KEF's LSX is a more affordable hi-fi system in a box
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- Опубликовано: 30 окт 2018
- We might see the latest active loudspeaker offering from British loudspeaker company KEF as a scaled-down LS50 Wireless but with a few welcome twists.
US$1100/pair in the USA, €1200/pair in Europe and 999 Great British Pounds in the UK.
More info: darko.audio/2018/10/a-short-f...
KEF website: kef.com
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Why can't all reviews be this good? This was outstanding! Thanks so much for your hard work. It shows how much passion you have for audio.
Your digital/wireless/streaming reviews have been amazing. Taking the time to demonstrate how you set up & integrate has been truly helpful.
Dear Darko,
THANK YOU. You began with small steps and now you are offering a serious, insightful & very enjoyable approach to hifi/high end...whatever. Your column and these videos really are an oasis in such overloaded media. Have played yesterday twice the Hegel H590 video and now this....This video is very clever and answers all the questions that may appear for this set of speakers. I thought you could read my mind, especially when you installed the LSXs to your office. Wish you the best and keep on surprising us!
Amazing video man. Also love the fact that you don’t have any annoying background music that distracts from your commentary. Looking forward to more great content!
I only came across this presenter for the first time tonight but I'm impressed by the professionalism and quality of his review.
Thank you, John. That was the information i was looking for. You have a clear mind to tel a good story and a pleasant voice to listen to.
I've read you for years, John, and now I'm really enjoying these videos.
Amazingly in-depth and yet easy to follow review. Thank you very much for sharing..
You do the best review ever. I love the way you talk about and show all the back connections. For a novice like me it is fantastic to hear and see what they all mean and do and the way you go through all the apps options. Will watch your channel from now on whenever I need to know my shit about something or looking to buy like I am at the moment trying to decide on which computer desktop speakers to buy. Thanks, great effort. Cheers.
Dude what a great professional and polished review. I think seeing and hearing about a product in real world setting as apposed to reading a ton of reviews and tech specs makes it more tangible.
Dude amazing video, probably one of the best how to Ive seen, keep the great work
Great review John. You didn’t miss a thing. Very well done! Thanks for sharing! Cheers, Frank
Brilliant review, this guy has seriously done his homework.
hands down best hifi review I've come across; I'm a beginner hifi person and this was really easy to understand. I appreciate not only your simple language but examples to add even more clarity. Amazing video production quality as well! Please make lots of beginner and entry level content for us in-between people, thanks & keep it up!
Thank you for your excellent review. I also had the opportunity to hear the kef lsx at the lounge in Singapore Airport. I have just bought them for my computer and they sound fantastic. I have always been skeptical about expensive speakers but my ears were opened upon hearing them.
My Bose speakers sound hollow now. I can hear all sorts of wonderful things in my music which I was totally unaware of earlier
Thanks again for your excellent video
Please keep making them
I think you are getting better at this all the time. Pace, outline, descriptions, information. You pack a lot of information in this video. Very entertaining and informative. Excellent.
Your review is very straight forward and to the point. For us non-music producers, but nearly as passionate about sound, you do a great job speaking in layman's terms on this product.
One of the best reviews I have seen.
I just started watching your channel, and I’ve learned so much. I really appreciate your insight and your impartiality toward the audiophile world it leaves me space to question how I wish to interact with my system and how much time I really wish to put in my setups where I want to bring music into my daily life; and find my medium between hobby, leisure and practicality.
A pleasant enjoyable unpretentious review. Well done sir. As an owner of the LS50 wired, if these sound remotely anywhere near as good, I'd say they're worth a listen.
Wonderful review that kept me into it till the very end.
Also that DJ Kicks by Lone is quite the mix :)
Great vid, wasnt aware how versatile Chrome Cast can be for audio.
Outstanding video, man! I honestly thought I was watching a big, professional channel, so I'm kinda amazed how few subscribers you have. You defiantly deserve more subs and I'm sure they'll come! Great review!
We've only been making pro-shot videos for 7 months. Subscriber growth is coming along nicely.
@@DarkoAudio yes a couple of guys told me hit a hundred thousand and you are well on your way...I just love to watch though...you do a excellent work John may all your dreams come true!
Fantastic review! Very practical and honest.
Got them since last December.
