KEF LS50 META

Pre owned. In excellent condition, only a few months old. No visible signs of wear. Supplied with manual and original packaging.

Kef LS50 Meta represents the natural and mature evolution of one of the most iconic bookshelf speakers in the history of high fidelity. After setting new standards nearly ten years ago with the original LS50, KEF starts again from a blank sheet, retaining an immediately recognizable design while thoroughly reworking every technical and structural aspect. The result is a compact loudspeaker that stands as a new absolute reference, thanks to refined musicality, superior transparency, and exceptionally wide sound dispersion capable of filling the entire room with coherent, natural sound.

LS50 Meta was created as the evolution of a product that had already become a cult object, acclaimed for years by both the public and critics. It is not a simple update, but a true step forward in acoustic research, achieved through targeted refinements and, above all, through the introduction of Metamaterial Absorption Technology. This revolutionary solution further raises the bar in sound quality, drastically reducing resonances and interference that traditionally limit the performance of compact loudspeakers.

At the heart of the project is the new 12th-generation Uni-Q driver, completely redesigned and further reinforced. Behind the tweeter, protected by the Tangerine waveguide, sits a sophisticated metamaterial structure capable of absorbing up to 99% of unwanted sound radiating from the rear of the diaphragm. In this way, the driver is free to emit only what is intended toward the listener, without spurious reflections, noise, or artifacts, delivering a clean, natural, and remarkably coherent sound.

From an aesthetic standpoint, LS50 Meta retains the distinctive look of the original LS50, with its low-diffraction curved front baffle shaped around the Uni-Q driver. The smooth, continuous surfaces are echoed in the rounded rear panel, while the rear bass-reflex port and speaker terminals are elegantly integrated into the overall design. The matte finish contributes to an even more modern and sophisticated appearance, reflecting KEF’s strong focus on industrial design and build quality.

The cabinet has been designed from the ground up and is now even more rigid and inert. The use of internal cross-bracing and constrained layer damping minimizes vibrations, while the injection-molded composite front baffle, derived from the automotive industry, helps reduce coloration to exceptionally low levels. Every construction detail is engineered to let only the music emerge, without compromise.

Great attention has also been devoted to the rear bass-reflex system. The flexible, offset port, completely redesigned, has been optimized through computational fluid dynamics simulations to reduce internal turbulence and prevent resonances from affecting the midrange. The result is bass reproduction that is surprisingly deep and articulate for a speaker of this size, delivering weight and impact without sacrificing control and precision.

The point-source configuration of the Uni-Q driver enables LS50 Meta to create a three-dimensional, stable, and believable soundstage, with such even dispersion that the listening sweet spot becomes remarkably wide. The music retains coherence and detail even when moving around the room, offering an engaging and never fatiguing experience, ideal for both music listening and use in home cinema or multichannel systems.

LS50 Meta is designed for those seeking big sound without resorting to large speakers, for those who want an elegant object in their living room, and for those who demand the very best musical reproduction in a compact format. Its ability to render the texture of music with extremely fine detail, tonal elegance, and transparency makes it truly unique.

Technical specifications:

• 2-way bass reflex system
• Uni-Q Driver Array; high frequencies via 25 mm (1”) vented aluminum dome tweeter with Metamaterial Absorption Technology; mid/low frequencies via 130 mm (5.25”) aluminum cone woofer
• Crossover frequency: 2.1 kHz
• Frequency range (-6 dB): 47 Hz – 45 kHz
• Typical in-room bass response (-6 dB): down to 26 Hz
• Frequency response (+/-3 dB): 79 Hz – 28 kHz
• Harmonic distortion (90 dB/1 m): <0.4% 175 Hz – 20 kHz; <0.1% 300 Hz – 10 kHz
• Maximum sound pressure level: 106 dB
• Recommended amplifier power: 40–100 W
• Nominal impedance: 8 ohms (minimum 3.5 ohms)
• Sensitivity: 85 dB (2.83 V/1 m)
• Weight: 7.8 kg per speaker
• Dimensions (H x W x D) including terminals: 302 x 200 x 280.5 mm