PLEASE READ *before commenting*! 1) Got a question? Please ask it of the Darko.Audio RUclips community (and not me) as I'm off making the NEXT video 2) All comments here are moderated by a third party: instagram.com/p/CTWcokaszpW/ 3) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome (but no URLs, racist/sexist remarks or conspiracy theories, please)
The way John is teasing us before the ACTUAL review of these speakers is really the "Beginning of the End"... On the other hand, at least this title gives us - an otherwise predictable - sum up: if you are not into the hobby of buying, selling, playing with different set-ups, but looking for amazing (ultimate?) sound quality, services and aesthetics in one complete package: this might be the final destination.
Would love to hear your thoughts on these compared to a pair of LS50W II with KC62 Subs (which appears on the surface level to be a similar spec and priced comparison) Thanks!
Exactly! My guess is the LS60 might have a cleaner midrange since it's designed as a dedicated midrange speaker whereas the LS50s have been designed to cater to midbass as well if required as evidenced by the thicker rubber surrounds. The LS50WII with dual KC62 will definitely dig deeper but then again might be much more difficult to get a coherent and perfectly blended full range sound as the LS60s with their Single Apparent Source design. Ofcourse you get the option to add a subwoofer or two with the LS60s in the future, which will add more price since the LS60W is already $1500 more than the LS50WII + dual KC62 combo to begin with! Excited to see Darko's followup 🥳
Fantastic first part review. I completely agree re the remote. I’m totally convinced that Bang and Olufsen have sold more TVs from handing the customer the remote than any actual picture differences compared with competitors. It exudes class and money. If you haven’t seen one just call in and have a look. It’s everything this one isn’t and it immediately reflects on the experience. These have all the makings of being great and I’m looking forward to part 2
Based on your test we got hold of a pair. Best speakers we have ever had. Then we have had some friende visitings us, and they went to the hifi-shop to buy a pair.
So, KEF is claiming SAS(Single Apparent Source) and Unicore. Were they really doing SAS before Devialet? Surely not before Gallo? KEF may be right in claiming Unicore per se, but not in claiming force cancelling woofers. Devialet have done this too, and B&W, so it’s not really a new design idea. Two woofers with the same chassis and overlapping coils may be new, but the rest has been done before. Now. I have just sold off my Devialet Phantom Golds and replaced them with a pair of KEF LS60´s. I lived with the Phantoms for 4 years, and the one aspect I have missed the most is imaging. Now I know that I’ve missed detail too. The LS60´s deliver on an insane level, and I don’t regret the change for one second! Of all the speakers I’ve owned over the years, my previous favorite was Anthony Gallo Reference 3.5, but I think that might change soon.
As an owner of B&W 802 srs2 Matrix speakers, a B&W Nautilus, and 2 Jaguar XKs , I am convinced that while "Designed in UK" is a great label, "Made in UK" is not. Craftsmanship and QC of the latter is now way behind Made in Japan, Taiwan or China...or even Vietnam.
You do such a great job with these reviews. Always thorough, always thoughtful. I have begun taking your advice and calling out reviewers who do “comparisons” without having the product on-hand to A/B them. In fact just did it yesterday with an unnamed reviewer comparing the Buchardt S400 Mk2 to the original. He touted the Mk2 as a “unicorn” and miles better than the original. When I asked how he could make such definitive statements without having the Mk1 on hand, he said; “easy, the differences are not subtle”. Sigh 😞 Keep up the great work!
Greetings from the beautiful Emerald Coast of northwest FL! Watched all videos comparing KEF LS60s & BUCHARDT A700's! So torn between the two! Decisions, decisions! Which one do you miss the most?
Wait, what? EACH driver in EACH speaker has its own DAC and Amp? So, 6 DACs and 6 amps in total. Some key observations: 1: The uni-Q in the LS-60 is SMALLER than the uni-Q in the LS-50 2: The slender config + close placement to the wall is a HUGE feature.
I very seldom agree with your taste in music John but Giant Sand -Tucson is my cup of tea. What a gem for music lovers like us. I guess I’ll stay subscribed to your channel & pay attention to future music recommendations as well as gear. Thanks mate!
