More than wireless speakers, with the wireless speakers Kef LS50 Wireless test, offers us a new concept. By themselves, they replace the entirety of a true hi-fi chain of last generation capable of access to conventional audio sources, of course, but also to the latest generation of dematerialized media. In this regard, if the price at which Kef proposes its pair of small speakers may seem a little high (2 300 €), it is necessary to see that they replace not only conventional speakers but also a high-quality amplifier, a network player or even an external Dac for those who wish to be able to exploit Hi-Res Audio files stored on a computer. What is more, it is the assurance of having a perfectly coherent system. Indeed, here no more question to ask about the choice of each Link: Kef analyzed each sound section to be in perfect symbiosis with those to which it belongs Associated.
VIDEO REVIEW OF WIRELESS SPEAKERS KEF LS50:
AMPLIFICATION CLASS AB AND CLASS D: WIRELESS SPEAKERS KEF LS50 WIRELESS TEST
This point is particularly tangible in the choice of speaker amplification. Indeed, Kef has jointly implemented two different architectures of amplifiers. Remember that as their big sisters LS50(click on the reference to discover the complete test of the product by the editorial of NSmartphone), the wireless speakers Kef LS50 Wireless Test are based on a two-way structure, we will come back to it later. Rather than a global amplification combined with passive filtering, for more flexibility, Kef opted for electronic filtering, by DSP, and a specific power amplification for each section. To combine the power and impact of bass with a subtle and detailed treble, each stage of power has its own technology. The low section is controlled by a Class A digital amplifier D capable of delivering up to 200 W in continuous effective power, while the acute section is managed by an analog amplifier Class AB of a power of thirty Watts. This dual amplification structure guarantees smoothness and sharpness associated with the absence of digitizing artifacts, the strong point of the analog, while the vivacity of digital gives a good hold to the serious.
To combine the power and impact of bass with a subtle and detailed treble, each stage of power has its own technology. The low section is controlled by a Class A digital amplifier D capable of delivering up to 200 W in continuous effective power, while the acute section is managed by an analog amplifier Class AB of a power of thirty Watts. This dual amplification structure guarantees smoothness and sharpness associated with the absence of digitizing artifacts, the strong point of the analog, while the vivacity of digital gives a good hold to the serious.
UNI-Q COAXIAL SPEAKER: WIRELESS SPEAKERS KEF LS50 WIRELESS TEST
On the loudspeaker side, we find the coaxial structure Uni-Q, the signature of the brand, already present on the small LS50. The boomer, with a diameter of 130 Mm, has a cone made of an aluminum/magnesium alloy combining high rigidity with a very low mass. Moreover, in order to further limit the risk of occurrence of surface undulations of its membrane, especially during transients, ribs stiffen it again. Moreover, as for any coaxial structure, the cone of the boomer also acts as pavilions to offer the tweeter a better spatial distribution of the treble.
To avoid any break in surface continuity between the dome of the tweeter and the front baffle, Kef plays here on curves all gently. A first metal part provides the coupling between the tweeter and the center of the boomer diaphragm, while the front of the LS50 Wireless also adopts a sphere portion for optimal diffusion of sound waves. Finally, in order to avoid any rupture of curvature between the membrane of the boomer and the woodwork, Kef prescribed the peripheral suspensions in half-roll. Here the brand has developed a suspension, called Z-Flex, based on a ribbed rubber which ensures the boomer a large clearance without having a prominent bead. This type of suspension, which is fairly rigid, explains why it is essential to LS50 before they can express themselves fully.
TWO HP, TWO MAGNETIC CIRCUITS: WIRELESS SPEAKERS KEF LS50 WIRELESS TEST
The tweeter, coaxial structure, therefore, occupies the center of the membrane of the boomer. Unlike other manufacturers who operate a single magnetic circuit for both loudspeakers, Kef offered it its own magnetic circuit using a powerful neodymium magnet. This point considerably limits the interactions which may exist between two transducers exploiting the same magnetic circuit.
The large dome of 25 Mm of the tweeter is aluminum based. Very light, it offers LS50 a frequency response in the treble extending beyond 40 KHz, which is rare enough to be signaled and fully justified when Hi-Res audio files are operated. Finally, a frontal waveguide plays a dual role. First, it serves as a protective grid for the dome. Its second function is to optimize the dispersion of the acute by opening the angle of propagation of the sound waves and by homogenizing their distribution over the whole zone covered by the Speakers.
