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KEF LS60 Wireless

KEF LS60 Wireless

We had heard something about this new project on the grapevine very recently. KEF’s new LS60 Wireless is a very different design to the LSX or LS50 Wireless, as it is a completely new design in its own right and a striking statement of how modern high-performance audio happens in the 2020s. By creating an active design that incorporates all kinds of streaming options for the listener, but by making it effectively like an active Baby-Bluetooth-Blade, this suddenly pushes the streaming concept front and centre.

We think this has the potential to be a new form of high-end audio, one without some of the baggage of what’s gone before. Watch this space…

From the KEF press release:

Maidstone, Kent, 12th May 2022

Celebrating 60 years of innovation in technology, performance and design, LS60 Wireless is KEF’s vision of high-fidelity for the future.

Over 60 years KEF has worked tirelessly to hone their craft and revolutionise the landscape of audio speakers. To mark this momentous milestone KEF has combined all their key technologies to deliver superlative acoustic performance in a distinctive, stylish and modern floorstanding speaker.

The LS60 Wireless is as powerful as it is attractive and its slim design makes room placement adaptable for everyone. The LS60 Wireless produces an impressively powerful, rich and full-bodied sound that evenly fills any space with high-fidelity audio.

60 years of acoustic innovation
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 only 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. The result is noticeably more precise imaging and highly accurate sound across a wider listening area.

At the heart of LS60 Wireless’ Single Apparent Source configuration sits the remarkable 12th Generation Uni-Q with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT™) driver array. Specially designed to perform at its best in the LS60 Wireless, this cutting-edge Uni-Q boasts a host of refinements including a tweeter gap damper and new Z-Flex surround that ensure a near-perfect transition of sound from the speaker into the room. With the MAT that acts as an acoustic black hole, 99% of the unwanted sound that comes from the rear of the tweeter is absorbed, eliminating the resulting distortion and providing a purer, more natural acoustic performance. Together, these innovations and refinements deliver a super-wide sweet spot, uncannily natural sound with vanishingly low distortion.

KEF LS60 Wireless, KEF LS60 Wireless

The slim profile of the speakers and close positioning of the drivers in the Single Apparent Source configuration call for a novel 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, cabinet vibration is practically eliminated.

Smart and powerful
The LS60 Wireless delivers elevated sound with impact. This is because the Music Integrity Engine brings together the Single Apparent Source configuration and other KEF acoustic technologies, allowing them to work closely. The brain behind most of KEF’s wireless speakers, the Music Integrity Engine offers a suite of bespoke Digital Signal Processing algorithms (DSPs), enabling it to deliver a perfectly timed audio performance with better imaging and a tighter sound. The Music Integrity Engine for LS60 Wireless features low-frequency phase correction. This new feature does more than ensuring perfect timed performance, it delivers pinpoint timing exactly as if you were listening to the original sound.

The LS60 Wireless also has power in abundance, with 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 smartly managed power means LS60 Wireless is capable of a beautifully balanced performance at any volume level.

LS60 Wireless also offers you the choice of wired or wireless interspeaker connectivity. You can choose a wired connection (24bit/192kHz) or use KEF’s low-latency intelligent wireless interspeaker connection, which provides exceptionally reliable cable-free listening up to 24bit/96kHz.

Intuitive connectivity. Play anything. Hear everything.
LS60 Wireless delivers robust, high-quality streaming using any format you can imagine. The platform provides the choice, connectivity and control that is the bedrock of unrivalled user experience.

No matter how you stream your music, LS60 Wireless has you covered with out-of-the-box wireless compatibility with Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and Bluetooth. Using the KEF Connect app you can stream Amazon Music, Qobuz, and Deezer or tune in to internet radio and podcasts. You can use native apps to stream directly from Spotify Connect, Tidal and QPlay, and it will be Roon Ready (expect release of Roon Ready to be in Autumn 2022).

KEF LS60 Wireless, KEF LS60 Wireless

The connection options don’t stop there, LS60 Wireless also supports all your wired sources whether you love to listen to vinyl records on your turntable or want to get the best possible sound from your CD player and games console. There’s also an HDMI (eARC) connection for a high-quality link up with your TV, and a dedicated output on each of the two speakers for the addition of one or two KEF subwoofers.

LS60 Wireless supports the streaming of PCM files up to 24bit/384kHz, as well as DSD and MQA decoding which are beloved by audiophiles. MQA enables music lovers to enjoy the original master recording without compromise. In partnership with MQA, Tidal – one of KEF’s compatible streaming platforms – delivers master quality authenticated recordings directly from the source.

Effortless control
The KEF Connect app walks you through the set-up and features intuitive sound settings so you can fine-tune LS60 Wireless to best suit your room; there are normal and expert modes so you can get the best performance regardless of your knowledge of acoustics. The app first lets you effortlessly connect the LS60 Wireless to your home network, before providing control over every aspect of the performance.

Impossibly slim. Made possible.
The LS60 Wireless’ extremely slim design is only possible because of the advanced technologies contained within the sleek cabinet. The product of a joint design by renowned designer Michael Young and the KEF product design team, LS60 Wireless is an exceptionally elegant loudspeaker that can fit effortlessly into a wider range of living spaces, both because of its looks and thanks to a broader range of placement possibilities.

KEF LS60 Wireless, KEF LS60 Wireless

Finally, LS60 Wireless is available in three elegant 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, a more striking finish, is perfect for people who are determined to make a statement. All of the finishes feature tone-matched drive units and detailing to round off a truly exceptional loudspeaker.

Summary of features
• Plays all major music services and supports all major audio formats
• Wireless both from source and between the speakers
• Comprehensive connectivity including WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI eARC, optical, coaxial, RCA
• Works with Apple Airplay and Google Chromecast
• Multi-room support
• Personalised listening experience via KEF Connect app
• Single Apparent Source technology for coherent, immersive sound
• 12th Generation Uni-Q with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT™) for exceptional acoustic accuracy
• 4 x 5.25″ Uni-Core force-cancelling drivers to maximise bass performance
• Music Integrity Engine for rich, full-bodied sound
• PCM up to 24bit/384kHz, DSD and MQA
• System power of 1400W with dedicated amplifiers for HF, MF and LF
• Design by renowned designer Michael Young and KEF product design team
• Available in 3 finishes: Titanium Grey, Mineral White and Royal Blue

Price: £6,000 per pair (SRP)

Availability: June 2022

kef.com

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Tags: FLOOR STANDING LOUDSPEAKER KEF LS60 WIRELESS

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