Yes, it's more expensive, yes it's more work to match systems, yes it's less tidy, and yes it's less innovative, but it will work and you'll be able to enjoy that killer sound. In that case, I would look to passive alternatives from KEF and build a system from the ground up. But if you're like me, you just want to stop problem-solving when you listen to your speakers after a long day of doing that at work. If you're young, you have time to and enjoy troubleshooting new and slightly undercooked technology, then you may be OK. So, my advice is this - if you're looking for the best bang for your buck in the wireless speaker area then this is it. That translates to me mostly using them to watch TV using the HDMI e-arc, which is reliable despite the occasional popping noise that makes me worry about their longevity and safety. I'm a busy guy despite this long review and just need them to WORK. Needless to say, I ran out of time and patience for the KEF man given my history of dealing with their customer service unsuccessfully with the 1st gen of these speakers. They also asked me to try connecting the speakers to each other with the provided ethernet cable, another sacrifice to the design brief's wireless functionality that adds no ease of use like the HDMI e-arc. Seriously? You designed the speakers specifically for use with and near a smart TV. KEF support has delegated to me what feels like a piecemeal laundry list of things to check, including a reminder that wireless devices near them could disrupt the signal. The problem is, my speakers make an occasional popping noise when connected to the TV with HDMI, which concerns me, to say the least. Proximity to other devices - these are also connected to my Google TV using the HDMI e-arc, it's a physical connection I can live with because it allows you to control the TV volume using the TV remote, which is nice.

KEF recommended connecting them with a hardline to my modem, but one that eliminates the wireless functionality, and two I rent and my landlords provide the internet - it is strong enough but I don't have a modem to physically connect to in my unit. Real-world, that translates to losing control of the speakers, ALL THE TIME, or any time your phone switches between 4G and 5G signals. The KEF's do not, they connect to one or the other in onboarding, and when using the Wi-Fi feature you can only control them on a device connected to the same 5G OR 4G connection - not both.

Examples:ĥg and 4G networks - most modern modems broadcast 4G and 5G signals, and most modern phones such as iPhones switch back and forth between them depending on which signal is strongest. That doesn't really make sense because behind KEF is a multi-billion dollar company - they should be able to get this right. Basically, imagine a very capable, small, and young team of programmers owning the end-to-end product and you're probably right. But it is a huge improvement over the last gen. Now, the annoying part - the real-world usability of the wireless functionality in this latest model remains an issue for me in my room. But if you haven't heard these with a subwoofer then you won't miss it, it just adds even more to an already big sound, making them seem even bigger than they are. I use a REL T9/x with the Arrow Wireless adapter. The only shortcoming is that since they're bookshelf speakers they'll run out of steam around 55 hz which is why you benefit from a subwoofer for the true wall of sound feeling at reference levels. Smooth, airy, robust, deep, delicate, loud-and-in-your-face when you need it. The reason I upgraded is largely the reason these are almost perfect speakers - the real-world usability of the wireless function was (1st gen) and remains (2nd gen) a problem, it just manifests in different ways.īut first, the sound quality - these and their passive brothers are bar none the best-sounding speakers I've heard under $5k, and anyone dissing them is being contrarian to get attention. This is my second pair of KEF active speakers - before this, I had the 1st gen LS50W.

Kef ls50 meta frequency response