Kef LS 50 Wireless
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I have a set of the LS 50 wireless on loan / demo from my favorite local audio shop Holm Audio. I am going to break this down into a a couple of categories. 1. Wants 2. App rating, 3 sound quality.
1. To have this as some type of all in one solution for home audio, it needs to have a couple more things. 1 another set of rca jacks. Let's say an average audiophile would have a CD player, maybe a streamer, maybe a turntable, well you only have one set of rca's so you would need to choose. 2, coax input. 3 wifi to be able to do more then 96k. 4 dsd via USB and the USB not be capped out at 196.
2. The app has a good concept but it's not ready for prime time in my opinion. Actually I am surprised it was released. Huge issue 1 that would completely stop me from picking a set of them up, if you change the input from the wireless feed, it completely drops connection to the app! Unless I am doing something wrong, I was shocked it would completely drop going from the wireless feed to using the rca's. not only can you not turn the volume up and down once it disconnects, it seems to not use the dsp settings until you go back to the wireless! I did not try it with USB or the toslink only with the rca. This would be my number one turn off and would prevent me from buying them. If it's a setting somewhere, I could not find it and since it's Sunday, no phone support.
Within the app, it has a nice dsp setting where you can adjust how close to wall however, it's a line that has the min/max distance but not actuall numbers where you are. You have to guess. It has an electric crossover that a nice sectable range ( not just 60-80 hz).
It picked up my western digital nas without any issues however, my nas uses twonky and this app did not want to read the files too well. On the same nas I have minimserver running on a desktop pointing to the nas. This reads perfectly within the app.
I could not get my iPad. I kept getting an error that would not let it connect to an unsecured device. I gave up after 20 min and tried my Droid cell. My cell is a galaxy 3 ( old) and it connected without issues.
Playing music, it seemed to keep getting stuck or glitch between songs. Sometimes it could not advance. There is a few more things that seemed buggy to me but I won't go into them. I think I have slammed the app enough.
3. Since I could not use my lumin due to the disconnect of the wireless, I did all testing via its wireless using uncompressed wav rips. After I got the dsp and subwoofer setting where I liked them, the speakers basically took everything I threw at them and came out with flying colors. They sound darn good! The soundstage is wide and extends beyond the physical location of the speakers. Lots of texture as well as dept to the speaker. The sweet spot is much wider then my psb, legacys, mythos sts, bryston mini T, or just about every other speaker I have had in this room. I don't have real stands right now and they are sitting on stools. Not even the right height or anything but they still sound fantastic. They aren't a one trick poly either. They did good on Sabbath on down to Miles Davis. Piano is spooky good. No matter what volume I gave them, they kept their composure. The midrange and highs are smooth and detailed. I like bass so tried the settings 40,50,60,(you get the picture) and for my room, 75 was the magic number.
Hopefully they will get the app issues figured out quick. The app issues would keep me from purchasing a set even for a second system.
1. To have this as some type of all in one solution for home audio, it needs to have a couple more things. 1 another set of rca jacks. Let's say an average audiophile would have a CD player, maybe a streamer, maybe a turntable, well you only have one set of rca's so you would need to choose. 2, coax input. 3 wifi to be able to do more then 96k. 4 dsd via USB and the USB not be capped out at 196.
2. The app has a good concept but it's not ready for prime time in my opinion. Actually I am surprised it was released. Huge issue 1 that would completely stop me from picking a set of them up, if you change the input from the wireless feed, it completely drops connection to the app! Unless I am doing something wrong, I was shocked it would completely drop going from the wireless feed to using the rca's. not only can you not turn the volume up and down once it disconnects, it seems to not use the dsp settings until you go back to the wireless! I did not try it with USB or the toslink only with the rca. This would be my number one turn off and would prevent me from buying them. If it's a setting somewhere, I could not find it and since it's Sunday, no phone support.
Within the app, it has a nice dsp setting where you can adjust how close to wall however, it's a line that has the min/max distance but not actuall numbers where you are. You have to guess. It has an electric crossover that a nice sectable range ( not just 60-80 hz).
It picked up my western digital nas without any issues however, my nas uses twonky and this app did not want to read the files too well. On the same nas I have minimserver running on a desktop pointing to the nas. This reads perfectly within the app.
I could not get my iPad. I kept getting an error that would not let it connect to an unsecured device. I gave up after 20 min and tried my Droid cell. My cell is a galaxy 3 ( old) and it connected without issues.
Playing music, it seemed to keep getting stuck or glitch between songs. Sometimes it could not advance. There is a few more things that seemed buggy to me but I won't go into them. I think I have slammed the app enough.
3. Since I could not use my lumin due to the disconnect of the wireless, I did all testing via its wireless using uncompressed wav rips. After I got the dsp and subwoofer setting where I liked them, the speakers basically took everything I threw at them and came out with flying colors. They sound darn good! The soundstage is wide and extends beyond the physical location of the speakers. Lots of texture as well as dept to the speaker. The sweet spot is much wider then my psb, legacys, mythos sts, bryston mini T, or just about every other speaker I have had in this room. I don't have real stands right now and they are sitting on stools. Not even the right height or anything but they still sound fantastic. They aren't a one trick poly either. They did good on Sabbath on down to Miles Davis. Piano is spooky good. No matter what volume I gave them, they kept their composure. The midrange and highs are smooth and detailed. I like bass so tried the settings 40,50,60,(you get the picture) and for my room, 75 was the magic number.