Quite impressed by the sound quality even in a big room (~45m2). I paired them with a klipsch subwoofer to get some extra bass.
Love them !
Informative and entertaining. Excellent video John. I could easily see myself suggesting friends and family try the LSX, especially with Airplay 2 support on the way. Native Chromecast support would be great and Roon would be nice to have, but perhaps not essential in this segment.
I'd like to see more traditional companies offer active stereo speakers. A range (Bookshelf to Floor stander) of Naim/Focal actives based on the new streaming platform would be very interesting to me.
Mu so though
Just got a pair, they’re great!
Thanks for such a clear and interesting review John.
Loving your videos. Just picked up some Kef q150s and so far I like them alot.
I bought 2 used sets of the LSX for my sisters' birthday/Christmas gifts for about 60%-70% of the new price and couldn't be happier. Extremely impressed with them.
Great review John. Thanks! I have put them on my rather large wishlist.
Excellent description of a lovely little speaker.
Your narration says it all without the need to listen to them.
Keep them coming John!
I bought these speakers one week ago. I find them great!
And now I'm a fan... More videos please
This is an excellent video... And not just because of the speakers being presented...
Your presentation is excellent !
Thank you for the review. Your review is complete and entertaining and really well shot. These speakers seem like a good fit for apartment dwellers who are only a little interested in better sound. As an Oppo owner, I’m always a bit concerned about being reliant on a manufacturer and their commitment to keeping their apps functional and relevant. Also, its funny that modern “wireless” speakers have a so many wires.
Very comprehensive review. Thanks Darko!!
I had no intention of buying these speakers but your video was so entertaining I watched till the end!
Great video John!!! Love the camera work!!! Very nice digs as well...:) Cheers!
was waiting for review thank u . now for santa to read my wish list . great review . cheers
Nice review! Couldn't agree more about chromecast audio!
I'd love to use active speakers in my living room but unfortunately entering the room would mean having to look at crowded back panels. 😲
I changed mains leads to wire world Electra 7 with cloverleaf adaptors to matrix 2 box ,and sound to this LSX bedroom system received a massive boost in sound quality 👍.
These little speakers are great. They have everything you need to listen to multiple sources just plug and play. And the sound great.
Nicely reviewed John. I’m not a hi-fi techno by any measure but I do enjoy good sound. I’ve recently rehoused a pair of Kef 104ab speakers into lighter, and smaller, cabinets and they’re just so powerful and accurate, despite the passive bass speaker now mounted on the rear side. I bought the speaker panels as a kit set in the early ‘70s and over the past 40+ years they’ve been matched to various low power amps (20 to 35 Watts) and proven to be reliable, versatile and high quality. Still have the original spare fuses.
I really like how these small LS50s look :)
Good stuff John. Nice review
Brilliant informative vid. Love the Chromecast Roon advice. 10 out of 10 man!
This was the first video of yours I’ve warche in a long time. Loved it. I unsubscribed a while back but this video made me resub.
Thanks for the video!
Thanks a lot for this review! Just bought a pair of these speakers, let´s see how they perform during next days ... :)
An excellent review, thanks!
I have the older X300AW. And they still sound great. I also have a pair Yamaha NX-N500 active speakers.
Everything aside your house is beautiful :D. Great color choices and furniture is Lit.
I've calmed down a lot and am enjoying them now. Probably not keep them long term, but am listening to music and am able to beam from bed which is good for a bipolar depressive like me early in the day. Gets me up! Enjoying listening to horns in Jazz.
Sir, I really enjoyed your video, easy to understand, you explained things in a great way, wil be looking for more of your videos. -Jim
Wow. I know virtually nothing about audio but I must say I was captivated by your presentation. The absence of a background soundtrack, visual splash and dash, electronica heart-thumping and whatever other pizzazz is SO refreshing you have no idea. Thank you for that, and for a superb review conveyed with honesty and even-handedness. I will be watching one or two more times; there is a lot for my little mind to absorb and all of it important. Well done; many other presenters would do well IMHO to borrow a page...(Going out on a limb here: would the NAD D 3020 V2 enhance this setup at all or would it be superfluous?)
First time on the channel but love the video!
A nice video at the various points of near-field speaker on the desk!!!
Great review. Wish these had RAAT protocol so I can pair them together with my other Roon ready devices, not as a separate speaker within Roon. They would already be in me living room.
