Article: KEF's New LS50 Collection

[firedog]

Yeah, I've thought about them, too, but the LS50W are about $3600 where I live, which makes them a less appealing proposition.

Chris, if you are in contact with KEF ask them about Roon and the Wireless model. AFAIR, there have been issues for Roon users with multi-room and a couple of other small issues.

They seem to have been solved from what I see on the forums, but it would be useful for potential buyers to have this confirmed.

 

Also, it used  to be that they didn't play gapless - except for via Roon, as they outside of Roon they are using the UPnP protocol. Is this still true?

 

Resampling high rates internally: IME, not an issue with well engineered HW and SW, except for in the heads of some audiophiles. If they don't know it's happening, they don't hear it.

[firedog]

37 minutes ago, ShawnC said:

If these become RAAT certified by Roon, then I'm upgrading my Nocturne Edition pair. 

Just curious what makes you so sure the upgrade is worth it? What if it is only marginal for an existing owner?

[firedog]

23 minutes ago, AudioDoctor said:

So correct me if I am wrong,but this thing will accept DSD, but it will be resampled down to 24/192, at best, no matter what?

Sure, just like almost any system using DSP or DRC. With good implementation you won't care, as you won't notice any loss of fidelity or SQ. 

[firedog]

35 minutes ago, Richard Dale said:

I use a pair of the original LS50Ws with KEF R400b subs, and it works really well. The pair of subs cost about the same as the LS50Ws - £2000 in the UK. However, the new KF92 subs are twice as expensive and so a pair of them would be £4000 which seems a bit much relative to the speakers.

Sure, but you can also buy their 10b or 12b subs which are pretty much full range and cost a fraction of the price of the KF92. In fact you can buy 2 or 3 of them for that price. I'd guess for most LS50 users they'd be quite adequate.