More than 10 years ago a global audio technology shootout began…one that left few brands unscathed.
It was likely the biggest hi-fi revolution of the 21st century: the introduction of wireless multi-room audio. This movement focused all the newest consumer technology into optimising how we control music in our homes. I’m not talking about Bluetooth. I’m talking about the synergy of Wi-Fi technology, streaming media, smartphone app control, vast online music libraries, and the ability to group (and ungroup) speaker systems in just a few taps.
I remember the first time I used one of these systems. It was in 2011. I put an app on my phone, typed a song name into a search field, and saw quality search results that covered a range of sources—including Spotify, Pandora Radio and a local hard drive.
I was able to add a song to play next or send it to the end of the queue without interrupting playback…all while my friend could add songs on his phone at the same time. Later I discovered you could configure speakers in multiple rooms to play in sync, or separately, in mere seconds.
It was immediately obvious that what I was using would be the future of home audio control.
Sure enough, the category took off like a rocket. New hi-fi brands were formed, while existing brands scrambled to launch into the space. The leader in this category would, of course, be Sonos.
Sonos had a significant advantage: they were a software company that dabbled in audio. That meant their existing resources allowed them to build a wireless multi-room ecosystem that worked really well, and that put them on the map.
The actual sound of their speakers however, was relatively flat and dull. It was good enough for the masses of people who didn’t have experience listening to high-fidelity audio—and therefore didn’t know the difference—but it couldn’t hold a candle to the performance offered by traditional hi-fi brands.
That created an opportunity for those traditional brands. Their existing teams and resources could deliver excellent audio performance…they just had to figure out the software part.
Except that part turned out harder than anyone bargained for.
Into the market came numerous multi-room audio products that offered better sound quality, but struggled to live up to the promise of multi-room, app-controlled convenience. There were buggy, terrible-looking apps. Speakers that dropped out or refused to group. Limited streaming service support. Even crazy stuff, like volume levels jumping around, or routine glitches that required completely reconnecting products to the network.
For experienced high-fidelity audio companies, getting into the Wi-Fi speaker game was grueling. For many, it was a costly battle that ended in surrender…but not for all.
Enter UK speaker brand, KEF. Like many others, they faced serious turbulence on the road to joining the wireless revolution.
But they had two distinct advantages.
The first was conviction. KEF realised that moving into this new space was not optional. They believed that hi-fi as the world knew it would cease to exist within the next decade. That even discerning listeners would demand the conveniences of Wi-Fi control. That this project was imperative…and it would require a long-term commitment.
Second, unlike several other brands who launched products that were a little too similar to those of Sonos, KEF focused on applying the concept in their own unique way. Instead of launching a new series of powered all-in-one speakers in a few sizes, they took successful systems they already developed and wove the wireless technology in.
This led to the KEF LS50 Wireless, and shortly after, the KEF LSX. Each of these is a powered two-channel system based on the proven acoustic design and unique visual appeal of KEF’s iconic LS50 speaker.
The original LS50 Wireless, for instance, was heavily acclaimed for its sound quality. This was largely driven by the fact that KEF designed the amplifiers to work in perfect synergy with the speakers. Jay’s iyagi, a popular tech YouTube channel, even proclaimed that the LS50 Wireless outperformed passive LS50s with more than $20,000 in gear behind them. And other critics have made similar comments.
Yet the feedback about the LS50 Wireless’s user experience was mixed. Some users found the app would lose connection with the speakers at times, which would also reset the settings. The app’s control features were also limited, making the included remote a total necessity. And perhaps most frustrating, users had to use two different apps: one to choose a music source and another for play, pause and volume controls.
On one hand, KEF’s first foray into wireless audio brought a minimalist two-channel system with incredible sound…on the other, it resulted in frustrating user experiences.
On the surface, it’s easy to denigrate KEF for launching a product before the user experience was tested to perfection. But what happened behind the scenes tells a more forgiving story.
For starters, issues like these were ubiquitous for the first generation of Wi-Fi hi-fi. Many reputable brands suffered even worse problems, and harsher criticisms. Even with the wireless hiccups, KEF was one of the most well-received brands in this new space.
In addition, KEF had actually released the LS50 Wireless much later than planned. They had to cease working with the original software developer who they partnered with to build the wireless platform. This forced them to find a new partner, who were unable to build onto the existing code.
KEF had already poured so much into the project that they couldn’t scrap everything and start over. They had to choose between working with what they had and getting the product launched—a product which had excellent acoustic performance, build quality and basic functionality, but some Wi-Fi and software issues—or giving up on the project entirely.
So they launched the LS50 Wireless with the two-app solution: one app from the original developer, another from the new one.
While the first wave of KEF’s wireless systems were loved by many, they were criticised for their inconveniences and bugs. KEF pushed hard to support end users who raised issues. While the majority of units found happy homes, some did not…so they sent boxes of Wi-Fi cards to dealers at their own (KEF’s) cost, and accepted dozens upon dozens of returns from around the world.
Almost any other company would’ve pulled out at this point…but again, to KEF, this project was imperative.
Despite the immense financial burden of seeing the project through and supporting end users as best they could, KEF persisted. They nurtured the new LS50 Wireless and LSX lines with bug fixes, and reinvested the proceeds into building a new platform based on what they were learning.
Eventually this became the W2 platform: a fully integrated software ecosystem with a single app as was originally intended.
In order to launch the new platform, they had to develop new hardware. So launched the LS50 Wireless II (which also received upgrades in other areas, like acoustic design and amplification). Shortly after, the compact LSX II and floorstanding LS60 systems followed. Around this time KEF offered buyers of the original wireless line an attractive trade-in deal on upgrading to the new versions.
These new LS speakers since became widely acclaimed and awarded, and immensely successful. They’ve received a massive amount of unsolicited press on candid review sites and discussion forums. They’re even cited as the gateway for a younger audience to discover the bliss of truly realistic and immersive sound, as they blend the fidelity of traditional stereo with the convenience of modern technology.
KEF’s persistence paid off: the now current LS wireless speakers are considered by many to be a benchmark for the future of high-fidelity audio.
Now that KEF are over the biggest hurdle and proven the concept, they’ve taken the next step.
With a flexible wireless ecosystem that can group and ungroup speakers, it follows that a home theatre system can be configured without running speaker cables or stowing big receivers.
That’s why KEF have developed the XIO Soundbar: a slim cinema soundbar that’s designed to deliver immersive surround sound, Dolby Atmos / DTS:X, and rich, detailed performance for both music and movies.
The XIO works on their W2 platform. It will pair wirelessly with KEF’s LS range of speakers so they can act as surround sound channels, as well as KEF subwoofers, creating an exceptional home theatre experience with minimal cables. [Note: The XIO is available now, but this wireless cinema feature will come with a software update planned for October 2025.]
Further, the KEF XIO is decked out with several decades worth of acoustic innovations. They’ve applied techniques for producing deeper bass and wider frequency bands from smaller drivers, giving the XIO exceptional sound quality despite the slim soundbar profile.
Again has KEF applied their expertise in acoustic design and aesthetic style, while integrating the flexibility and freedom of wireless, multi-room technology…
…and this time, the software platform is dialed in.
You can have the XIO system in the theatre room, a pair of LSX II in the office, and a set of LS50 Wireless II in the lounge…all playing the same playlist, or all playing something different.
All up, KEF have endeavored to create something special in their new wireless systems.
If you’d like to hear any of them yourself—and experience the smooth, easy-to-use app controls—we’d love to have you in our Sydney showroom. Also, to explore these products further online, here are some links to guide you:
