Disclaimer: KEF’s … ... rich high-quality wireless sound. My 851n has aptx HD as well as my phone. From SET/horns to essentially to opposite being KEF LS50w's. With the KEF Connect app you can also stream Tidal, Amazon Music, Qobuz, and Deezer or tune in to internet radio and podcasts. Again, great sound and a good app but please get the Roon Certification issues worked out. E&OE. Essentially, MAT is a clever way of absorbing sound waves that radiate from the rear of the tweeter dome so that they don’t distort the unit’s forward output. They have been designed to squeeze even more performance out of the familiar chassis and Uni-Q driver arrangement through the introduction of a new KEF innovation called Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT). The improvement in the sound is is a nice refinement in clarity, detail and effortless presentation. The Wireless IIs don’t simply address their predecessor’s imperfections, though. Similar sharpness and attention to detail is evident as we switch to Peter Broderick's Moment, the piano sequence aching with meticulously written melody as the LS50 Wireless IIs more deftly define the start and finish of notes. The LS50W bass response is spec’d to 45 Hz (More), 50 Hz … In 2018, when KEF introduced its LSX speaker system – essentially a miniature version of the LS50 Wirelesses – it replaced the physical inter-speaker cable with a wireless connection that could play files (up to 24-bit/192kHz) across a maximum 24-bit/48kHz resolution. All corners are bass trapped to some extent to alleviate my room squareness's affect on bass or lack of. KEF tells us this situation will be fixed "soon". Most accurate,immersive sound. Each tweeter is driven by a 100W class A/B amplifier that delivers a smooth, incredibly detailed treble performance. The sub cut at 80 hz the signal to the kef so that the small cones can work free from distortion and reprosuce midrange frequency even clearer. Wish you guys would get off the hi-res bandwagon, CD quality is all you need for perfect reproduction. Please refresh the page and try again. The new KEFs lay bare more intricacies in the guitar work, while disclosing the distinctive fragilities in her vocal. You can stream directly from the Spotify native app with Spotify Connect. If KEF cared to make the absolute best speakers they could then they would simply support LDAC, which goes up to 24-bit 96kHz. Best B&O speakers 2021: portable, hi-fi and wireless, Best Apple iPod alternatives 2021: budget and premium, Best waterproof speakers 2021: budget, portable, smart. Hi, right now i have the KEF LSX with the KEF Kube 8b just want to upgrade but cant decide between the LS50W or KEF R7 with the Cambridge Edge A Amplifier, my retailer is selling me the KEF … We rate these wireless speakers highly. The soundstage height is seemingly limitless, I can close my eyes and there's no limit to the height and width of the soundstage but it's the height that's blowing my mind. I called and received a callback within an hour. Shouldn't every self respecting hi-fi system at the very least support aptX HD? KEF LS50 Wireless. Tidal is one of many streaming services directly accessible from the new KEF Connect app – you have Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer and Spotify, as well as internet radio and UPnP servers, at your fingertips too. 10/26/20, Posted on I currently have the system powered with a AVR-X3400h. For enclosures that are basically 12” x 8” x 12” that’s a pretty amazing low-end. Mids are cleaner-cut and bass more defined, their extra refinement making the originals sound a touch crude. Upon their launch in 2016, KEF’s LS50 Wirelesses highlighted the appeal of an all-in-one stereo system over a system of separates at the modest end of the market, and the LS50 Wireless IIs simply improve on that concept. It reveals every detail of your favourite music, which you stream from any source thanks to wireless compatibility with AirPlay 2, Chromecast and more, Mid-band Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) at 90dB/1m, Extremely low distortion by driver motor redesign, Take a look at some related products from KEF, Frequency range (-6dB) measured at 85dB/1m, Frequency response (±3dB) measured at 85dB/1m, Network up to 384kHz/24bit Optical up to 96kHz/24bit, Wireless: all sources resampled to 96kHz/24bit PCM, MP3, M4A, AAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, WMA, LPCM and Ogg Vorbis, "The KEF LS50 Wireless II are a triumphant improvement upon the company’s previous stereo speakers, offering superb sound quality, an easy setup, and a wealth of connectivity options. The KEF LS50W (“W” for wireless) is a fully active set of bookshelf speakers based on KEF’s award-winning LS50 compact reference monitors. The inability to use the LS50WII with Roon is a disappointment and a step down in convenience from the original version. LS50 Wireless II features