{"id":722599,"date":"2026-08-01T10:41:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T10:41:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/722599\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T10:41:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T10:41:34","slug":"active-speakers-have-huge-advantages-which-allow-us-to-make-systems-that-can-outperform-a-traditional-hi-fi-system-of-the-same-price-we-speak-to-kefs-chief-techno","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/722599\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cActive speakers have huge advantages, which allow us to make systems that can outperform a traditional hi-fi system of the same price\u201d \u2013 we speak to KEF\u2019s chief technology officer about the LS Luxe"},"content":{"rendered":"

KEF<\/a> touted its LS Luxe <\/a>wireless active speaker system as its \u201cmost ambitious creation to date\u201d, and it has certainly been a success in our test rooms.<\/p>\n

Costing \u00a33500 \/ $4000 \/ AU$6375, the LS Luxe is a more premium proposition than the established \u00a32199 \/ $2999 \/ AU$4295 price of the LS50 Wireless II<\/a>, but the clear step up in performance means that, to our ears, the LS Luxe justifies that considerable extra outlay.<\/p>\n

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Boasting a distinctively curved aesthetic designed in collaboration with artist Ross Lovegrove, the LS Luxe has ticked all of the right boxes, and gained five stars from us across the board for its excellent standard of construction, vast feature suite and refined, authoritative sound.<\/p>\n

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To explore the process that brought KEF\u2019s latest creation into the world, delve deep into the technologies behind it, and discover what marks the Luxe out as distinct from its stablemates, we spoke to KEF\u2019s Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Dr Jack Oclee-Brown, to shine a light on the five-star LS Luxe.<\/p>\n

KEF\u2019s journey to active speaker systems<\/p>\n

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\"KEF\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n

To understand how we arrived at this point, a brief history lesson is in order. After its founding in 1961, KEF\u2019s first speaker was the K1<\/a>, a three-way monitor with a polyester \u2018Melinex\u2019 dome, followed soon after by the original Celeste bookshelf unit and, in the 1970s, the legendary BBC LS3\/5A<\/a> studio monitors.<\/p>\n

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In the late 1980s, KEF released the C35 standmounter, the first of its speakers to use the now-iconic Uni-Q array, the same array (subsequently refined and amended over the years) that you will find at the heart of the LS Luxe.<\/p>\n

More immediate heritage naturally stems from KEF\u2019s recent success in producing full-blooded wireless stereo systems, starting in 2018 with the LS50 Wireless <\/a>and refined a few years later with the Award-winning LS50 Wireless II<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Housing amplification, streaming and an extensive connectivity suite into a pair of speakers clearly came rather naturally to KEF since the launch of the LS50 Wireless, with later models, such as the LSX II<\/a> and LSX II LT<\/a>, garnering further plaudits.<\/p>\n

KEF\u2019s success at blending performance with streaming features and built-in amplification is established, and it\u2019s the lessons taken from the successes of the brand\u2019s active streaming speakers which have been instrumental in the development of the LS Luxe.<\/p>\n

According to Dr Jack Oclee-Brown, \u201cWe\u2019ve always had a strong belief in the technical advantages of active speakers. A key tenet of this is that active and passive loudspeakers shouldn\u2019t necessarily have the same configurations of drivers or technologies.<\/p>\n

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As he explains, the development of KEF\u2019s active and streaming-capable speakers requires bespoke technologies and design concepts: \u201cWe have an aggressive research plan that\u2019s targeting technologies for active speakers. The algorithms are continually improved and are several generations more advanced than in our early active speakers. Our aim is to widen the performance difference between active and passive.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, why active wireless systems? It might seem like an odd question, but it\u2019s a big part of KEF\u2019s present and, most likely, its future.<\/p>\n

