Would you consider do-everything speakers, such as the Kef LS60

[bigfool1956]

I've been watching the reviews of the Kef LS60 with interest. It seems to be an incredibly neat solution, especially if you only stream (locally or internet). Would anyone here consider such an option? I'm not only talking about the LS60, but any equivalent system, where everything happens in the speakers themselves.

 

[manicatel]

Possibly.
I don’t think there’s a right/wrong with this.
If you &/or the people you live with want a clutter-free, clean system & maybe you don’t have the luxury of a dedicated music room, then I can see the attraction.
A pretty high quality sound with a low box count.
Probably aimed at the future generation of Hifi music fans rather than tempting existing hi fi users away from multi box systems.
Obvious issues are that if your t’intenet goes down, you’re suddenly in a quiet house, but then broadband is getting to be as essential as any other utility now.
And if any one element of the system goes wrong, ( ie the internal DAC, or amp etc) that’s the whole thing shot. You can’t say “oh well I’ll just listen to my vinyl until it comes back from repair”.
And if you’re a serial tinkerer, or box swapper, then it’s a non-starter.
And the app needs to be very good, reliable, stable, good to use etc.

 

[TIU]

I'll stick with a few boxes to continually dust. I don't stream anyway.

 

[Nativebon]

Simple answer is I like to mess around. So no.

 

[Musicraft]

any equivalent system, where everything happens in the speakers themselves.

There's a new range of DSP Wireless active loudspeakers one standmount and two floorstanders on the way from another manufacturer

 

[CnoEvil]

Yes.....and No!

If they had been available before I upgraded - absolutely.

Now that I have upgraded - not so much.

I am also slightly uncomfortable with what happens if one element breaks, as the whole lot goes down.

 

[hifinutt]

No ..., as nativebon says .. its nice to mess . sometimes you really have to tweak a system with amps etc to make it sound just right

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

No. Why would you want it all in one box (or two)? The all-in-1 solution has been with us for years, it's called the "ghettoblaster"; it does its job well enough but I bet we'd all rather be listening to decent-sized speakers from the apex of an equilateral triangle formed by the speakers and one's self, being fed a signal from carefully selected and matched boxes each of which represents the state-of-the-art or at least the best we could afford for any given function.

 

[Ceko]

If it sounds as good as my current setup: why not? Less boxes is usually an easier user experience, I’m all for that.

Edit: they need to look different than the Kef’s. Those look like absolute shite.

 

[Nativebon]

If it sounds as good as my current setup: why not? Less boxes is usually an easier user experience, I’m all for that.

Edit: they need to look different than the Kef’s. Those look like absolute shite.

I actually think they not that bad looking.

 

[Le Baron]

If someone else pays for it.

 

[Motortown review]

The Kefs would be nice as a second system, say in the lounge for TV and family use, if you can afford them.

 

[Jules_S]

The Kefs would be nice as a second system, say in the lounge for TV and family use, if you can afford them.

+1 to that. In a (hopefully) future situation where my hi-fi doesn't have to share space with the TV / AV system, I would definitely consider a pair of all-in-ones for ad-hoc listening and telly / film duties. Won't replace my main system though

 

[bigfool1956]

Interesting range of responses, I was sure the Wam would be firmly on the 'no thank you' side, but it's fairly even.

 

[bigfool1956]

I just streamed an album and the internet wasn't involved. If you have local files then that shouldn't be an issue.

I have to say it starts to get a bit messy once you try and add a few sources to the system, as each cable has to go to the controlling speaker.

 

[tuga]

I'd love a pair of Beolab 50s.

 

[t1no]

Absolutely so long as there’s an option to bypass the streaming bit … you can bet that in 5-10 years time your software will not get updated and services will start to drop off and not work. It’s a shame the industry can’t allow for some common plug-in module concept that allows you to insert the streaming card of your choice. I suppose something like WISA is designed to get around that problem.

 

[Lawrence001]

I think actives have become more acceptable in recent years so it's just another step to getting speakers with the DAC built in. Personally I'd be worried about the DAC becoming obsolescent especially as streaming services change and other new things come along we haven't thought about yet.

 

[Kubs]

There's a new range of DSP Wireless active loudspeakers one standmount and two floorstanders on the way from another manufacturer

Can you share anymore?
Atc must be due a new release ....

 

[DomT]

If it sounds as good as separates for the same money then it’s an option but in all of my recent searching for more compact solutions I ended up with more boxes than when I started because they sounded better. But for a family lounge where clutter should be minimised then it seems a good idea. But do KEF make the best speakers DACs and streamers?

The other thing is serious commitment from the manufacturer to the concept as you may end up with an idea that isn’t supported in the future but the probability seems to be low in this case.