The KEF LSX have been already one in every of our favourite lively speaker techniques — we known as them the “excellent hi-fi all-in-one speaker system” after we initially reviewed them again in 2018. They have been basically a smaller and extra reasonably priced model of KEF’s tremendous high-end and tremendous versatile LS50 Wi-fi audio system. Properly, it has been a number of years and KEF has now launched a second era model: the KEF LSX II.
The LSX II do not look a lot completely different from the unique LSX — actually, aside from a number of barely modified coloured finishes, they’re nearly equivalent — however KEF has given these “Gen 2” lively audio system fairly a number of upgrades underneath the hood. The brand new fashions sound sound higher, are extra versatile and are even simpler to make use of. The draw back? Properly, they’re additionally a contact dearer.
The KEF LSX II is on the market in 5 completely different finishes: carbon black (proven), blue, lava crimson, mineral white, and a delicate gold (known as “soundwave”).
What’s Good with the KEF LSX II?
The LSX II make listening to nice sound straightforward.
The KEF LSX II is a wi-fi music system consisting of two bookshelf-sized powered audio system. Every speaker is individually amplified and powered, they usually additionally discuss to one another wirelessly; because of this you do not want a wire connecting the left and proper channels. You simply place the audio system as shut or as far other than one another they usually’ll simply work; this makes them nice for each small or massive rooms, as you do not have to fret about tripping over or hiding a wire.
Listening to music on the LSX II is extraordinarily straightforward. The system helps a a number of of wi-fi (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) and wired connections. You’ll be able to simply stream music straight out of your smartphone through the likes of Bluetooth or Spotify Join. You’ll be able to even combine the LSX II right into a multi-room sound system through AirPlay 2 or Chromecast. Or you can too {hardware} the audio system straight right into a music supply like a CD participant or a pc. You have acquired choices.
A brilliant soundbar different.
It looks as if increasingly wi-fi speaker techniques are adopting an HDMI-ARC connection — and the LSX II is not any exception. In contrast to its predecessor, the LSX II have an all-new HDMI-ARC port that permits you to join them on to your TV they usually’ll work similar to a contemporary plug-and-play soundbar. There is not any AV receiver or another additional parts required. It simply works.
When related to your TV through HDMI-ARC, the LSX II helps lossless CD-quality audio (as much as 16-bit/48kHz). There is not any lag points with dialogue. And the truth that there’s devoted right- and left-channel audio system, helps the LSX II ship a wider soundstage than even high-end soundbars can ship. There is not any assist for Dolby Atmos, sadly, which is a little bit of a bummer for residence theater buffs.
A greater desktop audio state of affairs.
KEF has given the LSX II a brand new USB-C port on its rear and this was designed to make them work as even higher pc audio system. You had to make use of AUX port on the unique LSX audio system (and you may nonetheless do that on the LSX II) to do that identical factor and, admittedly, each options are nonetheless in a position to play lossless audio (as much as 24-bit/96kHz). The distinction is that the USB-C connection permits for a extra easy path to the LSX’s on-board digital-to-analog converter (DAC), which is probably going a lot better than your pc’s on-board DAC, and subsequently you are going to get just a little bit cleaner sound. (Albeit, you might need to be an audiophile to listen to the distinction.)
The opposite benefit is that, when you’re feeling cheeky, you need to use this USB-C port as a charging port. All it’s a must to do is go into the KEF Join app and change it into an influence supply mode — it is known as KW-1 energy mode within the app. From there, you need to use it to cost your varied different units like your smartphone or pill. I am unsure you’d want to do that in a desktop audio state of affairs as you may probably produce other charging choices that these fancy audio system, but it surely’s an possibility nonetheless.
A superior wi-fi streaming machine
KEF did not fully rewrite the script with the LSX II. The audio system are the identical measurement as the unique LSX they usually make the most of the identical Uni-Q driver; that is KEF’s signature driver that locations the tweeter within the middle of the midrange/woofer and that the corporate claims helps ship a extra lucid and room-filling sound. (KEF makes use of this identical driver in its bigger audio system, together with LS50 Wi-fi II, LS50 Meta and LS60 Wi-fi.) KEF says it did tweak the digital-signal-processing (DSP) of the brand new audio system in order that they’re extra well-balanced and sound even higher.
The opposite distinction is that KEF has given the LSX II entry to its new “W2” wi-fi streaming platform (similar to its latest LS50 Wi-fi II). Successfully, it makes it very easy to play the music you need (through streaming or analog) in addition to customise the sound of the audio system in your and your room. It is all achieved by means of the KEF Join app in your smartphone and it makes the audio system very easy to make use of.
What’s Not Preferrred with the KEF LSX II?
You continue to want a wired connection for the very best sound
Similar to KEF’s different wi-fi speaker techniques, the LSX II can play lossless audio with out every speaker being tethered to at least one one other — and it sounds nice. When streaming over Wi-Fi, the LSX II can play lossless audio that is as much as 24-bit/48kHz. Nonetheless, when you use the included cable that tethers the 2 audio system collectively, they will play even higher-resolution audio that is up 24-bit/96kHz. This is not a nasty factor in any respect, but it surely’s value noting for lossless streamers on the lookout for the very best audio high quality out of the LSX II.
(The draw back to having a cable it isn’t as clear and you may’t as simply place the audio system wherever you need in a room.)
Do you really want all these choices?
An excessive amount of versatility is not a nasty factor, particularly when the KEF LSX II excel in just about every part they do. The difficulty is that most individuals aren’t going to make the most of all this versatility — they are going to set the LSX II audio system up and certain use them a method. For me, I’ve been utilizing them mainly like badass Sonos audio system and simply streaming music from my smartphone and laptop computer. And so finally you are paying for options and skills you are most likely not going to make use of. KEF has elevated the value of the KEF LSX II, which value $1,400 per pair whereas the LSX have been priced at $1,100 per pair after they have been launched in 2018.
KEF LSX II: The Verdict
The KEF LSX II is a superb little hi-fi speaker system that may mainly do something that you really want. You’ll be able to stream music to them through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You’ll be able to even combine them right into a multi-room system with non-KEF audio system through AirPlay 2 or Chromecast. Or you’ll be able to hook them as much as your present hi-fi system, desktop workstation and even your TV. And all of it sounds supreme. The one actual draw back is that, properly, it ain’t low cost.
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