KEF LSX II LT review (vs. WiiM + Pro-Ject, PSB Alpha iQ, R3 Meta)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มิ.ย. 2024
- This episode is brought to you by Munich High-End 2024 and Roon:
👉 www.highendsociety.de/high-en...
👉 roon.app/en/
🎥 Camera: John Darko / Olaf von Voss
🎬 Editor: John Darko
🌈 Colour: Olaf von Voss
🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
💰 Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan
🎵 Song IDs? Playlists of all music heard in this video - and other videos - can be found on PATREON: / johndarko
0:00 Intro
1:20 Setup & config
3:32 vs KEF LSX II, PSB Alpha iQ
9:00 vs WiiM AMP + Pro-Ject speakers
12:16 Adding a KUBE 8 MIE subwoofer
16:16 Wireless KW-1 subwoofer connection
18:01 Whatabout LS50?
👉 As seen in this video...
KEF LSX II LT
🛒 audioadvice.io/lsx-ii-lt
KEF S1 stands
🛒 howl.me/cl8Ha4nxGNn
KEF KUBE 8 MIE
🛒 howl.me/cl8HbGeknH0
PSB Alpha iQ
🛒 audioadvice.io/PSB
WiiM AMP
🛒 amzn.to/3WjJfDD
Pro-Ject Speaker Box 5 S2
🛒 audioadvice.io/Box-5-S2
KEF LSX II (Blue)
🛒 audioadvice.io/LSXII
KEF R3 Meta
🛒 audioadvice.io/R3-Meta
Cables and power products by AudioQuest
🛒 audioadvice.io/Audioquest
Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel
🛒 howl.me/ckbW9947Hdi
Room treatment by Vicoustic
📖 audioadvice.io/Vicoustic
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, which are indicated with a '🛒'.
#kef #audiophile #hifi
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Love your videos, reviews! A pleasure to watch them. Aaand... You convinced me! I just ordered my pair of KEF LSX II LT, I look forward hearing them.
Hats off to you John. Everyone needs to know Nick Drake ❤
I like the way you go about things...and you get on with it!
I was an early adopter of the KEF LS50 wireless, and I added a KEF subwoofer which for me made a world of difference. I liked the idea of buying a complete system that included amps and DAC for what I consider to be a reasonable, yet well thought out matching system. I don't believe I could have purchased seperates at or near the same price offering the same level of musicality while occupying so little real estate.
Hey I just saw your post following up about the delay compensation! Thanks for finding out and for sharing that info!
Thanks for the review, John.
Just wanted to remark how good the intro music of this video sounds through the headphones.
Wish it sounded the same through the speakers in my room...
Sweet, thank for the review JD, nice looking little speakers.
Great review , I’d love to see some turntable reviews in the future , really enjoyed your previous ones
18:40 min. This is golden John, thanks for this.
This! This is the one I've been waiting for! 🎉
Nice video John, gives food for thought. I like the green too. As always your choice of music for your videos is 👍👏👏
Whatabout! - thank you for these interesting videos.
I love these videos. I understand about 10% of what is being said but still I persevere 😂
whatabout!
Thanks for such an in-depth review
You had me at Green. I love Green anything!
Very interesting I might have to think about the LSX II LT
I got the exact same KEF setup John mentions, including the Kube8 MIE, about a month or so ago. Sounds top notch in my small audio room, using native QOBUZ via the KEF Connect app. I don't have room for clutter, so this works well in that situation and a breeze to setup. It also comes with a remote which is useful for quick volume adjustments without going into the app. Excellent review JD.
Nothing to do with the speakers but I absolutely LOVE the aesthetics of your room!
John, I just received my Alpha iQ speakers and ooooh was I surprised to hear what comes out of these small speakers. I looked at the Kef but I feel you get a lot more for your money with PSB. And I am Canadian...although they are made in China, designed in Canada. Very happy and I must thank you for giving me the proper info to make my choice.
I love the new order reference to start off lol. Everything's gone green
whatabout? Another great review and playlist. Thanks!
I’ve been struggling to pick over OG LSX II and the LT version, but picked the former due to aux and wireless speakers interconnect. I’ve just ordered mine like a week ago and still waiting for ones, but with your review I think I was right picking original ones
Thanks, John. As always your videos are not only informative, but also just a pleasure to watch.
Whatabout…. Great review, Darko Audio team!
whatabout. Great video Mr Darko thank you.
What about...a day off? A short vid of you buying physical media, bringing it home, making a cup of tea playing your new music, drinking tea and just enjoying your system.
Nice New Order reference at the start 😉
What a nice song "Poor boy" ty for sharing :)
Oooh, thank you for sharing the track - Terminate by William Cleason! I never heard it before, it's great!
