KEF LS50 Meta and LS50 Wireless II are new additions to the LS50 range from KEF; modern, stylish and packed full of the latest technology. The two models seamlessly integrate with any modern home design thanks to a choice of stunning matte finishes.
Both feature KEF’s new Metamaterial notably an “acoustic breakthrough” that absorbs any sound over 600Hz behind the driver. This reduces the spill and general loss of quality found in conventional designs and dramatically increases performance and therefore making the speaker extremely efficient.
Past Models
The new models are the successors of the original LS50 and LS50 wireless I. The major development and change in the latest models are of course KEF’s own ‘MAT’ technology which vastly improves clarity. In addition, as wireless technology has improved and developed over the year the new LS50 Wireless II has been adapted and brought up to date with all major formats and streaming site compatibility.
KEF LS50 Meta
KEF LS50 Meta is a two-way design set up in a bass-reflex configuration. Its the first to feature Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) which is an absorption technique KEF has developed with smart materials and acoustics company Acoustic Metamaterials Group. The creation of the two new LS50 models marks its first application in loudspeaker designs.
The LS50 Meta features a 1-inch high-frequency tweeter designed with a vented aluminium dome that takes advantage of Metamaterial Absorption material. The mid/low-frequency driver is 5.25-inch and is made of aluminium; with a crossover frequency of 2.1khz between the two drivers. The speaker has an impressive frequency range of 47hz- 45kHz (at -6dB) giving it fantastic reproduction of any audio you throw at it! The LS50 Meta comes in a range of finishes; Carbon Black, Titanium Grey, Mineral White and Royal Blue special edition.
LS50 Wireless II
The LS50 Wireless II is not only a high specification and high-performance loudspeaker but also the perfect all in one media hub with exceptional connectivity doing all of that whilst cutting down on connecting cables between units to give the user more options for placement. The speaker stands out from the other competitors on the market as it is able to handle files up to 24bit/384kHz; a feature even the most experienced audio enthusiast can admire.
The drive unit system is powered by a 12th Gen 5.25” Uni-Q with MAT technology. The LS50 wireless II uses a “Music Integrity Engine” which is effectively a series of bespoke digital signal processing algorithms that give a tighter clearer sound. The speaker has plenty of power with a 100w A/B class amplifier to look after the tweeters and give a smooth treble performance and a class D 280w amplifier for the mid/bass driver to give room-filling sound up to 108dB – the recommended room size is between 10 and 100 m2.
The supported streaming protocols are AirPlay 2, Google ChromeCast, DLNA Compatible, Roon and Bluetooth 4.2. The speaker has an EARC HDMI input which makes it perfect for Netflix, Amazon prime and gaming uses. The LS50 Wireless II is available in three matte finishes, carbon black, titanium grey, and mineral white as well as a Crimson Red Special Edition gloss finish. All the colour options are mirrored on both the drive units and the rear-facing port.
