My review: KEF LS50 vs. Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary

This is my re-veneered SX-780 when it was doing duty at my office:



And a video of the recent repair, by the tech who worked on it:

I seem to have received a set with an especially nice-looking veneer, based on the comments in the other Dentons thread.

 

Yes, they are very nice looking. Looks like a walnut crotch veneer.

 

Thanks for the pics; mine are the mahogany.

 

Not all. You can see my pair of the Walnuts here:
REVIEW: Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary speakers »

 

I hooked the Dentons back up to the Fisher tubes after spending the past week with the LS50's exclusively. I listened for a while to the LS50's and swapped the speakers midway through playing the same recording.

The Dentons must be loosening up because they are starting to sound really good. I immediately noticed how smooth - yet detailed - the top-end is, and how wonderfully meaty the mids and upper bass are. Overall clarity and imaging has improved quite a bit as they continue breaking in. They are also quite a bit more dynamic - and yet smoother - than the LS50's.

 

As an aside, I'm thinking about wiping down my Dentons with some lemon oil, just to make that wood grain totally pop. Has anyone tried this yet?

 

Try it first on the bottom!

 

Has anyone had any trouble with or does not like the design of the binding posts on the Denton? I haven't seen them in person but from the pictures it looks to me like the connectors are at an odd angle.

 

If you like to use spade connectors, this sort of "off-set" post makes it a bit easier to use (they don't get in the way of each other or hit the lower posts).

 

Spade connectors:

 

These are excellent speakers. I am enjoying mine. I switch between them and my Lascalas. The Dentons work well with my new Yamaha A-S3000 integrated.

 

OK, I tried it, but there is apparently a coat of sealant which won't allow the oil to penetrate. Oh well.

 

I thought that might be the case... probably some poly clearcoat.

 

I am about to move this discussion in a different direction.

I've been reading about the controversial topic of bi-wire jumpers and whether or not to replace the factory-supplied set. I decided to go ahead and order two pair of AntiCable 2.1 jumpers, which I received yesterday.

Swapping the jumpers undeniably changes things, of this there is no doubt. My immediate observation is it sounded more open and clear; at first I wasn't sure if the sound was being thinned out.

Just now, in order to better evaluate them, I interrupted what I was listening to and swapped the original jumper plates back in. What I observed is the tonality didn't change - they didn't sound thicker or have more bass with the original jumpers - but there was an undeniable gauzy haze layered on top. What I had perceived initially as a thinning with the AntiCable jumpers was in actuality greater transparency.

So far so good...

 

I am still surprised of the sheer musical impact the LS 50 bring forward at higher volumes, esp. when I add my subwoofer. From symphonies tp heavy Rock to modern electronics or innovative Hip Hop by RUN THE JEWELS, WALE or others to DUB. I don't miss bigger floor standers. This is a speaker that sounds realistic enough for a monitor and nice enough for hours and hours of constant music pleasure. Still looking great as well.

 

I've observed this as well!

The Dentons are harder than the LS50's to integrate with a sub so far... but now that I have "cleaned up" the sound with new jumpers, I might try using the sub again.

 

RTJ3 sounds brilliant on the LS50s!

 

Fixed that for ya

 

I'm going to buying a pair of the 80th Anniversary Dentons for my computer/DAC setup (a Schiit Valhalla II will be the preamp) for editing needle drops. I'll need a compact amp to drive them. What do you guys think of the Parasound Zamp v3? Does it have enough b@lls to drive these properly? Or do you have a recommendation for a compact amp under $400? I'll be listening in very close quarters. Thanks. Here are the specs on the Zamp:

Continuous power output:
45 watts RMS x 2, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 Ω, both channels driven
60 watts RMS x 2, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 4 Ω, both channels driven
Total harmonic distortion:
< 0.07 % full power
< 0.02 % typical levels
S/N Ratio:
116 dB, input shorted, IHF A weighted
Frequency response:
5 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB

 

60 watts @ 4ohms should be A-OK.

 

I absolutely love my LS50s. Been in the game a long time and this is actually one of my favorite speakers of all time. Use mine with various vintage tube gear. My previous king for most of my life was the LS3/5s. In the optimum size room and placed properly they are just stupendous but are really room dependent and highly revealing of whatever you are driving them with, really easy to hear subtle differences between amps, carts, and preamps wth these. The only other speaker that I love as much as these are my classic JBL L166s, flawed yes but in my opinion the best example of what made these JBLs of the era so revered but refined a bit as well.

 

Received my Dentons earlier today. I bought a perfect pair of demos so they're already worn in. For my setup, they're exactly what I was looking for. Smooth highs, lush mids and even better punch than I was expecting. Very happy with them so far. Here's a pic of these beauties. Sorry it's a bit dark.

 

What are the blue isolation pads everything is sitting on?

 

EVA Anti-Vibration Pads. Not going to win any style awards but my desk is wood and glass. So I wanted to make sure everything important was isolated from it.

 

Looks like 3 X 3 inch EVA pads, firm but they do get the job done. I use AR foam practice pucks with gear less than 40 lbs, and use 4 X 4 inch EVA pads under racks and speakers.