KEF LSX II LT

Design

• Compact and refined aesthetic
• Trademark tangerine Uni-Q waveguide
• Solid build quality

The KEF LSX II LT is, to all intents and purposes, visually identical to its more expensive sibling. At 24cm tall, 15.5cm wide, and 18cm deep per speaker, these are genuinely compact units that won’t dominate a bookshelf, desk, or TV stand.

What immediately catches the eye is KEF’s signature waveguide surrounding the Uni-Q driver array — the distinctive ring that’s become synonymous with the brand’s recent designs. It’s showy without being gauche, and screams ‘premium engineering’ rather than ‘look at me’.

The cabinets themselves are smooth, unadorned affairs that feel reassuringly solid in hand. My stone white review pair (sage green and graphite grey are the other options) sport a contemporary matte finish that resists fingerprints admirably.

It’s worth noting what you don’t get with the LT: the attractive cloth-covered finish of the standard LSX II and a choice of only three colours versus five for the pricier model.

The rear panel features a ridged texture that’s a nice tactile touch, even if you’ll rarely see it once the speakers are positioned. Here you’ll find the HDMI ARC port, USB-C input, optical input, Ethernet socket, and subwoofer output on the primary speaker. The secondary speaker is considerably sparser, housing the proprietary interspeaker cable connection point.

At 6.8kg for the pair, the LSX II LT is marginally lighter than the LSX II’s 7.2kg – perhaps owing to the lack of wireless transmission hardware between the speakers. They feel substantial enough to inspire confidence but light enough to move around without breaking a sweat.

The speakers incorporate mounting inserts for KEF’s optional P1 desk pad and S1 floor stands — great for home cinema setups —though they’re perfectly stable on their own rubber feet. There’s no provision for wall mounting, but frankly, these deserve better than being relegated to walls.

Features

• W2 wireless streaming platform
• Music Integrity Engine DSP
• KEF Connect app with customisable EQ
• Multi-room audio capability

The LSX II LT’s feature set revolves around KEF’s W2 wireless platform, which serves as your gateway to an impressive array of streaming options. Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer, and internet radio are all present and correct, accessible via the KEF Connect app for iOS and Android.

High-resolution audio enthusiasts are well catered for, with support extending to 24-bit/384kHz PCM files and DSD128. You can even stream your personal music library from a compatible NAS drive, though it’s worth noting the LSX II LT isn’t Roon Ready — that privilege remains reserved for the standard LSX II.

Bluetooth 5.0 is onboard for quick connections from phones and tablets, though you’ll obviously be sacrificing audio quality compared to the lossless streaming options. The USB-C input is particularly welcome for desktop use, offering a direct digital connection from your computer that bypasses any potential interference.

The HDMI ARC port is a godsend for TV duties, allowing the speakers to be controlled via your telly’s remote and automatically switching inputs when you fire up Netflix. The optical input provides an alternative for older TVs or game consoles, while the subwoofer output acknowledges that even KEF can’t defy the laws of physics with speakers this compact.

KEF’s Music Integrity Engine deserves special mention. This collection of bespoke DSP algorithms is optimised specifically for the Uni-Q driver, delivering precise timing, enhanced clarity, and a more accurate sound. You can feel the difference it makes when switching between sources — there’s a cohesiveness to the presentation that cheaper wireless speakers simply can’t match.

The KEF Connect app is intuitive and responsive, walking you through setup with minimal fuss. Within the app, you’ll find EQ controls allowing you to tailor the sound to your room or personal preferences. There are presets for desk placement, bookshelf positioning, and free space, plus expert mode for those who want granular control over treble, bass, and midrange.

One significant omission: there’s no analogue aux input. The standard LSX II includes a 3.5mm jack for turntables and older source devices, but the LT relies entirely on digital connections. For some, this will be a dealbreaker; for others, it’s an irrelevance.

The other major departure from the LSX II is the requirement for a connection between the speakers. A 3-metre proprietary USB-C cable is included, and KEF offers an 8-metre C-Link cable for more flexible placement. The standard LSX II could operate wirelessly between speakers, but in practice, most users them anyway for reliability and lower latency.

Connectivity

• Simple setup and operation
• Rock-solid connectivity
• Versatile placement options

Getting the LSX II LT up and running is refreshingly straightforward. Download the KEF Connect app, plug in the speakers (only the primary unit needs mains power), connect them via the supplied interspeaker cable, and follow the on-screen prompts. The whole process takes about five minutes, and the speakers were successfully added to my home network on the first attempt.

