{"id":232602,"date":"2025-10-22T14:01:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/232602\/"},"modified":"2025-10-22T14:01:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:01:22","slug":"the-coda-w-is-a-new-active-loudspeaker-from-kef","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/232602\/","title":{"rendered":"The Coda W is a new active loudspeaker from KEF"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new 2-way standmount loudspeaker from KEF is upon us: not a passive but an active model where 100 Watts of amplification lives inside each speaker cabinet to power a 5.25\u2033 12th Gen Uni-Q driver array. The crossover and KEF\u2019s Music Integrity Engine distortion reduction are done in DSP. The name? Coda. Coda W.<\/p>\n

That W says \u2018wireless\u2019, but it refers not to in-built network streaming but a Bluetooth input whose aptX Adaptive\/Lossless<\/a> support enables the lossless carriage of CD-quality audio\u2026for some<\/a> Android users\u2026who are streaming in rooms free from Bluetooth signal congestion. Sorry, iPhone users: without the appropriate<\/a> dongle<\/a>, you\u2019re stuck with AAC 256kbps.<\/p>\n

No mind. The back of the primary loudspeaker features a subwoofer output and a suite of inputs, including line-level analogue, phono, HDMI ARC, TOSLINK, and 24-bit\/192kHz USB-C. The latter two sockets open the door to outboard network streamers. KEF has opted for a Bluesound NODE in its press shots, but I reckon most of the Coda W\u2019s target audience won\u2019t be spending 50% of the speakers\u2019 asking price on a streaming box \u2014 instead, they are advised to look at $100-ish devices from WiiM<\/a> (for TOSLINK hook-ups), FiiO<\/a> (for USB-C) or a Raspberry Pi (for USB-C).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The primary loudspeaker\u2019s second USB-C socket borrows from KEF\u2019s smaller and streaming-capable LSXII LT<\/a> to send the digital signal and power to the secondary loudspeaker. A 3m C-Link cable ships in the box but an 8m version is available as an optional (US$60) extra. The primary box\u2019s top-front edge features touch-sensitive controls for power on\/off, mute, input selection and volume up\/down.<\/p>\n

Also, this: \u201cThe KEF Connect App puts complete control at your fingertips. Select EQ presets to match your taste, manage speaker settings, update firmware, and explore the latest features\u2014all from a single, intuitive interface.\u201d<\/p>\n

We can only assume that the Connect App talks to the Coda W over Bluetooth \u2014 because the press release doesn\u2019t say. Neither does it tell us the nature of the phono input \u2013 MM only or, less likely, MM\/MC \u2013 or the TOSLINK input\u2019s sample rate ceiling or how the 100wpc is divided between the mid\/bass driver and the aluminium tweeter that it encircles.<\/p>\n

That KEF\u2019s promotional materials 1) are light on audiophile-centric specifics, 2) namecheck \u201croom-filling sound\u201d and 3) show the Coda W sitting on the same surface as a turntable \ud83d\ude32 tells us that these actives are aimed more at mainstream (Sonos-type) listeners than those who would spend a weekend at a hotel-based hi-fi show where Boz Scaggs plays on repeat.<\/p>\n

KEF\u2019s Coda W will sell for US$999\/pair. Your choice of Vintage Burgundy, Nickel Grey, Moss Green, Midnight Blue or Dark Titanium.<\/p>\n

Further information: KEF<\/a><\/p>\n

\"KEF-Coda-W-1-2\" <\/a> \"KEF-Coda-W-1\" <\/a> <\/p>\n

UPDATE: KEF\u2019s website-based spec sheet says 70 Watts Class D on the mid-bass, 30 Watts Class D on the tweeter and the TOSLINK tops out at 24bit\/96kHz. All analogue inputs are digitised upon entry at 24bit\/96kHz.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A new 2-way standmount loudspeaker from KEF is upon us: not a passive but an active model where…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":232603,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[64,63,139891,44,105],"class_list":["post-232602","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-loudspeakers","tag-news","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/232602","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=232602"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/232602\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/232603"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=232602"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=232602"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=232602"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}