Can KEF’s Bookshelf Speakers Set a New Benchmark for Wireless Hi-Fi?

The acclaimed British hi-fi brand is calling the speakers its “most ambitious creation to date.”

White oval-shaped speaker with a central silver and black driver on a wooden shelf against a green paneled wall.

Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

Published 1 hour ago

·

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Two weeks ago, KEF teased that it would be introducing a new luxury loudspeaker by the end of the month. And, sure enough, the British hi-fi manufacturer has today done just that.

Meet the KEF LS Luxe.

KEF LS Luxe

Living room with beige sofa, green rug, wooden chair, wooden media console with white speakers, and wall-mounted TV. — The LS Luxe is the brand’s new flagship wireless active speaker system, positioned just above the LS50 Wireless II.

KEF is arguably the premier name in active wireless speakers today, with numerous offerings ranging from the (previous) flagship LS50 Wireless II ($3,000) to the smaller LSX II ($1,500) and LSX II LT ($1,000). And just last fall, it introduced the Coda W ($1,000), another entry-level option … only with 1970s flair.

All these active wireless speakers are “plug and play” ready. They support high-resolution streaming over Wi-Fi (and Bluetooth), and have a wealth of wired connections; you can use them as powered speakers for your turntable, TV or computer.

And KEF’s new LS Luxe can do all those things. Only they promise to deliver better sound and, well, look fancier so that they better blend in with modern decor.

Matte black oval speaker and person placing a vinyl record on a turntable on a wooden cabinet. — The LS Luxe speaker system doesn’t have a built-in phono stage. So you’ll need a turntable that has one (or use an external phono preamp).

Pair of beige oval-shaped speakers with a central driver on the front and multiple input ports on the back. — The vertical fins on the back of each speaker form part of the cabinet’s heatsink.

Meet the new flagships

The LS Luxe is a wireless active speaker system that can be best described as a higher-end version of the LS50 Wireless II. And yes, that means it’s being positioned as the brand’s new flagship system.

Both sets of speakers pack KEF’s 12th-generation Uni-Q driver with its Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), a proprietary labyrinth-like composite structure integrated behind the driver that absorbs 99 percent of unwanted rear high-frequency sound waves and significantly reduces distortion.

The main difference is that the LS Luxe speakers pack larger Uni-Q drivers, 6.5 inches vs 5.25-inches of the LS50 Wireless II, which, according to the specs, should help extend their frequency range so that they deliver even deeper bass and get a little louder.

Minimalist living room with two rust-colored lounge chairs, low dark wood coffee table, and abstract art on a beige wall. — The LS Luxe are quite similar to the brand’s LS50 Wireless II, but boast bigger drivers, are integrated with new tech, and have a more lavish cabinet design.

Pair of matte black rounded cube speakers on a beige marble shelf with a white decorative object between them. — Each speaker packs dual Class A/B amplifiers that deliver 380 watts. That’s 760 watts for the system.

Additionally, KEF has integrated the LS Luxe speakers with its Velocity Control Technology (VECO), which it debuted in its XIO ($2,500) Dolby Atmos soundbar that was released last year.

This patent-pending technology uses a velocity sensor to monitor the Uni-Q driver in real time. KEF says that it feeds data instantly to a custom amplifier that corrects any movement inconsistencies.

Basically, it’s another layer of tech that removes distortion or inaccuracies in the sound. And the LS Luxe is KEF’s non-soundbar speaker to be integrated with it.

Three rounded, modern speakers in black, beige, and white with central cone drivers and textured outer rings. — KEF is offering the LS Luxe in three finishes (*from left to right*): Eclipse Black, Dusk Titanium and Mineral White.

White oval speaker on a black stand next to a person sitting on a white cushioned chair holding a smartphone. — The system works with KEF’s Connect app and supports most popular streaming services.

Sculptural cabinet design

As for power, the LS Luxe has the same stats as the LS50 Wireless II. Each active speaker has two Class A/B amplifiers for each of its drivers. 100 watts get sent to the tweeter, while 280 watts get sent to the mid-bass driver. That’s 380 watts per speaker, or 760 watts for the system.

The other obvious difference is that the LS Luxe are more lavishly designed loudspeakers. KEF once again partnered with Ross Lovegrove, the famed industrial designer who worked with the brand on several other speakers, including its flagship $225,000 Muon loudspeakers.

The result is that each LS Luxe speaker has a rounded, more sculptural cabinet. KEF describes it as having a flexible decoupling chassis and being made with an advanced bulk molding compound (BMC). This enables “a purer sound experience, with sharper clarity and deeper bass, setting a new benchmark beyond the gold-standard LS50 Wireless II.”

Pair of beige wireless speakers with rounded edges, one showing front speaker cone and the other showing rear ports and controls. — KEF partnered with industrial designer Ross Lovegrove to create the organic, sculptural design of the speakers.

Modern living room with beige sofa, brown armchair, marble coffee table, black speakers on stands, and large window. — Thanks to HDMI eARC, you can use the LS Luxe as TV speakers. No AV receiver required.

For those familiar with KEF’s LS50 Wireless, the brand didn’t reinvent the wheel with the LX Luxe’s usability.

The system runs on the brand’s same W2 wireless platform, which supports Wi-Fi streaming up to 24-bit/384kHz and multi-room audio
with KEF’s other wireless systems. It supports most of today’s popular streaming services and protocols, including Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, QPlay, AirPlay and Google Cast.

The LS Luxe supports a wide range of wired connections (located on the back of the main speaker). This includes HDMI eARC, analog, optical and coaxial, so you can easily connect your TV, CD player or game console. Each speaker also has a dedicated subwoofer output, so you can increase the bass even more.

KEF says audiophiles can stream from local NAS drives or music servers. The system supports lossless formats up to 24-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD.

Glossy beige KEF speaker with a central gold-colored cone and black ring around it. — KEF is calling the LS Luxe “a fusion of refined sculptural design and uncompromising acoustic excellence.”

Availability and pricing

KEF claims that the LS Luxe are its most ambitious wireless speakers to date. And, naturally, that comes at a premium.

The new flagship wireless speaker system costs $4,000, which is $1,000 more than the LS50 Wireless II system. It’s available to order now.

KEF is offering the system in three: Dusk Titanium, Eclipse Black, and
Mineral White.

Pair of white, rounded wireless speakers with a central silver and black driver on a white background.

KEF LS Luxe

$4,000 at KEF

About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.