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Thank you for your patient and thorough review John. I've been without my system for a while after my Yamaha amp gave up the ghost. The KEF LS60 Wireless was one system option I was considering. I'm not one to rush decisions so I appreciate you not rushing your review. The most useful part of your review for me was when you mentioned "small rooms" and "less than ideal room setups"; I think that's a really important thing to highlight to people that one of the main characteristics of the system - it's "dynamic wallop", isn't going to do well in a small, oddly shaped room with wooden floors, alcoves and other room issues that magnify reflections and bass. For me, I think a possibly better option will be to pick up an NAD M10 V2 to pair with my LS50s (original) and get a KC62 on trial to see if I (and my neighbours) can live with it. Finally, I think KEF might have missed a trick with the LS60 Wireless. With their big soundstage and impactful delivery they could make a fantastic home theatre setup if paired with LS50 Wireless II, or a small box like the Powernode and some passive LS50s as rears. If NAD/Bluesound can manage it, I'm sure KEF could work out a way to code 4.1 surround through their app. I hope it's something they are considering.
If by future, you mean throw away 10k tower speakers that will be superseded in 3yrs like the KEF LS50W were and cut off from updates… Thats assuming the amplifiers don’t die before then also.
Excellent job with the review! My only problem is with the built-in streaming software. I purchased an original pair of LS50 wireless, and the software was absolutely terrible! Kef did NOTHING to fix the problems it had. You are at the mercy of a company if they put out a bad update or anything. And because Kef have proven to me, that they ultimately don't care about long-term customer service.... I would not trust them. Just a word of caution for anyone considering spending this much money on these speakers.
What about the warranty on them? Because if remember correctly the LS50's only have 1 year warranty. In my opinion that's not enough, if KEF believes in their products then they need to show that to the consumer by offering longer warranties.
Great review John. I think many of us have your split personality problem, not least because of the WAF scenario some of us live with. The LS60 has the selling point of, "look honey I've got rid of all those ugly boxes and the hifi rack". I guess if you still want to tinker and can afford it, and have room, the answer is to have two systems. The living room aesthetic of an LS60 type product, and maybe a man cave separates system?
Another brilliant video, thank you John. I had the opportunity to experience KEF LS60 W at the North West Audio Show 2022 and I agree with you, they are great! There is also something that I would like to share with you. I had the opportunity to attend a demo of TAD-E1TX-K speakers by the Coherent System and had a quick chat with Tony and blew me out of the water!
I'd rather get Buchardt A700s. All active streaming loudspeakers have the problem that electronics will break long before other components. And with KEF once you are out of warranty you're screwed, they will not do anything for you but sell you a new pair of speakers. While Buchardt designs their electronics to be enduser serviceable,, and will even sell you replacement parts after the warranty has ended. In this price range loudspeakers should not be disposable.
I listend to the LS60 Wireless through different genres and they sound pretty good, especially the bass is something else. I loved my KEF LSX for years. BUT if you want a sleek looking, easy to use and superior sounding combo for 5k, i highly recommend you to check out the KEF R3 Meta and pair it with a nice streaming amp (i went with the NAD M10 V2). Small combo, doesn’t take up much space and sounds exceptionally well. I can tell you this combo creates a sound - wow, that’s what audiophile means. Active speakers are convinient - I get it - but the “two speaker & an amp”- Combo isn’t that complicated to use either, it’s nearly the same as active speakers once set up. And the KEF R3 Meta will last you a lifetime. I wouldn’t bet on a 10 year lifetime of the LS60. Thats just my experience, either way you will get a nice system! And if the high end active speaker thing gets more people in the space - more power to them!
I guess this LS60 approach may be the future. Electronic engineers seem to like the powered speaker approach since they can control things more easily. It’s a minor step forward to include the streamer and DAC as well. Perhaps the market will be flooded with affordable LS60 clones in a year or two? It seems a bit like the 1980s PC vs Mackintosh argument with desktops - the configurable setup vs the ready-made system. Eventually, as John hinted, most of us nowadays tend to adopt a ready-made laptop even if it’s a PC inside.
