Like everything about these apart from the price!
The smaller / cheaper LSX have been on my radar for a while. The bigger soundstage and the additional HDMI eArc make these a much more attractive offer, however can't justify the price.
Do they offer any form of magnetic grills for these to make them child proof?
There's now going to be a lot of great deals on the outgoing LS50 wireless, so I'd look at those over the LSX.
I don’t think they’ve got airplay? That’s a deal breaker for me
With the KEF Connect app, the front end streaming service allows connection to Tidal, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer, Internet Radio stations and podcasts. And you can stream directly from the native app with Spotify Connect. Streaming music files up to 24bit/384kHz is supported as well as support for MQA Decoding and Hi-Res DSD256 audio playback. The range of compatible wireless platforms includes AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast which seamlessly connects to compatible Apple or Android devices, and Bluetooth is included too.
I can’t help feeling for those who stumped up £2k for the original KEF LS50 wireless, with many users reporting a very glitchy app, only to find that the LS50II has a new sorted app...that’s not backward compatible. Really KEF? So you’re saying that even though the mark 1’s have a rear input clearly marked ‘service’, that you’re not going to permit buyers to use this facility to upgrade the firmware to use the new app on the older speakers? I would imagine that’s what buyers thought that input would be for, wouldn’t you?
As much as I like the idea of a simple ‘sleeper’ active speaker system with everything, including the streamer built in, this lack of support over time totally makes me more convinced that separates are the way to go.
Compare the (I would imagine let down and possibly disgruntled) experience of a LS50 wireless mark 1 purchaser, with someone who bought the passives with a separate amp and streamer. OK, for the meta materials improvement, they might feel they want to upgrade the speakers, but at least they’re not ditching a £2k system to do so.
Active systems like this do seem attractive...in the short term. But it’s precisely this lack of app support from manufacturers that’s a real turn-off for me, and would make me very wary indeed before stumping up the £2.2k for the Wireless mark 2’s.
By the accounts of reviewers (check out John Darko’s YouTube review), the new all-in-one app is a much slicker experience. But how long will it be supported for, considering the experience of those who purchased the mark 1’s?
KEF’s approach seems the opposite of NAD’s commendable view of backward compatibility in the form of their MDC slots - so users can add new inputs, firmware or even new streamers, into the back of their older systems.
or not if the legacy hardware cannot support the new software as has happened to other manufacturers products - do you have inside information or are you just guessing?Keep in mind that although the new app is not compatible with the LS50W today, it may be tomorrow, or the original app could benefit from the programming in the new app and receive an update.
or not if the legacy hardware cannot support the new software as has happened to other manufacturers products - do you have inside information or are you just guessing?
I can’t help feeling for those who stumped up £2k for the original KEF LS50 wireless, with many users reporting a very glitchy app, only to find that the LS50II has a new sorted app...that’s not backward compatible. Really KEF? So you’re saying that even though the mark 1’s have a rear input clearly marked ‘service’, that you’re not going to permit buyers to use this facility to upgrade the firmware to use the new app on the older speakers? I would imagine that’s what buyers thought that input would be for, wouldn’t you?
As much as I like the idea of a simple ‘sleeper’ active speaker system with everything, including the streamer built in, this lack of support over time totally makes me more convinced that separates are the way to go.
Compare the (I would imagine let down and possibly disgruntled) experience of a LS50 wireless mark 1 purchaser, with someone who bought the passives with a separate amp and streamer. OK, for the meta materials improvement, they might feel they want to upgrade the speakers, but at least they’re not ditching a £2k system to do so.
Active systems like this do seem attractive...in the short term. But it’s precisely this lack of app support from manufacturers that’s a real turn-off for me, and would make me very wary indeed before stumping up the £2.2k for the Wireless mark 2’s.
By the accounts of reviewers (check out John Darko’s YouTube review), the new all-in-one app is a much slicker experience. But how long will it be supported for, considering the experience of those who purchased the mark 1’s?
KEF’s approach seems the opposite of NAD’s commendable view of backward compatibility in the form of their MDC slots - so users can add new inputs, firmware or even new streamers, into the back of their older systems.
I have to agree. I’d be bloody peeved if I’d bought the originals.
I would expect the new app to be compatible. If that was absolutely impossible, I’d want to know why, and I’d still expect them to fix the original app up to realistic spec.
However, much as I like the idea of all in one actives, this is the reason I’ll forever stick with actives that are just that, simply speakers.