As a recent procurer of the ls50wii i too would love to hear a comparison with the kc62…I’m tempted to to return and spend on these bad boys if there’s a big difference
I showed my wife a photo of these and straight away she said " get them". Then I told her the price. They are beautiful and have all my connection bases covered. Maybe someday
I will get either these or the new dynaudio focus 50. Any chance you will get your hands on them in the future?! I would love to see them both in a comparison. Newest gen of high end active streaming speakers ❤️
Really REALLY appreciate the value you place in side by side comparison. Idea - Going forward with all the mega super streaming integrated amplifier reviews, comparing external components with the included integrated ones would be A) painful for you, but B) very helpful for us - particularly with things like phono stages, just to gauge the component quality in a similar objective-ish way.
dont know about the hype but visually, i think they are a bit ugly and boring looking, at least from videos and photos...have seen LS50s mounted on Solidsteel stands and look much more interesting in my eyes compared to LS60 towers, bet that lot of people might appreciate them as minimal designed products but i think LS60s are more on the atonal side of the "minimal" territory...
Sold my Ayon audio tube amp, turntable and the rest of analogue gear 2 years ago as 4-year old twins running around in the house wasn’t a great combo. Waited patiently for a replacement that is more child proof but still up to standards. I think I’m rewarded for my patience. Thx KEF!
These are not child proof since there are no grilles on any of the drivers. These drivers are VERY sensitive to any kind of impacts. Don’t ask me how I know :)
10k AUD on a speaker with integrated amp and app integration… you would have to be nuts to buy such garbage ewaste. I see enough LS50s on Facebook alone with amp failures…
Don't forget if you get lip sync issues (i.e. any audio delay) try disabling the phase correction/time alignment in the app - it should put the speaker into a low(er) latency mode
Great video! Now the only question everybody will ask is: How do they compare with Buchardt a700? Pretty much the same price range, completely different approach to build
I'd guess in both sound and form factor (practicality - it's not a generic fugly box with a backwards design concept that you have to protect and pamper as a bonus, easier to move) it would be KEF.
Can't wait to see part 2. Very cool looking and I'll bet they sounds amazing knowing KEF. I just worry about active speakers with 2nd party components (e.g.., amplifiers) not made by the speaker manufacturer that cost $6,999 + tax (about $7,500 total in the US... certainly not pocket change for most). Replacement parts for all in one components could be a serious issue. I sure hope the warranty is 10 years for long term keepers of audio equipment. Unfortunately, there's little long term history on KEF actives to date with the LS50W only being out 3-4 years at most.
Yeah to add onto those worries, KEF has been notoriously bad with electronics. They use chinese amps that self destruct generally just outside of the warranty period. I had 2 active KEF products, both broke around the 2 year mark (kc62 sub died within the year).. I don't trust them anymore. I would love to buy the LS6 though, but I know I'll be mad at myself again when they invariably stop working.
If you already have a good amp and dac, please try the LS50 Meta and a good subwoofer. This LS60 is packed with electronics. One small issue and you lose your whole audio system. This is a speaker set for design lovers (and also like good audio) who used to buy B&O etc. It’s not a set for audio lovers. They want a nice amp and a pair of real speakers, not a pair of electric car chargers in your living room. Said that, I believe that the LS60’s will find it’s way to the customers. They have enough to attract buyers with a filled wallet looking for a compromise to keep their wife and their ears happy.
Let's hope KEF haven't used the same cheap ass circuit board and caps they use in their subwoofer, otherwise these will be some expensive useless towers.
I mean juuust saying.... Hear me out! Yesss I know the ls60 is hella expensive 🫰🏼 but once you get them you don't need anything else such as a receiver, dac, amp or a streamer.... Those things can really raise the price extremely fast.... With just about any other setups you would really want get at least half that stuff in which you could easily spend just as much and have sooo much more clutter.... Something like this could cut most the accessories and cost "a lot of Ephesians on the could" yes you could make a system for wayyyyy less but I hope you can understand my point 😂 ps I don't have the money to spend on it either.... The cool thing about building a system is you can buy things and build as you go but with this you would need 5k in your hands right there.
The worry with expensive active systems is the failure of the electronics. I've had three sets of actives and in all three an amp module died outside of warranty. The fact that KEF warrants the speaker for five years but the electronics for two is a worry on a high-end, high price piece of kit.
Yep, they're essentially disposable kit unless the manufacturer commits to support them for at least a decade - ideally longer. Just had a 20-year old Krell amp serviced. Are these speakers going to be serviceable in 20 years or will they be landfill?
@@julianwarr7246 Ideally they should be built in a way that much manufacturer's support isn't even needed to repair them. Anyways, in 10 years nobody will care about these things anymore because the world of digital trends will have moved on and most of the fancy-shmancy here won't even be supported anymore. Very short sighted decision to buy such things which will depreciate so quickly in value.
same here. I had distortion show up after little over 2 year. I had a KEF dealer looking at it and even after 3 months of being in the repair queue I got them back with the same issue, so I think this is a real and biggest concern of any buyer of this product. The fact they don't address this better is a big problem to me
Audiophile type music? Surely what one is aiming for is a system which will reproduce as wide a range of music with the greatest fidelity possible? Or did you mean music recorded to be easiest to sound good for your system?
