Today, in celebration of their 60th Anniversary, KEF launched their latest All-In-One active speaker system, the $7000 LS60 Wireless. This new system is comprised of two slimline floorstanding speakers with 1400 watts of amplification per side (there are separate amps for low, mid, and high frequencies) and a ten-driver complement adapted from their $35k Blade speaker system for single point-source performance. Specifically, each tower has a newly designed central four-inch Uni-Q driver and two pairs of KEF Uni-Core drivers flanking the sides of each cabinet for enhanced bass response.
In addition, the LS60 Wireless incorporates KEF’s new Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT™) for absorption of unwanted sound distortion that comes from the rear of the tweeter.
Connectivity-wise, users have an abundance of input options, including WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI eARC, optical digital, coaxial digital, and analog RCA. Along with this, they can add up to two subwoofers to the system via a sub-output on each speaker.
On the Wi-Fi playback side, The KEF Connect app connects the LS60 Wireless to your home network, allowing you to use many wireless sources, including Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast. Users can also stream directly from Spotify Connect, Tidal, and QPlay using the native TIDAL, Spotify, and Qobuz apps.
The LS60 Wireless system comes in three different finishes and is available for pre-order today. For more pics and info, see below:
The following press release is courtesy of KEF:
KEF Unveils Groundbreaking All-In-One High Fidelity Streaming Audio System: LS60 Wireless
Celebrating 60 years of innovation in technology, performance and design, LS60 Wireless is KEF’s vision of high-fidelity for the future.
Marlboro, NJ – May 12, 2022: Today, KEF announces the release of LS60 Wireless, a powerful active streaming audio system that revolutionizes the potential of self-contained, all-in-one music systems. LS60 Wireless is crafted to celebrate KEF’s 60 years of acoustic innovation and showcase the company’s vision of high-fidelity sound for the future. The KEF engineering team has incorporated the latest high-performance KEF key acoustic technologies for the highest streaming performance available to date.
The LS60 Wireless system is comprised of two floorstanding speakers measuring 43 inches tall, 5.1 inches wide and 12.6 inches deep*, weighing in at 70lbs per speaker. Inside each speaker cabinet houses a combined 1400 Watts of audiophile-worthy power with dedicated amplifiers for the high, middle and low frequencies. The central newly designed four-inch Uni-Q driver featuring a host of bespoke refinements delivers a super-wide, uncannily natural field of sound with impressively low distortion. Two pairs of KEF Uni-Core drivers flank the sides of each cabinet to maximize bass response within the system’s slim footprint. The combined driver placement within the speaker cabinet is adapted from KEF’s famed Blade Series ($27k-$35k / pair), and is the first streaming all-in-one audio system to be a true point source configuration.
LS60 Wireless offers comprehensive intuitive connectivity including WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI eARC, optical, coaxial, and RCA connections. The system is perfect for use with televisions, gaming and any movie or music listening experience. Users can add up to two KEF subwoofers via sub output on each speaker, and have the choice of operating the speakers with either wired or wireless interspeaker connectivity. The product allows for complete positioning freedom within a room.
The KEF Connect app effortlessly connects the LS60 Wireless to a home network allowing the user to fine-tune its performance to best suit their listening tastes, while connecting them to today’s favorite streaming services. LS60 Wireless is compatible with Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, and can also be connected natively within the user’s favorite app to stream directly from Spotify Connect, Tidal and QPlay.
LS60 Wireless is available for pre-order direct and through all authorized dealerships starting May 12th, with product estimated to ship at the end of May 2022. The price will be $7,000/system.
*Base plinth not included in width and depth measurements.
60 Years of Acoustic Innovation
LS60 Wireless is the world’s 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.
