KEF has introduced the LS60 Wireless, an active streaming all-in-one audio system that the company says also celebrates its 60 years of acoustic innovation.
The LS60 Wireless system comprises two floorstanding speakers measuring 43 inches tall, 5.1 inches wide and 12.6 inches deep, and weighing 70 pounds apiece. Each speaker cabinet houses a combined 1,400 watts with dedicated amplifiers for the high, middle and low frequencies.
KEF says the central newly designed 4-inch Uni-Q driver helps to deliver a super-wide soundstage with ultra-low distortion. Two pairs of KEF Uni-Core drivers flank the sides of each cabinet to maximize bass response within the LS60 Wireless system’s slim footprint.
The company says the combined driver placement within the speaker cabinet is adapted from its vaunted Blade Series and is the first streaming all-in-one audio system to be a true point source configuration.
LS60 Wireless ($7,000/system) offers connectivity that includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI eARC, optical, coaxial and RCA options. The system is also Roon Ready and supports PCM files up to 24bit/384kHz, as well as DSD and MQA decoding.
Users can add up to two KEF subwoofers via sub outputs on each speaker. The company offers further installation flexibility of having the speakers operate together in a wired configuration between cabinets for high-resolution playback (24bit/192kHz) or wirelessly up to 24bit/96kHz high-res.
The KEF Connect app links the LS60 Wireless to a home network enabling listeners to fine-tune the performance and access a variety of streaming services. LS60 Wireless is compatible with Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer and more, and can connect natively within a favorite app to stream directly from Spotify Connect, Tidal and QPlay.
KEF LS60 Wireless Aided by Sophisticated Proprietary Technologies
Delving into greater detail about the technologies, KEF calls LS60 Wireless – a collaboration between designer Michael Young and the company’s in-house engineering team – the first Single Apparent Source wireless system.
“The drivers are perfectly calibrated to cover the entire bandwidth of sound so that all frequencies radiate from one single point. The result is noticeably more precise imaging and highly accurate, melodic sound across a wider listening area,” according to the company.
KEF says the 12th-Generation Uni-Q driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) includes improvements such as a tweeter gap damper and new Z-Flex surround. The MAT acts as an acoustic black hole, the company notes, absorbing 99% of the unwanted sound distortion that comes from the rear of the tweeter resulting in a purer, more natural acoustic performance.
Two pairs of Uni-Core drivers in each cabinet maximize bass response while helping to maintain the slim profile of the LS60 Wireless. Uni-Core was introduced last fall with KEF’s KC62 subwoofer, a micro-subwoofer that delivers 105dB SPL in a small footprint. Uni-Core features bass drivers that are mounted back-to-back in a nested force-canceling arrangement so cabinet vibration is essentially eliminated, KEF explains.
For optimal performance, KEF says its Music Integrity Engine provides a suite of custom digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms, including low-frequency phase correction for perfect timing between all of LS60 Wireless’ drive units.
LS60 Wireless is offered in three matte finishes: Titanium Grey, Mineral White or Royal Blue. It is available for pre-order direct and through all authorized dealerships, with product estimated to ship at the end of May 2022.
KEF fans may liken the LS60 Wireless to a large-scale version of the lauded popular LS50 Wireless speakers that launched several years back.
