to do Technics extension justice. The Def Techs are famous for their imaging, but the Technics seem to match them, and also surpass them in that they are the only speaker I've heard where I experience a definite height in the sound stage (up to the ceiling in one particular recording, i know crazy right?). I also like their uncoloured sound. You hear just whats on the recording, like a calibrated computer monitor, they are colour accurate.
The strengths of the Def Techs over the Technics are maybe the High level dynamics and power handling... Although both play loud enough to where you can't hear yourself shouting while playing them (in a room 5m x 7m)
The negatives for the Technics: (and there always are) They are neutral, but (maybe) a little dry sounding?.. I dunno. My daily drivers (excuse the pun) are a pair of Australian made vintage PYE coaxial speakers, using pairs of 10" paper drivers with wizzer cones and they have a smooth, natural warm nature which I keep coming back to, so for the Technics I recommend pairing them with electronics that sound rich if you like that kind of thing or at least something that sounds smooth, as the micro-dynamic abillity of the Technics is really impressive, but if you listen to a lot of pop recordings they can be too revealing as you will hear all the faults in the recording. Anyways that's just my 2 cents.
Those frequency response ratings scream deception to me, specifically, the -10dB and -16dB tolerance. I very much prefer to see a reasonable rating with the defacto standard 6dB tolerance (3dB above & below 0dB). Technics isn't the only brand that does this though.
Good job on the review though. I'm happy to hear he found the sound he was after. "Good" speakers only sound good if the owner is happy with them.
Hi, I'm PJ! Thanks for watching and for the feedback! I was super skeptical at first too (and I still am), but the specs became irrelevant after I actually got to listen to them!
Great review PJ. What music did you play that sounded fatiguing on the LS50, but better on the SB-C700?
Since I was 13 I loved using different gear some 45 years ago. Many friends have asked me my opinion of what kind of speakers they should get for themselves.... I tell them to go audition as much as they can in their price range.
As imperfect as we humans are in the shapes of our head, placement of our ears, ear shapes, and of course the overall build quality of the hearing equipment built into our heads, that's more than enough variables for reasons they should not just listen to my viewpoint. On top of that, they would then have to wade thru my own bias and tastes... Whey!
I give my friends some things to think about, what they need to understand about how everything works together... Send them on their way. When they narrow down their decisions to a few models... I will go with them to point some things out... and then hopefully... they make a purchase and feel good about how much better their choice might be over something they heard at my house. ;-) Mission accomplished!
( I wrote this, because a friend found a review from What! Hi-Fi on the SB-C700 vs. KEF LS50)
Nice job PJ!
Great job!
Great review Thank you!
Excellent review
Well done!
Well done, PJ.
Nice review 🤘
Welcome to the club. I was in the industry with a high end audio company for many years, went on to run technology companies, a musician and audiophile. Congrats on your perseverance achieving a balanced system vs budget. No mean feat. Couple of things. The amount of watts doesn’t equal ability to drive speakers, the power supply is crucial and expensive to do well. An amp might measure 100 watts into a 8 ohm resistor but in the real world when speakers are being pushed into low end frequencies they put up significant resistance which expose amps with limited power supplies causing the system to sound thin, flabby and bright. The Kef LS50’s will pick that up as they present a tricky load to amps. I have a high end Kef Blade 2 system and my son has LS50’s which he got prior to my Blades. Like you we found them bright and lack lustre. Once partnered with a great quality source and amplifier they then became sweet and immersive and one of the best speakers we have heard...period. But it cost more than anticipated to achieve it. This was always true of the legendary L3/5a they were inspired by. It was because of his system I bought the Blades. Perhaps try out the LS50 wireless as they are a complete active system and sound incredible because everything matches up perfectly to hear how LS50’s can perform.
My rig at his age was Technics SA-C05s, Technics SL-7 and AR18b in college; a very mobil rig. I had a JVC Deck/JVC 3 way spkr/Technics SA-100? in high school.
Great review!
Also i think the best affordable speakers are : Wharfedale Diamond 11 series , EVO series and Elysian series designed by Peter Comeau. They sound and look like speakers that cost 3 or 4 times more , they are unique and very good built. I HAVE SPOKEN :D
Excellent job PJ! Your description about your father being a “retired audiophile” was one I found interesting. I take it that he is an audiophile who just happens to be retired. That would describe me as well. I will bet he has not retired from being an audiophile. Once an audiophile always an audiophile. “Till death do us part”. 😂😂😂
Yep, I agree. I'm a retired audiophile myself have had everything from Bose 901s when I started to Altec 604s from my days in recording studios. I just use an iPad and headphones these days but I am as much of an audiophile as ever.
Hi! Actually... I meant my dad has retired from being an audiophile, he's still working! He absolutely has NOT lost his passion for music, or his love for good sound, but he simply doesn't have time to sit down and listen anymore. Also, the endless journey which we all know became a bit too much. Now, he's settled for his 5.1 Nakamichi system in the living room. All wireless! No clutter, no nothing. I totally understand how the simplicity is nice... plus, I get to use all of his old gear! Thanks for watching!
Great work Steve...