Darko puts googly eyes on his plants so he knows where he stands with them!🤣 (#Snl Christopher Walken/ indor gardening) btw exiting speakers, exitied about the sound review.
This one vs Buchardt A700! Same price, but I think Buchardt would mop the floor with these LS60s, it goes down to 17Hz they say. Can't wait for your review of A700, although I know you're not reviewing floorstanders but I still hope you will pick that one up from Mads.
Excellent video, like always John :-) One aspect which bothers me everytime I have to use a wireless system is the latency, especially when I use it through eARC (TV/Movie mode). I remember the Devialet Phantoms having huge issues in the beginning (with their DIALOG-element inbetween). How did KEF solve this for these Wireless systems? thx in advance ^_^
The two issues I have with the DSP wireless active speakers is latency and going to a 5.1 surround system. The "simple" solution is to only use active analogue speakers or a receiver and passive speakers. This many loose out on room correction and the gains made in getting more bass out of a smaller speaker. WiSA systems get around this (B&O Beolab 18. 28, 20, Buchardt A500 and A700 and a few others). Devialet in DOS2.x update have reduced the latency for remains a stereo solution. Whilst a 5.5 surround sound system is possible it is not just a case of getting 5 speakers and adjusting the app. Devialet also dropped the streaming features from the speaker needing the mobile phone to connect to them or using uPnP from a desktop. B&W Formation Bar, Bass and Flex (rear pair) don't have latency issues but you can't use the Duo for front left/right. For some wireless systems using Apple TV 4K or Chromcast and a TV provide means to adjust the latency. Not a solution for me as my screen is not a TV.
Hmm I,d hate to think what you,d go through to get something repaired or serviced in them. Wish they did a passive option so I could drive them with everything I already have.
Oh, such a tease in not giving us just a crumb on how they sound. I guess I'll have to wait. A comparison that would be really interesting and I think relevant for potential buyers, would be the Buchardt Audio A700. They both seem to fill a similar space in the market and are similarly priced. It would also be good to hear a proper opinion on the A700 as there is very little currently on the internet. Looking forward to hearing your views on how the LS60 sound.
I really like buchardt products since the WISA connectivity standard has more compatibility for home theatre and you can mix match products from different brands.
@Darko thank you so much for doing what you do! I have the same question I am so divided now I was about to buy the A700 but now these babies appeared ^^ let us know what u think
you absolutly need to have the Buchardt A700 in comparison ! Same spirit and flavour, about the same price, you already know Mads well so it's a very (very very) simple process for you. Indulge us, it will be huge.
@@geraldmcmullon2465 I do own the A700 walnut and I did have the ls50w among others speakers. The A700 are very very hard to beat when it comes to bass, quantity, quality in such a small footprint. Not as powerfull as a sb3000 I have in the TV corner but still very impressive (more than Kii tree for example). But they're not perfect, sadly, as any speaker/system
The issue i see with speakers like these is resale in years to come. When the apps are not longer supported. Or the electronics can not be sourced for replacement. They will not hold any value at all. In saying that would love to own a pair or at least see them at a friends place, just wont be parting with my hard earned for them.
I think this is the new direction of mainstream hifi so I imagine kef will always have at least one model that uses this technology, if not multiple. My best guess is all of the speakers would use the same app, since it's so expensive to design an app from scratch and support it over thousands of different phones/tablets.
can't wait for the part 2!! and hoping that there will be comparisons with Ls50 Wireless 2s + KC62 and with the LS50 Metas + KC62 with price relevant amplification.
If you want apples to apples and you're considering the LS50 meta, which would require an amplifier stage anyway, then the R5 would be a bit closer in terms of a tower that doesn't strictly need a subwoofer.
I was so lucky to have the possibility to listen to them already. I was really impressed by the over all package of them. It is a fully hifi system in a very nice package. And most important, they sound really nice. Unfortunately not really my budget. But should I win the lottery. These would be my choice.
Boy, that’s one ugly speaker / would never buy it / the speaker has to look good and sound good, or no deal - lots of choices… I own a few KEF speakers, but this one, no way!! Sorry my opinion…
Not only the remote looks a bit economical. Owning these speakers will envolve a lot of "explaining to others" why 6.500€ for a set that, lets be honest, matches the remote. Unless they sound well above their price.
