KEF LSX II Wireless Speaker Review
The KEF LSX, introduced in 2018, was marketed as a more affordable option for audiophiles seeking the high-quality sound of the LS50 Wireless. Both the LS50 Wireless and LSX have been successful in the market. Building on this success, KEF has decided to revamp its wireless digital speaker series, including updates to the LS50 Wireless. In addition to these changes, the KEF LSX II has also undergone functional optimizations to enhance the user experience.
And in this post, let’s review the latest KEF LSX II wireless speaker.
Design
The KEF LSX II is a compact and attractive speaker that has a design inspired by the LS50, which was released by KEF on its 50th anniversary. The LS50 has a simple, symmetrical shape thanks to its use of the iconic Uni-Q coaxial monoblock.
The LSX II is slightly smaller than the LS50, making it more compact and visually appealing. While the exterior of the KEF LSX II looks the same as the previous model, its interior is similar to the original LSX. To potentially save costs, the LSX II uses the original 11th generation Uni-Q coaxial copoint unit instead of the latest 12th generation.
However, the LSX II is equipped with a high-performance DSP chip called the Music Integrity Engine, which helps optimize the performance of the Uni-Q coaxial copoint unit. This ensures that different sounds are broadcast at the same point in time, resulting in a clearer and more precise sound experience and enhanced three-dimensional sound field.
The power amplifier design of the KEF LSX II speaker remains unchanged from the previous generation, with a 30W Class D amplifier driving the tweeter and a 70W Class D amplifier driving the mid-woofer. These features combine to deliver exceptional sound quality and performance, making the KEF LSX II a standout choice for audiophiles.
KEF’s LSX speaker is highly recommended due to the usage of the company’s iconic Uni-Q technology. This technology allows the speaker’s sound-generating units to be aligned on the same axis and vibrate in unison, resulting in a sound that is dispersed uniformly throughout the speaker rather than being directional. This is a post from HiFiReport.com.
In contrast, traditional speakers often have a certain directionality of sound, meaning that the sound is emitted primarily from the front of the speaker. This can limit the ability to fully experience a stereo sound field, as the optimal listening position is often at the intersection of the two speakers.
The LSX speaker also boasts a luxurious design, with its sides wrapped in a layer of velvet from the renowned Danish textile design company Kvadrat. This adds a sense of homeliness to the speaker, despite its advanced digital capabilities. The velvet is available in a sleek combination of gray and black.
Connection and Setting
In terms of connectivity, the KEF LSX II offers a range of traditional and modern interfaces for easy connection to various sources in the home.
The LSX II offers a range of input options, including traditional options like the OPT optical interface and the AUX interface, which can be used for TV and computer input, as well as for phone input via the AUX interface. The LSX II also features a relatively new HDMI interface, which is compatible with the ARC/eARC output on most modern TVs.
The LSX II also has a USB Type-C interface, which is a less common option but is still highly useful, especially when used as desktop speakers, as it can be easily connected to a computer via the USB port.
In terms of expandability, the LSX II has a SUB interface for linking to a subwoofer, which is not commonly used by most ordinary users. It also has a TO P/S interface for a wired connection between the left and right speakers, though this is not necessary if you are using the LSX II’s automatic wireless pairing feature. The LSX II also has an RJ-45 network cable interface, which can be used for wired networking.
Overall, the KEF LSX II wireless speaker offers a range of input options that make it easy to connect to a variety of devices in your home, including analog audio devices, set-top boxes, game consoles, computers, streaming turntables, and TVs. The most convenient feature is probably the HDMI interface, which has an ARC sound return function, allowing the sound from your TV to be played back through the LSX II rather than relying on the weak sound of the TV itself.
The LSX II also has a subwoofer output jack for connecting to an external active subwoofer to boost the low-frequency performance. Overall, the LSX II offers a high level of expandability and is extremely easy to use, even for those who are not beginners.
In terms of streaming and control, the LSX II offers a range of options. It is compatible with AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Roon Ready, UPnP, and more. It also supports a wide range of streaming services, including Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer, internet radio, and podcasts. In addition, the LSX II is equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, allowing you to easily play music from your phone using the KEF Connect app.
