GoldenEar BRX Review (Vs KEF LS50 Meta)
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- Опубликовано: 14 июн 2024
- #goldenear #audiophile #streaming
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TIME STAMPS
0:00 - Intro
0:49 - What are they / technical insights.
6:09 - Specs
6:23 - More about the GoldenEar BRX Speakers
8:27 - Sound Quality
12:04 - Coming for Review
12:19 - Comparisons to KEF LS50 Meta
15:21 - The Wrap / Sign up to Patreon
HOW LONG DID THE VIDEO TAKE TO MAKE?
In this case the time to make it was approx. 85 hours of work of research, listening to gear and swapping out systems, watching and reading other reviews after forming opinions, scripting, setting up cameras and filming pieces to camera, shooting b-roll, editing all clips with creative clips in software like Blender 3D & After Effects, creating the thumbnails, publishing to RUclips, creating articles.
NOTES
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Наука
This was the review and comparison I have been waiting for! (as an LS50 Meta owner longing for a livelier sound) Thanks!
I appreciate a reviewer that can point out the qualities of a product but can say one is better than the other. Too many reviewers are wish washy.
That just means able to state their opinion, with these subjective reviews. Even with some objective reviews, what is "better" ?
@@RennieAshit’s not really subjective when the gulf is quite big. Also you can get an element of objective views by consensus. Also what of the people on here and others who have said they think the GoldenEars the better speaker? I’ve counted 6 so far who agree with me. Particularly those who have no ego and have tried both against each other and are not just KEF owners. Opposingly that’s motivating lots of these comments, no doubt and anyone who doesn’t recognise this ego can come in is misguided. I’ve got none at all as I own the KEFs and I’d much prefer for my own ego that the brx speakers were not better.
Also would you just prefer a review that makes everything the same? A Robin Reliant the same as a bmw 3 series…..then watch me try and keep a straight face like some hifi reviews. Clearly that’s ridiculous.
Your reviews are most excellent. Well done.
Thank you very much!
First review of yours I've seen; well done.
SPOT ON!! I have the BRXs and the OG LS50s and you described them perfectly, the analogy between digital and analog is perfect! BRXs are more dynamic, more fun and they image like crazy in my humble opinion even more than the LS50s.
Thanks very much for your comments 😀🎼
I auditioned these and ended up going way overkill and picked up to the One.R.
The tweeters GE is using are outstanding. I didn’t understand what other reviewers meant by “airy” but then I heard cymbals on them…wow.
The bass is fast and very well defined.
I appreciate this channel in this genre, definitely a favorite. I’ve bought at least a couple things based on the reviews here.
Hopefully they checked out with your view.
Another great review, BRX seems to be a good value for a quality product. Keep them coming your analysis and comparison to similar price/quality speakers in highly valued. 🎉
Just purchased an Atoll SDA200 Signature and even though the sound through my Kef LS50 sound really good I feel a new speaker upgrade is now on the cards. Simon, your review of the BRX is perfect timing as these are on my short list. Many thanks, John
Great to hear!
Great review -- thanks
Excellent, well articulated review.
Glad you liked it!
I'm glad u mentioned the price difference in different countries, it's weird how wildly different brands differ for different regions. Here in NZ some brands like SVS are way overpriced whereas some like KEF are typically underpriced (compared to other regions)
Honest always thank you.
Well done. Since loudspeakers are all about compromise, I know I would prefer the KEF. My ideal speaker is the one that puts me in Carnegie Hall 15 rows back and dead center listening to a Mahler or Bruckner symphony. But that's just me. And that's who I'm buy the speakers for.
mmmm, my humble advice is: give both a try before you buy if possible. If you like Mahler the dynamics of the BRXs will make you happier... LS50s are pretty dull speakers, they excel with Jazz, small ensembles and vocal centered music but they fall short for the "big sound" of classical, they lack dynamics.
Great review Simon, honest to the core.
Thanks very much Stu. Hope you are doing ok.
I have the Goldenear Triton II and enjoy them very much. Relative bargain.
heey quick question ( if anyone knows or if you know 13th Note HiFi Reviews ) how does thies GoldenEar BRX stack up again Sonus Faber Sonetto II ? :)
Great review Simon. What would you choose between Buchardt S400 m2 and these BRX…cheers
Thank you. I would choose the brx very easily. More accurate, more precision, better resolution.
