Even wireless speakers need some wires, and in the case of KEF’s new (and improved) LSX II Wireless HiFi Speakers, you can get away with just a pair of power cords.
Which is how I’d roll with the LSX II which will get you a host of wireless connectivity options including AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, ROON, UPnP Compatible (ick), and Bluetooth 4.2. Wiring up the LSX II adds Spotify via Spotify Connect, Tidal via Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer, QQ Music via QPlay, Internet Radio, and Podcasts via the KEF Connect app.
The LSX II inherits its more fully-featured connectivity from KEF’s W2 wireless platform found in the LS50 Wireless II and LS60 Wireless speakers.
The LSX II speaker employ KEF’s 11th generation DSP-tweaked Uni-Q driver array driven by a combined 200 Watts of system power, with the tweeter and woofer getting their own dedicated amplifier. The LSX II adds HDMI ARC and USB Type C connectivity options to the Toslink and analog 3.5mm Auxiliary inputs.
The KEF LSX II Wireless HiFi Speakers will be available later this month for a suggested retail price of $1400/pair.
Company Website: KEF
Specifications
Drive units
Uni-Q driver array:
HF: 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome
LF/MF: 115mm (4.5in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy cone
Frequency range (-6dB) measured at 85dB/1m: 49Hz – 47kHz *Depends on EQ settings
Frequency response (±3dB) measured at 85dB/1m: 54Hz – 28kHz *Depends on EQ settings
Amplifier output power (per speaker):
LF: 70W
HF: 30W
Amplifier class (per speaker): LF: Class D, HF: Class D
Max SPL measured at 1m: 102 dB
Wireless streaming features:
AirPlay 2
Google Chromecast
ROON Ready
UPnP Compatible
Bluetooth 4.2
Streaming services:
Spotify via Spotify Connect
Tidal via Tidal Connect
Amazon Music
Qobuz
Deezer
QQ Music via QPlay
Internet Radio
Podcast
*Depends on services availability in different countries
Source resolution:
Network up to 384kHz/24bit
Optical up to 96kHz/24bit
USB Type C up to 96kHz/24bit
HDMI up to 48kHz/16bit
*Depends on source resolution
Interspeaker connection:
Wireless: all sources resampled to 48kHz/24bit PCM
Wired: all sources resampled to 96kHz/24bit PCM
Supported format (network): MQA, DSD, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, AAC, WMA, MP3, M4A, LPCM and Ogg Vorbis
Dimensions (HWD per speaker): 240 × 155 × 180 mm (9.5 × 6.1 × 7.1 in.)
Weight (per set): 7.2kg (15.6lbs)
Power input: 100 – 240VAC 50/60Hz
Power consumption: 200W (operating power) <2.0W (standby power)
Primary Speaker Inputs
Inputs HDMI ARC
TOSLINK Optical
USB Type C
Analog 3.5mm Auxiliary
RJ45 Ethernet (network)
RJ45 Ethernet (interspeaker)
Secondary Speaker Inputs
RJ45 Ethernet (interspeaker)
Primary Speaker Output: RCA Subwoofer output
Wi-Fi network standard: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, IPv4, IPv6
Wi-Fi network frequency band: Dual-band 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