Sooo, you guys I just finished listening to LS60 and Bucharest A700 side by side (used Tidal Masters/Hifi and AirPlay). I currently own LS50 Wireless (I gen) + 2 REL 5Ti subs. My general impressions: I like KEFs vocals a bit more (they're warmer and smoother) but the overall impression is that Buchardts are way more powerful, have more dynamics and sound lighter. KEFs seem to be pretending. the bass is way more restricted to certain levels but it's not as relaxed and dynamic (not even close). to tell you the truth, I was hoping that I'd like KEFs more (I like the way they look and I think that the quality of interface is better) but the sound didn't lie (what was really awesome was that I was able to use both of the sets at the same time with airplay - now THAT WAS POWERFUL :)
Great feedback as I also have the LS50W (1Gen) paired with a Kube 12b and am looking to ugrade to either the LS60, A700 or SA Legend 40.2. What puts me off with the LS60 are all the cable connections to the primary speaker whereas the two other use a WISA hub.
I used to own the KEF LSX. Those speakers sound absolutely amazing. I'm sure the KEF LS60 does as well. However, what every reviewer fails to address, is KEF's lack of quality and support. The software for the KEF LSX was just awful. Distorded sound when using AirPlay. Humming sound when in stand by mode. I complained to my local dealer about the last problem. They called KEF numerous times, and nobody replied. Several other people on reddit, youtube comments and FB have experienced the same thing. Conclusion: I would be very, very careful to trust KEF with so much of my money.
Great & entertaining review as always, if i didn't already have the LS50 meta's, KC62 and Rotel RA1572 & bluenode i would give these a serious consideration.
The thing that keeps me away from those products is the fact that I cannot choose my DAC. I don't mind the amp being in the speaker, but say a chord DAC will always beat whatever DAC is in the KEF.
After 2 Jaguars, a B&W 802 and a Zeppelin, I am never going to buy anything that has a UK involvement in QC. Designed in UK is fine, however. So could you please test more Asian hifi/audio brands ? Or even German brands, because my 42 year old Dual CS721 still runs fine, as do the equally old Klein & Hummel speakers i gifted to my friends.
I am not sure about your premise here. I have a 1985 Linn LP12 that runs like a charm in its original spec right down to the Troika cartridge, a pair of mid 80s Spendor SP2s that are competitive with modern speakers and work perfectly and any number of pieces of vintage Naim equipment (including a CD player) that have never skipped a beat. On the other hand, I have a modern VW Golf GTI which is the most unreliable car I have ever owned, although it is a close second to a BMW 7 series which I suspect would have won out if I had kept it longer. Good stuff and bad stuff is made everywhere.
KEF’s wireless did indeed suck but that was before the LS50 II Wireless. Both the LS60 as well as the new KEF LSX II now use the same stable system as the LS50 II Wireless. I still have the original LSX which are a pain but I’m going to get the LSX II now that wireless is fixed.
Sounds great in practice. I bet you my last pound they will not satisfy my bass head. I am a rock fan and like to feel and hear the music like a live show. I'm thinking a heavy hitting sub will almost certainly be needed for this set up. While you have pre and main amplification in one box there is almost certainly a heat issue expected with these. I remember Bowers and Wilkins introduced active bass speakers in some floor standing models that were dropped soon after. I was also thinking future faults would put your system out of action. An example of this was the washer dryer configuration, if one side fails, you cant use the other. Personally I will stick to my 1 pre amp, 4 x power amps and a 1000 watt sub, along with Bowers and Wilkins floor standers.
John, you have your own brand of "sprechgesang". Good review. In a different life the LS60 "appliance" route might appeal. But after 40years of separates, I'm at peace with boxes and only one set of cables running to the speakers and two to each sub! 🎵🎶😉🎶🎵 PS Stacked LS50s...... ..$1500 4xKC subs..$3000 Amp?..........$1500 🤔😉
Me? I like the game of swopping gear every now and then too much. At least i did until now. But it's great to see how hard Kef is making life for competitors to keep up. In the end, we the consumers benefit. But you know, dear customer , what big steps in r&d means: big depreciation if you've got the older model. That is one thing that keeps me away from this brilliant product. There will be a much improved version several years from now. And yes, I heard your podcast on the futureproof-ness of the streaming platform. Same as with my Harbeths. I keep telling myself I like the lower resolution old ones better. Correctly, the type that I have..... But still: great review, John. And thanks for giving the relevant info of system cost. Will I be giving these a listen in the next months? After seeing this : yes I will. So yes, you are helping oldies like me to enter the current age of hifi. Good thing.