KEF needs to stop making that claim that this is the "smallest Uni-Q driver that they've ever made", because it isn't. They've made 3" Uni-Q drivers for their KIT 510. Now, an accurate statement would be that this is the smallest Uni-Q driver of this generation. That is an accurate statement, as the previous tiny Uni-Q drivers were from seven or eight generations of Uni-Q driver ago.
Oh, I am so excited. Thanks for the Review, I love the soundtrack :) Regarding the speakers: I always ask myself how those speakers will work on a long term. I mean, they are so expensive, I would want to use them for at least what. 10, 15 years? But how will they stay up to date? What if there is a new standarf music streaming provider replacing spotify and tidal in 5 years. Will there be an update of will I be stuck to a shitty bluetooth connection at that point? Have not found really useful answers to that, wish they would have chosen the path of the higher Class NAD Amps with their exchangable digital module. Hope you maybe also talk about that on part two
Great video John, a very compelling product that's ease of use and utility must be off the charts. Always when I see something like this (all in one HiFi) I ask myself is there a pieced out component-based system at a similar or lesser price point to compare? Look forward to your analysis further along.
In terms of use case and price, the Buchardt A700 feels like a natural competitor to these. I like how slim these are though, but the Buchardt's wood veneers look great.
On a whim I tried the Giant Sand - Tucson based on your recommendation. Totally hooked. In fact listening to it as I write this. Thanks. Tidal-Roon-LuminU1mini-AudioResearchLS27-ParasoundA21-DynaudioS40-VelodyneDD12+. As usual loved the ls60 review. Waiting for the sound part of it. Hope you compare it with ls50meta+KC62.
If they would also master the art of making integrated amps that don't self destruct after their warranty period I would be a happy camper. I'll never buy an active KEF product again until I see some surviving for longer than 2 years.
PLEASE READ *before commenting*!
1) Got a question? Please ask it of the Darko.Audio RUclips community (and not me) as I'm off making the NEXT video
2) All comments here are moderated by a third party: instagram.com/p/CTWcokaszpW/
3) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome (but no URLs, racist/sexist remarks or conspiracy theories, please)
The wait's going to be agonising! Not that they're even available yet, but I'm immensely interested in these speakers.
The way John is teasing us before the ACTUAL review of these speakers is really the "Beginning of the End"... On the other hand, at least this title gives us - an otherwise predictable - sum up: if you are not into the hobby of buying, selling, playing with different set-ups, but looking for amazing (ultimate?) sound quality, services and aesthetics in one complete package: this might be the final destination.
🤗THANKS FOR YOUR MUSIC 🎶 SUGGESTIONS AND TAKING YOUR TIME REVIEWING THEM 🤔😍😍😍
🤗LISTENING AND PASSED IT ON TO OTHERS 🎶👍😍😍😁
Would love to hear your thoughts on these compared to a pair of LS50W II with KC62 Subs (which appears on the surface level to be a similar spec and priced comparison) Thanks!
Yes ! You read my mind!
LS50W2/KC62 combo is $4300 usd at full retail, while these LS60 are $7000 usd, almost a 70% increase.
@@maxwellgriffith Or $5800 usd with a pair of KC62s, which may be a better comparison.
yes same I using that current set up
Exactly! My guess is the LS60 might have a cleaner midrange since it's designed as a dedicated midrange speaker whereas the LS50s have been designed to cater to midbass as well if required as evidenced by the thicker rubber surrounds. The LS50WII with dual KC62 will definitely dig deeper but then again might be much more difficult to get a coherent and perfectly blended full range sound as the LS60s with their Single Apparent Source design. Ofcourse you get the option to add a subwoofer or two with the LS60s in the future, which will add more price since the LS60W is already $1500 more than the LS50WII + dual KC62 combo to begin with!
Excited to see Darko's followup 🥳
Fantastic first part review. I completely agree re the remote. I’m totally convinced that Bang and Olufsen have sold more TVs from handing the customer the remote than any actual picture differences compared with competitors. It exudes class and money. If you haven’t seen one just call in and have a look. It’s everything this one isn’t and it immediately reflects on the experience. These have all the makings of being great and I’m looking forward to part 2
Buchardt A700 as the comparator system pls…. No hurry but pls don’t make us wait too long….
Just brought a pair of LS50 speakers, and they are astonishing good sounding Speaker.
My goodness, these are some handsome speakers..
A glossy black color in these would be fire!!
Based on your test we got hold of a pair. Best speakers we have ever had. Then we have had some friende visitings us, and they went to the hifi-shop to buy a pair.
Great video! Thanks!
So, KEF is claiming SAS(Single Apparent Source) and Unicore. Were they really doing SAS before Devialet? Surely not before Gallo? KEF may be right in claiming Unicore per se, but not in claiming force cancelling woofers. Devialet have done this too, and B&W, so it’s not really a new design idea. Two woofers with the same chassis and overlapping coils may be new, but the rest has been done before.
