If you’ve ever gazed longingly at KEF’s beautiful LSX lineup of compact wireless bookshelf speakers but perhaps less longingly at their $1,400+ sticker prices, then get ready to swoon over the company’s new LSX II LT Wireless Hi-Fi Speakers, which are available today for a more manageable $1,000.
KEF announced today the LSX II LT (we assume LT stands for “light”?) that it is calling a “streamlined version of KEF’s LSX II speakers.” They are the newest member of KEF’s powered LS Wireless Collection that includes the midsized LS50 Wireless II bookshelf speakers and the powerful LS60 Wireless floor-standers.
Update Jan. 24: Solidifying its “make hi-fi more accessible” push, KEF also announced that it has slashed the prices on all its LS Collection speakers. The LSX II wireless bookshelf speakers are now $1,300 (from $1,400); the LS50 Wireless II bookshelfs are $2,500 (from $2,800); the LS60 Wireless floorstanding speakers are now $5,000 (from $7,000), and their British Racing Green version, the LS60 Wireless Lotus Edition, are now $6,000 (originally $8,000).
Geared towards hi-fi enthusiasts looking for the pristine sound and diverse wireless connectivity that KEF’s LSX II speakers are known for, the new LSX II LTs are almost identical, save for a few key differences and the $400 savings.
With the same sleek and space-saving 9.5- by 6.1- by 7.1-inch cabinets and innovative 11th-generation Uni-Q 4.5-inch driver adorning its front face, the LSX II LTs also match the LST II’s power output (a combined 100 watts per channel), EQ Digital Signal Processing for easy tuning to your room, and accurate sound signature that performs well no matter where you put them. They also have multi-room connectivity should you pair them with other KEF Wireless speakers throughout the house.
KEF’s W2 wireless streaming platform is, of course, here too, bringing a smorgasbord of wireless connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Chromecast, UPnP, and AirPlay 2. Then there’s the access to streaming services that run the gamut from Spotify, Tidal, and Apple Music to Deezer, Qobuz, and Amazon Music. You can even access any digital music files you may have on a NAS. Everything is easily controlled with the KEF Connect app.
The LSX II LTs also hang on to the LSX II’s plethora of wired connectivity options that let it play well with all kinds of home entertainment systems. Inputs include HDMI ARC for connecting TVs for big sound while watching movies and optical and USB-C inputs for computers, game consoles, and other sources. There’s also an RCA out you can connect a subwoofer to for extra low end.
The only input missing from the LSX II LTs is the LSX II’s 3.5mm AUX port for connecting analog sources like turntables. That means vinyl-heads may be out of luck unless they want to go through the fuss of routing through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) or like Sonos does, KEF supplies a line-in adapter. We’ve asked KEF about this and will update you accordingly.
The KEF LSX LTs seem to cater more to the digital-loving crowd. An ethernet port allows direct connection to your router for the fastest possible internet, and the delivery of PCM music files up to 24-bit/384kHz. The LSX II LTs also support DSD and MQA decoding and up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution through the optical and USB-C inputs.
Another way that the KEF LSX II LT speakers is keeping the price down is how the speakers are connected to each other. The LSX IIs could to this wirelessly, through its proprietary low-latency connection. But the LSX II LTs forgo this feature, instead requiring a physical connection by way of a new “specially designed C-Link USB-C PD” interspeaker connection cable. This new C-Link cable is also a change from the LSX II’s ethernet cable that used to connect those speakers. Additionally, the LSX II LT uses a single power cord connected to just one speaker (the LSX IIs required two), and the C-Link cable powers the second speaker instead. The LSX II LTs come with a 3-meter C-Link cable, but a longer 8-meter cable is sold separately.
Available in new Graphite Grey, Stone White, and Sage Green colors, the KEF LSX II LT wireless speakers retail for $1,000. But until January 25th, you’ll have to log in to a myKEF account to buy them at kef.com. Otherwise, they’re available from KEF dealers and retailers today.
Note: This post has been updated to clarify that the LSX II LTs do not feature the wireless connectivity between the speakers. The C-Link cable is required.
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