We COMPARE the KEF LS60 Wireless to THREE *other* hi-fi systems

[@DarkoAudio]

PLEASE READ *before commenting*! 1) Got a question? Please ask it of the Darko.Audio KZbin community (and not me) as I'm off making the NEXT video 2) All comments here are moderated by a third party: instagram.com/p/CTWcokaszpW/ 3) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome (but no URLs, racist/sexist remarks or conspiracy theories, please)

[@jmtennapel]

I love how you pull the music into the reviews. It is about the music in the end 👍

[@vikrambhaskar7976]

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!!

[@JC.LC.]

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.

[@randomtube8226]

5 years for the speakers and 2 years for the electronics. Totally agree!

[@joesshows6793]

I have some KEF speakers from the 90s and they still POUND.

[@electricsnut]

@@joesshows6793 Your speakers from the 90s were far simpler and better built, seen quite a few LS50W on marketplace that have issues…

[@ggc7318]

Made in China ? Hmm...

[@dksculpture]

Just like iPhones. Not a problem if they’re well designed and QC is good.

[@TheSurfingCat]

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.

[@KenManheimer]

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...

[@Unicorn-ST]

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?

[@KenManheimer]

​@@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.

[@porschepasellcar7627]

@@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.

[@parthmadhubhai689]

I think we all are excited to hear an a700 vs ls60 comparison. My bet is on a700 but no comparison can be found yet unfortunately

[@electricsnut]

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.

[@fatphoca5009]

Now you can see how ahead of the game Meridian was decades ago.

[@azamayub]

Would love to see a future comparison with Buchardt A700 with its Primare bubdle

[@tommorrison9724]

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.

[@riccardovargetto7990]

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.

[@LukeVesty]

I'm not an audiophile. Not even close. But I just find this guy compelling to watch and I'm having trouble not watching any more of these videos.

[@TPQ1235]

Excellent review as usual John! Your team is my go-to source for information on all things high end audio, and one of my top 3 KZbin Channels.

[@thirdkey9]

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.

[@mchrome3366]

Almost every great find of my library of electronic music over 50 years has been by DJ’s recommending artists on college radio so it’s been a special treat to add to my music and listen to your great reviews of audio gear at the same time. Thanks.

[@GiovanniBurroni]

love the "highly recommended album of the week" part! Your videos are easily some of the most enjoyable around

[@mikehuntington4440]

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.

[@maxamg1120]

Just such a wonderful review. Thoroughly enjoyed the 2 vids. I too am split between hifi building enthusiast and someone who just wants it all to work seamlessly. Thank you, John

[@williamglasgow9853]

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' !

[@Inflator82]

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.

[@Z-u-m-a]

Well said.

[@electricsnut]

I see a lot of KEF speakers with issues on marketplace, your not an isolated incident

[@stephenjohnpresnal4310]

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.

[@darrenkutner]

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!

[@kobymile5453]

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.

[@Soledata]

Thanks for recommending Craig Finn. I went to see him at The Turf Club because of this. Great show! Great review!

[@Halarue]

Finally part 2 is here

[@Tanner_o]

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.

[@aeromaniac13]

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!!

[@carloscosta3514]

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.

[@timafken2297]

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

[@tronderikbrekke8792]

The review to watch as always. I think you summarized it perfectly. I need to have a listen to the LS60 for sure. And I can totally relate to the split personality in terms of high end audio. I can totally appreciate the system building of a passive system, and at the same time the simplistic bits of a active system. Thanks for your thorough work. And real world comparisons.

[@manuelrobledo5106]

Great video Darko! Your are far superior to all the other channels put together Bruh!

[@HLOVEBARCA]

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.

[@martijnbos9873]

Very curious how these would do when compared to the Buchardt A700. That seems to be the most direct competitor at this point in time.

[@mohamedahmed1023]

5 yr driver support and 2 yr electronics support warranty isn't sufficient IMO. The electronics are my concern

[@gilbertolazo8620]

Thanks darko, been waiting for this.

[@atulnsingh]

John, you are just so fantastic. Every time I see your video, I learn a thing or two. You make it simple, which is very hard. Kudos

[@godfrypinch2917]

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.

[@vqa33]

YOU're the best reviewer i've seen for KEF ls60

[@baronvonaux8294]

“The ‘what-abouters’ amongst you”. Classic! One of my all time favourite Darkoisms.

[@Cross291]

Wonderful review again! Enjoyed watching it and can’t wait to get my hands on the LS60 Wireless for my home!

[@cinqiwc]

A pair of active speakers like this with Dirac or similar would be the ultimate set. Thanks for this great review!

[@GutekZ]

Absolutely agree. Would love to see these with some kind of Room Correction.

[@iKaGe01]

Been waiting for this!!! I currently own the LS50w and was toying with the LS50 ii with the sub but...

[@adrianrorvik7488]

Nice one, but I would love to see a comparison with the Buchardt A700.