Very few reviewers include hi quality classical source or any source. Please go for some choral, "big" Symphonies (Mahler 2nd) and solo piano. I'll give you some recommedations but please add a bit more variety.
@@d.j.vandermeer3832 while I mostly agree with you, I can 100% testify that changing the cords on the ls50w2 which I own and the Kanto tuks make a very audible difference. I have audioquest blizzards and everyone can hear the difference
Passive and separates for me any day. I have the Kef Ls50 meta paired with Rel T5X sub , powered by Willsenton Class A 50w int amp with Psvane 300B Western electric tubes ( also 6n7 ) , Denafrips Pontus 2 with Iris DDC with Jays Audio I2S and Mogami gold XLR ,all silver spkr wires - sounds great in my small rm. That’s the beauty of system building and upgrading along the journey.
I’m in the market for something just like this, but I keep hesitating because: 1) no room correction, this should be mandatory at this price point 2) amplifier noise, class D amplifiers are out there with super low noise floors - no excuse here 3) worry about longterm support. These companies aren’t fixing broken electronics in most cases, they’re going to swap out the whole unit. Problem is… they run out of units at some point. 4) there have already been reports of these having audio dropouts and not working with some sources. There’s no workaround if this is the case, you’re just stuck. At this point, I might just get a pair of Genelecs. No timetable on an 8341b model, so might be waiting a while.
How about the KC92..... Seems to be better in many ways and not much more expensive. And likely for slightly bigger rooms, much better overall in many ways. These I have heard, the KC62s just dont seem to add much more than the LS60s
Hi, you recently replaced your Kallax book / vinyl shelf below your TV. Is it IKEA as well ? What model ? Besides, always a pleasure to see your videos, even if this one mentions equipment way beyond my budget.
@@kaypee1972 I was listening to them on the second day of having them and I heard a pop go off in the right speaker. I spent too much for speakers to shit the bed that fast so I just got my refund back.
@@TheLWebb100 I understand, I’d be frustrated too. I have mine now for almost 2 years and no single complaint & love them. Hope they’ll stay many more years with me.
Powered speakers with source inputs sounds like a mess... Olaf has that bundle of (longer) cables well hidden from view (and running parallel with power - yikes). I wish reviewers would talk about this (and the next) important aspect of powered speakers. I'm running 40 year old speakers with a 30 year old amp. In my experience, the plate-amp in a powered speaker breaks first - well before end-of-life of everything else in a speaker. I hear you for the disposable or ship-it-back mentality in 8-12 years. I wish manufacturers of powered speakers would locate the amp(s)/crossover in a separate box(es) for ease of future repairs/exchange... for those of us who don't swap gear often. I'm really referring to subs in my rant because I can't neatly fathom connecting "all" source devices "directly" to a (properly placed) speaker.
My 42 year active speakers have the electronics in a box at the base of the speakers. The later ones (30 years old) have the amp in the bottom but you do need a screw driver to take the block out. B&O Beolab 28 have boxes for dealers to take out the streaming and amplifier bits to repair or offer upgrades. Beosound Level and Emerge have the electronic removable. Buchardt demonstrate removing their electronics on a RU-vid video so customers can send a broken amplifier to them without sending the whole speaker. The ones that are less likely to do that are the cheaper end of the scale. Active speakers don't have a cross over - that's the point. Running signal and power cables has not been an issue for me. I have mains near the speakers and although two cables is less tidy in fact I have a third as there is a communication cable between left and right speaker front and rear speakers have three cables into each (more if I also use all the source inputs coaxial and analogue). Press notices including video without a visible cable also bugs me.
Exactly. You can guarantee the amp or streaming board will go belly up just after the warranty expires (2 years with KEF). Plus you have to factor in the application ceasing support after 4-6 years which is.. annoying...