Do you prefer these or the dynaudio emit 20 that you've already reviewed in the channel? What are the main differences in sound quality alone? Thank you in advance
These , more gutsier stronger dynamic performers and accuracy
Thanks for a fair review for GoldenEar BRX's. GoldenEar is very under-rated as a brand, especially on your side of the pond.
Yes they are!
Was wondering...how would the BRX work, if also employed in a Home Theater set up...with say, four of them, matched to a GE center and Sub??
Dynamics, Clarity...etc ?
Thoughts?
Loved your review, and thanks
Thanks, personally I’ve always thought that for really loud home cinema you don’t want speakers that are as forward so maybe definitive technology or speakers like Kef ls50 meta, as the treble could become grating as you turn volume up. That said you could dial it out with the receiver , av processor etc. depends if using the speakers for 2channel as well. The choices, the choices….
Thanks -
Trying to find that "one trick pony" that can kinda do it all...some two-channel music listening, while also being able to handle some Home Theater duties, as well.
Don't know if I should do speakers that handle ATMOS, etc...as they'd bring even more to the table.
I heard FOCALs at AXPONA (Chicago) last year...they were really nice.
Quality stuff those FOCAL speakers
If price is a factor then Golden Ear make the 'Aon 3' which has the same format as the BRX but the main driver + passive rads are larger making the low bass cut off at -37hz. Similar sound quality but more bass and lower price but appearance not as nice as the BRX. I have a pair of Aon 3's myself but am enjoying Kali In8's ( pro tri amped active speaker ) which costs less that either Golden Ear models but suffers slightly, down to appearance.
As someone who owns the KEFs I very much enjoyed this review. Just by looking at the BRX, they strike me as a speaker that would work well in a slightly larger room than the KEFs. The KEFs do an excellent job on many types of music but seem to be better suited to classical, Jazz, or soft rock. Also, the KEFs are excellent for movies and traditional TV material as I don't find myself reaching for the remote to adjust the volume on dialog. Over the holidays here in the US, the KEFs were being sold for $999 and the powered versions were selling for $1,999. While I'm sure the BRX is as excellent as your review indicates, it's hard for the BRX to compete with a complete system in a box for the same price.
Maybe regarding larger rooms but I don’t think the KEFs are better suited to classical, jazz and soft rock. Maybe our egos in buying the KEF’s. The resolution and transients of the GoldenEars makes them appealing to this type of music still. I’d personally agree the soundstaging might be a reason to buy the KEF’s for home cinema. Obviously the kefs are gonna be cheaper for home cinema. I don’t tend to comment really as I’m mainly 2ch although I have asked to try a projector so that might change 😀
@@13thnotehifireviews7 I'm only running the KEFs in a two-channel system. As far better suited for the type of music, you have the benefit of having both to do a direct comparison. I would classify myself as a casual listener at lower volume, so the traits you bring up might not have the same impact for me. Having seen a few teardown videos of the KEF, it appears that the money was spent on the engineering, not necessarily on the components, so at $1,600 they're making a small fortune and could easily leave the price at $999. The bottom line is if I were more focused on listening intently, the points you bring up would likely have me upgrading. Cheers.
Sounds like the golden ear speakers might be a good option for those of us that like to listen to music at relatively lower volumes. As well as perhaps using these for HT application.
I’d definitely agree with your former point, though for home cinema personally I’d prefer something a little more tonally relaxed so you can have it higher volume
@@13thnotehifireviews7 thank you for the perspective. I think you are absolutely correct on both accounts. Love your channel, and thank you for bringing consistent excellent reviews. Best regards
Nice
May be you can also compare the GoldebEar BRX to KEF R3 Meta as well which in this case KEFs are slightly more expensive but not that much at all
4 ohm or 8 ohm ??
It's a shame about the LS50 Metas... regarding the rolled-off treble. That is why I returned them, shortly after buying them, some time ago. I am a drummer, and I couldn't get over how cymbals, particularly, didn't have a realistic sound with the KEFs. It's really a shame, as the LS50 Metas are so great in other areas.
Interestingly, I did read up on the Golden Ear speakers back then...and was intrigued. I just never listened to them. While returning the KEFs, I decided to put more money towards speakers to ensure that I would be happy for years to come.
