KEF LSX II

[Kachda]

What would you need the app for in a desktop scenario with, say, toslink in?
(Honest question, ive never used any kef nor any other active speaker app)

Probably none. But kef is also pitching these as tv and general speakers for small rooms where these features are useful

 

[Vacceo]

What would you need the app for in a desktop scenario with, say, toslink in?
(Honest question, ive never used any kef nor any other active speaker app)

For the same you´d use it on an LS50 Wireless II: adjusting some parametes (crossovers with subwoofers, db increase or reduction depending on wall or desktop...) and volume control (which often times, you can do at the source too).

Probably, for setting them up too.

Except that the app on version one is useless and the connectivity is unreliable

Apparently the App of the LS50 wireless II is a huge improvement in stability and usability over Version I, so I guess it would be hard to screw it up for the LSX II

It works as intended, that I can tell you as an everyday user.

 

[mononoaware]

They basically fixed the useless connectivity and unreliable app of the LSX version 1 and charge 20% more for the same product now working properly.

Well broken Apps are a problem, but I have heard plenty of negative feedback on the LSX and LS50W (both 1st generation) regarding failure of internal components which cause the entire speaker to stop functioning and KEF taking their sweet ass time with warranty/repairs.
I don't have any problem with active speakers since I have had great experiences with the reliability of particular studio monitors. However major issues with internal hardware is something I would not expect from KEF and the prices they are asking.

 

[Dreamslayer]

Honestly, I'm kind of thinking about selling my LS50 Metas and my amp to get these. I love my system but it's major over kill for how much I use it...

 

[Dreamslayer]

Do you guys also think that the release has been a bit too precipitated? Kef argues that adding metamaterial would make it too expensive. The speakers seem to have no hardware changes except the DSP and connections (particularly on the streaming side). That makes me think it´s a bit of a missed oportunity on a device that was quite good already but missed the improvements we saw in the Wireless II.

Don´t get me wrong, the LSX sound very well, but I think they could have pushed them further on the II version.

From what I saw, everyone said that the LSX audio performance was quite good and most of the complaints were about the wonky software platform. If that's fixed and they added USB and HDMI - well it sounds like they got it figured out: It's half the price of the LS50W2 and has all the same software plus more connectivity (USB).

 

[brandall10]

People, I imagine a HUGE percentage of LS50W2 owners use one or more subwoofers (I myself have 2 KC62s hooked up). Putting the 12th gen meta driver in the LSX2 would steal a TON of sales from the LS50W2. That's why they didn't do that.

Not at all - the LSX was essentially that in the 1st place, a smaller version of the LS50W. It only makes sense to offer it with the same upgrades the LS50W2 has.

As an LSX owner for a couple years as a bedroom system w/ an LS50W in the living room, this is a massive miss. Won't bother upgrading.

 

[haris525]

I really really want to buy this as I am in love with the LS50 M! They are SO good that I ended up buying two pairs! But the electronics in the LSX/ LS50 wireless only have 2 year warranty and it is scary since they are expensive and I have had a pair of LS50 wireless die on me in 8 months…(thankfully they were bought from best buy with a 3 year extended warranty so I traded them in for the passive LS50M). If you are in the market for these I would highly suggest to wait a few months and see if the electronics still fail or they fixed that issue.

 

[rob12345678]

There is a bit more going on here. The new LSX is 55mm less deep as well but has about 10 Hz more extension. Most of that is probably due to more DSP boost, but could also be because of driver optimizations.

Website suggests the dimensions (240×155×180 mm) and frequency range (54Hz – 28kHz) are identical…

I have loved the sound of my LSX Mk1, and functionality (with macOS volume control) has been great (used with REL TZero).

Reliability - not so much. Owned since March ‘21, they have already had a new network board, which fixed it for a couple of months, but now the network connectivity (wired and wireless) has totally died.

The good news is that KEF (via Sevenoaks Sound & Vision) have agreed to replace them with a set of KSX Mk2. Arrival date tbc.

 

[Dreamslayer]

Website suggests the dimensions (240×155×180 mm) and frequency range (54Hz – 28kHz) are identical…

I have loved the sound of my LSX Mk1, and functionality (with macOS volume control) has been great (used with REL TZero).

Reliability - not so much. Owned since March ‘21, they have already had a new network board, which fixed it for a couple of months, but now the network connectivity (wired and wireless) has totally died.

The good news is that KEF (via Sevenoaks Sound & Vision) have agreed to replace them with a set of KSX Mk2. Arrival date tbc.

And now I'm off the fence.

As much as I'd like to lose most of these cables and not have to have a big 45LB amp on a shelf next to my workstation, my system is reliable and repairable.

 

[groovybassist]

I ordered a pair of these to use in our TV room (small) in lieu of a sound bar and as a Roon endpoint. I’m leery, but giving it a shot and hoping for the best. I’ll share if anything goes sideways.

 

[rob12345678]

Dreamslayer, in retrospect - I'm sad to say I agree with you. When they work, they're excellent - but I the reliability of the electronics side is a real let down, and would be a worry (especially over the longer term).

Interesting to think what I'd replace them with for the same £800-1000 though.

 

[groovybassist]

Received my LSX II yesterday. Nice packaging, speakers look nice, but won’t have any comments on sound for a bit.

However, I ran into one snag when setting them up - the LSX II are not yet certified by Roon as Roon Ready. I primarily use Roon to stream music, so this is a bit of a pain needing to stream from the KEF Connect app until the certification is completed. I reached out to KEF and they said the LSX II Roon Ready certification should be done “in the near future.” I don’t think KEF should advertise them as Roon Ready if they’re not.

 

[voodooless]

Well, they apparently are Roon Ready Ready…

 

[groovybassist]

KEF’s US website lists “Roon Ready” in the Wireless Streaming Features section of the specs. It looks like that may be there inadvertently, but some audio sites are also mentioning Roon Readiness in their write ups on the LSX II. KEF indicated the certification is likely to come in the fall.

UPDATE EDIT: KEF’s US site was missing the “*” that should have been appended to the ROON Ready tag in their specs, with the disclaimer that certification is expected in the Fall. As mentioned below, Chromecast and Airplay do work within Roon.

 

[Soniclife]

Received my LSX II yesterday. Nice packaging, speakers look nice, but won’t have any comments on sound for a bit.

However, I ran into one snag when setting them up - the LSX II are not yet certified by Roon as Roon Ready. I primarily use Roon to stream music, so this is a bit of a pain needing to stream from the KEF Connect app until the certification is completed. I reached out to KEF and they said the LSX II Roon Ready certification should be done “in the near future.” I don’t think KEF should advertise them as Roon Ready if they’re not.

Roon has an * next to it on the main Kef site. Can you not use airplay or Chromecast in roon till it's sorted?

 

[groovybassist]

Roon has an * next to it on the main Kef site. Can you not use airplay or Chromecast in roon till it's sorted?

Airplay works fine in Roon, but I’ve found it runs down my iPhone battery much quicker when using it. I don’t think Airplay is supposed to do that, but it definitely does in my case.

 

[preload]

Does anyone know if these happen to sound a lot better than the LSX I? Wondering if I should upgrade.

 

[rob12345678]

To my ears - they sound absolutely identical.

 

[preload]

To my ears - they sound absolutely identical.

Good grief, well that saves me a ton of money. Thanks!

 

[Zvu]

They are upgrade regarding connectivity as i understood.