My problem John with these all in one sets, is exactly that all the aspects of the sound signature are kinda set in stone (other than some Equalisation of course). What if I have a certain sound or tonality in mind that I want to pursue by exactly mixing and matching products? I am not really an audiophile and I have left my "system building/gamer" phase a decade or so behind(*) I just wanted to try and create that sound I had in my mind and it probably was not entirely different by what you described in your Forte IV review yourself (Thanks for that btw). So I bought a pair, bought a rather modern and lively sounding tube amp (Cayin Cs88), Experimented with a few different tube combos in the triode mode and put the finishing touches with a Denafrips Pontus II (The digital path of the system did not really come together before this DAC in the "NOS" setting). Did I pay more and worked a little bit more (In hours spent researching and comparing reviews)? Well yes. But I now have a system that I am completely satisfied with and probably will not look to change until something breaks and cannot be fixed... No definitely did not do it for the thrill of building a system (it was actually quite stressful as these were expensive pieces and shops here do not have return policies). So I guess I agree with the part of your assessment that imo, these are (mostly) for people looking for convenience and a set it and forget it appliance rather than people with specific demands and tastes and no the later do not have to be "audiophile nerds" or extreme hobbyists. My 2c at any rate :) Thanks for your engaging content. (*I do still game but only play a handful of games from a specific company these days so a PS5 in the HT will more than suffice)
$1500 speakers (LS 50 Meta) with a $3500 amp? I get the point that it does the same things that LS60 does out of the box, but that seems way out of proportion, you should always invest into speakers before the amp, not the other way around. $5500 Forte IV with $700 amp is a way more reasonable pairing. Not to mention that all good amplifiers sound the same - they are transparent by definition. Which amps are *good* and how much they cost is a different question.
So if I understand this correctly, these are wireless in between themselves and a streaming audio source, if you want to use them with a receiver you still need a cable? Is that right? Wouldn't you simply input your audio sources to your receiver first anyway and then out to the speakers?
You can connect your sources directly to the primary speakers because it has HDMI eARC, TOSLINK Optical, Digital Coaxial, Analog RCA inputs. So a receiver is obsolete.
If you want to connect a turntable, cd player and maybe your tv with cable then that is 3 new cables going into one of the speakers unless you have a Bluetooth on them.
I love the look of these, I love the concept. But original LS50 Wireless are maybe 6 years old and already their app is abandoned. $7k for a speaker system with designed obsolescence is not a great prospect.
I would think they had to abandon it because the limitation is not the app but the wireless hardware they built into these and the LSX. They “fixed” it with the LS50 Wireless II.
@@morespinach9832 Yes but now you putting it all in one made in china device that is highly reliant upon streaming platforms and updates. KEF have already been proven they cannot be trusted with the first gen LS50 and META being cut off from updates not to mention seeing so many failing with stupid unfixable faults.
This review was confusing. Too many comparisons and sifting needed to get to the key pro’s and con’s of the LS60. No matter what Jack OB said, I still worry about all in one active speakers with amps made by someone other than KEF and long term support / service / parts beyond the warranty. These are $7,000 US + tax so $7,500. Certainly, not chump change. If you buy these, you do not need your current system so out it goes? As a KEF fan boy, I will stick with LS50 / Meta all day long.
I was waiting for a mention of/comparison with the Buchardt A500s - one of your fairly recent ‘Products of the Year’. I know these are floorstanders (and much more expensive), but the Buchardts also go down to 25Hz - around the same as the LS60s. It would have been interesting to see how the 2 compared soundwise.
I agree, however the A500s are about £2k cheaper so is it fair comparison... nonetheless I'd like to know what JD's opinion might be as I have a pair of A500s on trial (which I am enjoying). I think Buchardt have the model right, bypass the second party retailer and make the parts serviceable and replaceable - job done. I'm tempted to try out the S400 mkII and the i150 amp but I'm just not sure that I can be bothered as the A500s are active, all the work is already done!
I can see the attraction for a reviewer to create a new narrative as in 'future-fi hi-fi'. And I must admit being influenced by the 'notion' having purchased Kef LSX a few years ago. In my case someting went amiss with the streaming section shortly after the warranty period elapsed. It seems to me now that I would have been much better off with separates as for the cost of having it repaired I could have replaced a separate with a brand new updated component. Maybe there is a future for 'past-fi' !
That's my main concern with those active speakers. Something (amp, speaker, streamer) goes down out of warranty and you screwed. There might not even be spare parts for this or other model in few years time.