Herb gave the nod to technics, Atkinson the KEFs. This was done 3-4 years ago (with relevant measurements)??
Audiophile have here a great successor!
Yes, in store auditioning is still the best.
Kef is not for beginner, I take some knowledge with the 50, and my conclusions is a stunning speaker but with some work, in my opinion this speakers need a good (not massive big) stereo amplifier (I heard Ls50 with onkyo avr and yamaha avantgarde terrible sound) with a restored sansui 607 was very good, but now with a Cambridge CXA80, Right position with a isoacoustics stands, a standalone dac, ps audio dectet supply, jitterbug, etc at this point sounds amazing, they only sound harsh in very very crap material or with massive loudness level... But is not a "beginner speaker" take a lot of time to get right. If you are simple buy Dali or Wharfedale easy to match and drive, but not amazing (except Rubicon 2)
Dont know about the technics but i have ls50 and have owned many different speakers, i think pound for pound their very good and i dont find them bright at all, and ive had many that are brighter, but hey we like what we like.
Good video young buck! Good luck with your college years.
Hi Steve, First I love your channel. Great review. So nice to see a young audiophile who obviously knows this space and can eloquently explain it - Great Job PJ!! I read your cnet review and it mentions that you used a Vinnie Rossi LIO with these speakers - was it a good match?
Things have changed, in my early years it was widely believed that the Japanese manufactured good electronics but lacked in speakers.
It’s a shame the Technics speakers aren’t better known. I read a very positive review a few years back but have never auditioned them. Not even sure where I can even buy them in my city. The major downtown audio video retailer where I live carries the full line of Technics turntables (even the SL-1000R) but no longer carries the Technics speaker although I suppose I could order them but I’d want to audition them first. Obviously component matching is a major factor. I’ve heard the LS-50s and thought they sounded great. And they”re in the in A list of recommended speakers in Stereophile magazine. I wonder if break-in is a factor with the LS-50s.
Looks like his system is in a very small room and his speakers are quite close to the wall. So obviously he’s dealing with some constraints here. One of the great things about being an audiophile are the revelations in sound quality as one travels on the path to audio nirvana. Discovering things like speaker placement, managing room acoustics, isolation, the magic of a good clean power supply, etc etc.
"the magic of a good clean power supply"
Magic - yes, it's magic because it's not real 😆
My first non boombox speakers were some technics 3 ways. My dumb ass sold them to a friend 25+ years ago & every few years I go to his cabin & there they are hooked up to ol' an pioneer receiver in the living room sounding & looking solid. 🥴
Nice work PJ! PJ I'd invite you to try out the Denon PMA 1600NE stereo integrated amplifier with built in DAC vs. your Denon receiver. Check it out on Amazon. Low-ish price with exceptional performance, high current and excellent DAC.
I wonder if he would like the sound ZU Audios entry-level floor standing speakers? I forget the model. He seems to like a coaxial design and his budget is around the price of the LS50s. It may have been his gear that was giving him a bright and fatigueing sound. He could have added the Schiit Audio Loki Mini Tone Control to his system. To help taller his sound. I find that the LS50s work great on a desk nearfeild. But I'm glad that he found a sound that he enjoys. As long as it sounds good and enjoyable to you. That's all that counts.
It's great to see this, nice job PJ. Are you going to a SUNY school? Along time ago when I was your age I could barely afford a car with a crappy stereo.
Thank you and SG.
Hi, thank you so much for watching and your feedback! I attend Emerson College in Boston. I'm a Visual Media Arts (film) major with a concentration in sound design and audio production. I'm also a part of Emerson's Honors Program which offers a generous scholarship. Working for the past few years as a free lance photographer, videographer, video editor, graphic designer, and DJ has helped fund my interest in stereo equipment!
You are right about the LS50 being very picky with electronics pairing with it. I ended up driving with an amp costing much more than the speaker itself to get that sweetness and clarity out of them. So be prepared to spend some significant money on the amp if you want to own the LS50.
I think there is an elephant in the room here. The Denon receiver! It seams definitely not to be up to the job with the KEFs. With the right partnering they can be a proper treat. Unfortunately the LS50s really like high quality gear(=+$€£). The fact that the SB-c700s sound as good with Mc amps as with the Denon reveals that the weak link is to be found in te speakers.
But I like your confidence. We need young audiophiles to keep feeding this beautiful industry!
Nice presentation. I just don't get the concept of bookshelves that need to be pulled out from the bookshelf and put on stands that cost a pretty penny. Why not just get floor standers?
Hi Mondo, I'm PJ! For me, space is an issue. I would love to get a pair of nice floor-standers, and that would probably help with the bass I was looking for. However, while I'm at school I live in a very small dorm room and I wouldn't be able to fit floor standing speakers. In my dorm I have the Technics on my desk, and I listen near field (they're awesome for this too). But, when I'm home, and I have enough room, I like to put them on stands. From what I can tell, I think that bookshelf speakers sound the best when isolated from any surfaces. At school I get a lot of desk reflections and wall reflections.
Howdy Steve... from Texas stay safe
Great review PJ - How do you like that Denon receiver? Does it seem to have a decent DAC? I've been considering it as an upgrade to an old receiver I inherited.