Your video is top notch and professional.Well done with great info. Also like the Bowie picture.
That was very informative video. Thumbs up for that!
Very informative video without pesky background music? Subbed!
Interesting piece from KEF.
Great review 👍🏼
Love this, and it's already the best video on this product - I'm still wondering about the sound quality in the end and - in the new world of audio where I am that man in the middle - how to hook this up in a world where we have so many streaming standards. Airplay 2 has been my 'go to' for now, but I also have sonos here and there around the house...
Finally got it working. Bought open box missing remote. So going back for the black color.
I also use the Aux input.
Great video! I really appreciate that you talked about their near-field functionality given their compact size. I love their small footprint but I'm not sure the average person would spend around $1000 on these...
Las t year i bought the LS50W for my desk, and the situation was exactly as you described it. Now they found their place in our living room where they sound breathtaking. This LSX might be the right joice for my desk, hmm. We'll see...
I have the LS50W in my livingroom, and I absolutely love them. I bought the LSX for desk use. Side by side (in the livingroom) they sound surprisingly close but the LS50W definitely sounds more pleasing to me. For desk use I found the LSX a bit too intense and almost tiring to listen to. But this has probably more to do with the distance to the wall and how close I am sitting to the speakers, than the LSX themselves.
I had so many questions (I also have the LS50W) and wanted to use these in my small study with my iMac and Roon, but you have answered them all in your fantastic video.
Yeah same. I was looking to use LSX for my iMAC and no one did mention anything about it, except this review. Really appreciate the good stuff!
pimeye How are you planning on connecting the iMac to these speakers as they lack an USB input?
@@michaelhametner9780 Not a problem for Roon (Tidal) as I will buy the Chromecast audio dongle, otherwise ?bluetooth for everything else - RUclips, iTunes, Vox, Plex, QT, VLC etc. Presumably will have to switch between the different outputs using the app.
You can use Airplay2 to beam all macOs audio to the speakers but the latency is quite noticeable for many use cases.
First time on your channel. Great stuff!
P.S kudos for LG V30, it shows your passion for sound 😍
John Darko is great, articulate, engaging & fun.
Fantastic job on this video
Excellent review John - thank you for posting. You are my go to guy for audio !
this is amazing, i really like kef's speakers but hate the size of most bookshelves so this is like a blessing from god
You are the best! Based on your recommendations I got the LS50W which I am using with Dirac Live room correction. It is simply amazing! Thank you!!!!!
I love the idea of this product. Something to get you by when your not listening to records on your analogue system. Would look great in my home office too :D
Good review! It was actually insightful compared to other audio reviews. Thanks
Superb review! Subscribed!!
Lovely little speakers! Only thing they're missing is a USB DAC input. I would have omitted the AUX port in favor of that connection option.
Bowie and PSB at the background. Fine musical taste.
Smart of Google to provide that Toslink out option on the Chromecast-Audio, and to support Roon. A $35 Roon endpoint!!
Quite entertaining, albeit lengthy, review. The technology presented here is impressive, particularly in a near field environment. When I saw the master interface, I immediately thought Chromecast Audio; as did you at the 18 minute mark. All that said, the price of admission could be better spent.
Great review 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
A very fine review!
Superb review
Many thanks for great review! I very much like your way of bringing high-end hi-fi to all of us. I liked very much your review of Devialet Reactor (I considered KEF LSX and Recator for myself), and I liked so much the Reactors review that I went very next day to shop and bought pair of Reactors 600 + Legs :-)... Unfortunately, the Comments section of that review is closed (locked) and I would really like to see what are comments from the audience... Thanks once again!
Great Video comrade! 🤗
They are not for me personally, but good versatility and great review.
Love the review and the speakers. But love the furniture in your room more!!! Room tour dude! :)
That's a great idea!
I’m interested in the unit that the speakers are sitting on 🤔
nice room indeed. is that a short throw projector sitting in the middle of the speakers?