Please forward to John: Is there any chance for a comparison between LS60 and its most obvious competitor: Buchardt´s A 700 with the Platin Hub? That would be really great
Another thoughtful and thought provoking video. I think the vast majority of listeners would be very happy with the LS60 (or LS50 Wireless/LC62 combo, or Burkhardt kit) once they got it in place and used equalization to tailor it to their room. As for the build versus buy integrated comparison, I’ve always built systems and enjoy the process. But buying what is basically a bespoke amp/speaker combo designed by some of the world’s top audio engineers is an attractive proposition.
I really appreciate that you recognize and acknowledge the dichotomy between component choice and integrated systems. I have a similar take on it but with a slightly different framing that brings what I see as the crucial questions more specifically into focus. For context, in May of 2021 I got a pair of KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers, and in October I got a KEF KC 62. After around 40 years of separate (decent, particularly as time went by) components. I am *extremely* happy with this integrated system. The crucial point that I think is not adequately described by the dichotomy as you present it is that last bit of consonance that I feel was my motivation in sorting through combinations of components, searching for the best integration. It may be that some people come to enjoy the search for the best combination as a thing in itself, but I never lost sight of the urge to have the sound be as good as possible, whatever the avenue to get there. Along the way I may have found myself vacillating through different combinations of trade-offs, discovering that improving one aspect was at the cost of some other, or imagining that some variation improved something without a cost to anything else, or so on. But in the end, finding a really good combination was hard, and good integration between the components while getting the functionality I wanted was the goal. In reality, while I got pretty good results over (much) time, I didn't get near to the performance that the KEF LS50 wII + KC 62 gave me out of the box. It may be that the LS50 Metas plus the Hegel amp you recommend would get me much of the way there (or whichever other good fits one finds, as time goes by), or even a little further, but I have the sense that the benefits are way below the point of diminishing returns versus the good job of integration that KEF has done with their system(s) in a box. I was eagerly awaiting your review of the LS60 system, and am very happy with what you presented. It satisfied my curiosity, and I have to admit reassured me that the choice I made is just right for me. I don't have a big room or need for very very loud playing, and have the sense from what you said that the LS50 wII + KC62 integration from KEF does as good a job as I am going to find, giving me a mini version of the LS60 - maybe without some of the dynamics, and maybe not quite as well integrated as the single apparent source, total package that the LS60 offers, but pretty damn far in that direction. So, here are real thanks to you for doing the work to investigate and report with great (discernment) fidelity what the various options offer. You address the questions I have with alacrity and grace! Perhaps the intricacies of the sonic trade-offs and occasional epiphanies of peak combinations make the continuing exploration worthwhile, as a thing in itself, for you and other audiophiles, but this one is happy to have found stable and very decent ground on which to reside, apparently without significant sonic sacrifice, in so far as I can tell...
I really appreciate your comment because the most interesting comparación John could have done is just compare the LS60 with the LS50 WII + KC62. Cheaper solution, but with the possibility to integrate correctly, something no possible with the Hegel. Sincerely, I don’t understand why to obvious this comparation. I like the LS60 simplicity and efficiency than the LS50 + KC62, but is it really worth the price difference?
@@Unicorn-ST I found it really interesting to hear in Darko's discussion with Jack Oclee Brown about the development of the LS60 that the KC62's Uni Core driver was actually designed as part of the LS60 effort. So the KC62 was kind of a spin-off from the LS60 project! What a nice spin-off! (I wonder whether the KEF engineers were pleasantly surprised by how effective the KC62 turned out to be?) Addressing "really worth the difference?" I would note that the LS60s come with four of the Uni Core driver pairs versus one Uni Core (pair) in the KC62. While the bass driver amps in the LS60 add up to the same power as the amp in the KC 62 (1000 watts RMS), that power will be distributed over four elements rather than one, which should mean _much_ greater headroom for loudness with less distortion. Furthermore, the Uni-Q driver in the LS60 is designed specifically for the context where it will not have to be taking on any low-bass responsibilities, while the driver in the LS50 had to be designed for wider frequency responsibilities (because the presence of a subwoofer could not be presumed). The more specialized design of the LS60 Uni-Q driver is bound to have some payoff in performance, at least in loudness and likely in reduced distortion, as well. Altogether, supposing that the KEF engineers did their jobs well (and the accolades for the various speakers suggest that), the LS60 present more opportunities for them to tune the elements more for their more their more narrowly focused acoustic responsibilities. That's bound to have some benefit. I'm curious to see what people find as we all have more time to assess the results.