At the heart of LS60 Wireless’ Single Apparent Source configuration sits the remarkable 12th Generation Uni-Q driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT™). Specially designed to perform at its best in the LS60 Wireless, this cutting-edge Uni-Q driver boasts 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. The MAT acts as an acoustic black hole, 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 maintaining the aesthetically pleasing and acoustically necessary slim profile of the LS60 Wireless. Uni-Core was first introduced with KEF’s KC62 subwoofer in Fall of 2021, a micro-subwoofer that delivers 105 dB SPL in a footprint not much larger than a soccer ball. Uni-Core features bass drivers that are mounted back-to-back in a nested force-canceling arrangement so that cabinet vibration is practically eliminated.
The result of these technologies combine to offer the user a melodic union of sonic precision and streaming versatility with the widest soundstage available in the industry.
Smart and Powerful
For unmatched performance in a wireless, active music system, KEF’s powerful Music Integrity Engine™ has been specifically designed to work with the innovations featured in the LS60 Wireless. The 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, for a performance that is nearly indistinguishable from the original recording.
The LS60 Wireless also has power in abundance, with a highly optimized mixture of bespoke amplification delivering a combined 1400 Watts of audiophile-grade power, dedicated to high, medium and low frequencies inside each speaker. This smartly managed power means LS60 Wireless is capable of a beautifully balanced performance at any volume level.
When speaker positioning poses a challenge, LS60 Wireless offers the choice between a wired connection between cabinets for high-resolution playback (24bit/192kHz) or KEF’s low-latency intelligent wireless interspeaker connection for exceptionally reliable cable-free listening up to 24bit/96kHz resolution.
Intuitive Connectivity. Play Anything. Hear Everything.
LS60 Wireless is simple to set up with out-of-the-box wireless Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and Bluetooth compatibility. Stream Amazon Music, Qobuz, and Deezer or tune in to Internet radio and podcasts via the KEF Connect app. Users can control the product within native apps to stream directly from Spotify Connect, Tidal and QPlay. LS60 Wireless is also Roon Ready for the most discerning listener.
To further enhance the versatile audio experience, connect LS60 Wireless to a turntable, CD player, game console, or connect to a television via HDMI eARC for high-definition room-filling sound. A dedicated output on each cabinet allows for simple connection to one subwoofer or a stereo pair of KEF subwoofers.
LS60 Wireless is also compatible with the most popular file formats for reliable and convenient high-resolution streaming. The system supports PCM files up to 24bit/384kHz, as well as DSD and MQA decoding. In partnership with MQA, Tidal – one of KEF’s compatible streaming platforms – delivers Master Quality Authenticated recordings directly from the source.
This level of choice, connectivity and control is the foundation for an unrivaled user experience.
Impossibly Slim. Made Possible.
The result of a joint design effort between renowned designer Michael Young and our in-house KEF product design team, the LS60 Wireless’ extremely slim profile offers a wide range of placement options.
LS60 Wireless is available in three elegant matte finishes: Titanium Grey, Mineral White or Royal Blue. These colors have been explicitly chosen to complement any interior design approach – Titanium Grey and Mineral White integrate and blend fluidly within today’s trending color pallets, while the striking Royal Blue is perfect for anyone wishing to make a bold statement. All finishes feature tone-matched drive units and graceful detailing that combine with KEF’s innovative technologies to deliver a truly exceptional loudspeaker.
LS60 Wireless defies categorization – it is an entirely new product poised to disrupt the audio landscape. For more information, please visit kef.com.
ABOUT KEF
Celebrating 60 years this year, KEF has firmly established itself at the vanguard of audio excellence. From the early adoption of synthetic materials to the pioneering – and now industry-standard – Reference Series, a foundation of technological innovation, design, and craftsmanship has enabled KEF to produce state-of-the-art products that have set the standard for speaker design since 1961. Founded by BBC engineer Raymond Cooke, KEF is named after its original site, Kent Engineering and Foundry, and continues to engineer & manufacture its signature products in Maidstone, Kent, UK. Committed to bringing a superior listening experience to audiophiles, the brand’s revolutionary loudspeakers and subwoofers have evolved to include all-in-one active wireless speakers, architectural speakers, and extreme theater THX-certified speakers.
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