If you think the high-end audio industry is having a fantastic Q4, you would be mistaken. Whilst a lot of companies did rather well during the pandemic because consumers had nothing else to spend their money on and were stuck at home working, the post-pandemic economy has been rather challenging to say the least.
We have heard from more than a few big manufacturers that they have have too much inventory and need to move it out. Why is that the case?
Supply chain issues created huge backlogs and by the time products were ready to go — demand dropped significantly and high interest rates curbed spending on non-essential goods as well.
What does that mean for you? Huge savings in some cases and KEF is starting its sale rather early with some great deals on the Q150 and Q350 bookshelf speakers, LS50 Wireless II and LSX II Speakers, and are including their wireless subwoofer adapter kit for free with any KEF subwoofer purchase.
KEF Sale
Sale prices run from November 3rd through December 31st, 2023.
- KEF Q150 – Was $599, Now $349 at Amazon or Crutchfield
- KEF Q350 – Was $799, Now $499 at Amazon or Crutchfield
- KEF LS50 Wireless II – Was $2,799, Now $1,999 at Amazon or Crutchfield
- KEF LSX II – Was $1,399, Now $999 at Amazon or Crutchfield
- KEF KW-1 Wireless Subwoofer Adapter Kit – Was $199, Now FREE with purchase of select KUBE subwoofers at Crutchfield
- KEF LS60 Wireless – Was $6,999, Now $4,999 at Crutchfield in Grey, Black, Blue, White
Let’s check out the details.
KEF Q350 & Q150
The KEF Q350 and Q150 bookshelf speakers incorporate KEF’s 11th-generation Uni-Q driver technology with a minimalist design. The speakers feature a rear port (bass reflex) for extended low-frequency response (don’t place them against the wall). Both speakers include dome tweeters, and aluminum woofers, and offer a rather amplifier-friendly 8 ohms impedance.
Specifications Q350 Q150 Holiday Sale Price (pr) Was $799/Now $499 Was $599/Now $349 Speaker Type 2-way 2-way Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch Woofer 6.5-inch 5.25-inches Frequency Response (±3dB) 63 Hz to 28 kHz 51 Hz -28 kHz Sensitivity 87 dB 86 dB Recommended Power 10-120 watts 10-100 watts Weight 16 lbs 12 oz (7.60kg) 12 lbs 6 oz (5.60kg) Dimensions 14.1 x 8.2 x 12.0 inches (358.0 x 210.0 x 306.0 mm ) 12 x 7.0 x 10.9-inches ( 303.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm )
LS50 Wireless II and LSX II
Two of KEF’s award-winning wireless loudspeakers are on sale including the LS50 Wireless II and LSX II. Both are great solutions for those who access a lot of music content via streaming services and desire a minimal amount of setup.
These speaker systems combine KEF’s driver technologies, built-in amplification, streaming, and wireless source connectivity with a compact attractive design suitable for a variety of setups.
The left and right speakers are connected wirelessly, with 24-bit/96kHz resolution; alternatively, users may connect with the supplied interspeaker cable for 24-bit/192kHz resolution.
With the KEF Connect app (iOS, Android), you can tailor sound to the listening environment. Users can stream TIDAL, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer, Internet Radio stations, and podcasts, and you can stream directly from the app with Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, and Google Chromecast from a compatible mobile device. At the same time, Bluetooth expands the options further.
Tip: Both speaker systems are Roon Ready
There are also wired connections for connecting a TV, turntable, CD player, and games console via HDMI, analog, optical, and coaxial inputs.
The LS50 II Wireless is the higher-end of the two systems, but the KEF LSXII might also be a good solution for you – especially at half the price of the LS50 II Wireless during the Holiday Sale.
Here is a feature/specification comparison of the LS50 Wireless II and LSX II speaker systems.
LS50 Wireless II LSX II Holiday Sale Price (pr) Was $2,799/Now $1999.99 Was $1399/Now $999 Speaker Type Wireless Powered Speakers Wireless Powered Speakers Uni-Q Driver Array LF: 130 mm (5.25 in.) aluminum cone HF: 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminum dome with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) HF: 19mm (0.75in.) aluminum dome LF/MF: 115mm (4.5in.) magnesium/aluminum alloy cone Rear Port Yes Yes Frequency Response ( + or – 3db) 45Hz – 28kHz *Depends on EQ settings 54Hz – 28kHz *Depends on EQ settings Max SPL (@ meter) 108 dB 102 dB Amplifier Class LF: Class D, HF: Class AB LF: Class D/HF Class D Amplifier Output Power LF: 280W, HF: 100W LF: 70 Watts/HF: 30 Watts Streaming Features (Built-in) AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, ROON Ready, UPnP Compatible, Bluetooth 4.2 AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, ROON Ready, UPnP Compatible, Bluetooth 4.2 Streaming Services (via App) Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer, QQ Music via QPlay, Internet Radio Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer, QQ Music via QPlay, Internet Radio Support Input Formats MP3, M4A, AAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, WMA, LPCM and Ogg Vorbis MP3, M4A, AAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, WMA, LPCM, and Ogg Vorbis Source Resolution Network up to 384kHz/24-bit Optical up to 96kHz/24-bit Coaxial up to 192kHz/24-bit HDMI up to 192kHz/24-bit Network up to 384kHz/24-bit Optical up to 96kHz/24-bit USB-C up to 96kHz/24-bit HDMI up to 48kHz/16-bit Wired Input Connections HDMI eARC, TOSLINK Optical Digital, Coaxial Analog 3.5mm Auxiliary, USB Type A (service), RJ45 Ethernet (network), RJ45 Ethernet (interspeaker) HDMI ARC, TOSLINK Optical, USB Type C, Analog 3.5mm Auxiliary, RJ45 Ethernet (network), RJ45 Ethernet (interspeaker) Wired Outputs RCA Sub Out RCA Sub Out Wi-Fi Dual-Band 2.4/5 Ghz Dual-Band 2.4/5 Ghz Dimensions (HWD per speaker) 305 x 200 x 311 mm (12.0 x 7.9 x 12.2 in. 240 × 155 × 180 mm (9.5 × 6.1 × 7.1 in.) Weight (per speaker set) 20.1kg (44.31lbs) 7.2kg (15.6lbs) Color Options Carbon Black, Titanium Grey, Mineral White, Crimson Red (spec ed) Carbon Black, Mineral White, Cobalt Blue, Lava Red, Soundwave, Olive Green
KW-1 Wireless Subwoofer Adapter Kit
As an added sale bonus, KEF offers its KW-1 Wireless Subwoofer Adapter Kit for free with any KEF Subwoofer purchase.
To use the KW-1, connect the provided transmitter to a subwoofer output on a home theater receiver or another audio component with subwoofer output, and then connect the KW-1 receiver to the line or LFE input on a KEF subwoofer and you are set to go – you have added wireless audio signal reception to your subwoofer.
Tip: The regular price is $199.99 from KEF, Crutchfield, Amazon, and Authorized KEF Dealers.
Sale prices run from November 3rd through December 31st, 2023
Related Reading
