To celebrate its 60th year, KEF has combined all its key technologies to deliver its best acoustic performance in a distinctive, stylish and modern floorstanding speaker, the LS60 Wireless.
According to KEF, the LS60 Wireless is the world’s first Single Apparent Source wireless system. The unique technology is adapted from KEF’s flagship Blade speaker in which it aims to achieve the acoustic ideal of a point source where low, mid and high frequencies radiate from one point.
This unique technology is made possible with KEF’s iconic Uni-Q driver array. Perfectly calibrated drivers that cover the entire bandwidth of the speaker are configured so that all frequencies appear to radiate from one single point, resulting in more precise imaging and accurate sound across a wider listening area.
Sitting at the heart of the LS60 Wireless’ Single Apparent Source configuration is a 12th generation Uni-Q with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) driver array. Designed to be KEF’s best performing yet, the Uni-Q driver features a host of refinements including a tweeter gap damper and new Z-Flex surround that ensures a near-perfect transition of sound from the speaker into the room.
Designed as an acoustic black hole, the MAT ensures that 99% of the unwanted sound that comes from the rear of the tweeter is absorbed to eliminate the resulting distortion and provide purer, more natural acoustic performance.
The speaker’s slim profile and close positioning of the drivers in the Single Apparent Source configuration call for a new approach to bass driver design. As a result, LS60 Wireless features two pairs of Uni-Core driver arrays, first found on the KC62 subwoofer, maximising bass performance while minimising space.
KEF’s P-Flex and Smart Distortion Control Technology also play their parts, ensuring that the low-frequency performance is as balanced and detailed as the audio derived from the Uni-Q driver array. In addition, the bass drivers are mounted back-to-back in a force-cancelling arrangement, almost eliminating any cabinet vibration.
The Music Integrity Engine brings together the Single Apparent Source configuration and other KEF acoustic technologies, allowing them to work closely. As the brain behind most of KEF’s wireless speakers, the Music Integrity Engine offers a suite of bespoke DSP algorithms, enabling it to deliver a perfectly timed audio performance with better imaging and a tighter sound. The Music Integrity Engine for the LS60 Wireless features low-frequency phase correction, a new feature that delivers pinpoint timing exactly as if you were listening to the original sound.
A high-powered speaker, the LS60 Wireless has a highly optimised mixture of bespoke amplification delivering a combined 1400 Watts of audiophile-grade power with amplifiers dedicated to high, medium, and low frequencies within each speaker. This allows the LS60 Wireless to deliver balanced performance at any volume.
Customers have the choice of wired or wireless interspeaker connectivity with the new LS60 Wireless. A wired connection is available (24bit/192kHz) or users can utilise KEF’s low-latency intelligent wireless interspeaker connection, providing reliable cable-free listening up to 24bit/96kHz.
Complete with out-of-the-box wireless compatibility with Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and Bluetooth, streaming is easy with the LS60 Wireless. Using the KEF Connect app, users can stream Amazon Music, Qobuz, and Deezer, or tune in to internet radio and podcasts. Listeners can also use native apps to stream directly from Spotify Connect, TIDAL and QPlay. It will also be Roon Ready in the near future (expected Autumn 2022).
LS60 Wireless supports the streaming of PCM files up to 24bit/384kHz, as well as DSD and MQA decoding.
Away from wireless, LS60 Wireless also supports wired sources too, including turntables, CD players, games consoles, etc. There is also an HDMI eARC connection for a high-quality link to the TV, with a dedicated output on each of the two speakers for the addition of one or two KEF subwoofers.
Users can refer to the KEF Connect app for a full walk through on the set up of the speakers as well as the intuitive sound setting to fine-tune the LS60 Wireless to best suit the room. There are normal and expert modes so users can get the best performance regardless of their knowledge of acoustics. The app also allows connection of the LS60 Wireless to the home network.
The LS60 Wireless is available in three matte finishes: Titanium Grey, Mineral White and Royal Blue. This colour scheme is designed to fulfil two types of approach to interior design. Titanium Grey and Mineral White are made to be integrated and blended into various spaces while Royal Blue is ideal for a standout statement piece.
Available from June 2022, the LS60 Wireless speakers will be priced at £6,000 per pair.