Comments on: KEF LS50 Wireless Loudspeakers

By: Positive Feedback Writers' Choice Awards for 2017

Positive Feedback Writers' Choice Awards for 2017 — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 02:56:24 +0000

[…] Read more HERE […]

By: Linn&Kef

Linn&Kef — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 20:44:00 +0000

"My only ask of KEF is this then: please offer this integration into your Blade system—heck, scale it to every loudspeaker your make. I bought the review pair. Well done. A+++" You can! Just buy the Blade "Exakt" version (10% more expensive), which comes with the passive crossover in a separate box, and tri-wiring binding posts. Now all you have to do is buy 6 Linn Klimax Solo amplifiers (3 per speaker), 2 Klimax Exaktbox ("dual mono" 3 way DAC and crossovers baby!) and a Klimax DSM Exakt streamer. With the Katalyst upgrade, the AD and DA converters (6 channels for the speakers) are the same found on the Klimax Katalyst DS3 and DSM streamers, which are in the top 3 best DACs you can buy without money limitation. You also get Space room optimization and all the cool Linn features. What's not to like? :) I'll buy this active Kef too, the advantage is the phase correct and time aligned digital crossover, that's were the magic is!

By: paulmcb

paulmcb — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 07:16:00 +0000

Great review Danny, thank you. So I went and I paired the LS50Ws with the Kef R400b sub - the result is approaching Kef Blade level soundstage ('approaching', not 'matching') with a microRendu/Roon combo feeding them, all for a fraction of a reference system outlay. Kef have really and truly nailed it with these. The only downside is I'm done acquiring gear for the next (half) decade already. What a gift!.

By: Fielding Gray

Fielding Gray — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 13:52:00 +0000

In reply to Bill Blank. @Bill Blank I have a pair of the original passive versions doing stellar duty in my study so have an inkling of what they can do. Nothing wrong and as you say, if you can invest in more media more power to you. Without music the best equipment has no value. I always respect an audiophile music lover who has invested more in music than hardware. Peace and love.

By: SonicFlare

SonicFlare — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 23:27:00 +0000

In reply to hannuzzo. Great point indeed. Again, I think the single biggest challenge we have as an industry as the we have lost any meaningful definition of what high end audio actually is. We have a massive branding problem. Thanks for reading!

By: SonicFlare

SonicFlare — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 23:26:00 +0000

In reply to Fielding Gray. Funny you bring up this point in the context of my review: what *is* high end audio precisely? Working on an article that will flesh that thought out in detail... thanks for reading!

By: SonicFlare

SonicFlare — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 23:23:00 +0000

In reply to Peterinvan. Couldn't agree more - what a great speaker this is! Once you factor in the money savings by going all in one... great stuff!

By: xuan

xuan — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 07:51:07 +0000

我只想默默的拜读您的博客！

By: Peterinvan

Peterinvan — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 02:36:00 +0000

I am enjoying my LS50W in my small den. Love the clear soundstage and pinpoint accuracy. Bass is taut and full. Top sound quality.

Now the down side: How can I call myself an Audiophile, since my Gear Aquisition Syndrom has finally been cured?

By: Bill Blank

Bill Blank — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 12:31:00 +0000

@fieldinggray:disqus to dismiss them as "lifestyle" and "not highend audio" is a mistake...especially if you have not heard them. They sound better in every aspect than their passive older brothers did coupled with $5k of separate boxes. They've allowed me to take all of that extra money and throw it towards improving my sources, both digital and analog, and invest the rest in more media to play through them. Before making such a judgement I'd suggest you be more open minded and audition them for yourself.

By: hannuzzo

hannuzzo — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 08:07:00 +0000

In reply to Fielding Gray. did you actually listen to them? and what exactly is a reference system? These days you can easily spend many 100k on a reference system. While I too think the KEFs may not play in the same ball park of a 500k reference system, together with a laptop (or other digital source) they might replace & outperform a classic 10k system in a small to midsized room. Definitely more than a kitchen radio.

By: Fielding Gray

Fielding Gray — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 00:07:00 +0000

Definitely convenient and a turnkey solution but not highend audio. Isn't that what got us interested in the first place and keeps us junkies? Lifestyle is right and this is just an evolutionary step from having a radio or ghetto blaster in the kitchen. The sound is so much better, the interface options so generous and the ability to make the most of your digital media so seductive that one finds it easier and easier to compromise. Just make sure you keep a reference system too.