KEF LSX Soundwave Edition

Nostalgically using Mozart as my theme, I compare KEF LSX Soundwave edition to Totem's KIN play speakers.
For more information of the written review check out my article on my website at www.13thnote.n...
For more information about the Totem's : www.13thnote.n...
As promised some information about amplifier classes : www.13thnote.n...
Some information about active speakers with active crossovers : www.13thnote.n...
Please support my channel by subscribing to help me grow credible and balanced audio reviewing. Videos take loads of effort - this one took 3 days, so ALL thanks and help is really VERY appreciated.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT ME AND MY PROJECT CHECK MY WEBSITE here - www.13thnote.net/
#KEFLSX #audiophile #musicinabox

[@xl5man]

Great straightforward review and no unnecessary background music.. set my heart on the lsx when I can afford it.. thank you ! 🙂

[@sebastianmeierr.1757]

Hi, I bought the older brother of the LSX the LS50w. I am waiting the product for next week. I suppose is gonna be similar to the speaker that you reviewed today. I am agree with you, people spend plenty of money in larges tv, smartphones etc. I believe that a good pair speaker improve the quality of life. Cheers from Chile

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Hi Sebastian, I want to try the LS50W against the LSX, but whatever you have bought a jem!! I recommend putting them on great stands and if you can position them length ways in your room, plus use the Ethernet tethers to pair them. A good experiment would be to try some modest priced but audiophile type Ethernet connections. Bw from the U.K.

[@oscillatingdailyaudio]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 Don't you have to use Ethernet tethers to pair them? You're implying there is anther way to pair them..is there?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Jimmy Stabler that was answered in the video. Yes WiFi or Ethernet

[@oscillatingdailyaudio]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I mean, the left and right speaker- you have to tether those for them to work is what I mean? I don't mean Ethernet for internet connection.

[@rich.e]

Simon, cover your router's blue light with some electrical tape - job done. Hoping to listen to the LSX ii after Christmas, looks perfect for my room. Lovely to hear a bit of Mozart too. Cheers.

[@Jim181059]

Nice review, thank you and subbed. Had the LSX for 2 weeks or so now. Didn't like them out of the box but, boy, have they opened up now. Easily loud enough to fill an average room - unless you want very very loud - but my favourite thing so far is just how good they sound when played quietly. I have them on my desk and quiet, nearfield listening is amazing. Kef apps are clunky- - I usually don't use them - Spotify or my own collection through Bubbleupnp.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Jim181059 thanks v much. I found they definitely opened up too. Lovely easy listens are these speakers

[@sudsnh]

Break in time for speakers is so important. Infuriates how useless most reviews are when they review speakers right out of the box.

[@danb821]

Thanks for the great review, which has helped me out. I’m somewhat new to audio equipment so I hope this isn’t a stupid question. I mainly use Apple Music from my phone and I was thinking that to get the best audio quality I could connect my phone to an external DAC and then from the external DAC connect to the speaker through the 3.5mm aux port. If the LSX has its own internal DAC would using an external DAC be redundant or even counter productive? Also, I’m curious if you had a chance to listen to the new LSXii version of the speaker and if you felt they provided a tangible improvement in audio quality?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you very much. You don’t need an extra dac as they have one. All that will happen is extra analogue to digital conversion will be going on from the analogue output of your extra dac into the 3.5mm input port. I haven’t tried the new ones. I would check out the acoustic energy ae1’s as they have a great reputation. You don’t need to connect your phone to them, use the Kef streaming app. If you want system advice, make a small donation and I’ll happily help you with what I think could be some options.

[@skychristopherson3249]

Really cool the way you did that intro, thank you!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you too😀👍 I think it’s called double exposure or that might be like in my Hegel h390 intro video where I transpose scenery onto the product.

[@nicklucas6355]

Great review! I have a pair of these on order to replace a B&O A6 and they should arrive tomorrow. I have a 15 x 15 ft room and i'm wondering if these need a subwoofer? I dont want to play music too loud since i have neighbours but i like a reasonable volume and some nice bass.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you. I’m not much of a sub person but you can get a matching one from kef, so worth a go perhaps.

[@noonsound4894]

Enjoying your reviews since discovering your channel this week. I was wondering if you have an opinion on whether a speaker such as these LSX's would be an audio improvement on old passive two way speakers by virtue of the KEF driver design; the newer technology, the active amplification, DSP etc. In my case I have a pair of b&W 602 S2 which weren't top of the line in their day with a low to mid priced Pioneer receiver. I would love to streamline my loungeroom with something as neat and tidy as the LSX's while hopefully improving sound quality. I haven't been able to hear them in person yet but based on what I've seen and heard in reviews I wouldn't be surprised if they improved my hifi experience despite the physical size difference to my b&w's. Thank you for anything you can offer. P.S I know you aren't a sub person but I do have a sub I can add if needed (movies etc). My music ranges from acoustic to pop/ rock with some jazz and classical thrown in.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks for your appreciative comments. Unfortunately I don’t have an opinion as I’ve never heard your b&w speakers. At least demo the ls50 metas would be my advice but always borrow at hone too.