Bluetooth pairing is equally painless — hold the Bluetooth button on the primary speaker’s top panel, select ‘LSX II LT’ from your device’s Bluetooth menu, and you’re away. Switching between streaming services via the app is instantaneous, with no perceptible lag or dropouts during our testing period.

The speakers proved rock-solid across both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. Streaming Tidal Masters and Qobuz hi-res tracks, I experienced zero dropouts or buffering issues over several days of continuous use. The W2 platform clearly does its job admirably.

Placement flexibility is one of the system’s strengths, whether on a desk as a computer speaker setup, flanking a TV for home cinema duties, or on dedicated speaker stands in a more traditional stereo configuration. The KEF Connect app’s placement presets proved genuinely useful, with the desk mode in particular taming the bass response for near-field listening.

The speakers run cool even during extended listening sessions, and there’s no audible fan noise or electronic whine — just blessed silence when no music is playing. This might sound obvious, but some powered speakers betray their active electronics with subtle background noise. Not so here.

Sound Quality

• Exceptional clarity and detail
• Neutral, balanced tonality
• Impressive bass extension for the size
• Wide soundstage with precise imaging

Here’s where the LSX II LT truly justifies its existence: the sound quality is nothing short of superb for speakers of this size and price.

KEF’s 11th-generation Uni-Q driver array works its customary magic, creating an expansive soundstage that defies the speakers’ compact dimensions. The concentric driver arrangement – tweeter positioned at the acoustic centre of the mid/bass cone – generates a point source that fills the room with remarkably uniform sound. There’s no narrow sweet spot here; move around the room, and the tonal balance remains surprisingly consistent.

Streaming Nick Hustles’ (NSFW) I’m Letting Go Of The Bulls*** via Qobuz, the LSX II LT delivers taut, articulate bass that hits with proper impact despite the modest 115mm drivers. The low-end extension is genuinely impressive, reaching down to a claimed 54Hz.

You’ll not mistake these for floorstanders, but nor will you feel shortchanged. Kick drums land with satisfying weight, and bass lines remain distinct and tuneful even at higher volumes.

The midrange is where the Uni-Q design really shines. Vocals are presented with remarkable clarity and natural timbre, sitting just behind the speakers in a believably three-dimensional soundstage.

Switching to Lady Wray’s soulful Piece of Me, the LSX II LT renders her voice with exquisite detail, capturing every subtle inflection without ever sounding harsh or analytical.

Treble is crisp and extended without tipping into brightness. The 19mm aluminium dome tweeter delivers cymbals, hi-hats, and string harmonics with proper air and sparkle, but never draws undue attention to itself. The tonal balance from top to bottom is neutral and cohesive – DSP working in harmony with its surroundings, y’all.

Complex orchestral works like Ennio Morricone’s L’estasi dell’oro remain composed and articulate. The LSX II LT maintains separation between instrumental sections, painting a convincing picture of depth and layering. It’s not quite the visceral experience you’d get from KEF’s larger LS50 Wireless II, but for speakers this compact, it’s deeply impressive.

Detail retrieval is excellent across the frequency spectrum. Subtle production touches, ambient reverb, and textural nuances are all faithfully reproduced. The Music Integrity Engine’s timing precision is evident in the speakers’ rhythmic cohesion, locking onto a tempo that makes foot-tapping involuntary.

Testing with the Verses GT Remix of One More Night by KUČKA, the LSX II LT proved more than capable of delivering the goods at party volumes. The 200 watts of Class D amplification (30W to each tweeter, 70W to each mid/bass driver) is generous for speakers this size, and there’s minimal compression or distortion even when pushed hard.

One minor caveat: in larger rooms, the LSX II LT can start to sound a touch thin if you’re expecting full-range, room-filling bass. This is where KEF’s subwoofer output comes into its own. Partnering with a competent sub transforms the system’s scale and authority, though it obviously adds to the overall cost and complexity.

The 3D imaging capabilities of the Uni-Q array are put to excellent use with immersive recordings. Instruments are precisely positioned in the soundstage, and there’s a convincing sense of height when the recording allows for it. It’s not Dolby Atmos, but it’s distinctly more three-dimensional than conventional two-way speakers. If music television is your thing, you’re in very safe hands.

Should you buy it?