Building on the original, KEF has revealed the LS50 Wireless II wireless HiFi speaker, an innovative evolution from the first generation.
Having set the bar high with the original, KEF put three years of intensive research into the second generation, raising the bar even higher by delivering a fully active wireless stereo speaker system that offers KEF’s signature sound along with intuitive usability and high-performance wireless capability.
KEF recognises that the way people consume their music is evolving, and therefore has designed the LS50 Wireless II to cater to these needs. Users are able to stream their music and play through the speaker with minimal set up required to ensure the experience is immediate as well as high quality.
The LS50 Wireless II features advanced Digital Signal Processing in the form of KEF’s Music Integrity Engine. It also has 380W of amplification made up of a new 100W class A/B amplifier which powers the tweeter and a 280W class D amplifier to power the mid/bass driver.
The left and right speakers are connected wirelessly, with 24bit/96kHz resolution. Alternatively, users may connect with the supplied interspeaker cable for 24bit/192kHz resolution. The front end streaming system is both new and intuitive.
To give users the best listening quality possible, the KEF Connect app allows users to tailor the sound depending on the environment they are in. The app also allows users to stream Tidal, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer, internet radio stations and podcasts. Listeners can also stream directly from the native app with Spotify Connect.
Metamaterial Absorption Technology
Ensuring audiophiles are covered, the LS50 Wireless II has support for streaming music files up to 24bit/384kHz, as well as MQA Decoding and DSD256 for high resolution playback.
AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast seamlessly connects Apple or Android devices, while Bluetooth expands the options even further. Wired connections also make it possible to connect the TV, turntable, CD player, and games consoles, via the HDMI, analogue, optical and coaxial sockets.
The LS50 Wireless II speaker is an active speaker and maintains the compact form of its predecessor, but with many new features, including the latest generation of KEF’s patented Uni-Q technology. This includes Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) and a reworked motor system reducing distortion. The technological advancements ensure the listener only hears the music and not the speaker. KEF’s Uni-Q point source configuration means the audio is dispersed evenly throughout the space, so that there is no one ‘sweet spot’ and rather it is wherever you are in the room.
As part of a joint development initiative with the Acoustic Metamaterials Group, KEF has harnessed MAT by creating a synthetic material that has the super capacity to absorb all unwanted sound radiating from the rear of the driver, reducing distortion and enabling the prevention of audio distraction.
KEF has also launched the S2 Floor Stand designed for the LS50 Wireless II
According to KEF, MAT is a highly complex maze-like structure, where each of the intricate channels efficiently absorbs a range of specific frequencies. When combined, the channels act as an acoustic black hole, absorbing 99% of the unwanted sound. Other traditional approaches have only allowed 60% absorption in comparison.
Designed to complement the LS50 Wireless II, the S2 Floor Stand features a top plate to allow a secure fixing point for the speaker. It also has dampening base plates and a hollow central column that can be loaded with inert filler for a purer sound. The integrated cable management system provides an elegant, tidy presentation.