The LSX II’s versatility and ease of use make it a great choice for a wide range of audio setups. Whether you’re looking to connect to your TV, computer, or phone, the LSX II has you covered. Its expandability options and compatibility with various streaming services make it a convenient and powerful speaker system for any home.
One of the standout features of the KEF LSX II is its wireless capabilities. The speaker is equipped with the latest W2 wireless platform, which allows both speakers to be easily connected wirelessly using either a 2.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi connection. However, if you prefer a wired connection or if the wireless network at your location is not stable, the LSX II also has an RJ-45 network cable interface for wired networking.
The LSX II also boasts a powerful DSP processor that supports high-quality audio playback, including up to 24bit/384kHz PCM and DSD, as well as MQA decoding. This makes it a great choice for audiophiles looking for top-quality sound. Overall, the LSX II’s combination of wireless connectivity and advanced audio processing make it a versatile and convenient choice for home audio systems.
The KEF Connect app allows you to easily control the LSX II, including playback, remote control, and settings. A key feature of the app is the EQ setting, which adjusts the speaker’s placement and space conditions rather than traditional band equalization. The app offers two modes for EQ parameter adjustment: “General” and “Expert.”
The “General” mode provides simple options for adjusting the size of the space where the speaker is placed and the speaker’s placement. These basic parameters allow the speaker to optimize its sound based on your specific settings. Even if you don’t want to get too technical, it’s still recommended to use the “General” mode to get the best listening experience in your environment.
The “Expert” mode offers more detailed professional settings, such as “Treble Trim” and “Subwoofer Gain.” If you have an external subwoofer, you can also manage the low frequency through the app. Overall, the KEF Connect app is a simple and convenient way to fine-tune your LSX II’s sound. This is a post from HiFiReport.com.
Sound Performance
I placed the KEF LSX II speaker on a speaker stand in the center of the room and adjusted the EQ to match the acoustics of the space. The LSX II can be connected wirelessly or via a network cable. In my experience, the sound quality is not significantly different between wireless and wired connections, as long as the transmission quality is good. However, using an audio-grade network switch may improve the sound quality.
One helpful feature of the KEF Connect app is the “speaker connection test.” If you encounter any issues with the stream, such as interruptions or poor sound quality, you can use this feature to test the connection and see if there is a problem with the network.
When I first listened to music files on my NAS through the LSX II, I was immediately impressed by the clarity and precision of the coaxial monoblock speakers. The audio and video contours were sharp, the sound lines were cohesive and tight, and the imaging was precise and three-dimensional.
When playing pop or jazz songs with vocals, the singer’s voice was clearly distinguishable from the backing instruments and had a strong sense of positioning. The LSX II comes with a convenient remote control, which makes it easy to adjust the volume.
As soon as the sound was turned on, I noticed a significant improvement in the overall quality. The background noise was much cleaner, the tone was more transparent and pure, and the sound was larger and fuller, with a warm texture.
I was particularly impressed by LSX II’s performance with solo piano music. The piano had a rich, lustrous sound that brought out the beautiful, airy texture. The body of the instrument had a satisfyingly large and natural scale, with a clear shape and a good sense of imaging.
The spatial reverberation was rich and well-defined, making the listening experience feel more alive. The LSX II also had a good upper and lower extension, with a performance that exceeded the volume of the speakers.
One song that really showcases the LSX II’s capabilities is “1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins. The intro starts with just drums and guitar strums, no bass, and the overall sound is full and balanced, with the highs not being too loud or sharp.
Another example is Eric Clapton’s “Worried Life Blues” from the “24 Nights” album. The bass line is long and the low frequencies are important for the big drum stomp, and the LSX II delivers clear and accurate bass. The electric guitar solos in the latter part of the album are also excellent, with the right amount of moisture in the tone, making it very enjoyable to listen to.
Conclusion
The KEF LSX II wireless speaker is a versatile stereo system that is well-suited for the increasing diversity of audio and video entertainment sources. It has full streaming capabilities and can accept a variety of input sources.
Not only does it meet the needs for streaming, DAC, power output, and playback, but it can also replace the speakers and soundbar of a TV, allowing for improved listening quality when watching TV shows, sports, and internet audio and video content.
If you are particular about sound quality and want to improve upon it, we recommend adding a higher-quality source, either digital or analog, to the LSX II. This will give you a surprisingly good performance.