[@noonsound4894]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 thanks for the reply. I didn't expect you to comment specifically on my B&W's just whether you think generally the improvement in speaker design, integrated amps and DSP etc would in most cases be an improvement over 20 year old designed passive speakers and a mid priced amplifier. Your videos are excellent and opinions much appreciated. 😊

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

noonsound thank you very much for praise. I don’t think you can do that until you’ve heard them.

[@zinc121]

Thanks for a great review!! The best I’ve viewed on KZbin. Couple of questions please. I’m a novice when it comes to music systems. 1. If I connect a sub do you know if all the base will be directed to the sub or will base come out of these speakers as well? I just wondered how or if it splits the base when a sub is connected? 2. I can see an funnel opening in the rear of these speakers does any sound come from here? Or is the sound only projected forward? Thanks Dan.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

zinc121 thank you for saying so Dan. Tremendous to hear that. Check out page 29 of the manual. us.kef.com/pub/media/documents/lsx/lsx-owners-manual.pdf Basically you can set the ‘crossover’ frequencies in the kef app. That’s the crossover point the bass frequencies ‘roll off’ from the lsx. You are likely to have similar settings on the sub you buy. My advice is match them well as you want the bass between the sub and lsx to be seem less and hear before buying as bass can sometimes be a bit woolly and muddy with subs. That *can be* an issue, not always, but important to try before you buy if you can.

[@davetherave303]

You might be able to access your router typing the mac address or something labelled on the back into your search bar and see if the settings can let you dim or disable the lights, i can on my VM one.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you, will try that.

[@edmundgil6008]

Another great review! Are you going to review the new Kef LS50 II Meta Wireless speakers? I can’t wait to hear them. My plan is to get the new LS50 II, AND the LSX to use as desk speakers! Thank you, bro!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Kef are difficult to get hold of unfortunately. I’d love to try though.

[@adamswift1747]

A very good take on these two pairs of Active speakers. I've been toying with the idea of downsizing. Selling Roksan amp, Chord 2qute and Dali Zensor 5's and just getting a pair of the LSX's, paired with my trusty Velodyne sub. Only issues for me are: 1.Will my Technics 1210GR+Cambridge Audio phono preamp sound okay through them. 2. Are they reliable streamers? I'm getting dropouts from my old PC and want something that will perform faultlessly with ethernet WiFi. There's so much online 'noise' about nasty Kef apps etc

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I would check out my Genelec video too.

[@adamswift1747]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 thank you I will. I think it might be best to sit tight and wait a couple of years, because after the success of this breed of Kefs the competition is bound to swell.

[@paulgillard5094]

Do these speakers have good vocal clarity? Thinking of getting them for my TV. Or should I be looking for a speaker with a ribbon tweeter?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I am only answering comments on Patreon like this,

[@shababzy]

Great review Can’t make my mind up between these and the LS50 wireless for Computer setup ..... then again cant be buying two setups either i.e would like both Do you think the ls50 wireless is acceptable on a large computer desk Only want to purchase once Pros- cons of both Thanks

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Donno, up to you. Check out speakers from other active firms . Genelec springs to mind.

[@oscillatingdailyaudio]

I have the older brothers so this review goes exactly how I would expect. I may get the LSX for my comptuer setup. I currently have an ifi micro idsd dac hooked to IMAC with KRK Rokit 6 speakers and I think it sound pretty good, but the speakers are a bit big for the space I have.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Jimmy Stabler what did you think of my video?

[@oscillatingdailyaudio]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 my first sentence is kinda of vague but I was implying that I agreed with you considering I have the older brothers and really enjoy them even though they aren't my main setup. They sound great and are so easy to use even though I'm not a fan of cheap remote.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Jimmy Stabler no I mean my production etc. This took 3 days to make.....

[@oscillatingdailyaudio]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I liked it. Well done

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Jimmy Stabler cheers

[@billymcloughlin1679]

If I wanted to connect my windows laptop to the KEF speakers via the 3.5mm connection, will the Toslink connection give me supports up to 192kHz/24bit Thanks

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

William Mcloughlin toslink normally supports up to 24/96 by standard. I’d be using the digital connection from a pc not the analogue.

[@SoMoN69]

Great review, would you recommend this instead of a bar sound for my TV (in addition to music listening in the living room of course!) thanks and keep it up :)

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

SoMoN thanks for compliment. Absolutely is recommended for that use, and will get you much better sound then soundbars in all likelihood as remember you get separation as well remember.

[@jeroenfrietpan1048]

13th Note HiFi Reviews But with no center speaker? When you watch movies or tv you dont get center sound?