Now. I have just sold off my Devialet Phantom Golds and replaced them with a pair of KEF LS60´s. I lived with the Phantoms for 4 years, and the one aspect I have missed the most is imaging. Now I know that I’ve missed detail too. The LS60´s deliver on an insane level, and I don’t regret the change for one second! Of all the speakers I’ve owned over the years, my previous favorite was Anthony Gallo Reference 3.5, but I think that might change soon.
Still look forward to your impressions part 2 though the share on this Giant Sand disc was most valuable enough. Damned good stuff John.
As an owner of B&W 802 srs2 Matrix speakers, a B&W Nautilus, and 2 Jaguar XKs , I am convinced that while "Designed in UK" is a great label, "Made in UK" is not. Craftsmanship and QC of the latter is now way behind Made in Japan, Taiwan or China...or even Vietnam.
The LS60W are made in China, in the same facility that produce the entire range of KEF speakers other than Reference, Blade, and Muon.
You do such a great job with these reviews. Always thorough, always thoughtful.
I have begun taking your advice and calling out reviewers who do “comparisons” without having the product on-hand to A/B them. In fact just did it yesterday with an unnamed reviewer comparing the Buchardt S400 Mk2 to the original. He touted the Mk2 as a “unicorn” and miles better than the original. When I asked how he could make such definitive statements without having the Mk1 on hand, he said; “easy, the differences are not subtle”. Sigh 😞
Keep up the great work!
Greetings from the beautiful Emerald Coast of northwest FL! Watched all videos comparing KEF LS60s & BUCHARDT A700's! So torn between the two! Decisions, decisions! Which one do you miss the most?
Wait, what?
EACH driver in EACH speaker has its own DAC and Amp?
So, 6 DACs and 6 amps in total.
Some key observations:
1: The uni-Q in the LS-60 is SMALLER than the uni-Q in the LS-50
2: The slender config + close placement to the wall is a HUGE feature.
I very seldom agree with your taste in music John but Giant Sand -Tucson is my cup of tea. What a gem for music lovers like us. I guess I’ll stay subscribed to your channel & pay attention to future music recommendations as well as gear. Thanks mate!
As a recent procurer of the ls50wii i too would love to hear a comparison with the kc62…I’m tempted to to return and spend on these bad boys if there’s a big difference
love how they look! I own a pair of -much more modest KEF- and I love the sound!
I showed my wife a photo of these and straight away she said " get them". Then I told her the price. They are beautiful and have all my connection bases covered. Maybe someday
Maybe she was just bored of you showing her speaker pictures... :-)
I will get either these or the new dynaudio focus 50.
Any chance you will get your hands on them in the future?! I would love to see them both in a comparison.
Newest gen of high end active streaming speakers ❤️
are you going to review the cd11 tribute?
Compare them to the Sibelius CG ?
😌 *goes into hibernation until part II* 😌
Cool to see Fontaines in there
are they goin to make a passive for these in the future
Isn't kef subwoofer copying the idea of devialet?
Wonder if one can build a surround sound system with these and the ls50 wireless 2. not that I am planning to do that
Pleeeease compare them to buchardts a700. There are NO reviews of them online whatsoever. Thanks!!
Lotta money for tiny drivers that din't defy the laws of physics. You can't move that much air with a small surface.
Really REALLY appreciate the value you place in side by side comparison.
Idea - Going forward with all the mega super streaming integrated amplifier reviews, comparing external components with the included integrated ones would be A) painful for you, but B) very helpful for us - particularly with things like phono stages, just to gauge the component quality in a similar objective-ish way.
dont know about the hype but visually, i think they are a bit ugly and boring looking, at least from videos and photos...have seen LS50s mounted on Solidsteel stands and look much more interesting in my eyes compared to LS60 towers, bet that lot of people might appreciate them as minimal designed products but i think LS60s are more on the atonal side of the "minimal" territory...
Sold my Ayon audio tube amp, turntable and the rest of analogue gear 2 years ago as 4-year old twins running around in the house wasn’t a great combo. Waited patiently for a replacement that is more child proof but still up to standards. I think I’m rewarded for my patience. Thx KEF!
These are not child proof since there are no grilles on any of the drivers. These drivers are VERY sensitive to any kind of impacts. Don’t ask me how I know :)
With all those exposed drivers?! 😬
The Kef LS60’s are Not child friendly at all.