@@KenManheimer I enjoyed reading your very articulate comments. I bought a pair of KEF LS60’s a month ago based in part on some of the pointers you made. At 60-75% volume in a 7m x 5m room, the speakers really come into there own. Next door, even well separated, neighbours will have no problem listening to what you are playing. The articulation is pin point. The bass gets progressively louder, more authoritative, but never intrusive and drowning. I like to feel the music (I don’t mean stand by the speaker at a nightclub haha) but enough to my core active. In this regard the LS60’s are quite magical. The separation between instruments is exquisite and control of each offering is distinct. Unlike the B&Ws and R4s(?) and several other speakers of similar price with a Naim or NAD, I couldn’t match the distinct separation at increased volumes, backing everything you say.
Sadly they can't do a passive version but hopefully they could do an active version without the internal dacs/streamers. I'm using LS50Metas with dual lyngdorf BW-2 subwoofers (well worth a review in their own right) via a Lyngdorf tdai-2200 room corrected and doubt i could improve on that system without spending mega bucks.
I bet these speakers will really show off the musical prowess of a band like the Red Hot Chili Peppers.. These vs. Buchardt A500 and A700 are going to be interesting comps.
Wow you listened to the Wipeout soundtrack!? I got goosebumps hearing you talk about it in the podcast. SUCH A GEM! You should check out the video game Frequency (PS2), a precursor to Guitar Hero but all electronic music. Symbion Project wrote a lot of music for it, and it's all so good!!
Wanted a new system for my new house. Listened to both LS60 and Forte IV. I prefer the Kilpsch. But I ordered the LS60 in the end due to the interior design and space constraint of my house.
What an outstanding review Darko!!! Cannot be more satiating than this. Appreciate the hardwork of comparing them to passive systems in multiple configurations around the same price point. The end message about active speakers in general was really thought provoking!!
As mentioned in the video,these speakers might not appeal to some, based on the fixed built in class D and class AB amplifiers. KEF could make a passive version,at a lower price, without all the facilities,and wait for the orders to rush in.
Like the LS 50W and LS 50W 2 they have been released with issues. KEF makes you hope and wait for solutions like what is described in this review concerning the link between the left and right channel disconnecting. I am done with the all in one design thanks to Owning the original LS50W. Warranty says don’t buy as well and think about shipping costs if out of warranty when you have a electronics issue.
I listened to these and some separates systems side by side the other day. No comparison, separates all day long. The Kef's sound great. Super clean. But no slam or punch in the face dynamic. IMHO they should have used a much larger footprint rather than trying to wow everyone with such a stupidly small footprint at that price point. They are small and they sound small, end of story. I literally preferred $2800 Sonus Fabers through a good amp to these.
Your angle is always interesting. I had the opportunity to listen to these beauties in a wonderfully treated room in a hifi shop here in Rome and I have to say that they’re impressive! Such a big sound from such a small and skinny cabinet! I think I could live with these ones.
I have to a a degree the same split personality, but for my own money I would always go active and the KEF solution are just from my Point the by far best bang for the bug and also very pleasing to the eye. Would love to have the LS60W
Is it so difficult to place an line in to each speaker for AV processors? The same with LS50s? To be more flexible and a solution for multichannel audio? The way thay design them "locked" them in the 2 channel world. A potential lose in the market of multichannel music an d home Cinemas.
The issue of repairing a problem with an active speaker is not the same as a car repair in that car repairs are logistically straightforward .... You call the tow truck, car is taken to repair shop and it's fixed. Figure 2-3 days tops in most cases. You get a rental car if needed. How would a bad connection internally or bad amp module or software glitch with this speaker get fixed?
You raise an excellent issue. I guess a lot will depend on the level of support provided by KEF (and/or the KEF distributor) in the country in question and the level of support provided by the dealer from whom you buy the speakers. If there are no such services/parts readily available in your country, then it is kind of game over assuming the speakers are out of warranty. So I'd be investigating the repair options carefully before buying and quizzing the local KEF distributor as to what arrangements they have in place. To be fair, it is not always easy to get repairs done on legacy equipment either particularly in smaller countries where the distributor is really just an importer. If repair services are available, then the issue becomes one of safely transporting the speakers without inflicting further damage! Reliable freight services are expensive and boxing the speakers properly would be vital. Best case scenario: the repair facility is in your town!
