Are you looking for a wireless speaker system that can fill your room with high-fidelity sound, connect to various devices and sources, and complement your interior design? If yes, then you might want to check out the KEF LSX II. This is the second generation of the award-winning KEF LSX, which was launched in 2018 and received rave reviews from critics and users alike. The KEF LSX II is more than just a simple update, as it features many improvements and innovations that make it one of the best all-in-one speaker systems on the market. In this article, we will tell you why you should consider the KEF LSX II for your home audio needs, and how it compares to other wireless speaker systems.
What makes the KEF LSX II special?
The KEF LSX II is a compact and elegant speaker system that offers high-resolution sound, versatile connectivity, and stylish design. Here are some of the key features and benefits of the KEF LSX II:
- High-Fidelity Sound: The KEF LSX II delivers high-resolution sound up to 24bit/384kHz, thanks to its 11th generation Uni-Q driver, which is specially designed to match the performance of the speaker system. The Uni-Q driver consists of a 19mm aluminum dome tweeter and a 115mm magnesium/aluminum alloy woofer, which are arranged in a coaxial configuration. This allows the sound to radiate evenly in all directions, creating a wide and immersive soundstage. The KEF LSX II also benefits from the Music Integrity Engine, a digital signal processor that enhances the clarity and dynamics of the sound. The Music Integrity Engine draws inspiration from the higher-end KEF LS50 Wireless II and KEF LS60 Wireless, making the KEF LSX II the most affordable speaker system with this technology.
- Versatile Connectivity: The KEF LSX II supports a variety of wireless and wired connectivity options, making it easy to stream music from different sources and devices. You can use Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth 4.2, or dual-band Wi-Fi to stream music from your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or online services such as Spotify and Tidal. The KEF LSX II is also Roon Ready, which means you can use the Roon app to access and manage your music library and enjoy high-quality playback. For wired connections, the KEF LSX II features HDMI ARC and USB-C inputs, which allow you to connect the speaker system to your TV, laptop, or other devices. The HDMI ARC input supports Dolby Digital and PCM audio formats, while the USB-C input supports up to 24bit/192kHz audio.
- Stylish Design: The KEF LSX II is not only a great-sounding speaker system, but also a beautiful piece of furniture that can enhance the look of your room. The speaker system has a compact and elegant design, with a curved cabinet that is available in five different finishes: black, white, blue, red, and green. The cabinet is made of high-quality materials and has a smooth and matte finish. The front of the speaker features the iconic KEF logo and a subtle LED indicator that shows the status and source of the speaker. The rear of the speaker has a bass reflex port and connectivity ports. The KEF LSX II also comes with a remote control that has a simple and intuitive layout.
How does the KEF LSX II compare to other wireless speaker systems?
The KEF LSX II is not the only wireless speaker system on the market, but it is certainly one of the best. To give you a better idea of how the KEF LSX II stands out from the crowd, we have compared it to some of the other popular wireless speaker systems in terms of sound quality, features, and price. Here is a summary of our comparison:
| Speaker System | Sound Quality | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEF LSX II | High-resolution sound up to 24bit/384kHz, 11th generation Uni-Q driver, Music Integrity Engine, wide and immersive soundstage | Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth 4.2, dual-band Wi-Fi, Roon Ready, HDMI ARC, USB-C, remote control, five finishes | £1199 / $1400 / AU$2195 |
| KEF LS50 Wireless II | High-resolution sound up to 32bit/384kHz, 12th generation Uni-Q driver, Music Integrity Engine, Metamaterial Absorption Technology, deeper and clearer bass | Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth 4.2, dual-band Wi-Fi, Roon Ready, HDMI eARC, USB-C, remote control, four finishes | £2199 / $2500 / AU$3995 |
| KEF LSX | High-resolution sound up to 24bit/96kHz, 0.75″ aluminum dome tweeter, 4.5″ magnesium/aluminum alloy woofer, clear and detailed sound | Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth 4.2, dual-band Wi-Fi, Roon Ready, optical, 3.5mm aux, remote control, five finishes | £999 / $1100 / AU$1895 |
| Sonos Five | Stereo sound with three tweeters and three woofers, Trueplay tuning, rich and powerful sound | Apple AirPlay 2, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 3.5mm aux, Sonos app, voice control, two finishes | £499 / $500 / AU$749 |
| Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation | 450-watt amplifier, six custom-designed drivers, DSP, room-filling sound | Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, HDMI ARC, USB, optical, 3.5mm aux, Naim app, voice control, three finishes | £1299 / $1590 / AU$2299 |
| Bose Home Speaker 500 | Stereo sound with two custom drivers, an eight-microphone array, balanced and spacious sound | Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 3.5mm aux, Bose app, voice control, two finishes | £399 / $300 / AU$599 |
As you can see from the table, the KEF LSX II offers the best combination of sound quality, features, and price among the wireless speaker systems we have compared. It has a higher resolution, a more advanced driver, and a more sophisticated sound processor than the KEF LSX, which is its predecessor. It also has more connectivity options, a more elegant design, and a lower price than the KEF LS50 Wireless II, which is its higher-end sibling. Compared to the Sonos Five, the Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation, and the Bose Home Speaker 500, the KEF LSX II has a more refined and immersive sound, a more versatile and user-friendly interface, and a more attractive and distinctive appearance.
Conclusion
The KEF LSX II is a fantastic wireless speaker system that offers high-fidelity sound, versatile connectivity, and stylish design. It is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to enjoy music in a small and medium-sized room, without compromising on sound quality or aesthetics. The KEF LSX II is easy to set up and use, and it supports a wide range of streaming options and formats. It is also compatible with the KEF Control app, which allows you to adjust the settings and preferences of the speaker system. The KEF LSX II is available for £1199 / $1400 / AU$2195, and you can find more information and reviews on the KEF website or the What Hi-Fi? website.
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