ADJUSTMENTS TO ADAPT THE LS50 TO ROOM ACOUSTICS: WIRELESS SPEAKERS KEF LS50 WIRELESS TEST
These particularities of the Uni-Q system result in several effects on listening. First, the coaxial architecture behaves like a point source sound. It may be considered that all sounds come from a single point: The center of the loudspeaker membrane. This behavior is favorable to a good localization of each ” Sound object “Within stereophonic space. Moreover, this arrangement ensures good phase coherence. All sounds, regardless of frequency, are transmitted in phase. Kef wanted to go even further on this point by offering the DSP which manages the filtering of draconian phase correction corrections to avoid any phase rotation during the treatment of severe and acute.
Kef also offers a multitude of settings to best adapt the behavior of the wireless speakers Kef LS50 Wireless Test to the acoustics of the listening room. Already, at the back of the master enclosure, a series of pushbuttons offers access to certain predetermined presets in the factory.
Kef also offers a multitude of settings to best adapt the behavior of the wireless speakers Kef LS50 Wireless Test to the acoustics of the listening room. Already, at the back of the master enclosure, a series of pushbuttons offers access to certain predetermined presets in the factory.
It should be noted that these speakers can be used totally “Offline” and a remote control repeats the same settings as those on the master speaker. But it is via the application, compatible iOS and Android, intended for the management of their functionality that it is possible to fine-tune their behavior. The enthusiasts will thus spend hours studying the impact of each tuning to find a sound signature of their own and suitable for them better.
CABINETS CLOSE TO WIRELESS SPEAKERS
Finally, the small cabinetmaking of the British manufacturer is directly wireless speakers Kef LS50 Wireless Test. We find the internal reinforcements for a very high rigidity and, of course, the curved front which offers these speakers a ” Look “Which distinguishes them at first glance ( see visual below ). The rear panel is the most affected by the integration of electronics. It has an impressive radiator, even if the digital amplification only leads to a very low heat release. It is also she who receives all the connections. The vast oval vent is, however, preserved. Note, on the master enclosure, a small sensitive panel, housed on the top of the cabinet, gathers the controls Essential: Power on, source selection, and volume.
COMPETITION: WIRELESS SPEAKERS KEF LS50 WIRELESS TEST
Quite a few wireless speakers Kef LS50 Wireless Test of this type are present on the market. Generally, we go directly from configurations for computers, desktop speakers among others, to multiroom systems type Sonos. But in neither of these two cases, there is a complete connection making it possible to use the apparatus as a Hi-Fi equipment conventional.
However, the small SRS-ZR5 speaker from Sony, sold at 199 € per unit. In addition to its multiroom capabilities, it has a Bluetooth connection and a fairly complete connectivity. Indeed, an HDMI port even allows to connect it to a television to reproduce the sound. If two of these speakers are interconnected in Wi-Fi, they ensure its diffusion in true stereo. However, this small enclosure does not pretend to compete with a chain Conventional.
More oriented towards multiroom functionality, small ” The Sixes “Klipsch also have various inputs and even a Phono input to match their vintage look. Their technology is, on the other hand, topical since it is based on converters 24 bits / 192 kHz. Enclosures proposed 899 € the pair.
Triangle also has in its range small Lara LN01A (599 € the pair). More modest power, 2 X 50 W, they also have an analog input at the ” Line “On RCA which, thanks to a small slide switch, can be switched to Phono input. If they have an APT-X Bluetooth transmitter, they are not designed to handle streams or integrate into a system Multiroom.
Conversely, Yamaha proposes the small NX-N500 very oriented multiroom and network thanks to the standard MusicCast of the mark. Proposed to 799 € the pair, however, they have an analog input, an optical digital input, and a port USB.
TECHNICAL VERDICT: WIRELESS SPEAKERS KEF LS50 WIRELESS TEST
Two phases can be distinguished in the operation of these enclosures. The first concerns a conventional use, the second a use more oriented towards supports and dematerialized services. In use ” standard “, It is sufficient to connect the master enclosure, the one dedicated to the right channel, and the slave enclosure, left the channel, using the supplied cable for the late to be played. Caution, if this cable resembles an Ethernet cable, it does not perform the function. It is necessary to distinguish on the master speaker the RJ45 connector intended for the dialogue between the speakers of that intended for a possible wired connection to the network. Similarly, as data transfers are carried out at very high speeds between the speakers, it is strongly recommended to use the cable provided by Kef.
