Kali Audio LP-UNF

[staticV3]

Well , I need a longer 4pin cable.

Kali sell an 8' cable online: https://www.kaliaudio.com/partsproducts/4-prong-phoenix-interconnect-cable-for-lp-unf-8-ft

Alternatively, you can make or order a custom cable.
The connector is standard 4-pole Phoenix with 1:1 pinout.

 

[dedobot]

Kali sell an 8' cable online: https://www.kaliaudio.com/partsproducts/4-prong-phoenix-interconnect-cable-for-lp-unf-8-ft

Alternatively, you can make or order a custom cable.
The connector is standard 4-pole Phoenix with 1:1 pinout.

Yes , I will do myself. Had planhed it anyway. Its curious what EM emissions can do. Cause both speakers had same hiss, my theory is the EM waves induct current in the interconnect cable and that current somehow reach the tweeters amps causing them produce hiss.

 

[dedobot]

The Kali's 1.5m 4x18AWG interconnect cable:

I just swapped it with 2m 4x16AWG (OFC) , works excellent.

 

[Sameer]

Just got my LP-UNF pair delivered, few initial impressions.

- Dead silence, no hiss, no coil whine, even with my ear next to the speaker (1 inch away).
- The interconnect cable is a bit stiff and loose. However, it is not an issue if the speakers stay at once place 24/7.
- Using USB cable and Bluetooth, there is pop noise when start/play audio source (e.g., YouTube), or when scrolling website (this one is weird). Both pop noise are negligible, but with Bluetooth, the pop is less frequent and is lower in volume.
- Using RCA, there is no pop noise. Not sure about TRS because I don't have compatible gear.
- On the back, the "Load_firmware" label is version 1.0.6.
- USB input is fixed at 24 bit/48 kHz, while Bluetooth is 16 bit / 44100 kHz.
- Bluetooth codec supports Aptx HD/Aptx/SBC, not support AAC/Opus/LDAC/LC3/SSC, not sure about Aptx LL.
- Touch volume buttons are very sensitive and responsive to gesture.

I'll just use the speaker with my Topping D10 to avoid the pop noise. Finally the D10 can see sunshine again after sitting in a cave for a long time. Not that I can hear the difference of DAC -> ADC -> DAC anyway.

Mine was purchased used so no complain, but in general, purchasing a product with known firmware-related issue and no clear firmware upgrade path is effectively a lottery.

I think the speaker aggressively goes to sleep whenever it doesn't detect a signal via the USB-C cable,, and this causes the annoying popping sounds when playing or skipping through audio. This might be an issue with Windows or the speaker's firmware, but I'm not sure.

I've figured out a workaround by making Windows listen to my mic, which I muted through my headset but still shows up in Windows. That's all, now I no longer get any popping sounds. I believe the same could be achieved on another OS, but I can't verify that.

On Windows, you can do this as follows:
1. Open Settings, then go to the System submenu.
2. Go to the Sound submenu and click on "More Sound Settings."
3. Go to the Recording tab and double-click on any muted recording device.
4. Go to the Listen tab, check "Listen to this device," and choose LP-UNF from the playback device dropdown.

 

[skeeper]

I think the speaker aggressively goes to sleep whenever it doesn't detect a signal via the USB-C cable,, and this causes the annoying popping sounds when playing or skipping through audio. This might be an issue with Windows or the speaker's firmware, but I'm not sure.

I've figured out a workaround by making Windows listen to my mic, which I muted through my headset but still shows up in Windows. That's all, now I no longer get any popping sounds. I believe the same could be achieved on another OS, but I can't verify that.

On Windows, you can do this as follows:
1. Open Settings, then go to the System submenu.
2. Go to the Sound submenu and click on "More Sound Settings."
3. Go to the Recording tab and double-click on any muted recording device.
4. Go to the Listen tab, check "Listen to this device," and choose LP-UNF from the playback device dropdown.

You can use Sound Keeper:
https://veg.by/en/projects/soundkeeper/

 

[dedobot]

Its on Windows side, LP-UNF itself haven't sleep function .
Switch off all power saving settings of the usb subsystem.

 

[Sameer]

Its on Windows side, LP-UNF itself haven't sleep function .
Switch off all power saving settings of the usb subsystem.

I disabled USB selective suspending in Power options, and all power management features in Device Manager, but that didn't fix the issue. Is there another setting?

 

[dedobot]

I disabled USB selective suspending in Power options, and all power management features in Device Manager, but that didn't fix the issue. Is there another setting?

Hmmm...Now I remember that my laptop (win7pro) is configured without sleep/hibernation, only the screen turns off. I'll try how it is with the sleep function activated.

 

[Pioykowsky]

Hello and good day everyone, since it's my first post as I specifiacally registered to ask about this speakers.
I dig throught this thread, but some things are still not clear for me.

1. Is the BT sound quality quite poor despite supporting AptxHD codec? Is it because the BT implementation itself is made badly?

2. Is the USB pop sound still present on newest possible firmware?

3. Is it possible to have the speakers connected to PC via USB and connecting them to mobile via BT when PC is turned on?