[@ao6bl]

Should kef have included a HDMI connection for TV? Is that a problem, as HDMI offers best quality sound!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

no because you use the digital input. most tvs have them nowadays

[@martinmaugeri3912]

Great review!! Congratulations. I would like to know if you got the chance to compare the lsx to the klipsch sixes or fives. I am from Argentina and I don t have the opportunity to listen to them at any store here... I am planning to get a pair of good quality all in one small bookshelf speakers for a 3 x 5 mts room. So I am trying to decide which ones I should pick without listening to them... tough task, I will really appreciate your reply!!! Thanks!!!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I did actually ask for the sixes before Xmas funnily enough, and was due to review against the KEFs, but a show got in the way for the distributor and then they told me the manufacturer had changed emphasis on models so I couldn’t get a pair. Tbh I would struggle to think the KEFs can be beaten with the design but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t and obviously I can’t say definitively because I haven’t heard the sixes etc. I think the uni q design, amplification they use, streaming built in plus pedigree from the excellent ls50 is a design hard to fault. You’ll get a nice tonal sound with these KEFs like the sixes, and I don’t think you’d be disappointed. If I wanted speakers at this price I would myself and was recommending these to my Dad.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you for your comments about my review too!!

[@martinmaugeri3912]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 thank you so much for your reply! You were of a great help!!! I guess the reason why you were not able to get the sixes is because I think, not sure, that those speakers are discontinued now... klipsch released the fives to replace the sixes...

[@softbingan]

Could you compare the kef with a pair of atc scm19 active? Is it worth the saving for the atc?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Paul Benedict I think the ATC will be quite a bit better, but unsurprising with price hike - the one I want to compare these too is the LS50W and I’ve asked KEF about that.

[@adrianharapcea9434]

Great review , how can I conect them with Rega Planar 1 ? Do I need preamp? Thank you

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you. Looks like it as I note planar 1 has built in phono stage. Kef uses 3.5mm analogue in so you’ll need 2xRCA TO 3.5mm cable .see this ; dougbradyhifi.com/products/rega-planar-1-plus-kef-lsx-wireless-turntable-system

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

One like this www.futureshop.co.uk/audioquest-evergreen-35mm-to-2-rca-audio-cable

[@adrianharapcea9434]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 thank you , what do you think about this sistem vs planar system one? I really apreciat your help.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Don’t really know tbh. Never really been a turntable person and probably never will. I find it all old fashioned if I’m honest. Better value in digital too. Go for the ls50 wireless 2 instead is my advice.

[@holdenafart7372]

no volume buttons on the physical speaker or especialy HDMI arc ... is a deal breaker for me ... ill wait till they add those 2 things to them.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

It’s possible just to use the remote or phone obviously. You can use digital input. I’m sure some sort of splitter for ARC / home cinema is available. Wouldn’t cast it out on that basis as poss one of best speakers at this money.

[@holdenafart7372]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 not looking forward to having a remote just for volume and I dont carry my phone my everywhere like most. Plus that's still a hassel unlocking the phone then open the app just to adjust volume. I dont think they sell arc adaptors. Can a universal remote be used with these in order to have cable. TV, and speakers on the same remote ?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

To my mind, Just as easy using a phone tbh because you set it to unlock. I’ve often used an old iPhone in a charging cradle on a rack. It will display the album in the display which is handy and volume will work still work. It’s really just getting used to doing it differently. Re remote there is a manual on the kef site

[@remcoklinkenberg1648]

Is there a big diffefence in sound quality, beteren the Kef LSX and a stereo pair sonos one? Is the extra money worth it?

[@remcoklinkenberg1648]

Between*

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

How would I be able to answer when I’ve not tried the Sonos one. But I seriously doubt the design of the Sonos would get anywhere near to a kef lsx with its amplification and design. Cheers.

[@miroslavbazitov183]

Wouldn't go the KEF LSX route especially if your speakers are right up to the wall. Tried to "upgrade' from a basic Sonos speakers to these KEFs and was highly disappointed by the sound quality. Frankly not sure where all these stellar sound quality reviews are coming from. They look superb tough!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@miroslavbazitov183 to be fair on kef a rear ported speaker is designed not to be used up against a wall, so it is hardly surprising you think that.

[@miroslavbazitov183]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 Agree to disagree as they are mainly (marketed as) a lifestyle product and as such you would rather think about them as a better-sounding Sonos (hence the Remco's question). With all the drawbacks Sonos are having, they are pretty much a really good fit for any room, thus an "upgrade" to LSX may most of the time turn out to be a downgrade in sound quality. As usual my criticism is not for the KEF LSX as a product, but rather towards how the product is marketed. Don't want to sound dismissive - have just returned my KEF LSX and back to my JBL 305 with external dac + Sonos connect which cost wise is half the LSX price, just way way uglier.

[@pwhittak88]

Love Island is trash TV, can't agree more. Would love a fair of these.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Paul Whittaker they are very good for money. I think I got that across though. 😀

[@JEFFWEEE]

Put a towel over your router 👍

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Go into the settings is a better option lol. Didn’t know the light could be turned off, but just as well radio silence at night maybe 😂