An external pre/dac/streamer is still the way to go.
Fair point. Something like a Bluesound/NAD / Cambridge or Yamaha streamer / pre-amp with Acoustic Energy's AE1 actives seems a much longer-term proposition. (Or insert your favoured actives there). Really the speakers and amp should last until it physically breaks, which should provide many years of service.
But if the streamer/pre-amp becomes outdated (which is less likely to if from Bluesound/NAD or Yamaha), then at least that's all you need to upgrade. Not quite so painful than a £2k system that's out of date in a few years.
Good speakers and good amps should last decades (whether active or not), but I can't see streamers having that kind of longevity.
Having said all the gripes about the KEF LS50 Wireless (mainly the lack of support of the mark 1's than the 2's as such), I do like the inclusion of HDMI on the new model: that makes a lot of sense.
Like everything about these apart from the price!
The smaller / cheaper LSX have been on my radar for a while. The bigger soundstage and the additional HDMI eArc make these a much more attractive offer, however can't justify the price.
Do they offer any form of magnetic grills for these to make them child proof?
I have the W2 and did have some issues with the app not displaying all the info i required, i also have a ROON account which i couldn't use properly due to the speakers not being ROON Certified, as a result i thought i would try the innuos zenmini mk3 and use the digital coaxial for my hi res streaming, i was absolutely amazed at the result, I'm not saying the streamer in the KEFs is poor i just think it reiterates how good the innuos is, the best analogy i can think of is going from skimmed milk to full fat milk. everything is smoother and less edgy, bass is fuller, soundstage just encapsulates the listener.
I am using the coax input also. I have an Intel NUC running AudioLinux with USB out to a Mutec +3 USB which is clocked by a Mutec REF10. Coax out to the KEFs. This allows me to get the benefits of Roon RAAT but it does go through the KEF's internal DAC(s). It sounds excellent and is a lot better sounding than any of the other available KEF streaming options.
It will be interesting to see how the Roon Ready function works ...if they ever get that together.
Gutting, is hardly the word - I had heard that there was Airplay 2 in the works when I bought my KEF LS50 W speakers last Christmas, only to find that that I cannot upgrade them and the wireless iOS App is pretty rickety too. When they do work though the sound is superb...I can’t help feeling for those who stumped up £2k for the original KEF LS50 wireless, with many users reporting a very glitchy app, only to find that the LS50II has a new sorted app...that’s not backward compatible. Really KEF? So you’re saying that even though the mark 1’s have a rear input clearly marked ‘service’, that you’re not going to permit buyers to use this facility to upgrade the firmware to use the new app on the older speakers? I would imagine that’s what buyers thought that input would be for, wouldn’t you?
As much as I like the idea of a simple ‘sleeper’ active speaker system with everything, including the streamer built in, this lack of support over time totally makes me more convinced that separates are the way to go.
Compare the (I would imagine let down and possibly disgruntled) experience of a LS50 wireless mark 1 purchaser, with someone who bought the passives with a separate amp and streamer. OK, for the meta materials improvement, they might feel they want to upgrade the speakers, but at least they’re not ditching a £2k system to do so.
Active systems like this do seem attractive...in the short term. But it’s precisely this lack of app support from manufacturers that’s a real turn-off for me, and would make me very wary indeed before stumping up the £2.2k for the Wireless mark 2’s.
By the accounts of reviewers (check out John Darko’s YouTube review), the new all-in-one app is a much slicker experience. But how long will it be supported for, considering the experience of those who purchased the mark 1’s?
KEF’s approach seems the opposite of NAD’s commendable view of backward compatibility in the form of their MDC slots - so users can add new inputs, firmware or even new streamers, into the back of their older systems.
I’ve got the W2s, I never had the Ist ones. All great except hdmi connection won’t work with my LG OLED TV. Have no idea when this will be rectified? Not anytime soon!
KEF told me my HDMI eARC issue would be fixed in an update, that was in September, perhaps I should of asked which decade!HDMI works with my Sony Bravia but if I turn off the TV(probably actually sleep mode) the Kef W2's will power down and then back up in an endless loop. I have been going back and forth with KEF. They said that it will be fixed in a firmware update.
Be sure to put in a service ticket with them. They seem to only respond to that and persistence. I doubt that they ever cruise the forums like Superman looking for someone to save
The W2's do sound really great however...
KEF told me my HDMI eARC issue would be fixed in an update, that was in September, perhaps I should of asked which decade!