Review on KEF LSX Black Wireless Music System: Exceptional Sound and Seamless Connectivity (Pair) by Mark Morrow

This is amazingly close to their state of the art LS50 system which is probably the best amplified compact speaker ever made. The LSX has about 95% of its big brother's DNA for only 50% of its price. Compared to its bigger brother, the LSX shows only a slight reduction in integrated amplifier power (and probably around 3dB in terms of maximum volume), with slightly less bass coverage below 60Hz and slightly less cabinet volume, but with a more streamlined and handsome body style in the LSX. The LSX system doesn't really have much bass below 50Hz, but to mitigate that its mid-bass is excellent and very articulate, making it very easy to follow any bass line or instrument in the music of your choice. Speaking of choices, it seems almost all of the negative feedback on this system is related to the difficulties people are having connecting it to either streaming or some other aspect of the streaming software, rather than the audio quality of the speakers, which fair are phenomenal. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a pair of small speakers that sound this good and apart from KEF's own LS50 systems (powered or unpowered) there aren't in my opinion. They're not perfect, however, and I'm reporting to KEF for failing to duplicate at least the basics of the remote control architecture on the back of the main speaker - so you can't wake the system from standby or hibernation without a remote control. If you lose your remote or it breaks down (which will happen to many users considering how often this system can be placed outdoors on patios and porches and thus potentially at least accidentally exposed) you will not be able to turn the system on from standby mode, nor adjust the volume, except from a Bluetooth source. However, reinitializing the system by shutting down will put the system into standby mode. We can try to get a second remote control from KEF. You also have to acknowledge the somewhat buggy nature of some of their apps. However, since we only connect the speakers from a lossless Bluetooth streaming source, any incorrect interaction with streaming software is not an issue. Pros: 1) Outstanding tonal balance and neutrality, including excellent vocal fidelity, compatible with virtually all of the latest KEF designs. quality design2) great bass given the small cabinet size and half the cost of a modern LS 50 powered system3) with a decent subwoofer the LSX becomes a relatively inexpensive full range system with very small copper driver seen in the LS 50) Cons : 1) You are SOL if you lose the remote or it stops working 2) Streaming an app can be a chore to get it working properly 3) Nothing else to complain about. All in all it's a near perfect little compact system for small to medium sized rooms and spaces, it plays decently loud and it's an exceptionally accurate and precise e-converter. If you have a quality source it can compete with a modern system for a lot less than today's money, especially with a decent subwoofer.