KEF's 12th generation Uni-Q driver with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT ™) for exceptional acoustic accuracy and a pure natural sound. Alongside it are coaxial (24-bit/192kHz), optical (24-bit/96kHz) and 3.5mm aux inputs and a subwoofer output – which round off the LS50 Wireless IIs' comprehensive spec sheet. KEF says that, together, the various paths effectively act as an ‘acoustic black hole’, absorbing 99 per cent of the unwanted sound. These are going to replace my x300a's that I've used since they came out as my computer speakers. Maybe I’m nitpicking, but for $2,500 you expect full functionality. The sub is integrated with the loudspeakers thanks to the auto eq system that takes also into account the room … They weren’t perfect: they came with some control app hiccups, and the need for a cable to connect the two speakers was a small blip in an otherwise neat package. I live in a small condo and have to be respectful of my neighbors so booming bass was not an option. KEF offers the LS50W in three color … KEF was the first hi-fi speaker brand I was ever really aware of — it was the massively imposing speaker my best friend’s … I work from home & my use is essentially split between listening to music, watching youtube videos and video conferencing. The original was fantastic, but LS50 Wireless II is better in every respect, with improved sound, better connectivity and usability. As good as the original is, the new version offers a worthwhile improvement. Support for DSD256 is also onboard this time, too, as is MQA decoding for the playback of compatible downloaded files and hi-res Tidal Masters. The top-mounted control panel is designed to be stylish and functional. For Every Room or Situation: Classy and chic, coupled with rich high-quality wireless sound. NY 10036. This collection of bespoke Digital Signal Processing algorithms is optimised for the Uni-Q driver, enabling it to deliver a perfectly timed performance, for better imaging and a tighter sound. KEF is one of the go-to audio brands when it comes to high-end stereo speakers. It has also been implemented in the new KEF LS50 Meta passive speakers. We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Quick! Supreme Commander, Posted on These features mean that even the experienced hifi enthusiast will marvel at this exceptional loudspeaker’s ability. The streaming options and performance from the app is significantly better than the original version. It’s no surprise to see this more convenient method used in the LS50 Wireless IIs, although the wireless limit has been upped to 24-bit/96kHz, meaning they only need to downsample files above that resolution – peak file support is 24-bit/384kHz. I was so disappointed with it my BT dongle just gathers dust in a drawer. Their Uni-Q driver array, beautiful Carbon Black, Titanium Grey, Mineral White and Crimson Red Special Edition finishes, and curved front panel all combine to create a thorough head turner. KEF’s flagship connected active speakers, the KEF LS50 Wireless, were introduced back in 2018. The brand-new dedicated KEF Connect app controls LS50 Wireless II on a day-to-day basis, including intuitive sound settings so you can tune the sound to your own personal tastes. KEF… To take full advantage of the features the . As a new product following in the footsteps of such a huge success, the KEF LS50 Wireless IIs arrive with a world of expectation on their shoulders – but they well and truly meet those expectations. LS50 Wireless II is available in three matte finishes, carbon black, titanium grey, and mineral white, as well as a Crimson Red Special Edition. Dedicated 280W class D amplifiers power the mid/bass drivers, for room-filling, controlled sound up to 108db. All aspects of the LS50 Wireless II’s performance is aided by KEF’s bespoke Music Integrity Engine. more notes - my room is 11' x 11' x 8'. Mirroring the LS50 Wirelesses’ configuration, a new 100W class A/B amplifier powers the tweeter, while 280W of power is available to the mid/bass driver. When using LS50 Wireless II with Airplay 2, Chromecast or Roon (coming soon) you can stream to multiple speakers around your home at the same time. Highly recommended. Owners of the LS50 Wireless may be wondering what’s new? I have been with my LM219ia for almost 2 years, running into 1980's cornwalls. The considerable advancements KEF has made for this sequel are belied a little by the familiar aesthetic. SOUND AND VISION, “These sequels are among the most thrilling speaker systems we’ve heard.” — September 2020. 1/22/21, Posted on You can choose to operate LS50 Wireless II completely wirelessly at 24bit/96kHz resolution for a completely clutter-free set up, or you can connect the two speakers with the supplied cable for 24bit/192kHz resolution sound. The good news is they sound better and the app is better. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Another reviewer didn’t appreciate the power on and off tone, but I kinda like it. With the new Roon update installed, KEF … — September 2020, What Hi-Fi? The LS50W will work without being connected to your local network. Out-of-the-box wireless compatibility with AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and more, backed up with wired connections for your TV, turntable, CD player and games console. Unfortunately, ARC doesn’t work.... I’ve had the LS 50’s Wireless for a couple weeks. A wireless-enabled and active version of their much-lauded LS50 speakers, they are relatively small while being powerful and full of features. But, integrating Roon’s super-powerful data handling and playback capabilities with KEF’s LS50W … Bass is good for a such a small speaker, but definitely won’t overwhelm you. You can even select your favourite source to wake up LS50 Wireless II whenever it comes on, allowing you immediate access to the best sound. I don't expect the LS50W to play at reference level unless you are in a small room … These are the #1 wireless speakers in our comparison table. KEF has taken these attributes to another level here. The built-in amplifiers have been developed in-house by KEF. I know I won't be able to reach the musical quality of my active LS50w… It is intuitive to use with any source in your home, and it allows simple over-the-air firmware updates that bring you new and improved features with the minimum of fuss. The whole presentation has been opened out, that extra room not only filled with subtler, more precise detail, but also allowing for greater instrument separation that makes its delivery sound much less congested in comparison. The answer: pretty much everything. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. The Less setting will get you closer to the voicing of the LS50 passive speaker and the More setting … These sound great but more important kef finally made an app that actually works. Review by Our review sample only has access to an early version of the app, so some functionality – including music server discovery – isn’t available. Roon is available via AirPlay or Chromecast but this is not how I listen to Roon. Below the right speaker’s Uni-Q driver is a small IR port for its remote-control handset, and toward the front of its top panel, a capacitive OLED touchscreen. For desktop users, USB input is quite convenient, including playing MQA music by other apps, like foobar2000. The bass is as deep, punchy, tight and extended as can be desired from a small box. We are certain you won’t regret the experience. You will receive a verification email shortly. The low-diffraction, curved baffle is precision modelled around the Uni-Q driver, while eye-catching heat sinks and colour-matched ports are located on the well-equipped rear. © app provides, like adjusting DSP, you will need to be connected to your local network. G B Kuipers said: ↑ Considering the room… All the colour options are mirrored on both the drive units and the rear-facing port. Basically the Standard setting is the flat, default bass response of the LS50W. is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 11/10/20, Posted on Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer. The LS50W uses a 5.25" Uni-Q driver capable of reaching down to 40Hz, combined with a built-in 192Khz/24bit DAC and 230W amplifier. Performance. The LS50 Wirelesses launched in 2016 as an active speaker system take on KEF’s legendary passive LS50 speakers – a pair of wireless stereo speakers packed with built-in amplification and streaming smarts – and their impressive execution of this appealing concept earned them a five-star review and a What Hi-Fi? I'm looking to feed some more power to my passive LS50 fronts in my 5.2.2 home theater living room environment. That's the same quality you get with optical input, and the maximum the KEF LS50W … I can't imagine how much more you would have to spend to improve the sound quality from what is essentially a perfect stereo at this state of technology. Returned. The store doesn't have dedicated audio rooms so its a waste of time to try listening to anything in the store … Even beyond the flawless musical performance, LS50 Wireless II is a breeze to set up thanks to the KEF Connect app. KEF’s revisions have paid off; these sequels are among the most thrilling speaker systems we’ve heard. This absorption technique has been used in other fields before, but this joint initiative with smart materials and acoustics company Acoustic Metamaterials Group marks its first application in a loudspeaker. KEF has launched two new pairs of high-end bookshelf speakers -- the $1,500 LS50 Meta, and the $2,500 LS50 Wireless II, a powered alternative to the former. App is intuitive and works well. I’ll give them a Mulligan on this one. The -6dB (85dB/1m) frequency range for the LS50W is spec’d to 40 Hz (More), 43 Hz (Standard) and 46 Hz (Less). KEF's 12 generation Uni-Q with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT ™) delivers reduced coloration, less distortion, and a sound that is more transparent and life-like than previously possible. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The LS50 Wirelesses launched in 2016 as an active speaker system take on KEF’s legendary passive LS50 speakers – a pair of wireless stereo speakers packed with built-in amplification and streaming smarts – and their impressive execution of this appealing concept earned them a five-star review and a What Hi-Fi… The LS50 is surprisingly full-range, but it is still a small speaker and will struggle in large rooms. However, first impressions suggest it’s a positive replacement for the often-glitchy Stream app on the LS50 Wireless. I've been getting to know my new speakers. The effect of MAT is clearly heard in the cleanliness of the treble, although the difference in purity can be heard across the frequency range. The quality of the recording is everything, hi-res doesn't cure a bad recording. Anything I have streamed through bluetooth has been horrible. The vocals on television programs and movies is awesome. KEF LS50W Active Music System Roon Roon labs Core computing audio streaming digital audio music player streaming technology 0 comment(s) When we launched the LS50W Active Music System at the … Every aspect of LS50 Wireless II has been considered for acoustic benefits and from a design perspective. I currently use Spotify and like that I can use my Apple Watch to control play/pause/skip track and volume. My workaround is the Optical connection. BTW. In very small rooms where you tend to listen at higher volumes, you may find that the Less setting is more desirable. These speakers are the best for every room or situation, with styles to match any room preference. However, considering the design is based on the passive LS50s, one of the most recognisable and striking loudspeakers around, that familiarity is no bad thing. Make no mistake, this is a sequel of rare quality. and the Wireless IIs are keen to show off their improved punch and agility as well as their enhanced subtlety. And maybe there is not much difference from the bass of a good bookshelf as the Kef LS50W or Focal Shape respect to a small floorstanding speaker. KEF Control APP KEF Control makes setup easy with step-by-step instructions, letting you choose your source and adjust the EQ settings to match the room. For its Meta iteration, KEF has elevated the LS50’s Uni-Q driver to a 12th Generation design that sports a ‘new cone neck decoupler’ and motor system plus the ‘tweeter gap … Sub-£300 Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones deal just seen at Amazon, Australian Open live stream: how to watch the 2021 tennis in HD, Apple's former acoustics engineer has developed premium gaming headphones, Sonos wireless headphones: release date, rumours, and all of the news. Hall of Fame entry – and it has every right to be. If ARC worked then I give Quality 5 stars instead of 4. Loading dense service libraries, navigating its clean and logical interface and switching inputs proves a pleasant and reliable experience. I personally preferred the tone and “meaty” nature of the LSX, especially on vocals, but do miss the clarity and transparency the LS50W … 10/23/20, ** KEF reserves the right, in line with continuing research and development, to amend or change specifications. Their clarity and cleanliness enlivens the tuneful baseline and unequivocally cutting rap, complementing the track’s clinical production. Though I was impressed with KEF support. Great sound, no strings attached. These sonic advancements are not only a credit to KEF's engineering but also representative of how far such speaker system concepts have come in recent years. LS50 Wireless II has audiophiles covered with support for streaming music files up to 24bit/384kHz, as well as MQA, DSD256, and Roon Ready (coming soon). KEF LS50 W … Needless to say, we look forward to hearing more products using MAT technology in the future. While conceptually similar stereo speaker systems have come into the market since the LS50 Wirelesses’ arrival, none we’ve seen are neater than this next-generation version. The KEF dealer here is a rather low end store that mainly caters to home theater. The LS50W where a little to big for my living room (about 5x4m), missed the lower frequencies (bass) and liked the sound of the LSX a little more (less high/crisp) and more forgiving with Spotify for example. **, Subscribe to our newsletter to receive news, updates, free stuff and new releases by email. Musically, they sound very balanced with vocals and instrumentals especially satisfying. The KEF LSX had a relatively less atmospheric, warmer, and denser sound while the LS50W offered up more extension, bass flex, air, and resolution. The top-mounted control panel is designed