[@FireMunki63]

This needs an update considering the massive price drop on the LS60s at the end of last year 2023!

[@engelweh]

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

[@Alan_Mac]

Good little odyssey through the various options there. I'm firmly in the 'active streaming speaker' camp and love my recently-acquired LS50 Wirelss ii's connected to my tv and a Technics turntable. Meets all my music needs and looks neat and tidy in my room.

[@Prince_Pig]

love this review John, love your descriptions of the sound and comparisons

[@barneyrubble9309]

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.

[@SuperScagnetti]

..sat watching this on a lazy sunday afternoon on my old-school set of kef coda-ii..,it makes better when you take the time to produce a clear audio track....

[@orwhat24]

Always interesting and useful reviews, thanks. Software based speakers are a hard sell for me, but you give me lots to think about.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗THANKS JOHN… FOR THE OUTSTANDING REVIEW 🤩🤩 and SHARING THAT THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO BE AN AUDIOPHILE…WE APPRECIATE YOUR MUSIC 🎶 SUGGESTIONS 👍😎😍😍😍

[@NathJPearson]

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.

[@djconnect1]

Always worth a watch alongside a few other reviewers. Good entertainment and quality broadcasts. Looks like a brilliant product. The driver technology kef uses suits my ears

[@respiii]

I really enjoyed your review "saga" of the ls60, the Videos and the Podcast. I think Kef is going in the right direction with their active line of speakers. Young people like me don't have a big physical audio library (or some existing hifi gear like amps laying around) and have probably most experience with portable easy to setup Bluetooth speakers so the active streaming loudspeakers are really attractive. I support the ideology that to experience something good the setup does not have to be complicated or you need to be an expert. PS I really like building my own PC...

[@MrMartinmonge2000]

I think I'm your number one fan here at the Utah State (USA). Your videos and honest and are very instructive when you explain something about Sound. I was a DJ for years in NYC but now I live in Utah.

[@easylaptop]

moment i got 2650euro to by ls50 wirelees, kef come with ls60, omg back to work. nice video ,thanx man

[@leokuiper2593]

If you always want better when it comes available you will never have enough money to buy a system. Many active systems available that better the LS60 with according higher price tab’s. But I can imagine you fancy the LS60 though.

[@Rascallucci]

It would be interesting to compare the LS 60 Wireless with the new Dynaudio Focus 50 Wireless.

[@doctorbritain9632]

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?

[@jeedmodorn5494]

Craig Finn and Leonard Cohen somehow manage(d) to fuse words with music in a unique and compelling way. Opening with a record recommendation is a good reminder, as is always the case with @darko audio, that music is where it's at. And our striving for top sound quality is but means to this end.

[@kraihx]

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.

[@howmit6361]

This. Hopefully, we see a review soon.

[@johnbrown4568]

Thx for your excellent reviews.

[@Donzimadness]

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.

[@robinmarples5198]

As a piece of funiture, those ls60 are sublime.

[@flynow5614]

I'm so old I remember when KEF offered speaker kits.

[@kevinmcgrath3591]

me too, I bought the T27, B139 and B110's and copied the IMF transmission line cabinets, sounded great......

[@andreymerzlyakov8581]

Great recommendation(Craig Finn)! Love it))

[@n815e]

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.

[@jeancena8761]

That is nuts… what an embarrassing move of them.

[@bacon.dumpling]

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.

[@electricsnut]

@@bacon.dumpling So offer an upgrade path and swap out the amp modules.

[@ggc7318]

Made in China !!! Sorry KEF.

[@electricsnut]

@@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.

[@montynorth3009]

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.

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

these KEFs are so good looking and sounding

[@chawonytube]

Fantastic episode. On point!

[@kirkaparty4143]

Thanks for the review, maybe the competition will be Buchardt actives A500 or A700.

[@Krell666]

The elephant in the room with any active speaker system, and especially one at this price point, is long term reliability. I've been burned twice with this. The warranty on the electronics is always less than the passive components, which tells you all you need to know (KEF offer 5 years on drivers, 2 years on electronics). Until the warranty is in the comfortable range (5-10 years) I'd stay away from [expensive] active systems.

[@chapman6304]

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!

[@freddymcculloch6811]

I have the R3 meta/Hegel H390/kc62 and it sounds incredible next to LS60S.

[@whitecrowuk575]

@@freddymcculloch6811better than ls60?

[@IvanMarjanovicLDN]

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!

[@victorchiappetta3230]

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.

[@Michael-xz1nk]

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.

[@darylwootton5217]

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.

[@justlooking813]

As the market starts heading down the active route, comparisons to high end studio monitors should be considered. Sure, the speakers wouldn't have streaming natively, but therein lies an opportunity for these amp/processor manufacturers to make great line level output devices (hello balanced!) with even better DAC components.

[@CCC-AUSTX]

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😎🤠🤪

[@aceofspades6667]

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.