Oclee-Brown explains that part of the reason is ease of use for the consumer. \u201cActive systems are simpler; they don\u2019t require the customer to have any prior experience of hi-fi and no other partnering equipment. The customer makes one purchase, and that\u2019s all they need.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe KEF appeals to hi-fi fans who are looking for cutting-edge performance and the very latest acoustic technology. There are many people who enjoy music and, at KEF, we are also trying to make products that will allow this audience to enjoy their music more deeply. This has been one of the driving factors behind KEF\u2019s active streaming loudspeaker push over the past decade.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are advantages on the side of the manufacturer, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a technical perspective, active speakers have huge advantages, which allow us to make active speaker systems that can outperform a traditional hi-fi system of the same total price.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s even more true today because we have spent the past ten years developing new acoustic technology specifically for active loudspeakers, such as \u2018Uni-Core\u2019 and \u2018Velocity Control Technology\u2019.\u201d We\u2019ll get to those in a moment.<\/p>\n

A smooth operator <\/p>\n

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\"KEF\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to talk about the LS Luxe and not mention the design. Before you have listened to a single note from KEF\u2019s new system, you\u2019re probably going to have strong feelings about its curved, almost egg-like speaker cabinets.<\/p>\n

We keep our egg-based comparisons to ourselves when asking KEF about its choice to once again collaborate with Ross Lovegrove, the Welsh designer with whom KEF previously joined forces when developing its big-money Muon floorstanders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to KEF, the LS Luxe\u2019s design is a blend of the functional, the luxurious and the natural. Says Oclee-Brown: \u201cRoss\u2019s style is very organic, and he uses a lot of shapes inspired by nature. For the LS Luxe, his was an excellent match and resulted in a form that works extremely well from a performance perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n

That last part is crucial, as the speakers\u2019 design goes beyond mere looks. Those curved edges seek to improve performance by reducing build-up of standing waves within the cabinet, while durable \u2018Bulk Moulded Compound\u2019 (BMC) composite material reduces the need for excessive internal bracing, allowing for greater internal volume within the speakers to aid their low-frequency response.<\/p>\n

Oclee-Brown gives us a more detailed explanation as to just how much difference the speakers\u2019 rounded form makes. The smooth shape \u201creduces diffraction, where sound tends to scatter from sharp edges, and this gives much smoother on- and off-axis performance, leading to the impressive and three-dimensional soundstage.\u201d<\/p>\n

For KEF, those rounded exteriors are key to both the LS Luxe\u2019s look and sound.<\/p>\n

A Luxe for life <\/p>\n

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\"KEF\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n

While the LS Luxe has been a success in our test rooms, we are keen to hear how the team behind it perceive their latest creation.<\/p>\n

In terms of prospective buyers, KEF believes \u201cthere is demand for a higher-performance stand-mount active wireless speaker that is a step up from LS50 Wireless II,\u201d allowing for the introduction of technologies such as VECO and the implementation of that more distinctive design.<\/p>\n

The LS Luxe is clearly billed as a step up from the LS50 Wireless II, but what\u2019s interesting to hear is how KEF\u2019s perception of the LS Luxe during its development marries closely to the resultant sound we experience in our listening rooms. We press Oclee-Brown to see if there is such a thing as \u2018KEF\u2019 sound, something which he describes as \u201cwide-bandwidth, low colouration and evenly balanced\u201d.<\/p>\n

Admittedly, that matches up with what we have heard during our test time. We describe the LS Luxe as being \u201cgratifyingly unfussy about placement\u201d thanks to its \u201csupremely well-integrated sound\u201d. It\u2019s a quality that tallies with KEF\u2019s aim during development \u201cto produce loudspeakers that work well in a wide range of rooms and with a wide range of music\u201d.<\/p>\n

Oclee-Brown expands upon that tuning philosophy further, explaining that a KEF speaker \u201ccan be listened to for long sessions without being fatiguing. All KEF products follow the same tuning philosophy, and as we develop new technologies or improve our facilities, the KEF sound evolves, but we still have the same overall target.\u201d<\/p>\n

We wonder if the tuning of this latest project in any way diverged from that established KEF philosophy, sensing a desire for evolution rather than revolution.<\/p>\n