Whatabout. Got the LSX II on my desktop, love them. The KEF R7s' are destined for the living room.
What about such a great Nick Cage recommendation! Bravo keep it coming!
What about - I’m currently running a KEF R3, Leak audio, BS Node 3 and REL setup in my lounge but having an annexe built where I’m going to be setting up a cinema room.
I’ll have an AV amp and interested to know your thoughts on how that AV amp might deal with streaming music. Going to be running KEF bookshelf’s and centre with a sub.
I’d still like to be able to listen to music in that space but wondering how much I’m giving up through using the AV amp.
"Whatabout" comparing the LSX II LT to my comfy slippers? Don't tell me you don't have my comfy slippers on hand to do a side-by-side comparison!
Got the LSX II recently as a desktop solution and for the price bracket (got it on offer £830) I could not been happier. Absolute stellar smart active!
My SVS prime wireless bookies arrive next week. I’ve got a 3 way active speaker shootout all lined up for my desktop/nearfield listening setup.
I really like the comparison with the R3 meta. It’s more valuable than a comparison with an equal piece of kit for me, imo. Whatabout!
@DarkoAudio …Another fantastic review! I thoroughly enjoy your honest feedback, detailed in such a thoughtful and informative manner. This video was especially interesting as I am in the market for a pair of active speakers. I was wondering if you’ve had any experience with the Elipson W35xi speakers? …I would really appreciate your input on them. WHATABOUT doing another comparison video including the W35xi?? Thanks for providing such entertaining and informative content! Cheers from Canada! 🇨🇦
Hi Darko. Is there a real performance / quality differences between the kube and the kc62 ? Thank tou for your response.
Whatabout. Great vid.
Thanks again! Can you tell me which Thorens turntable you have , will there be a review soon. Thanks
Green looks good on you John.
Thank you, John. Do you feel the Cube 8’s 34Hz at -6db to be low enough for the music you listen to? You weren’t missing anything compared to the KC62, which goes much lower? (11Hz at -3db!)
Thanks John, nice to see that things are still evolving. I don't know if I could deal with all those cables, reckon I prefer my speakers with just the one wire. Good review, and you seem to be in good spirits, so I quite enjoyed that. Whatabout Munich then, are you going to go and listen to more doors closing?
Thank you - that was the exact hi-fi speaker review hit I needed… it’s been a while, hasn’t it? (Or have I missed a few videos)
Whatabout.... I agree about the importance of a sub. Currently considering Dynaudio Evoke 10 to pair with an SVS Micro 3000.
I'm curious was the shirt purchased for the above video.. If so I'm impressed excellent as usual 👌
Whatabout me?
Excellent video as always.
nice review as always, what is that sideboard, looking very nice 😊
Small speakers plus sub are a very versatile combo since I suspect if we did a survey or room size most would find them a better fit.
I like your new low-board. Where'd it come from - is it available in the UK?
Interesting ‘green’ review. Whatabout compared these with the Kef LS60?
I've never used high end wireless audio, but I've always noticed significant latency over bluetooth in my car, or with wireless earbuds.
How much latency is there when you throw in all this extra hardware, like a Room streamer, and the WiiM amp, etc?
Monitor Audio Silver 100's 5g linked to my old Onkyo and my Samsung QLED. I will get a new amp at some point but I don't understand the fuss with Sidebars. Nice bit of 70's wah-wah funk in the video today!
I think the dual ports of the sub uses the same concept found in in-ear monitors that have two dynamic drivers facing in opposite directions. The result is a more immersive, spacious sub bass presentation. ❤
What about the Nubert NuBoxx 381 ore following model B-40 as budget alternative? The 381 also work with the WIIM Amp
Already on my 4th pair of coaxial speakers. Trying to choose between Mofi Sourepoint or JTR 110
The USM Haller sideboard upgrade is a good look!
"Whatabout!" Loving my LS50W + Kube8, even if they're not meta or MIE. And yes, some proper Audioquest cables do make a difference. (Not a WiFi guy)
This video sounds great in Dolby Atmos! 😉
John, can you please said something about your music / audio books seen on your videos? Thank you.
Whatabout the Kef Blade Meta vs the lsx lt in a desktop setup?
What about ? ha ha .... loved your clarity and humour re what you actually have there for comparison or don't. Even though I do have LS50 Meta's that I was listening to your video through watching on my television. 🤣
Ive just found my birthday present!
Whatabout a different brand sub? Can you access KEF's suggested crossover frequencies?
¡¡¡Fantastic Nick Drake!!
What about.... Thoughts on changing opp amp chips in equipment?
How reliable do you recon the electronics are? Will these last 10+ years with daily use?
