Verdict
The KEF LSX II is an even more divert an alternative than the product it replaces , which hold it downright compelling
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
KEF introduced its original LSX ‘ compact audio streaming scheme in two speaker unit back in 2018 , so the time is most definitely right for a revamp . And though KEF has in some ways kick the bucket to town with LSX II , at first glance it may seem that only the toll has commute – and not for the better .
But though the variety are n’t especially visible , they ’re certainly significant – the LSX II is an even more flexible product than the system it interchange . So there are just a couple of questions to be answer here – if you own anLSX systemis it deserving upgrading to the LSX II ? And if you do n’t , is this the good all - in - one stereo system of rules this kind of money can bribe ?
The KEF LSX II is on sales event now , and in the United Kingdom the request terms is £ 1199 . Over in the United States it costs $ 1399 , while in Australia it sell for AU$2195 .
There ’s two ways to look at this . You do n’t get an awful lot ofstufffor your money or , at least , not visually . But you ’re buying an full , ego - contained audio streaming system , which puts the monetary value into rather more context . Of of course , the LSX II is n’t the only game in town – Q Acoustics ’ remarkableQ Active 200system is very similar in concept , although a piddling bit larger in the flesh .
Design
Although the property of 24 x 16 x 18 centimeter ( HxWxD ) per utterer are the same as the extroverted LSX system , the LSX II is a new pattern . It does n’t look it , though , because in gravid part the original LSX still look fresh and interesting , and also because KEF has pick out to spend its ‘ raw simulation ’ budget elsewhere .
So your money buys two usefully compact and good - looking speaker unit , in a choice of five quite distinct goal . Choose ‘ carbon ’ black or ‘ cobalt ’ gamey and the talker are enfold in the ineluctable Kvadrat acoustic textile , while ‘ mineral ’ white is a satin matte finishing and ‘ lava ’ red a glossy choice . Or there ’s ‘ Soundwave ’ , a finish for which KEF collaborate with the belated Terence Conran .
These dimension mean the LSX II is quite forgiving about positioning ( as you do n’t overlook each speaker ’s rear end - firing bass unconditioned reflex port ) . KEF will happily sell you a duad of wall brackets ( B1 , £ 190 ) , desk - launching pad ( P1 , £ 140 ) or loudspeaker stands ( S1 , £ 320 ) to match the colour of your speakers if you fancy .
Features
As with the dimensions , so with the gadget driver array and amplification – there ’s no departure between LSX and LSX II . So you get the 11th contemporaries of KEF ’s entirely admirable Uni - Q driver agreement . Here it features a 19 mm Al tweeter behind a complex waveguide , sit around in the throat of a 115 mm aluminium mid / deep number one wood . And you get an all - in sum of 200 watts of Class D business leader : 70 per mid / bass social unit and 30 per tweeter .
Where the LSX II have changed over the LSX , though , the difference are significant . LSX II addsUSB - CandHDMI ARCinputs to a blood - up of strong-arm connectivity that includes digital ocular , 3.5 millimeter analogue and Ethernet inputs , and a subwoofer output . All these inputs are on the ‘ primary ’ left-hand - communication channel talker , along with buttons forBluetoothpairing and a CAT 5 socket to allow this speaker to be heavily - wired to its ‘ secondary ’ right-hand - communication channel partner . There ’s also a button in case you ’d rather pair the speakers wirelessly .
Wired coupling would seem to be the way forwards if it ’s at all possible , though . When cable together , the LSX II can have digital audio information up to a 24 - bit/384kHz and DSD256 standard , but will downscale it to a 24 - bit/96kHz resolution . geminate wirelessly , though , the downscaling retain all the agency to 24 - bit/48kHz .
Thanks to new control software and the integration of KEF ’s latest ‘ W2 ’ cyclosis platform , the LSX II are compatible with most digital audio files ( let in AAC , FLAC , WAV andMQA ) and wireless connectivity options are numerous . Apple AirPlay 2 , Bluetooth 4.2 , Chromecast and duple - lot wi - fi are all available , and the KEF are Roon Ready too .
Control selection are also ameliorate . Well , that ’s not purely speaking reliable for the remote control French telephone – it remain a bog - standard and unremarkable point that really has no business go with a design as well - realize as the LSX II . But the switching from the KEF Stream app that controlled the LSX to the KEF unite app that assure the LSX II is an obvious and decisive upgrade .
The Connect app is wide - vagabond , static , clear and logical – and it ’s home to a lot of functionality , including EQ adjustment and room calibration . And it ’s simple to desegregate your best-loved music streaming armed service , as well as access depicted object on your local electronic connection or internet radio .
Sound Quality
Sometimes short speakers can get a bit obsessed with trying to fathom handsome – ‘ yappy dog syndrome ’ , I believe it ’s shout . Well , that ’s not how the KEF LSX II roll . They sound heavy than they are , most for sure – but more significantly they sound balanced , direct and dynamic in every musical sense of the word .
A listen to an MQA - poweredTIDALMasters file of Stevie Wonder ’s timeless ( and continuously engaging)Superstitionmakes the head in univocal manner . The hip - stimulate tempo and rhythm is expressed faithfully , and the big dynamical shifts in attack are as well - identify as the more nuanced harmonic variations evident within each individual instrument .
The LSX II attack the recording , of track , but not in any illustrative or abnormal manner . Their control is significant , their assurance equally so . They establish a credible and comfortable - to - understand soundstage , and while it ’s not the biggest around it ’s most certainly properly organised .
miserable frequency wing is quite impressive for talker of this size of it fitted with drivers of this sizing . They do n’t dig as deep as more traditionally proportioned alternatives , naturally , but they bass they father is solid , substantial - edge and carries mess of point both liberal and fine . The top of the frequency chain is likewise detail , likewise contain and equally solid . And in the midrange , the KEF are insightful enough to permit a singer fully express their fictitious character and emotion – specially when , as with this recording transcription , the singer ’s absolutely chock-a-block - full of both .
The laws of physics order speaker system of this size of it will shinny to fill a biggish listening way with auditory sensation , and that ’s how it prove . But it ’s with fairly near - field listening that the LSX II start to become a truly outstanding option . The Uni - Q driver arrangement is among the best around when it number to two-channel focus and preciseness , and if you ’re fortunate ( and tidy ) enough to have the speaker unit on a background they are a profoundly telling listen .
Even at modest volumes they give no entropy away , and if you decide to ferment up the taper a little they reply by merely set out louder . There ’s no shoutiness or edginess to their overall presentment , but rather an overall key that ’s just slightly on the warmer side of ‘ neutral ’ . And the fact these characteristics are loosely alike across all of the remark , both wired and radiocommunication , only makes the LSX II seem more established . No matter what you listen to , and no thing from where it ’s sourced , all these positive attributes are in grounds .
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Should you buy it?
LSX II is ‘ discerning ’ in the dear mode – physically , not sonically
Unless it ’s a fairly small room , of course
Final Thoughts
Where products like this are concerned , ‘ convenience ’ is almost as important as ‘ performance ’ – and thanks to some wise upgrade and a nice new control app , the LSX II beat both box with a big fat Magic Marker . Get beyond the tenuous lack of basso extension and the predictable lack of unlimited scale , and this is an all - in - one stereo music cyclosis system that covers all the bases .
Trusted Score
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FAQs
Currently the black option is out of stock on the KEF site ( but in stock at Amazon UK ) , while the clean , ruby , and blue option are only available for pre - rules of order ( the go on cut-rate sale from mid - July onwards ) . The Soundwave variant is usable now .
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