KEF LS60 Wireless Speakers Review

LS60 Wireless: KEF’s Best Active Speakers

It seems KEF believes a new era of hi-fi is here with the launch of their new LS60 Wireless speakers, but do you agree? Let’s find out.

At Schallertech, we’re privileged to have the new KEF LS60 wireless speakers available, released to celebrate KEF’s 60th anniversary. They are the result of years of research and development, culminating in what KEF describes as the most advanced active speaker system to come off their assembly line, while still building on the foundations laid by their founder Raymond Cook in 1961.

I’m sure the main question on your mind is how do they sound? Well, I’ll tell you and show you more later, but first, I want to start with the story behind these LS60s, as never has background been so relevant in a KEF product until now.

Fundamental Components of the KEF LS60 Wireless

KEF was founded in 1961 in the UK by Raymond Cook, a former BBC electrical engineer. Cook was interested in experimenting with new materials and technologies to create products that could reproduce recordings as naturally as possible.

In 1988, KEF designed and patented the world’s first true coincident source driver, called Uni-Q, which enlarged the “sweet spot” so more people in the room could experience the same natural and detailed sound.

The Uni-Q became the centerpiece of KEF’s signature sound and is at the heart of almost all of their speakers today, including the LS60. This Uni-Q driver is now in its 12th generation, specially redesigned for the LS60, the slimmest speaker KEF has ever made.

The LS60s represent 60 years of KEF’s research and development, combining all the technologies they’ve learned over that time. They are an attempt to demonstrate that hi-fi quality can be achieved without a separate amplifier, cables, and with a much more compact size. They incorporate technologies from KEF’s most advanced speakers into an accessible package.

In summary, the LS60s continue KEF’s legacy of innovation in natural sound, presenting the latest in hi-fi wireless audio in a sleek and discreet design.

What You Need to Know

Below are some key points you should know about the KEF LS60 speakers before we delve into more details:

• The KEF LS60s are a brand new product, not replacing anything.
• They will be available alongside other models in KEF’s range of wireless speakers.
• Color options are Titanium Grey, Mineral White, and Royal Blue.
• These are KEF’s first wireless stereo tower system.
• They combine all the technologies and techniques they have learned in 60 years.
• The LS60s are a flagship product convincing us that high-quality hi-fi is possible without separate amplifiers and cables.
• They are priced close to $7,000 per pair, but use technology from the $35,000 KEF Blade speakers.

In summary, the LS60s represent the pinnacle of KEF’s wireless audio technology in a sleek and affordable package.

Connections

Here I present the different types of connections available on the KEF LS60 speakers:

• HDMI eARC for use as TV speakers
• Optical, coaxial, and RCA inputs
• Dual Ethernet for network and wired link
• Two subwoofer outputs

In conclusion, the LS60s come with a wide variety of connectivity options to suit any setup.

Control

The KEF LS60 speakers come with a wide variety of connectivity options to easily adapt to any audio/video setup in the home.

• HDMI eARC: This connection allows the LS60s to be used as the main speakers for an eARC-compatible TV. By connecting them to the HDMI ARC port on the TV, the LS60s can receive high-quality audio from the television without the need for additional cables. Ideal for creating a minimalist home theater system.
• Optical input: The digital optical input allows for connecting audio sources such as CD players, Apple TV, gaming consoles, and more. It provides lossless digital audio for maximum fidelity. Uses an optical cable.
• Coaxial input: Similar to optical, this digital coaxial input accepts digital audio from sources like CD and Blu-ray players. Also provides uncompressed digital audio. Requires a digital coaxial audio cable.
• RCA inputs: The analog stereo RCA inputs allow for connecting analog audio sources such as turntables, vintage players, or even analog TVs and projectors. RCA to RCA cables must be used for connection.
• Dual Ethernet: One Ethernet port is used for connecting the LS60s to WiFi for wireless streaming. The second Ethernet port can connect with an Ethernet cable to another LS60 speaker to create a stable wired link.
• Subwoofer outputs: Allow for adding one or two compatible subwoofers to boost the bass. Useful for home theater setups. Requires RCA cables.