I am worried about combination of point 2 and 3, because if USB pop must be cured by changing USB connection to always active, it would probably mean the speakers cannot play BT input on the same time? I have read somewhere, that USB connection is always prioritized as input, and when there is no classic input selection for this speakers, it may be a big problem.

4. Is it possible do adjust volume from connected USB PC? And what about from BT device? I have also read somewhere, that only on-speaker +/- touchpad regulation works as volume control.

 

[dedobot]

Hello and good day everyone, since it's my first post as I specifiacally registered to ask about this speakers.
I dig throught this thread, but some things are still not clear for me.

1. Is the BT sound quality quite poor despite supporting AptxHD codec? Is it because the BT implementation itself is made badly?

2. Is the USB pop sound still present on newest possible firmware?

3. Is it possible to have the speakers connected to PC via USB and connecting them to mobile via BT when PC is turned on?

I am worried about combination of point 2 and 3, because if USB pop must be cured by changing USB connection to always active, it would probably mean the speakers cannot play BT input on the same time? I have read somewhere, that USB connection is always prioritized as input, and when there is no classic input selection for this speakers, it may be a big problem.

4. Is it possible do adjust volume from connected USB PC? And what about from BT device? I have also read somewhere, that only on-speaker +/- touchpad regulation works as volume control.

1. I haven't tried BT yet.
2. No , Win7pro
3. Yes, manual says BT have priority above all inputs, second is USB, analog at third place.
4.For USB yes -direct sound ,wasapi shared or exclusive- in all cases PC and player's VC works

 

[Pioykowsky]

Thank you for your answer, I highly appreciate it! Did you upgraded speakers firmware or the pop just was not present from the box?

Are you willing to use BT any time soon?

 

[dedobot]

Thank you for your answer, I highly appreciate it! Did you upgraded speakers firmware or the pop just was not present from the box?

Are you willing to use BT any time soon?

No upgrade, out of the box. I will check BT next week when comeback to the home.

 

[Pioykowsky]

Ok big thank you in advance.

Forgive me, but I have anther doubts. So hopefully someone can address them, which I'd appreciate.

1. I have asked my friend who is kinda more advanced about this speakers, and his answer was like this. He doesn't know this particular speakers, he doesn't want to judge that they aren't good, but he generally doesn't recommend buying "studio monitors" for just listening to the music. My use case is just like this, listening to the music, games and YouTube vids. So are these suitable for me or not?

2. I found out that I will have to swap my speakers, because I need active one on my right hand site. Windows allows to swap channels, but my phone via Bluetooth does not. Is it a big problem concerning music quality?

 

[staticV3]

but he generally doesn't recommend buying "studio monitors" for just listening to the music.

Did he say why?

If you want accurate sound in the nearfield, then studio monitors are the best choice.

Is it a big problem concerning music quality?

No problem whatsoever.

 

[Pioykowsky]

Did he say why?

Because "most studio-grade audio sounds flat and boring, some hifi set made for music listening will sound deeper and more fun, even if less acurate".

No problem whatsoever.

Good news, thx.

 

[staticV3]

Because "most studio-grade audio sounds flat and boring, some hifi set made for music listening will sound deeper and more fun, even if less acurate".

You can always add flavor using EQ, but why start from something that's already spoiled by flavor?

It'd be like buying a TV with permanent contrast enhancement or color boost.

 

[hashhar]

I'd just plus one what @staticV3 said.

You can always use eq (and some studio monitors allow saving eq into the speakers itself) to do whatever you want with the sound.

Another benefit of studio monitors IMO is the price performance benefit. It's hard to beat the Kali using some amp + passives for example.

 

[dedobot]

Ok big thank you in advance.

Forgive me, but I have anther doubts. So hopefully someone can address them, which I'd appreciate.

1. I have asked my friend who is kinda more advanced about this speakers, and his answer was like this. He doesn't know this particular speakers, he doesn't want to judge that they aren't good, but he generally doesn't recommend buying "studio monitors" for just listening to the music. My use case is just like this, listening to the music, games and YouTube vids. So are these suitable for me or not?

2. I found out that I will have to swap my speakers, because I need active one on my right hand site. Windows allows to swap channels, but my phone via Bluetooth does not. Is it a big problem concerning music quality?

I bought LP-UNF for living room (8x7m) just to have something better than build in TV speakers, with out any expectations. Turned out the little lp-unf can energized the whole room , in party style. Im more happy with them than my former floorstanders focal aria 948.
For me the "desktop speakers" description is completely wrong.

 

[dedobot]

No upgrade, out of the box. I will check BT next week when comeback to the home.

Connected my ancient Redmi 5+ while lp-unf playing usb source. No pop ups, BT took priority over USB, I was able control volume from the phone. Disconnected BT - USB source shows up. The only issue was the BT sound was way more "quiet" than USB.

 

[Pioykowsky]

Connected my ancient Redmi 5+ while lp-unf playing usb source. No pop ups, BT took priority over USB, I was able control volume from the phone. Disconnected BT - USB source shows up. The only issue was the BT sound was way more "quiet" than USB.

Omg man, that's a good news, thank you very much. Was it just quieter, but quality was the same for listening to the music?