Macworld (2019-06)

JUNE 2019 MACWORLD 117

to the KEF LSX system. After watching
Miracle Workers and The Big Bang Theory
on TBS, Law & Order on Sundance, and
The Fifth Element on SyFy, it was clear that
the speakers deliver rich, full sound with
excellent dialog intelligibility. By
comparison, the Harman Kardon Enchant
800 soundbar I recently reviewed
sounded somewhat thin with exaggerated
sibilants.
Of course, in this use case, it
would be best to program the TV
or universal remote with the LSX
volume, mute, and source-
selection remote commands.
Otherwise, you must juggle at
least two remotes.

BOTTOM LINE
By now, it should be obvious that
I love the sound of the KEF LSX.
These speakers are small but
mighty, painting a richly detailed,

well-balanced sonic picture. Even my wife,

who isn’t very fussy about audio quality,

noticed how good the LSX speakers

sound—with no prompting from me. Of

course, you could get even better bass by

adding a subwoofer, though the LSX is

certainly no slouch in the bass department

all by itself, especially considering its size.

The build quality is equally impressive;

these things are as solid as bricks! They

are perfect for placement on a desk to

accompany a computer or a bookshelf to

fill a room with beautiful music. (I would not

place them within a small, enclosed

bookcase or right up against a wall, which

would block the rear ports. Such

placement would dramatically degrade the

sound.) They can even enhance TV sound

better than many soundbars! And these

speakers look fantastic doing it.

My only real complaint is that

the LSX does not wake up from

standby mode and automatically

switch to the active input when it

receives a signal. Of less

importance, the less-common AC

power connector makes it a bit

more difficult to replace a lost

power cord.

Then there’s the price: $1,100

for the pair ain’t cheap! But if you

can afford them and you need

big sound from a small package,

the KEF LSX is hard to beat. ■

The KEF LSX

is chock full of

sophisticated

electronics,

driver

components,

and bracing

to keep the

cabinet from

vibrating.

mmmmh

KEF LSX Wireless

Music System

PROS

• Exquisite sound quality.


• Exceptional build quality.


• Beautiful design.
  CONS


• No automatic wake up and
  source selection upon
  signal detection.


• IEC 320 C5 AC power
  connector, not 320 C13.
  PRICE
  $1,099
  COMPANY
  KEF