A decade or so ago, Guitar Amplifier Companies started coming out with 'modelling amps', that had functions to sound like classic amps of the past, old Marshall's, classic Fenders etc., and they sounded awful and were a bit of a joke among Guitar Players at the time. Fast forward to today and the latest 'modelling amps' are fantastic, with most unable to tell the difference between them and the classic amps that they replicate. I would guess that within a decade, hi fi will go the same way, with DSP so good that you will be able to 'dial in' any sound that you want, with sound quality matching mega dollar systems, for a fraction of the price. I think this KEF system being reviewed is just the start of the trend, and new product will get better and better, and make separates obsolete, for all bar the few that will not give up on the old style.
Thanks for this review and comparison. LS60 is out of my budget. I booked LS50W2 and it is getting delivered next week. I will add KC62 when my budget fills up.
I own KEF LS50 Wireless II and I know how amazing these speakers are, so I can only imagine how much better are these speakers, my only problem with these are the number of inputs, for that price I expect at least two inputs from each type. I have A turntable and a CD player, how do I connect both with only one RCA input? This is only small example, I have much more gear and the inputs are not enough. Also running all cables to the primary speaker is bonkers, they better should have an external receiver like small box for all the inputs, which you can keep closer to your gear and run a single cable from it to the speakers.
As for the CD player, use digital outputs and connect to one of KEF's digital inputs. There is no need to use the internal DAC of your CD player because the DAC inside the KEF LS60 is far more superior. As for your wish to have a wireless active speaker system with cable management more in control with some hub (wireless) i have a solution for ya. Dali Rubicon 8C + Sound Hub + NPM-2i
Thank you so much for Craig Finn's recommendation. I had never heard any Craig Finn music. Great find, thanks to you. Very good music. About the Kef LS60W, I have the LS50WII with the BC62 sub, all connected with the AQ Diamond. Great system that gives me great pleasure. However, I will ask my supplier to let me compare the LS 60W in my listening room. I'll decide later what to do. Thanks for your video.
Great comparisons. I just picked up some LS50w ii. LS60's are out of reach at the moment and I haven't the room to accommodate them. It's good to know in order to get a better sound out of a meta + amp combo I'd have to spend well over £1000 more than what the ls50w ii's cost to get a set up to better them. Taking me way out of my £2000 budget. The lyndorf and meta is well over £3,000 together. Not to mention cables and stands. The Hegal is in similar territory. Which makes the wireless ii very appealing in that regard.
As an owner of both component/passive & minimalist/active systems, thanks so much for the anticipated dive into these but also for the sharing on your appreciation for both types. Both actives and headphone listening were my gateway into audiophile waters and the separates jungle. Especially with gaming, vid stream of multi-media plus casual music listening and for social gatherings, I really dig on what my actives provide. When it comes to vinyl, more critical listening and all other activity, the jump to the other system provides a whole other beloved experience.
Bang on the buck here. I think when you buy any component you are experimenting amps with speakers and dacs then when you get the better amp you think wait a bit will this sound better with a different speaker and it goes on and on. This way the experts have MADE the components for each other and probably tried hundreds of different versions creating the best they can in the product. When I heard a little pair of lsx few years ago I was blown away at the quality and it totally flipped all I was looking to create. I’m just waiting on Mr Darkos take on the new lsx before getting my cash out and selling amps and speakers. Do I go new version lsx 2 or old at reduced price. Only Darko can guide me.
I have a Bluesound 2i with Klipsch RP-5000F speakers. The KEF LS60 look very appealing, but I have to wonder if spending 5x as much will get me 5x performance/pleasure/details or whatever. I know this is very subjective, but will I experience a night and day difference? Can anyone who has made such a jump describe their experience?
OMG Great plants.....What about putting up some stills of BERLIN?......Like your attitude/delivery to your show (Except the times you remind me of my Grandma RIP, scolding me about something!) CCC Austin, TX😎🤠🤪
I love your review, you have the whole window context of the audiophilia and that makes this a perfect product review. I just miss a room correction for an totally active system, can't understand why Kef miss that big win.
Going modular will always be more expensive having the same performance. My main worry going active is any malfunction after support for an active system is stopped. You would need to replace the whole system, so in the long run going active might be more expensive.
