Maidstone, Kent, 22nd September 2020 – KEF is proud to launch the LS50 Collection comprising of the ‘LS50 Meta’ bookshelf speaker and the ‘LS50 Wireless II’ wireless hifi speaker. Both speakers are an innovative evolution from previous iterations. KEF has set the bar high but, after three years of intensive research, the latest LS50 Collection speakers have raised the benchmark even further by delivering an unprecedented purity of sound coupled with intuitive usability.
For over halfLa century, KEF has been the master of creating the most authentic and natural sound. Listeners feel as though their favourite musician is performing live, the narrator is sat with them, or they are amidst the high-energy of their team’s final game. Whether enjoying a much-loved film from your sofa, writing a bestseller at your home studio or listening to your favourite soundtrack in the study, the unrivalled quality is signature to KEF.
Revolutionary Technology
KEF has introduced the world’s first loudspeakers to use the revolutionary Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT). Recognised as a modern icon of design, the LS50 has been remastered to incorporate this ground-breaking technology and deliver impressively natural sound. You only have to listen and believe.
The LS50 Collection is the embodiment of KEF’s desire for continual development and innovation, pushing the boundaries to create contemporary products that perform beyond what had ever been imagined. The result is a magical acoustic experience; the speakers disappear to allow the listener to become utterly immersed; hearing every word, every note, every detail.
In a joint development initiative with the Acoustic Metamaterials Group, KEF has harnessed MAT by creating a synthetic material that has the super capacity to absorb all unwanted sound radiating from the rear of the driver, reducing distortion and enabling the prevention of audio distraction.
MAT is a highly complex maze-like structure, where each of the intricate channels efficiently absorbs a range of specific frequencies. When combined, the channels act as an acoustic black hole, absorbing 99% of the unwanted sound. Other traditional approaches have only allowed around 60% absorption, so the resulting acoustic quality is incomparable.
The LS50 Collection hosts a specially designed 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT, with new and enhanced features. The Uni-Q technology disperses sound so evenly around the room that wherever you are, you’ll experience the same authentic soundscape. The enhancements include a new cone neck decoupler and motor system, which further reduce coloration and distortion. The result is sound that is more transparent with deeper tight bass.
Other enhancements from the legendary LS50 include an off-set flexible bass port, a low diffraction curved baffle, and rigid cross bracing with constrained layer damping. All seamlessly combine to achieve exceptional depth, detail and the lowest sound distortion of any speaker in its class.
Attention To Every Detail
KEF’s passionate team of designers have thoughtfully considered every detail of the latest speakers to ensure they complement and blend with the listeners’ home. This is evident in the optimised cabinet design, the elegantly curved front and the versatile colourways that match the bespoke KEF S2 Floor Stand. Every detail is design and performance perfection.
KEF S2 Floor Stand
Designed in conjunction with the LS50 Meta and the LS50 Wireless II, the S2 Floor Stand features a top plate designed to allow secure fixing points for the speaker, dampening base plates and a hollow central column that can be loaded with inert filler for a truly uncoloured sound. An integrated cable management system provides a beautifully elegant presentation. The S2 Floor Stand is the perfect acoustic stand partner for either LS50 Collection model.
LS50 Wireless II
The powerful nature of the LS50 Wireless II comes from the combination of the exquisitely formed cabinet with advanced Digital Signal Processing – KEF’s Music Integrity Engine and impactful 380W of amplification – a new 100W class A/B amplifier powers the tweeters and a 280W class D amplifier powers the mid/bass drivers. The KEF Connect app means that you can tailor the sound to the environment in which you are listening to it. The left and right speakers are connected wirelessly; alternatively, users may connect the supplied interspeaker cable. All the while, the front-end streaming system is both new and intuitive.
With the KEF Connect app, you can stream Tidal, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer, Internet Radio stations and podcasts. And you can stream directly from the native app with Spotify Connect. LS50 Wireless II also has audiophiles covered with support for streaming music files up to 24bit/384kHz, as well as MQA Decoding and DSD256 for truly high-resolution audio playback. LS50 Wireless II is also certified Roon Ready. AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast seamlessly connects your compatible Apple or Android device, whilst Bluetooth expands the options even further. There are also wired connections for your TV, turntable, CD player and games console, via the HDMI, analogue, optical and coaxial sockets.
Notes to Editors: LS50 Meta & LS50 Wireless II
PERFORMANCE – most accurate and immersive sound
• The world’s first application of Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) in loudspeaker design
• Metamaterial Absorption Technology eliminates 99% of high-frequency distortion from the rear of driver for pure, natural sound
• 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT driver array for exceptional acoustic accuracy
• Driver Performance Optimisation for enhanced sonic performance, less distortion and reduced colouration
• Patented off-set flexible port for reduced midrange colouration with exceptional levels of depth and detail
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) designed cabinet with constrained layer damping to achieve a totally rigid and inert cabinet.
DESIGN – Attention to every detail
LS50 Meta
• Optimised cabinet design for best acoustic performance
• Available in 4 matte finishes Carbon Black, Titanium Grey, Mineral White as well as a Royal Blue Special Edition
LS50 Wireless II
• Low-diffraction, curved baffle
• A subtle control panel on the top of the satin-finished cabinet
• Available in four finishes, Carbon Black, Titanium Grey, Mineral White as well as a Crimson Red Special Edition
Both
• Bespoke S2 Floor Stands finished in Carbon Black, Titanium Grey, Mineral White, and Special Edition colours to complement perfectly LS50 Meta and LS50 Wireless II
LS50 Wireless II: FREEDOM – all the music, all the time
• Play all major music services and supports all major audio formats
• Wireless both from source and between the speakers
• Comprehensive applications and connectivity
• Intuitive on-boarding with user-centred features
• Personalised listening experience via KEF Connect App
Hashtags:
#KEF #KEFListenandbelieve #KEFLS50Meta #KEFLS50WirelessII #KEFSpeakers #KEFTech
Price:
LS50 Meta: US$1,500 / pair
LS50 Wireless II: US$ 2,500 / pair
KEF S2 Floor Stand: US$ 399 / pair
Availability:
LS50 Meta: 25th September 2020
LS50 Wireless II: early November 2020
KEF S2 Floor Stand: September 2020
To discover more on KEF and LS50 Collection, please visit: https://kef.world/w7n
– RELEASE ENDS –
About KEF
KEF was founded in 1961 by Raymond Cooke OBE (1925–1995). Headquartered, in those early years, in a Nissen Hut on the premises of Kent Engineering & Foundry in the UK, after more than half a century at the cutting edge of audio the company remains committed to excellence in sound. From ground-breaking Uni-Q technology to the bar-setting LS50 Wireless, KEF’s flair for the unusual – and sometimes controversial – balances an obsession with design in harmony with the most innovative engineering. KEF’s reputation for quality is founded on a refusal to compromise on aural authenticity or experience.
www.kef.com
KEF Marketing & Media Contacts
Jacqueline Wong (Jacqueline.Wong@KEF.com) , and
Simon Zanin (hello@themarketingpantry.com.au)