to be stylish and functional. They have threaded inserts in each corner, allowing them to lock onto the top of the new KEF S2 Floor Stands (£400/$449/AU$800 per pair). ", Magazine / Issuing Body: Digitaltrends.com. Physically, this technique sees a round piece of plastic with a maze-like structure placed behind the tweeter. Though it can supposedly support high bit rates it always sounded horribly compressed and dead. What Hi-Fi? 12/16/20, Review by In our review of the original LS50 Wirelesses, we noted their “clean and precise” manner and “neatly layered and nicely defined” soundstage. The downside is the ARC functionality doesn’t work on my LG OLED TV. Having a pair of both, KEF LSX is better price-performance IMHO. mac-pro-speaker, Posted on We listen to Adrienne Lenker's Symbol and it is a more captivating affair through the Wireless IIs. Roon’s playback engine is built for high-resolution playback of standard and high-res audio content to a wide variety of output devices. The speakers completely disappear behind a wall of sound that extends in every direction, height width and depth. Great sound, no strings attached. These speakers are the best for every room or situation, with styles to match any room preference. But not only are the new LS50 Wireless II speakers untethered, they also come with a new and improved app. We looked at over 20 of the best high-end audio wireless speakers and the KEF LS50 W easily came out on top. Visit our corporate site. The best way to experience the brilliance of LS50 Wireless II is up close and personal. The 12th generation of KEF’s patented Uni-Q is not only defined by MAT but also a reworked motor system, for which KEF has optimised its bespoke digital signal processing algorithm system. By using multiple LS50 Wireless II speakers, you can have a simple, high-performance multiroom system. When I go to Speaker Settings on the app (My Speakers -> KEF LS50W … The not so good news is that the LS50II is not Roon Certified. ", "KEF’s revisions have paid off; these sequels are among the most thrilling speaker systems we’ve heard", "Gorgeous looks, impressive sound, and no amplifier required. Sign up below to get the latest from What Hi-Fi?, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! I have read the 5 page thread here on integrating a sub with the ls's and have been experimenting there with a low end one I had around and there is definitely promise there - even if I send the kef… Very troubling that KEF is reusing the same awful Bluetooth 4.2 chips from 2016. Each ‘path’ in the structure is a certain size and length and ‘tuned’ to absorb a specific range of frequencies. Ofcourse the bass is less then the LS50W, I knew, and bought a small … Plenty great about it, but overall I knew it wasn't the 'ideal' sort of equipment for my listening, and even my room. Multi-room streaming will be possible from this newly married software and hardware couple but only to additional devices other than a second pair of LS50 Wireless. I wish USB input back. LS50 Wireless II is more than a high-performance loudspeaker; it’s the perfect all-in-one speaker system. I'm sure some firmware updates are in the pipeline so I'm only going to refer to the sound quality performance, which is to put simply stunning. KEF Control APP ... 4.0 out of 5 stars Killer performance in a small … I owned the original LS50W and sold them to upgrade to the new version. Award. WHAT HI-FI? Whatever source you’ve got, LS50 Wireless II is ready for it. There was a problem. AWARDS 2020 - 'PRODUCT OF THE YEAR'. Fortunately KEF did improve their app so while I am waiting for Roon I am able to easily access my streaming services. great sound quality, poor computer connectivity. 5 STAR REVIEW – WHAT HI-FI? High expectations with the higher LS50W … No matter how you stream your music, LS50 Wireless II has you covered. New York, You could own these KEFs and have little need for the dedicated app, considering the LS50 Wireless IIs support AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and Bluetooth, and are also Roon Ready. The representative stated they were aware of the problem and would be pushing out a firmware update in about thirty days. In fact, you would perhaps need to look at the underside of the new LS50s to tell them apart from their predecessor. Aug 10, 2017 - On our wireless speaker review website we cover the KEF LS50 Wireless speakers with an in-depth product review. Just so you know my main system in the media room (15 x 20) consists of a pair of … I have KEF LS50W in my basement home office, which is now my highest fidelity listening room since our upstairs living room acoustics went south after renovation. I called on 1-16-21 so we will see how responsive they are. That's just plain wrong. Sound and functionality is Great! And even when its stature is well-suited to the room… And yes I do have some hi-res files... waste of money.