A new Kef speaker? The Kef LS Luxe

[Mort]

It's definitely crazy...They were $4500 a pair just four years ago. $11k for the flagship. LOL. No, sir...

Less. $3750 a pair in 2024 in the USA.

 

[Pearljam5000]

So why would someone get the Luxe over the LS60?

 

[tmtomh]

Shipping + tariff is very expensive these days.

True, although even before the current high-tariff nonsense went into effect, Genelecs could be found a lot cheaper in Europe than in the US. I got my 8351b's in mid-2023 and I remember looking online at the time and noticing that they were something like $1000-$1500 cheaper at Thomann than anywhere in the US.

 

[tmtomh]

Less. $3750 a pair in 2024 in the USA.

View attachment 551907

Where is this chart from? I ask because I know for a fact that 8351b's retailed for a little over $8,000 a pair in the US in 2023. This chart makes it look like they weren't that expensive until 2025.

 

[Mort]

Where is this chart from? I ask because I know for a fact that 8351b's retailed for a little over $8,000 a pair in the US in 2023. This chart makes it look like they weren't that expensive until 2025.

From my notes and tracking.

 

[tmtomh]

From my notes and tracking.

With respect, I don’t think your chart is entirely accurate.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Prices have definitely gone up even in my country (outside the EU and USA)

From my notes and tracking.

 

[Mort]

With respect, I don’t think your chart is entirely accurate.

I stand by my data.

 

[staticV3]

So why would someone get the Luxe over the LS60?

Shelf space but no floor space

 

[tmtomh]

I stand by my data.

I purchased a new pair of 8351b’s from B&H on July 5th, 2023. They were sold at retail and cost $4195 each. They were being sold at the same price (plus or minus $5) everywhere.

 

[heflys20]

Interesting quotes. Personally, I got the $4500 from what Erin reported in his review in 2022. Lol. Definitely some fluctuating going on.

 

[Pearljam5000]

The prices should deipu over the years and not the opposite
So that's unfortunate

 

[aarons915]

So why would someone get the Luxe over the LS60?

I would prefer them because they are going to produce a pure point source compared to the LS60 that has side firing woofers, it creates kind of a weird effect to me in exchange for lower distortion. I prefer 2 ways and crossing over a bit higher so they can play loud cleanly.

 

[kyuu]

I would prefer them because they are going to produce a pure point source compared to the LS60 that has side firing woofers, it creates kind of a weird effect to me in exchange for lower distortion. I prefer 2 ways and crossing over a bit higher so they can play loud cleanly.

You like what you like, but those side firing woofers are only playing the frequency range where the sound is radiated omnidirectionally. Their orientation doesn't matter and shouldn't be able to create any "weird effect", except for the ability to actually play the bass register meaningfully at elevated volumes.

The caveat here is that the LS60 employs heavy limiting in the bass at elevated volumes, which can create a lean sound that many have noted. They are really only suited for medium-sized rooms at medium volumes due to this. Still will be far more capable than the Luxe.

 

[badtimeticket]

You like what you like, but those side firing woofers are only playing the frequency range where the sound is radiated omnidirectionally. Their orientation doesn't matter and shouldn't be able to create any "weird effect", except for the ability to actually play the bass register meaningfully at elevated volumes.

The caveat here is that the LS60 employs heavy limiting in the bass at elevated volumes, which can create a lean sound that many have noted. They are really only suited for medium-sized rooms at medium volumes due to this. Still will be far more capable than the Luxe.

I'm not an expert but the horizontal contour looks more interesting and asymmetric than I thought. Also, they cross high enough in the frequency range that is localizable so it doesn't seem crazy that in some rooms that different woofers could be localized.

 

[aarons915]

You like what you like, but those side firing woofers are only playing the frequency range where the sound is radiated omnidirectionally. Their orientation doesn't matter and shouldn't be able to create any "weird effect", except for the ability to actually play the bass register meaningfully at elevated volumes.

The caveat here is that the LS60 employs heavy limiting in the bass at elevated volumes, which can create a lean sound that many have noted. They are really only suited for medium-sized rooms at medium volumes due to this. Still will be far more capable than the Luxe.

500Hz is omnidirectional? The research I've seen shows very little directional information below 200Hz but definitely not 500, I've said many times if KEF would create a midwoofer UniQ designed to cross around 200Hz they would retain the point source nature of the 2 ways while gaining the advantages of the 3 ways. I've A/B the LS50 and R3 and it is a subtle difference but you can definitely tell the LS50 is more coherent.

 

[PaulF2020]

I mean, yeah I suppose. Experience with making excellent speakers does not necessarily translate into making excellent electronics and software.

Just remove streaming part completely then

 

[Descartes]

I'd suggest that the S/PDIF is the better option. The ethernet input is not suitable and any analog input introduces an A/D conversion.

Do they have S/PDIF?

 

[Descartes]

Less. $3750 a pair in 2024 in the USA.

View attachment 551907

Good lord that is completely insane and now completely out of touch with reality!

 

[Descartes]

I would prefer them because they are going to produce a pure point source compared to the LS60 that has side firing woofers, it creates kind of a weird effect to me in exchange for lower distortion. I prefer 2 ways and crossing over a bit higher so they can play loud cleanly.

Ever heard the Blades Meta 2 they are phenomenal