KEF Coda W wireless HiFI speaker (powered)

[LumiAudioNut]

As are as I can tell, there still isn't a thread devoted to the KEF Coda W wireless HiFi speakers (these have been on the KEF website for about 3 weeks now)

So here goes:

Coda W

Experience pristine, high-fidelity sound with the KEF Coda W wireless speaker. Featuring a 12th Gen Uni-Q driver and seamless connectivity.

us.kef.com

SPECIFICATIONS​

Model
Coda W
Drive units
Uni-Q Driver Array:
HF: 25 mm (1 in.) aluminium dome
LF/MF: 130 mm (5.25 in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy cone
Frequency range (-6dB) measured at 85dB/1m
38Hz - 20kHz
*Depends on EQ Settings
Frequency response (±3dB) measured at 85dB/1m
41Hz - 20kHz
*Depends on EQ Settings
Amplifier output power (per speaker)
LF: 70W HF: 30W
Amplifier class (per speaker)
LF: Class D HF: Class D
Max SPL measured at 1m
102 dB
Wireless streaming features
Bluetooth 5.4
aptX Adaptive™, aptX Lossless™
Source resolution
Optical up to 96kHz/24bit
USB Type C up to 192kHz/24bit
HDMI up to 1.411 Mbps PCM
*Depends on source resolution
Interspeaker connection
Wired: all sources resampled to 96kHz/24bit PCM
Dimensions (H x W x D per speaker)
285 x 168 x 268 mm (11.2 x 6.6 x 10.55 in.)
Weight (per set)
11.3kg
Power input
100 – 240VAC 50/60Hz
Power consumption
200W (operating power)
<0.5W (standby power)
Primary speaker
Inputs
HDMI
Optical
USB Type C
RCA (Without Phono stage)
RCA (With Phono stage)
USB Type C (interspeaker)
Bluetooth
Output
RCA Subwoofer output
USB Type C (interspeaker)
USB Type C (5V DC)
Secondary speaker
Inputs
USB Type C (interspeaker)

 

[DearSX]

Looks like a very cool little speaker! Price seems competitive.

 

[Xaviedie]

Where are measurements ?

 

[heflys20]

Erin's had a pair of these since last year. Lol. Doesn't seem to be in hurry to review them.

 

[heflys20]

I just read a review of these and was reminded of the uselessness of most subjective reviews. The title had the description that these speakers "threw in the towel" when it came to performance. Naturally, I was expecting that they were output limited at higher volumes...No, the complaint was that they lost dynamics at lower volumes (volumes where the speaker is essentially background noise during a conversation), when seated probably five feet away, and this was a major issue. The speaker, in that environment, simply wasn't engaging enough at quieter levels. Hilarious.

Anyway, here's a link to the review form the Czech (I believe) publication hifi-voice, where they actually provide some basic measurements for those who are interested: Link leads directly review on their site:

KEF Coda W

Britský KEF je rozhodně silným hráčem na trhu s aktivními reprosoustavami – jejich modely LSX II, LS50 Wireless II i LS60 Wireless jsou zdařilým stylovým řešením pro každého, kdo chce dobrý zvuk na praktickém malém půdorysu. Lehce konzervativnější alternativa je nyní k dispozici v podobě modelu...

www.hifi-voice.com

Seems to measure pretty good. Clearly aren't meant to be listened to on-axis. Excellent step-response (co-axial of course), for those that care.

 

[Paul7777x]

£800 all in for a multi input, point source pair of powered speakers seems pretty good to me.

An unfortunately drab set of finishes to my taste though.

 

[heflys20]

£800 all in for a multi input, point source pair of powered speakers seems pretty good to me.

An unfortunately drab set of finishes to my taste though.

They definitely are a bit blasé in terms of appearance and colors...Hopefully this changes in future iterations. Definitely a "get the job done as in-offensively as possible" design.

 

[Paul7777x]

They definitely are a bit blasé in terms of appearance and colors...Hopefully this changes in future iterations. Definitely a "get the job done as in-offensively as possible" design.

Indeed. I can’t help thinking the more modern black and white finishes would have helped sales.

I think maybe they are being pushed toward the ‘style’ sector, chosen by ‘designers’ and, as you say, need to be ‘inoffensive’.

But that’s another word for tedious too.

 

[heflys20]

I also think they don't want this speaker to cannibalize sales from the similar priced Lsx Lt. That is more of lifestyle product and, seemingly, doesn't measure as well.

 

[heflys20]

Just bought an open-box pair of these for almost $300 off...Unused with the warranty. Couldn't resist. Seeing all these great new-speakers gave me that itch. Subjectively, in the short time I've had them, they sound really good. Very detailed. Speaker gave me a scare when updating firmware, but that was my fault. I had the secondary speaker plugged in incorrectly. LOL. They don't look that bad in person, honestly.

 

[vazakh]

I don’t know if the problem is unique to my copy or to all KEF Сodas, but neither my MacBook, nor Eversolo A6, nor Eversolo Play see KEF Сoda when connected via USB.

 

[heflys20]

Not sure. Mine work fine. Computer immediately picked them up. Might wanna contact KEF.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

I don’t know if the problem is unique to my copy or to all KEF Сodas, but neither my MacBook, nor Eversolo A6, nor Eversolo Play see KEF Сoda when connected via USB.

Did you use the corect connection on the speaker since it has has 3 USB-c connectors

 

[vazakh]

Did you use the corect connection on the speaker since it has has 3 USB-c connectors

Yes, sure

 

[Ognian]

Anyone that has these care to comment on if they present audible hiss from short distance?

Also, from the few available measurements what is everyone's opinion on using these in a near field/desktop setup.

I'm running adam t5v in the office space and the hiss is driving me nuts. Amazing speakers otherwise.

 

[heflys20]

No hiss of any kind.

 

[heflys20]

Also, from the few available measurements what is everyone's opinion on using these in a near field/desktop setup.

Forgot to respond to this. They should be fine, they're about the same size as the T5V...Just a tad smaller. Have no problems using them in nearfield; also (knowing KEF, and from the measurements I've seen), they'll likely measure better, too. Just don't toe them in, or just slightly.

I also made a mistake plugging the 2nd speaker into the wrong usb port. Had me freaking out for a 2nd.