This versatility of connections makes integrating the LS60s into any entertainment setup simple and convenient.

Sound Test

I had the opportunity to test the KEF LS60 speakers with a wide variety of musical genres and audio formats to assess their performance. From acoustic jazz to heavy rock, the LS60s deliver extraordinary sound.

Stereo playback is incredibly immersive, giving you the feeling of listening to a live performance. KEF’s Uni-Q drivers do a sublime job of creating a complete sound field that envelops the listener and captures every subtle detail of the recording.

The mid-range is present and balanced, with exceptional vocal clarity. Voices sound completely natural and realistic, allowing you to emotionally connect with the lyrics. Listening to Adele’s warm voice was like having her in the room performing just for me.

The bass is deep, accurate, and well-controlled. Even at high volumes, there is no trace of distortion or excessive vibration. The impact and extension of the lower frequencies are impressive for a speaker of this size.

The highs are vibrant and airy, adding brightness and sharpness to the subtle details of each song. Cymbals, strings, and upper harmonics are perfectly reproduced.

KEF’s single apparent source technology creates a very accurate stereo image, allowing you to locate each instrument with great spatial sensation. Using high-resolution music, the highest level of detail can be appreciated.

While mainly designed for musical audio, their HDMI ARC connection makes the LS60s also an excellent choice as TV speakers. They provide fantastic surround sound for watching movies and shows. Subwoofers can be added for a more immersive home cinema experience.

In conclusion, the KEF LS60 speakers provide enveloping, detailed, and exciting Hi-Fi sound ideal for enjoying music and entertainment. They definitely live up to KEF’s 60 years of sound innovation.

Key Points

The new KEF LS60 speakers feature some key characteristics and technologies that define them as a product. It’s important to understand these points when considering whether the LS60s are the right option for you.

• Perfectly Integrated Drivers and Amplifiers: Each unique KEF driver is paired with a custom amplifier designed specifically for that unit, maximizing its performance. This eliminates the need for complicated combinations of separate speakers and amplifiers.
• Less Flexibility but Greater Simplicity: With integrated components, you cannot mix and match separate pieces as with a traditional system. This could be a downside for some audio enthusiasts who enjoy customizing every aspect. But it promotes simplicity and minimalism.
• Quality Hard to Match for the Price: The audio quality delivered by the LS60s would be very difficult to achieve buying individual pieces for £6,000. They leverage technology from KEF’s more expensive models.
• New Way to Experience Hi-Fi Audio: For some, testing different equipment and configurations is part of the fun of the audio hobby. The LS60s offer a different experience, all integrated.
• Enjoy the Music, Not the Specs: With the LS60s, KEF wants you to focus on enjoying your music and not on analyzing every technical detail. Let the speakers fade away and be enveloped by the music.

The KEF LS60s propose a new vision of hi-fi, simplified but without compromising quality. They represent the evolution toward minimalism and integration. They will appeal to some audiophiles, but not all. KEF is proposing a new and interesting conversation about the future of audio systems.

Get the LS60 Wireless at Schallertech

The new wireless KEF LS60 speakers represent the latest in hi-fi audio technology, in a sleek and minimalist package.

They offer KEF’s legendary surround sound in a compact and discreet design, ideal for spaces where minimalism and aesthetics are important.

With optimized unique drivers and integrated amplification, the LS60s deliver extraordinary audio quality, worthy of KEF’s 60 years of sound innovation.

If you’re looking to transform your home audio experience, the KEF LS60s could be the ultimate solution. Their versatility, advanced technologies, and sound quality make them an excellent investment.

The wireless KEF LS60 speakers are available through Schallertech, KEF’s authorized distributor for the region. Consult their team of experts for more details.