As KEF\u2019s CTO further explains: \u201cThe specifics of each product, such as the size, shape, drivers, and technology package, do have an impact on the final tuning. However, we do try to remain faithful to our KEF tuning philosophy, and the outcome is that the sound signature is broadly consistent across the whole KEF speaker range.\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, that comes as little surprise. The LS Luxe may outshine the likes of the LSX II and the LS50 Wireless II, but the sound still exhibits the even, balanced, and refined signature of its more affordable antecedents.<\/p>\n

The technical innovations behind the sound <\/p>\n

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\"KEF\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n

A lot has gone in to creating the LS Luxe, and we get a sense that after six years of research and development, there was a desire to push beyond the boundaries of what came before.<\/p>\n

KEF has either integrated new technologies or refined its established designs to do so. The integration of its 12th-generation Uni-Q driver array is at the heart of each speaker; it is backed by KEF\u2019s heralded Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), which absorbs rearward sound from the back of the tweeter dome.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve already read our review, you might have noticed that each speaker draws on two distinct types of amplification. With our nerdy engineer\u2019s hat on, we probe for an answer as to why:<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the huge advantages of an active speaker is that there is one dedicated amplifier for each driver. We use a Class D amplifier for the low-frequency driver, which means we can have high power and high efficiency.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the high-frequency driver, we are using a class-A\/B amplifier, which avoids switching artefacts and gives a very wide bandwidth. In both cases, the amplifiers are highly customised to the driver they are connected to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Notably, this is also the first speaker or speaker system to feature KEF\u2019s \u2018Velocity Control Technology\u2019, as seen in the brand\u2019s five-star XIO soundbar<\/a>. \u2018VECO\u2019 measures the speed of the cone movement, compensating for any differences between that and the expected value in real time to reduce distortion levels.<\/p>\n

The implementation makes sense. With KEF touting its new system as a simple, easy-to-use solution that can handle the demands of a separates hi-fi system while filling up a listening room, the Luxe needs to be able to handle the sonic demands placed upon its rounded shoulders.<\/p>\n

As Dr Oclee-Brown explains, Veco technology has \u201cthe dual target of increasing bass output from small speakers, or reducing distortion in conventionally sized speakers such as the LS Luxe.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition, it allows us to use current-output amplifiers, which also give a significant midrange distortion reduction and eliminate power compression.\u201d<\/p>\n

We get a feel for that ability in our test rooms. As we say in our review, \u201cthe scale and authority showcased belie the Luxe\u2019s compact form, serving up a rendition of Hans Zimmer’s Why Do We Fall? that soars\u2026 with power, scope and grandeur.\u201d<\/p>\n

Integrated systems, be they active, wireless stereo systems or all-in-one units, are becoming ever more popular at a time when modern music fans are increasingly seeking a blend of performance, convenience and ease of use.<\/p>\n

The LS Luxe feels like the culmination of KEF\u2019s desire to \u201cappeal to hi-fi fans who are looking for cutting-edge performance and the very latest acoustic technology\u201d in a more user-friendly design.<\/p>\n

And we think it might have a hit on its hands. The LS Luxe is undoubtedly pricey, but from what we have heard, it\u2019s an impressively strong alternative to an equivalent separates hi-fi system that could quite easily cost a good deal more.<\/p>\n

MORE:<\/p>\n

Read our review of the more affordable KEF LS50 Wireless II<\/a><\/p>\n

Hi-fi in 2076? How engineers envisage the next 50 years of music listening<\/a><\/p>\n

Best active speakers<\/a>: our experts pick the top pairs with integrated amplifiers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"KEF touted its LS Luxe wireless active speaker system as its \u201cmost ambitious creation to date\u201d, and it…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":722600,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[59,86,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-722599","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-gb","tag-technology","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/722599","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=722599"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/722599\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/722600"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=722599"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=722599"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=722599"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}