KEF wireless LSX music system has a designer edge

KEF has unveiled a new wireless music system. The LSX is essentially a compact stablemate of its award-winning LS50 wireless active speakers, with a designer edge.

At its London reveal this week, the company suggested that the new wireless Hi-Fi compact speakers were a high performance alternative to soundbars, for TV use, and monophonic smart speakers. “All music is designed to be listened to in stereo,” insisted KEF Marketing Director Michael Johnson (pictured below).

Certainly a demonstration of the speaker was proof this small enclosure has no problem filling even quite a large space with crisp, clear stereo music.

The LSX utilise KEF’s iconic Uni-Q driver array, here in 4-inch guise. It works in conjunction with the brand's Music Integrity Engine DSP control algorithm.

The LSX has been designed by KEF and renowned industrial designer Michael Young. It’s available in a choice of five unique colours, in which the tweeter is colour matched to the finish. All but the gloss white model are wrapped in fabric from Danish textile manufacturer Kvadrat.

The speakers have dual band Wi-Fi connectivity, and integrated streaming music service support. There’s Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX. The LSX is DLNA/uPNP compliant. Coming in January 2019 is a firmware update that brings AirPlay 2 compatibility. For TV use, there’s an optical digital input, as well as a 3.5mm aux input for a smart streaming dongle. The LSX supports 3rd party remote programming and IP control.

The speaker pair employ four Class-D amplifiers, one for each of the drive units, alongside dedicated DACs. The system is High-Res Audio compatible. Using the optional wired connection between the two speakers, it’ll play source files up to 192kHz/24bit. Wireless connection supports 48kHz/24bit.

Power output is rated at 2 x 30W and 2 x 70W class D amplifiers. There are adjustable EQ settings via the KEF control app. If you want to add a subwoofer, for a 2.1 configuration, there’s an output to support that.

The LSX sell for £1000 a pair. For the month of November, they are available exclusively through Selfridges, after which they’ll be more widely distributed.