10k AUD on a speaker with integrated amp and app integration… you would have to be nuts to buy such garbage ewaste. I see enough LS50s on Facebook alone with amp failures…
Don't forget if you get lip sync issues (i.e. any audio delay) try disabling the phase correction/time alignment in the app - it should put the speaker into a low(er) latency mode
Sure souds magnificent... but 6600€ is a bit expensive for me... (and I don't need 1400W (btw: are RMS?))
Very curious how these compare to the LS50W2 + kc62 combo.
A dual KC62 combo would be appropriate.
Interesting question. I would like that Review too.
Great video!
Now the only question everybody will ask is: How do they compare with Buchardt a700? Pretty much the same price range, completely different approach to build
Yes, I'd like to see that video comparison, as well as review alone of the A700
I'd guess in both sound and form factor (practicality - it's not a generic fugly box with a backwards design concept that you have to protect and pamper as a bonus, easier to move) it would be KEF.
I think the a700 is definitely the closest competitor to these. I’m sure both of them sound amazing.
Can't wait to see part 2. Very cool looking and I'll bet they sounds amazing knowing KEF. I just worry about active speakers with 2nd party components (e.g.., amplifiers) not made by the speaker manufacturer that cost $6,999 + tax (about $7,500 total in the US... certainly not pocket change for most). Replacement parts for all in one components could be a serious issue. I sure hope the warranty is 10 years for long term keepers of audio equipment. Unfortunately, there's little long term history on KEF actives to date with the LS50W only being out 3-4 years at most.
Yeah to add onto those worries, KEF has been notoriously bad with electronics. They use chinese amps that self destruct generally just outside of the warranty period. I had 2 active KEF products, both broke around the 2 year mark (kc62 sub died within the year).. I don't trust them anymore. I would love to buy the LS6 though, but I know I'll be mad at myself again when they invariably stop working.
If you already have a good amp and dac, please try the LS50 Meta and a good subwoofer. This LS60 is packed with electronics. One small issue and you lose your whole audio system. This is a speaker set for design lovers (and also like good audio) who used to buy B&O etc. It’s not a set for audio lovers. They want a nice amp and a pair of real speakers, not a pair of electric car chargers in your living room. Said that, I believe that the LS60’s will find it’s way to the customers. They have enough to attract buyers with a filled wallet looking for a compromise to keep their wife and their ears happy.
Let's hope KEF haven't used the same cheap ass circuit board and caps they use in their subwoofer, otherwise these will be some expensive useless towers.
I can’t afford any of the gear here but I never miss an upload.
I mean juuust saying.... Hear me out! Yesss I know the ls60 is hella expensive 🫰🏼 but once you get them you don't need anything else such as a receiver, dac, amp or a streamer.... Those things can really raise the price extremely fast.... With just about any other setups you would really want get at least half that stuff in which you could easily spend just as much and have sooo much more clutter.... Something like this could cut most the accessories and cost "a lot of Ephesians on the could" yes you could make a system for wayyyyy less but I hope you can understand my point 😂 ps I don't have the money to spend on it either.... The cool thing about building a system is you can buy things and build as you go but with this you would need 5k in your hands right there.
Compare Buchardt A700
The worry with expensive active systems is the failure of the electronics. I've had three sets of actives and in all three an amp module died outside of warranty. The fact that KEF warrants the speaker for five years but the electronics for two is a worry on a high-end, high price piece of kit.
Yep, they're essentially disposable kit unless the manufacturer commits to support them for at least a decade - ideally longer. Just had a 20-year old Krell amp serviced. Are these speakers going to be serviceable in 20 years or will they be landfill?
@@julianwarr7246
Ideally they should be built in a way that much manufacturer's support isn't even needed to repair them.
Anyways, in 10 years nobody will care about these things anymore because the world of digital trends will have moved on and most of the fancy-shmancy here won't even be supported anymore. Very short sighted decision to buy such things which will depreciate so quickly in value.
It’s not just amp failures but also app and software support…But yes I wouldn’t trust the amps either… they will fail its just a matter of when…
@@westelaudio943 I think this is how kii and D&D do it, they send you or the dealer a module you can just swap in or out
same here. I had distortion show up after little over 2 year. I had a KEF dealer looking at it and even after 3 months of being in the repair queue I got them back with the same issue, so I think this is a real and biggest concern of any buyer of this product. The fact they don't address this better is a big problem to me
Somehow I can't see a mainstream customer buying 6000 dollar speakers :D
Audiophile type music? Surely what one is aiming for is a system which will reproduce as wide a range of music with the greatest fidelity possible? Or did you mean music recorded to be easiest to sound good for your system?
Probably a good speaker, but gee.. It's tiny... Doesn't look right to me..
