Very interesting new KEF wireless speaker

Not, not the LS50W. The LSX:

KEF LSX review

Who's going to try a pair? I'm interested in putting a pair in my hobby shop.

 

Could I just plug a hard drive into these with my music files on it and access them to play? Sorry I’m not very smart with streaming and digital ...

 

Saw Darko's video of these... looks perfect for desktop or bedroom non-critical listening. I'm keen!

 

Given my clumsiness, I would like some sort of grille for desktop use.

 

If these were Roon ready, they'd be on my wishlist, but I don't believe they are yet. Hopefully they get an update in the future!

 

One article I read said KEF plans to make them Roon ready in a few weeks. I own a pair of LS50W and love them, so I'm strongly considering a pair of these for my office. Looks like they would be perfect for that.

 

They'll cut it for critical listening too, rest assured.

 

I doubt it but I'm not sure so anyone correct me if I'm wrong. The closest you could do would be to plug a NAS on it and that would work.

 

People considering spending £1000 for non-critical listening and for office or bedroom purposes??

If i shelled out 1k for speakers they would have to be 'speakers for life' and at the heart of my main system.

 

It does look like there's a USB port on the back, but no mention of what it's for that I can find. Could be a DAC input or for a hard drive.

 

I spent U$ 1250 11 years ago with that same criteria. But for other people 1K for desktop or bedroom use is pocket money. I'd love a pair of these for my bedroom TV, but my current 7wpc Thonet & Vander 4¨ers will have to do till they die.

 

The article mention "The LSX system loses a couple of its bigger sibling’s connections: USB Type B (for computer and laptop hook-ups) and RCAs for connecting legacy hi-fi kit" and judging by this image it looks like the USB port is some kind of output:
https://img2.lesnumeriques.com/optim/news/79/79995/lesnumeriques-kef_lsx-illus-1.jpg

 

I can't figure out why you'd even want that...? What would be the point of a usb output on a set of wireless speakers?

 

So it looks like it's a charging port indeed. It could be useful to plug a Chromecast audio on it for example but yeah I agree it doesn't really make much sense.

 

Arrived and installed using some dense foam yoga block for RHS as stand for anti-vibration and height levelling.

Totally balanced sound with ultra clear mids, impactful but not over bearing or muddy base and nice tingly treble. Certainly no need for a separate woofer in my room. Speaker version of my SE846's

Tidal fully integrated with KEF App and the best sounding other than Hi-Def tracks on my server. Currently Spotify only works connected via BT but still sounds great as does optical from PS4Pro and even 3.5mm out of my PC's onboard sound.

Total simplicity to set-up.

Photo from listening position on sofa.

 

The USB is used as power out to phone or say a Chromecast.

Had it playing:

• Tidal via KEF Stream App
• Spotify (only via BT as Spotify Connect not implemented yet, but will be as will Roon)
• Various hi-def flac files from my NAS (24/192 converted to 24/96 but who can tell anyway)
• Optical out of my PS4Pro
• PC via 3.5mm connection

Simply stunning to my ears.

 

Other people have more money to spend than you do. Don't begrudge them their choices to do so.

 

This is my only Hi-Fi system but it is in a room thats only 2m x 2.5m. But mostly for music use but also connected to my gaming kit. Was originally going to buy the LS50W and this came out the day I was ordering.

After watching Darko video review plus half the price, plus the LS50W would be too large for the room, I ordered tbe LSX and no regrets.

 

Steaming companies invariably use the most readily available latest remasters of any given albums.A good majority of which will be loud and brickwalled..So these speakers would be a non starter for me anyway.

Take nothing away from KEF though.They make lovely speakers..I just would not pay 1k for secondary room streaming speakers even if i was a millionaire.I would be looking elsewhere in that companies range of products if i had my wallet open.

 

When they become Roon ready, that point is moot. It's already moot if you own an iPhone or iPad. If they add built in chromecast also, then there's really no restrictions. I don't see why they couldn't/wouldn't.

 

It already plays tracks from my NAS via DLNA. Doesn't have to be used with commercial streaming services.

You don't have any need to add these into a system. Like the LS50W these are a complete system in one (for digital audio anyway).

It won't play my small collection of DSD's directly but thats not a big issue for me anyway.

For people who have small rooms not needing huge speaker power these (or the LS50W) are ideal.

It also wont replace a full home cinema multi-speaker system.

 

Connectivity is fine with these speakers, optical, AUX, network, Ethernet. You can use your own source gear (or use adapters) and no streaming required.

 

I'd really to try wireless KEF's but also need grills to work in my home.

 

My ASUS motherboard has a high quality (24/192), separate audio layer and feeding the LSX via 3.5mm AUX and listening to Tidal MQA Master tracks sounds as good as my own 24/96 & 24/192 flac files. The Tidal Desktop App does the MQA decoding (just 1st level I think).

 

I'm ordering a demo pair to try out....looking forward to getting them in and comparing to the LS50W.