Considering your comments, on the soundstage of the Golden Ear speakers, those wouldn't have been a good fit for me.
The LS50 Meta's have been one sale for the last 2 months for $1000.00 here in the US.
It’s a good price but they only tend to do that in new year to encourage sales. I’ve seen BRX in uk for £1300. They are usually £1700
My classic Proac Response 1SC/fe speakers also have a lip at the bottom and they are stunning. I seriously doubt that thee is any detrimental effects from the cabinet design. Seems like another audiophile boogie man issue wherein internet key pounders think they know more than the speaker designer.
In fairness to Steve G I was careful in the sense I used the word postulate (postulate - suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of (something) as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief). Discussion being the operative word here….He didn’t actually say it would or does cause issues and I only mentioned it for GoldenEar’s benefit to dispel the armchair commenters who might then put someone else off considering trying them. 😀
Thanks for the vocabulary lesson but I do have an education. 🙂@@13thnotehifireviews7
Excellent review Simon, but too much farting around with visuals and sound at the start. Stick to the nitty gritty.
What’s so messed up in this industry is that the reason why I do these creative flourishes is because I’m associating creativity, which is music with hifi, with my videos. For people to say don’t fart around a) diminishes an understanding of the effort that goes in and b) more importantly, that somehow my audience don’t associate creative video with this creative element of music and hifi. Sometimes I just wonder who the hell are the people who are into hifi.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 I hear what you're saying, but I can't agree. People want to hear your honest, and excellent, reviews. The farting around is superfluous.
In the uk the GoldenEar are at least twice as much as the LS50 Meta.. A fairer comparison is with the Kef R3 Meta surely?
I do research before each video, quite a bit goes into this. The kefs are £1200 and goldenears £1700 as I clearly said in the video, and if people are quick you can get a pair from audiologica for £1300…I researched and contacted them too! 😀
size and sound wise more comparable to R3
@MrPigeonaids the ls50 meta is closer in size to the GoldenEar than the GoldenEar is in size to the KEF R3 meta. It’s only really the depth of the GoldenEars over the ls50 meta and it’s not by a lot. The BRX have that narrow front baffle I mentioned and certainly if you were placing these on stands or the KEFs on stands, neither is really going to trouble over space requirements in respect to each other.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 The Kef LS50 meta is £899 from all sorts of places. The Kef R3 Meta is £1899 this is comparable to the Golden ear
I went and have to go off the MRRP’s because lots of these dealers are undercutting the brands own prices which they won’t like particular when KEF want to sell direct too from their website. Additionally they often will go back to normal price and review has to stand test of time. In some respects they are equal or nearly so in the UK as Audiologica are currently (at time of review) selling BRX’s for £1300. But my point is the KEFs are comparative to the BRX’s in many places in the states and this video is not just for people in the UK. So yes the BRX are comparative to the GokdenEar BRX in some places. Do you own the KEF, hence your post…
I don't get it, I bought mine 1.5 years ago and they sound bad, I've compared them to all other speakers I have and both me and my friends all agree that all my other speakers sound way better (and those are way cheaper too). The build quality upclose just screams low-end budget (even the logo is this super ugly sticker that looks like it belongs on a 20$ speaker). I've tried to sell them but no one wants them so I'm still hoping to one day discover some setup/room where they sound good
Wish you were my neighbor
6:52 About the Frequency response of 42Hz to 25kHz.........................
This is entirely misleading without acknowledging the curve. It may get to 42Hz but it will be so many dB down it'll be inaudible, useless, pointless, ineffectual etc.
Looking at the curve, the GoldenEar BRXs are -6dB on axis @ 65Hz. It is 2/3rds of a speaker.
Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊
. AMT tweeters have great difficulty playing low. Therefore the mid-bass needs to cross over pretty high. Sometimes in the 7,000Hz range. This now forces the mid-bass into a wider range, at the expense of the lower frequencies. Loudspeakers with AMTs really need to be only in 3-ways because of this common problem.
This one probably crosses maybe at 3.5k. Depends how big the AMT is too (narrower vertical dispersion for longer ones though) @@TriAmpHiFi
But how about the passive radiators in that…..
Corduroy the group sounds pretty good on these. Love a bit of acid jazz, was into them heavily in the 90s and still