Kef lsx ii alternatives?
Discussion
Looking for suggestions. Local supply options (uae) aren’t great so I’d be glad to know what’s out there so I can see if it’s available.
I’m after a very simple second audio setup that sounds decent. I was looking initially at a pair of Sonos or even HomePod 2 but the latter don’t pair well with Spotify and I dont really want one of these home assistant type speakers. The Kef system of power on and pair to phone works best for me.
Only issue really is the price…. But then they are extremely well reviewed so may be worth it? In any case, what else should I be considering?
Use will be 80% streaming music, 20% tv Audio as an alternative to the built in speakers, so ‘cinema’ sound is unnecessary.
I don’t want separates. I have a main system that will be replaced at a later date. Fewer boxes the better.
I’m after a very simple second audio setup that sounds decent. I was looking initially at a pair of Sonos or even HomePod 2 but the latter don’t pair well with Spotify and I dont really want one of these home assistant type speakers. The Kef system of power on and pair to phone works best for me.
Only issue really is the price…. But then they are extremely well reviewed so may be worth it? In any case, what else should I be considering?
Use will be 80% streaming music, 20% tv Audio as an alternative to the built in speakers, so ‘cinema’ sound is unnecessary.
I don’t want separates. I have a main system that will be replaced at a later date. Fewer boxes the better.
The Sonos 5 sound phenomenal. Don’t write them off just because they’re Sonos.
They punch well above their weight and measure like studio monitors. Seriously worth getting some listening time with them.
I’m not a fan of KEF, personally. I find their Uni Q drivers create midrange congestion. Other speakers have significantly better separation.
They punch well above their weight and measure like studio monitors. Seriously worth getting some listening time with them.
I’m not a fan of KEF, personally. I find their Uni Q drivers create midrange congestion. Other speakers have significantly better separation.
I have a pair of LSX ii speakers in my home office so mostly used for near field listening and they sound very nice and balanced. The KEF app works well and allows enough tweaking of the sound to match the room / speaker placement.
I agree with Deviation regarding the mid range performance on some of KEFs models - I have a pair of LS60 which sound and measure worse in the mid range (more muted) compared to the LSX ii, probably due to a combination of the size of the mid range driver (smaller on the LS60) and also placement / listening position. More tweaks of the LS60 position needed by me to try and optimise the overall sound...
So I would say the LSX ii work well in small to medium sized rooms with relatively short listening distances but may not be up to it for larger rooms.
Might be worth seeing if Edifier are available in the UAE.
They have built a good reputation for great sound / price performance ratio. Their flagship is the S3000M2. The S2000mk3 has looks great too.
I've also seen great reviews for one of their entry level products called the E25 Luna. All of them appear to be easy and intuitive to use
I should add that I haven't heard any of these models personally but used be involved in the Hi-Fi industry.........the internal DACs, DSP and power amp chips they use are all good. Good understanding of power supply design, driver quality and cabinet build is also needed but the drivers look great, build quality is usually complemented in the online reviews. Can't speak for the quality of their PSU's but they appear to do everything else well.
As with all audio gear........listening for yourself is what matters............but might be worth checking these out for your shortlist.
https://www.edifier.com/uk/p/bookshelf-speakers/s3...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3eUdBfF8J4
They have built a good reputation for great sound / price performance ratio. Their flagship is the S3000M2. The S2000mk3 has looks great too.
I've also seen great reviews for one of their entry level products called the E25 Luna. All of them appear to be easy and intuitive to use
I should add that I haven't heard any of these models personally but used be involved in the Hi-Fi industry.........the internal DACs, DSP and power amp chips they use are all good. Good understanding of power supply design, driver quality and cabinet build is also needed but the drivers look great, build quality is usually complemented in the online reviews. Can't speak for the quality of their PSU's but they appear to do everything else well.
As with all audio gear........listening for yourself is what matters............but might be worth checking these out for your shortlist.
https://www.edifier.com/uk/p/bookshelf-speakers/s3...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3eUdBfF8J4
Edited by Dragster on Saturday 19th October 23:39
toasty said:
Naim Muso or the smaller Qb?
If you want better sound the Naim Atom/Kef LS50 Meta is a great combination.
I’d prefer a stereo pair but admit I’ve not heard the naim. If you want better sound the Naim Atom/Kef LS50 Meta is a great combination.
Edited by toasty on Thursday 17th October 15:36
Budget creep on the latter which is also happening this end as well. Last year I was thinking about a nad 3050le and wharfedale lintons to replace my ageing main system and that still appeals tbh.
Edited by shirt on Sunday 20th October 00:36
Deviation said:
The Sonos 5 sound phenomenal. Don’t write them off just because they’re Sonos.
They punch well above their weight and measure like studio monitors. Seriously worth getting some listening time with them.
‘Auditioning’ is the issue here. Sonos seems only to be sold in malls. Could wait a while til I’m in EU at Xmas but then the chances of me coming home with the nad is even higher They punch well above their weight and measure like studio monitors. Seriously worth getting some listening time with them.
Dragster said:
Might be worth seeing if Edifier are available in the UAE.
They are. Virgin of all places had the air pulse a300 set up in a relatively quiet area of the store and they sounded good. Also considering elec debut which is a very Wallet friendly option.
Decisions….
Perhaps a Xmas shop / listening trip should be in order. I’ll be in Africa from the end of this month til Xmas so does seem a bit churlish to rush.
Edited by shirt on Sunday 20th October 00:34
Mutton said:
I have a pair of LSX ii speakers in my home office so mostly used for near field listening and they sound very nice and balanced. The KEF app works well and allows enough tweaking of the sound to match the room / speaker placement.
I agree with Deviation regarding the mid range performance on some of KEFs models - I have a pair of LS60 which sound and measure worse in the mid range (more muted) compared to the LSX ii, probably due to a combination of the size of the mid range driver (smaller on the LS60) and also placement / listening position. More tweaks of the LS60 position needed by me to try and optimise the overall sound...
So I would say the LSX ii work well in small to medium sized rooms with relatively short listening distances but may not be up to it for larger rooms.
Informative, thanks. I agree with Deviation regarding the mid range performance on some of KEFs models - I have a pair of LS60 which sound and measure worse in the mid range (more muted) compared to the LSX ii, probably due to a combination of the size of the mid range driver (smaller on the LS60) and also placement / listening position. More tweaks of the LS60 position needed by me to try and optimise the overall sound...
So I would say the LSX ii work well in small to medium sized rooms with relatively short listening distances but may not be up to it for larger rooms.
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