KEF LS50 Wireles Review

RDSC, now you are exaggerating, it is only the 4th [emoji41].


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
The LS50 wireless speakers arrived yesterday. They generally sound excellent. I think they need a break in period. The one disappointing aspect is that as of yet, one cannot stream Tidal from an iPhone or iPad wirelessly over AirPlay; only over Bluetooth which still sounds great. You can stream local files on your phone or iPad via WIFI. I called Kef tech support and they hope to add Tidal integration with software updates once licensing arrangements are implemented. The guy at Kef thinks the Bluetooth aptx codec sounds as good as AirPlay/WIFI streaming. I'm sure some audiophiles will differ but Bluetooth streaming sounds pretty good to me with these speakers. Finally, using my laptop Tidal app via the PC connection, the MQA files sound fantastic, unfolding once and streaming either at 88.2 or 96.

It is is a shame the speakers need to be connected by cable as it detracts from the wireless functionality/appearance, unless the speakers are sitting on a credenza where the cable can be hidden.
 
RDSChicago said:
The LS50 wireless speakers arrived yesterday. They generally sound excellent. I think they need a break in period. The one disappointing aspect is that as of yet, one cannot stream Tidal from an iPhone or iPad wirelessly over AirPlay; only over Bluetooth which still sounds great. You can stream local files on your phone or iPad via WIFI. I called Kef tech support and they hope to add Tidal integration with software updates once licensing arrangements are implemented. The guy at Kef thinks the Bluetooth aptx codec sounds as good as AirPlay/WIFI streaming. I'm sure some audiophiles will differ but Bluetooth streaming sounds pretty good to me with these speakers. Finally, using my laptop Tidal app via the PC connection, the MQA files sound fantastic, unfolding once and streaming either at 88.2 or 96.

It is is a shame the speakers need to be connected by cable as it detracts from the wireless functionality/appearance, unless the speakers are sitting on a credenza where the cable can be hidden.
Click to expand...
Maybe you can run the cable in the innards of the stands and then flat on the ground between the stands? Carpet/rug to cover it?
 
Hi Norman,

The stands aren't yet available in the States. It would be great if they have wire management capability as you suggested!

wisnon said:
Maybe you can ru. the cable in the u=innards of the stands and then flat on the ground between the stands? Carpet/rug to cover it?
Click to expand...
 
RDSChicago said:
Hi Norman,

The stands aren't yet available in the States. It would be great if they have wire management capability as you suggested!
Click to expand...

My demo was with the stands here in Switz.

In any case, i was talking about suitable generic stands like I have that can accept cables inside the column and haide the worst bits...

I know you are loving 'em!
 
Does anyone know how long the CAT6 cable is that ties the two speakers together? Could I purchase an off the shelf CAT6 cable, say 15 foot to have a little more width to work with? I would like to put a pair of these in my living room.

~Mike
 
RDSChicago said:
I believe it is 9 feet. Here is a very helpful file of FAQ's provided to me last week by Kef Technical Support. I am enjoying the speakers immensely:

https://file.ac/CHfbDjTEvU8/
Click to expand...

Thank you RDSChicago. Just curious what color you purchased? I have two black subs that could be used sometime in the future if needed but I am leaning toward the White enclosures. It is great to hear you are impressed with the sound of yours.

~Mike
 
I chose white. I think all the colors look great, but being a diplomat, I asked my wife which color she found least objectionable, knowing she doesn't like (putting it mildly) any audio equipment I acquire, her viewpoint being that all speakers should be built into the wall and all electronics hidden away in closets. Her answer was white, so white it was!

As to the sound, I am anxious to see the reviews on the speaker. There haven't been very many thus far, although Darko from Digital Audio Revolution named them his product of the year for 2016.
 
I see your home situation is the same as mine. I already have 4 pair of speakers in my sound room in the basement but not anywhere else in our home. The first comment will be, why do you need another pair? So like your wife's choice, white is the most unobjectionable. But I am going to surprise her. How does that saying go... " It's Better to Beg For Forgiveness that to Ask for Permission". And like you pointed out, I don't need a lot of audio gear in the room. I was leaning toward a Naim muso until I ran across the Kef LS50. No comparison in the sound.

~Mike
 
Mike, I laughed out loud when I read your post. Your wife must be talking to mine. I too can't have any systems above ground level. How pathetic that I put up with this!!! But being a divorce lawyer, the old adage, "cheaper to keep 'er," applies in spades. (Please don't share this post with my wife!). So my lower level is filled with a dedicated home theater, several tube and solid state amps, and at least six pairs of excellent speakers. This is in addition to another area, sub-level, of courser, where I listen to my Linkwitz Orion setup with eight channels of Pass Labs amplification driving them. Being limited to the location in the house where I can keep my audio stuff is kind of like the forbidden fruit, if you know what I mean. If my wife let me have a system above the basement level, I'd probably have a fewer number of systems.

The Kef's do sound great and it is so nice to now have to deal with external amplification and DAC's to drive them. If the integrated stands coming out next month do a good job of hiding the cable and power cords, I just might sneak the Kef system upstairs to see if I can get away with it (doubtful).
 
Mgard said:
Does anyone know how long the CAT6 cable is that ties the two speakers together? Could I purchase an off the shelf CAT6 cable, say 15 foot to have a little more width to work with? I would like to put a pair of these in my living room.

~Mike
Click to expand...

I don't have a pair in front of me to measure, but I do believe that RDSChicago is right on the 9' length (that seems about right). I've not asked KEF if the speakers can support a longer a CAT cable, but don't see why there would be any issues there if you need it longer.

They are fun speakers for sure!! Already sold several pairs of them.
 
I can totally sympathize with you. And by the way you named off some sweet audio equipment that you have strategically located at your home. Yes I believe the matching stands will complete the package. Your wife will fall in love with them. ~Mike
 
Sheltie1, thank you for your post. I missed it earlier as I was huddled in the bathroom sending my last post. Gotta keep these new speakers a surprise! I already have the couch picked out I will be sleeping on after they arrive. Just kidding... I hope. I have a bay window and I would like to put them on either side. It may be around 10 foot across . I can pull the drapes to hide the glass if needed. I think glass behind speakers are a no no.

~Mike
 
With the new administration all of my purchases would be held up at the US airport and sent back to their country of origin. :audiophile::audiophile::mad::mad:
 
Kef tech support got back with me on the cable length between speakers.

Hello Mike, we have tested the speakers with a 30 foot cat6 cable and had no issues. You should be absolutely fine with 20 feet.Best,
Technical Services
 
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