John Darko ok, now your just teasing!! :)
@@DarkoAudio
Not to distract from the excellent and comprehensive review but, as the comment above notes, absolutely delightful room (both lounge and office!) I would also love to see a room tour..
thanks for the review. two things; 1) thank god KEF is using proprietary wireless between speakers rather than (horrid) bluetooth or wifi. 2) KEF just laid down the best tv/ computer all-in-one speaker.
love that it also uses KEF protocols between the phone and the speakers, as anything is better than bluetooth...which you can still use. and as i only listen lossless, i love the Cat 5 cable.
and if you think i'm crazy on that point, turn bluetooth on vs off (plugged in if you have to) on an ordinary speaker and it will always sound worse.
plus it has a sub out - go and buy an inexpensive sub and really blow your mind.
Great review! I could watch your reviews all day...
Noob question - what’s the silver book-holding-looking component on the middle of the cabinet that you set the speakers up on?
Love your channel. Would love to play around with all the kit you do !
love you, man. got these Kefs and just adore them. was also thinking about Devialet before purchasing them, but yeah, stereo and much wider soundscape made me take those as i couldnt afford stereo Devialet's. which is pity off course. but thats life.
I am in the same set of mind. But Devialet just start a new offer in France. 70 euro/month for 2 devialet reactor 600 and included qobuz Hi-res (which cost 24€/month). Definitly tempted by devialet now.
i would have loved to get these, but i don't have enough tv console estate for them, ended up with the mu-so, will have to set it up and see how it works out. might get these to replace my thonet and vander kubris. thank you for the great vid!
Hey John your channel is fantastic, while noticing you seem to have a large appreciation for actives/smart hifi solutions id love to see your review on the Kanto Tuk.
I must for comedy alone point out that folks who are pedantic aren't called pedantics, they are in fact called pedants. 😂😂😂 I couldn't help myself. Excellent video, it was well worth the time and I look forward to future videos!
pedantic
A pedantic pedant.
It feels like the KEF LS50W will get updated at some point to add wireless speaker connection. That is a great feature and since it is optional it is the best of both worlds.
Oh wow.... This is exciting
Makes good desktop pc speakers! :)
Thanks to your video, my siblings and I, last Christmas, purchased a set of LSX speakers for my 97 year old dad. The Google Chromecast Audio trick worked great. In addition to the streaming capability it offered, he is able to voice-control his music playback (w/RUclips Premium) using a Google Home Mini attached to a standing-lamp, located next to his comfy-reclining-powered-chair. Due to age limiting restrictions, this is especially important for him, as he is unable to use a smart phone or iPad to navigate apps.
In addition, his 55" TV audio output connects via toslink to a mini-DAC and mini-jumper cable, into the analogue Aux input. Both are being powered with a USB, powering-capable, splitter-cable, directly from the Master speaker's USB power port. All that he needs is to be sure to select the appropriate input on the speakers using the included remote. On the downside, the remote is overly directional and the red text on a black remote doesn't make viewing for the elderly easy. Placing small fluorescent colored stickers on the remote to aid in identifying the buttons to be pressed has helped.
All-in-all, these KEFs are a pleasant Mid-Fi set of speaker that allow for flexible use. They sound smooth, and are relatively detailed, yet there's certainly no excessive sparkle in the treble. They have good dimensionality and dispersion. The mids sound very natural to my ear. The bass is surprisingly full for their size. Not the most dynamic or large-scale sounding......but overall, very nice. My dad loves them.
Oh, and I do have them mounted to a cheap pair of speaker stands (which I must confess, I garbage picked) using the threaded hole in their bottoms.
P.S. - John, your 5% description of sound improvement using the ethernet cable, as opposed to going wireless between the speakers, was spot-on. Damn good observation!
SIDE NOTE: I did need to bring them in for repair. I was getting sputtering sound out of the Slave speaker, but only when using the AUX input on the Master. It sounded almost as though the speaker's driver was blown, but obviously that was not the case.
Good review. I think this product will be a hit for KEF. If they somehow got Bluesound or Sonos integration watch out, but unlikely since they have invested in their own app ecosystem. However, good hack with the CCA and that could work for whole house. Anyway, I really hope they come out with a passive version since I have a good amp and dac already. If they come out with a passive I'd probably get a pair for my office.
What an amazing review, genuinely awesome listening to your depth of knowledge. My uncle recommended KEF to me however I’m not sure my current house set up (small, awkward sized rooms!) would make these feasible.
I wonder if you could recommend a cheaper wireless speaker alternative? Perhaps Sonos ones in stereo? Or something in that price bracket? Bit of punch for dance music but with clarity?
Thanks again