Hopefully they will get the app issues figured out quick. The app issues would keep me from purchasing a set even for a second system.
Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
Comments
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It's no problem skip. I had to hear for myself if they would sound as good as they did in the store in my horrible room and with the dsp, they did but that app is horrible.
I wish I had a dynaudio dealer close by to see and hear their version.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's. -
They have an update for the app. I'm not sure if it's completely solved the problems.
WHAT'S NEW
- Minor bug fixes
- Fixed compatibility with VoLTE and tethering
- Added notification when Location service is switched off
- Fixed issue that prevented to retrieve list of networks during speaker setup with some LG and Samsung models
- Fixed crash during speaker setup for Samsung models running Android 5.0 -
Thanks for the update on that.still doesn't address when I changed to rca, you loose the "remote" app so no volume or dsp runs.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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That could be skip. Without the dsp they are ok still but the do loose a little bit of magic. Since they don't have Tidal built into the app, I till need my lumin to use Tidal through it or I would need to on the laptop and put it USB to the kef but, then I cannot remote control what's playing on tidal since it's not built into jriver app. Yep I want it all. Lol.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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I talked to some people on a different forum. I did not know they had a physical remote and I did not receive one while on loan. So the volume thing is not an issue.
I still wish it had tidal built into the app as well as the app not be as buggy like not advancing songs or freezing up. @TForan when did they release the update? I loaded it Saturday.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's. -
Late December ?
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Got ya. I think the app will be a work in progress. I wonder how a Microrendu running into the usb at 192 would sound.....Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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Got ya. I think the app will be a work in progress. I wonder how a Microrendu running into the usb at 192 would sound.....
You sure wonder a lot Brian. lol
Trying to get digital right can be a trying task, least up to audiophile quality anyway. Buy the best, buy used or demo, and relax until you can move out of that closet your in for audio.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Got ya. I think the app will be a work in progress. I wonder how a Microrendu running into the usb at 192 would sound.....
You sure wonder a lot Brian. lol
Trying to get digital right can be a trying task, least up to audiophile quality anyway. Buy the best, buy used or demo, and relax until you can move out of that closet your in for audio.
Give them a listen with an open mind. I was quite impressed !
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I am thinking the exact same thing Tony. I have to return them today but, I listened to them on and off for about 14 hours Sunday while the pork shoulder was smoking ( a little over 16 hours but it was late and turned it off around 14 hrs LOL ) and again Monday night. Even using their not so hot app running on my cell and NAS sounded wonderful especially after I put the sub on with it and played around with the crossover settings. There was not a style of music they didn't like.
I am not saying this is a killer end all for everyone, far from it but, if you have a difficult room and the room isn't too big, or even cramped for space, this is a great solution.
Once they get their app up properly and integrate Tidal, I would see no need for another streamer via the usb unless you have a lot of dsd files. The built in dac sounded wonderful with my uncompressed wav and flac files. I could still hear the difference between wave and falc on this setup as well. I tried hooking up my Cd player to it via the rca and the wav files playing via the built in dac on the Kef sounded better.
Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's. -
My point was that for someone who has limited space and budget, they are hard to beat.
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Maybe that's your ticket then for that small room Brian. LS50'S and a digital setup and be done....for awhile anyway. Why do I seem to recall when these speakers first came out, you gave them a shot back then.....or maybe I'm thinking of someone else.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
I did give them a shot when they first came out. The unpowered LS50 I thought they sounded great in my room but, they got ringy when kicked up. The powered LS50 do not have that same issue. In my room they did not get ringy and stayed nice and even at even my loudest listening level. It could be the dsp at work?????
I am considering it. I am going to see if they can cut me some kind of deal.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's. -
Thanks Brian, you just reassured me my brain isn't shot just quite yet. lolHT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Here's a new review of the KEFs.
http://www.stereo.net.au/reviews/review-kef-ls50-wireless -
Another good review. Outside of the app itself, I haven't seen any bad reviews of it.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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Haven't seen a bad one either Brian. I did see Ecco audio is selling them for 2200, and saw stands for those on ebay for 70 bucks under HIFI audio site.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
The matching stands for 70? When they are available, I believe Kef is saying $400
2199 (2k) seems to be the going price for a set. Im waiting for Holm to get more inKlipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's. -
Are you talking about Steel Speeker Stands by Vega A/VKlipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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The KEF stands are $400. There's a guy on Ebay who sells them for $1900 shipped.
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1900? An authorized dealer?Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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Yeah Brian, the steel stands by Vega.....not the Kef stands but still seem like they'd work on the cheap.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Here's another positive review. Also, they can be bought for $1800 according to couple of guys over at AK.
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/3x1_2/1.html -
Brian, are you breaking-in the KEFs ? When you get chance, maybe share your thoughts.
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Brian, are you breaking-in the KEFs ? When you get chance, maybe share your thoughts.
Brians been spanking the monkey to those things for awhile now, I can't even get together with the man. Not sure I want to shake his hand either next time we do.
HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Lol I haven't had too much time on them. Right now im in Tallahassee. My daughter got married! 1 down, 2 to go!
But so far, outside of the app quirks, they sound fantastic!Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's. -
Aaaaayyyy! Congrats to the daughter and son-in-law!
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Thanks!!! Im back now. It was 70's the entire time and come home to this cold snow stuff..... Crazy to wish it to be February again since it was a warmer month....
Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's. -
Congrats Brian on your daughters nuptials2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
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