CONNECTION OF SOURCES: WIRELESS SPEAKERS KEF LS50 WIRELESS TEST
The sources then connect in a completely usual way. Optical, analog RCA or USB-B are very accessible on the back of the master enclosure. Beware, however, of USB -B, if on the original Apple computers, the speakers are automatically ” Views “As sound broadcasting devices, this is not automatic on PCs. Most often it is necessary to install the appropriate drivers so that the computer can transmit Hi-Res audio streams to The USB-B.
The wireless speakers Kef LS50 Wireless Test is made directly from the application that Kef offers. Naturally christened ” wireless speakers Kef LS50 Wireless Test “It downloads from the AppStore, for Apple devices, or from Google Play Store for systems running Android. After a speaker search phase, it asks for the Wi-Fi password of the home network and the speakers connect directly to it. An Ethernet connection is also possible if Wi-Fi is the unavailable or unwanted employee. Similarly, Bluetooth technology is also part of the game to immediately broadcast the content of a suitable hardware (smartphone, tablet, game console, computer …). Last precision, a subwoofer output is also part ( see picture below ) for an even more impacting sound.
Curiously, the application does not behave like a “Super remote control“. In fact, it does not give access to the source selection. It is exclusively dedicated to the management of the contents present on the tablet or the smartphone as well as those accessible to the equipment connected to the network domesticated: Computers, NAS hard drive, multimedia servers, etc. The only setting it contains, except for those setting the behavior of the speakers, is that of volume. On the other hand, it offers a good ergonomics to navigate in the tree of the various equipment and realize in a very simple way Playlists.
THE LISTENING … WIRELESS SPEAKERS KEF LS50 WIRELESS TEST
From the first moments of listening to the wireless speakers Kef LS50 Wireless Test surprise on three points: The relief of the sound image, the clarity of the treble and the depth of the grave associated with its impact. The whole overall emphasized by a remarkable dynamic. But these performances have Explanations.
The relief of the sound image, for its part, is related to the coaxial architecture of the LS50 and the remarkable work that Kef has achieved on phase control. The fact that the speakers function as point sources ensure precise location of each sound stage element in both width and depth. Hence the sensation of naturalness, precision, and relief enjoyed by the restitution. We were able to highlight this specificity in tune with the San Symphony Orchestra Francisco led by Seiji Ozawa in the execution of Three Pieces for Blues Band and Orchestra by William Russo. The position of each musician, as well as the acoustic signature of the room, are reproduced with the precision worthy of the best elements. Namely, this work also offers very beautiful flights of dynamics. A challenge that the small LS50 have met with surprising ease on the part of boxes of the dimensions also Modest.
This feeling is further enhanced by the transparency of the treble. Here, obviously, it is the analog amplification of this section which contributes to offering him such limpidity. It is clear that the tweeter climbs very high in frequency, but it does it without any aggressiveness while finding the right balance between shine and felted. If this excellent behavior in the treble is felt especially on the percussion or the most extreme sounds of electronic music, it also offers the voices a particularly natural phrasing. The sensation of the presence of the singer is there. An effect of transparency that we felt especially on the voice of Zaz withDans ma Street.
The bass, finally, is surprising for enclosures of this template. In addition to its depth, it enjoys a frankness and impact generally reserved for speakers with large diameter speakers. It must be said that, for the management of the bottom of the spectrum, Kef did not skimp on the power of its digital amplifiers. With 200 W by enclosure, it is quite possible to have only loudspeakers with modest returns but that compensates this point by a broadened frequency response and a very keen behavior to again offer a lot of realism to the restitution. In the impulses small Kef ” Very Out “. They ensure Dave’s Take Five drum solo Brubeck, for example, the energy that is only found on column models and not on the library.
So we went from surprises to surprises in discovering the small wireless speakers Kef LS50 Wireless Test. More than seductive, they do not have to blush for their services, far from it, compared to equipment much larger, less open to new media dematerialized and sometimes much more expensive. As you can see from the diagram above, they also offer a seamless ergonomics acting as a bridge between classic sources using physical media and dematerialized music.
In short, speakers that hide their fire temperament behind a wise, even banal aspect. It is essential to listen to them, after a long run-in, to become aware of their extraordinary Restitution. We only want one, ask a longer loan to Kef to keep them longer and enjoy it again and again.
Source: KEF
Title: Test of wireless speakers Kef LS50 Wireless
Updated: 2017-01-19
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