[@ldol23]

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 :)

[@SlicedBread1001]

This is how I feel about kef in general tbh.

[@eirikbakke1125]

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.

[@ldol23]

I now am a happy owner of the A700:). Still have my ls50 and 2x rel 5ti. The difference is huge

[@lancebartlett3892]

The irony that the diffraction from his glasses affect the frequency response more than the difference in all the speakers demos is entertaining.

[@jyewhin]

I guess we should remove our glasses before listening to music. Thanks for the tip.

[@rsa008]

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.

[@djlovell01]

I finally got my LSX stabile with Roon but I totally understand your frustration.

[@tharrytrusdell3235]

Maybe you can do a review of the golden ear triton speakers and see how they compare with the LS60. I would like to see how they compare. The Tritons have a powered subwoofer and so you must use your system for the mids and highs. I know you have done Golden ear reviews in the past.

[@rj7263]

Thank you, love this review. This color looks green to me, is it the titanium grey?

[@andrewwebb4635]

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.

[@gracenotes5379]

I would need to hear them in person to be sold for my personal use, but for many people who truly value reproduced sound quality but don't want an altar/shrine to the HiFi gods in their living space, this is 100% the way to go. (But I wish they'd add "obelisk-black" to the color options.)

[@darreng279]

Evaluating an active system through the lens of its relative performance to a price appropriate passive system is most interesting.

[@freakaz01d]

I have a dynaudio xeo 6, it has a separate connect box which contains all the inputs, it then communicates wirelessly to the speakers, so all i see are just power cables out from the speakers. I like wireless systems like the kef ls60 because their engineers put in a lot of R&D into creating a speaker,speaker design and an amp that matches extremely well, but connecting all the inputs into one side of the speakers kinda kills it for me, im sure it wont be a dealbreaker for some people

[@ibassnote]

Slightly surprised there is no mention of the Buchardt A500. I don’t quite see the excitement for the KEF that you had for the Buchardt but that may be because we are becoming acclimated to the new technology and other companies are following suit. Your almost inevitable review of A700s will be interesting. I still champion my Buchardt for their flexibility and master tunings. I was just in a famous Nashville studio and observed their powered monitors and realized that most of my highlight audio experiences have been in this scenario, treated room with powered monitors. I understand the attraction to separate systems but I find high end monitors hard to beat for the quality of sound I admire.

[@stephenjohnpresnal4310]

Yes, I also thought there’d be some sort of comparison with the A500s - a previous Product of the Year.

[@dougg1075]

I hit the “ like” button as soon as the video starts. Love this channel And music recommendations

[@MoarCoffeePlzzz]

A700 or LS60??

[@michaellong9039]

Like it or not, you can achieve better performance with a DSP controlled cross-over with the correct amplifier type/power matched to the drivers. And maybe the single biggest advantage is the possibility of adding software room compensation. I like the way Meadowlark Audio is implementing their speakers with DACS and power built in, but with an external preamp/streamer with room correction software.

[@hanneskluytenaar6908]

Thank you for this review. I was really curious what you think of it. I had the chance of listening to them already, and the first impression was positive. But I was really charmed by the aesthetics and the concept of one in all system. After all the comparing you did, I have a suggestion: The lyngdorf, with the kc 62 and with that the bec-Akustic from Germany. They are line array speakers of 1.20 meter long and a diameter of 3 cm. Be prepared to be blown away by the soundstage, and the fact that you don't need a sweetspot for imaging. But, that is maybe something for the future. Enjoy the. Music 🎶 👍🏻

[@avjake]

Using them with the wired interconnect doubles the sampling rate. Why would you not review them in their best operating mode?

[@metalSpike]

Because it doesn’t matter

[@MrAyrit]

Those are some good audiophile words!

[@mwagenma]

Thanks John! I’ve been waiting for this review! I’d love to see you do something a bit similar with these integrated streaming speakers that you’ve done with component systems. For example, I’m drawn to the KEF LSX but they’re $1200 CAD on Amazon. What would be the best budget pair? And what lies between the LSX and the LS60? Keep up the great work!

[@mmdusa]

Oh how I wish I had space for these in my house. I'd get them in a New York minute. At least I have the LS50's to keep me company for now.

[@cartmann227]

The plants are nice 👍

[@therevrockinrollin]

I’m here because I love the hunt

[@trudimcleod5042]

One issue John is not considering is the aspect of uncertainty in the audio experience. I am going through a no music phase, so I am using a system that I put together for listening albums+CDs, it includes amp, preamp, speakers, DAC, bluetooth. But the DAC can accept the optical cable from the TV and the bluetooth receiver has LDAC. Knowing that I have flexibility is an advantage for future decisions.

[@rickc661]

being a relentless wanna be designer, what I want - take a LS50 ( I own the metas) and add the 8 inch driver from the KEF Cube sub, in a cabinet maybe 4 inch larger - designed for say 30 hz lows, notably lower / stronger than the R3 version. WAY cheaper than the KC62