Compare the LS60 to the LS50 wireless 2 with a KC62 sub.
Darko puts googly eyes on his plants so he knows where he stands with them!🤣 (#Snl Christopher Walken/ indor gardening) btw exiting speakers, exitied about the sound review.
This one vs Buchardt A700! Same price, but I think Buchardt would mop the floor with these LS60s, it goes down to 17Hz they say. Can't wait for your review of A700, although I know you're not reviewing floorstanders but I still hope you will pick that one up from Mads.
Excellent video, like always John :-) One aspect which bothers me everytime I have to use a wireless system is the latency, especially when I use it through eARC (TV/Movie mode). I remember the Devialet Phantoms having huge issues in the beginning (with their DIALOG-element inbetween). How did KEF solve this for these Wireless systems? thx in advance ^_^
The two issues I have with the DSP wireless active speakers is latency and going to a 5.1 surround system. The "simple" solution is to only use active analogue speakers or a receiver and passive speakers. This many loose out on room correction and the gains made in getting more bass out of a smaller speaker. WiSA systems get around this (B&O Beolab 18. 28, 20, Buchardt A500 and A700 and a few others).
Devialet in DOS2.x update have reduced the latency for remains a stereo solution. Whilst a 5.5 surround sound system is possible it is not just a case of getting 5 speakers and adjusting the app. Devialet also dropped the streaming features from the speaker needing the mobile phone to connect to them or using uPnP from a desktop.
B&W Formation Bar, Bass and Flex (rear pair) don't have latency issues but you can't use the Duo for front left/right.
For some wireless systems using Apple TV 4K or Chromcast and a TV provide means to adjust the latency. Not a solution for me as my screen is not a TV.
Can you please always start with an album recommendation
It would be interesting to see a comparison with the new Dynaudio Focus active wireless speakers launched at the Munich High End show.
Hmm I,d hate to think what you,d go through to get something repaired or serviced in them. Wish they did a passive option so I could drive them with everything I already have.
Wear your mask outside more please 🙏🏾
Even if it is a dumb comparison, please let us know your thoughts on LS60W vs LS50W2 + kc62
A700 comparison?
Oh, such a tease in not giving us just a crumb on how they sound. I guess I'll have to wait. A comparison that would be really interesting and I think relevant for potential buyers, would be the Buchardt Audio A700. They both seem to fill a similar space in the market and are similarly priced. It would also be good to hear a proper opinion on the A700 as there is very little currently on the internet. Looking forward to hearing your views on how the LS60 sound.
I really like buchardt products since the WISA connectivity standard has more compatibility for home theatre and you can mix match products from different brands.
@Darko thank you so much for doing what you do!
I have the same question I am so divided now I was about to buy the A700 but now these babies appeared ^^ let us know what u think
you absolutly need to have the Buchardt A700 in comparison ! Same spirit and flavour, about the same price, you already know Mads well so it's a very (very very) simple process for you. Indulge us, it will be huge.
Mads, not Mad...
Buchardt A700 down to 17Hz. WiSA, no latency. The price is lower than systems they might be compared with.
@@sonnyhenriksen9398 absolutly
@@geraldmcmullon2465 I do own the A700 walnut and I did have the ls50w among others speakers. The A700 are very very hard to beat when it comes to bass, quantity, quality in such a small footprint. Not as powerfull as a sb3000 I have in the TV corner but still very impressive (more than Kii tree for example). But they're not perfect, sadly, as any speaker/system
Yeah! Same thought! Buchardt would be better I think
Wonder if he'll make use of the sub outs and integrate a KC62 ....
The issue i see with speakers like these is resale in years to come. When the apps are not longer supported. Or the electronics can not be sourced for replacement. They will not hold any value at all. In saying that would love to own a pair or at least see them at a friends place, just wont be parting with my hard earned for them.
I think this is the new direction of mainstream hifi so I imagine kef will always have at least one model that uses this technology, if not multiple. My best guess is all of the speakers would use the same app, since it's so expensive to design an app from scratch and support it over thousands of different phones/tablets.
Thanks for covering full sized speakers.
can't wait for the part 2!! and hoping that there will be comparisons with Ls50 Wireless 2s + KC62 and with the LS50 Metas + KC62 with price relevant amplification.
If you want apples to apples and you're considering the LS50 meta, which would require an amplifier stage anyway, then the R5 would be a bit closer in terms of a tower that doesn't strictly need a subwoofer.
Is there a part 2? I can't find it
Just bought demo KEF reference 3. Wow wow and thrice wow.
Hi John, I would be very curious to see the results of a comparison between the LS60 wireless and a Lyngdorf 1120 with LS50 + KC62. Thanks in advance.