Yeah that Nick Drake album is gorgeous. Feels like living in a long seventies montage scene
Wondering if you tried the KUBE 8 with the R3 Meta's? Thanks!
Nope. Had I done so, I would have included it in the video.
Subtle Everything's Gone Green sample John! 🤫
How those compare to Klipsch's the Fives / Sevens ?
HDMI ARC is a must for any digital living room speaker setup in my books...
whatabout that's a really nice shirt John
Whatabout. Great songs!
Great video John, it seems KEF are really targeting the desktop user with these.
What about. For powered speakers, how long is the factory service period. Original KEF computer powered speakers {X300A) are beyond factory repair support period. Just getting to the power supply board, entails taking out the woofer. Easy access to swap out boards for repair needs to be also specified. Is even a 5 year support period enough?
Whatabout! I’d love these as a 2.1 setup in my office.
whatabout! I've never had the need for active speakers, but they are interesting.
Whatabout my in ear monitors? How might it compare to those??
What a boat!
I have always been partial to Kef speakers and still have a pair of 3-way Kef Concertos from the 1970s though they are not part of my main system. Your Kef subwoofer is sealed and you seem to imply that you prefer it over a ported subwoofer. Why?
Hopefully, you get the Q Acoustics M40s for another side to side comparison.
Whatabout side-by-side comparisons to: the speakerphone on your phone, a complete Nagra/Wilson Audio system, your current true wireless earbuds, a desktop headphone rig with an OTL tube amplifier and R2R tape deck, and your experience having been at the live event recording??? Or is that all on the Patreon channel
Whatabout. I was just posting this question on your other last video and weirdly enough you 're talking about the KEF. Could you please check AIAIAI TMA-2 Wireless+ Studio headphones and Unit-4 Wireless+ studio speakers ? Low latency wireless transmission (stable 16ms, not like BT), ideal for music producing and djing with, or simply lossless quality on the go. W+ sends CD quality wirelessly, both headphones and speakers. Double signal for stability. Can’t wait to see your take on them and your precise analysis if ever you chose so! (Unit-4 vs LSX ?)
Would love to see you review more active speakers. Especially genetics :)
8341 & 835, 8050 and 8330 for starters. With and without subs of course :)
love my lsx 2 , best computer speakers ,
use rme adi 2 dac with them and kanto sub ........
You need a dac with them? What about the internal dac?
@@Hyper1555 internal dac is good but if you have a better one you like might as well use it .........
and for me the dac has a headphone socket which
the speakers don't .........
You don't need a dac 🤣 remove the dac will sound better way to much processing.
My main system has the KEF R3 Metas and suitable amp and sources. I found your review of the R3's super helpful.
For my secondary system, I chose the KEF LSX II over the LT version. I have a turntable, and needed the aux input that the LT version doesn't have. Aesthetically, the regular LSX II seems a bit more upscale, which I like a lot. And the regular LSX II's give you the option of wireless connection between the two speakers. I think using the cable to connect them sounds slightly better, but I can definitely see use-cases where the wireless option would be super helpful.
I was super lucky. My local hifi dealer was offering an open-box LSX II for the same price as the LT's. The open-box unit is indistinguishable from new.
Thanks for another really thoughtful, helpful, and well put together video essay. Oh, and thanks for the Nick Drake recommendation. I've just queued up "Poor Boy" in TIDAL, sounds amazing!!!
I love my KEF active speakers but I hate the need to plug all the cables into a speaker … I’d rather have a hub that can be hidden away wirelessly connected to the speakers … ala buchardt
That green is totally gorgeous. Its more like an emerald green.
Personally I prefer the dark blue or the grey of the previous model but everyone has different tastes
We all love a good 'whatabout!'.
Whatabout the Triangle Audio AIO TWIN?
What about brilliance! 😊
Whatabout- The TV being off center in regard to the speakers would drive me crazy. 😂
My take between the LT and the full LSX II is that the LT version is designed to go after the lifestyle crowd that wants something better than a sound bar. Having ARC and long with built-in streaming support is all that most people need/want. I think that you are a more sophistaced user than most, and if features like Roon are important then it's easy to justify the additional cost for the LSX II. What KEF should do next is upgrade the driver in the LSX II using the META disk to futher differentiate the two products.
Whatabout man!
Can I pair them wirelessly with my KEF LS50 Wireless II ?
Are they better choice over KEF Q350?
Nice! Todd Hido :)
Love the videos and the content but whatabout not having the shake for the closeup shots? It is subtle but disconcerting.
What about those mofi towers at the latest audio show waiting for your review
Whattabout!?!
Nearfield curious listener here. Do thoughts on importance of a subwoofer change for that environment with the LSX II LT?