Aside from the subjects, themselves, man - your reviews are a work of art, sincerely. 👍🏽
I wonder what LS will be compared to this, since the LS60 is quite unique.
Buchardt A700
Buchardt A700's maybe
I guess the only thing you can compare it with is a system in its price range.
Looking forward to part 2
Please KEF, release the LS60 in the colour shown at 3:18.
I was so lucky to have the possibility to listen to them already. I was really impressed by the over all package of them. It is a fully hifi system in a very nice package. And most important, they sound really nice. Unfortunately not really my budget. But should I win the lottery. These would be my choice.
Boy, that’s one ugly speaker / would never buy it / the speaker has to look good and sound good, or no deal - lots of choices… I own a few KEF speakers, but this one, no way!! Sorry my opinion…
Having DSP this speakers would be perfect using room correction like Dirac Live
Not only the remote looks a bit economical.
Owning these speakers will envolve a lot of "explaining to others" why 6.500€ for a set that, lets be honest, matches the remote.
Unless they sound well above their price.
Best reviewer of the world :-)
KEF needs to stop making that claim that this is the "smallest Uni-Q driver that they've ever made", because it isn't. They've made 3" Uni-Q drivers for their KIT 510. Now, an accurate statement would be that this is the smallest Uni-Q driver of this generation. That is an accurate statement, as the previous tiny Uni-Q drivers were from seven or eight generations of Uni-Q driver ago.
Oh, I am so excited. Thanks for the Review, I love the soundtrack :)
Regarding the speakers: I always ask myself how those speakers will work on a long term. I mean, they are so expensive, I would want to use them for at least what. 10, 15 years? But how will they stay up to date? What if there is a new standarf music streaming provider replacing spotify and tidal in 5 years. Will there be an update of will I be stuck to a shitty bluetooth connection at that point? Have not found really useful answers to that, wish they would have chosen the path of the higher Class NAD Amps with their exchangable digital module. Hope you maybe also talk about that on part two
It would be interesting in my view to compare the LS60 to the Dynaudio focus 30 which are also brandnew.
I would like to see a more interesting comparison between the Kef LS60 and Buchardt A700 from you, since they cost almost the same price
Really poor by Kef that launch price is increased by €500 in 3 months I guess because of demand, was seriously looking at them not any more!
$7k in the US. It's a lifestyle product like B&O of yore. I bet they sound great, but you're not paying $$$ for the sound.
What's the comparison system, you'd be using?
Great video John, a very compelling product that's ease of use and utility must be off the charts. Always when I see something like this (all in one HiFi) I ask myself is there a pieced out component-based system at a similar or lesser price point to compare? Look forward to your analysis further along.
I dont like the slim design, for 6.5k euros, visually, I need more speakers than these lamp posts.
If the software is not further maintained, the speakers are e-waste. I wouldn't buy anything like that.
ATC SCM19A is the first comparison that sprung to my mind, purely based on well known active speaker at similar price
Small med driver is better for (inherent) faster med and less resonance.
Children of the Bong from Planet Dog??? OLD SCHOOL!!!
re: Giant Sand. Are you aware of The Jayhawks? Thanks for pointing the group out.
Really ugly speakers. They’d better sound amazing.
Fantastic, love your plan John :)
Where is the part 2 of the review for this speakers ? It has been over a month plus kef have also announced the new Kef LSX II.
In terms of use case and price, the Buchardt A700 feels like a natural competitor to these. I like how slim these are though, but the Buchardt's wood veneers look great.
This is the comparison that I am hoping for!
Aaah yeah I would die for A to Be comparison by John!!!
Same. Haven't come across many reviews/comparisons of A700.
30 40 euros expensive haha! When you collect hip hop in the UK, those prices are normal!
Please compare these against LS50W2 + KC62
What does the title mean? "the BEGINNING of the END" sounds so ominous
I can't decide if they are incredibly beautiful or incredibly ugly. Leaning towards the latter atm, but they're growing on me!
On a whim I tried the Giant Sand - Tucson based on your recommendation. Totally hooked. In fact listening to it as I write this. Thanks. Tidal-Roon-LuminU1mini-AudioResearchLS27-ParasoundA21-DynaudioS40-VelodyneDD12+.
As usual loved the ls60 review. Waiting for the sound part of it. Hope you compare it with ls50meta+KC62.
Seems like KEF mastered the art of the WAF. They look really nice.
If they would also master the art of making integrated amps that don't self destruct after their warranty period I would be a happy camper. I'll never buy an active KEF product again until I see some surviving for longer than 2 years.
Please compare against the LS50ii and KC62