We tested these classics on KEF’s LS Wireless HiFi speakers – and they changed everything

In partnership with KEF

Have you ever wished that you could relive that first listen of your favourite album? Or forget the plot of a film to experience it all over again? A good set of speakers can’t do that exactly, but they can bring to light things you’d never noticed before – a funny new line of dialogue or a subtle but funky bass fill.

KEF’s LS Wireless HiFi range doesn’t offer a good set of speakers. It offers four amazing sets of speakers. Whether you’ve picked the floorstanding LS60 Wireless, mighty LS50 Wireless II standmount models, or the compact LSX II or the LSX II LT speakers, these powerful audio accessories make it easy to create an immersive listening environment at home – if you’re spinning a record, watching a movie, desktop use in the home office or even gaming. They’re easy to use too – and can connect to your telly, turntable or basically any device. You can even wirelessly stream without fuss directly via AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify.

We tested the LS50 Wireless II model – and our top takeaway from a week with these boredom-busting fun boxes is just how much more interesting everything sounds. Here are the highlights…

We started with The Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’

Straight in the deep end. Our first move after powering up the LS50 Wireless II speakers was to let John, Paul, George and Ringo put them through their paces. The Beatles’ classic albums ‘Revolver’ or ‘Rubber Soul’ would’ve been fine choices too, but there’s something about the instrumentation on the Fabs’ final studio album proper that lends itself to an audio test – each part is clearer, the separation of melodies more obvious. ‘Come Together’ proved a case in point, McCartney’s Rickenbacker 4001 bass bouncing boldly out of the speakers and John’s lead vocal cracking with extra emotion.

What we never noticed before: The sheer power of the white noise generator used for ‘She’s So Heavy’ – on lesser tech it just blends into the background

The Dark Knight made us reevaluate action movies

Christopher Nolan’s action-crime masterpiece reinvented the comic book movie, but if we’re honest, we hadn’t seen it in years. The Dark Knight is one of those overplayed, over-referenced films that loses something with every watch. Not so with the LS50 Wireless IIs. Hans Zimmer’s brooding score pulsated through the floor as we watched The Caped Crusader zip through Gotham City on his Batcycle. And you haven’t experienced true terror until you’ve heard Batman bellow “Where is she?!” via the LS50 Wireless IIs’ game-changing Uni-Q® driver with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT).

What we never noticed before: The ear-splitting tyre squeals every time Bruce Wayne’s Batmobile drifts round a corner

Chappell Roan hit like a supernova

Listening to ‘The Rise & Fall Of A Midwest Princess’ through the LS50 Wireless IIs is to be sat in the studio with 2024’s breakout star, witnessing perfection as each part of her hit debut album is finetuned in silo. Such are the speakers’ quality, that it’s easy to zoom in on any instrument you fancy. Take album opener ‘Femininomenon’ and the sweeping violin intro, the grand piano chords which follow or Roan’s own breathy backing vocals that sometimes get lost beneath her soaring chorus line. The ability to separate the parts from the whole (and hear them properly), only makes you appreciate how impressively complex they are when fitted together like a musical puzzle.

What we never noticed before: The catchy-as-hell acoustic guitar riff that plays under ‘Red Wine Supernova’s bridge section

We had no chill watching Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

Ryan Murphy’s haunting true crime drama about two rich Beverly Hills heirs who murdered their parents is streaming’s biggest hit right now. We’d watched the first couple of episodes on our regular TV (40-inch with built-in speakers) – which wasn’t too shabby but couldn’t compare with the LS50 Wireless IIs. Each plot bombshell comes with a pounding bass drop to really ram home its significance – and the spatial depth of sound makes it feel as if you’re right there in the room between Erik and Lyle Menendez, arguing over the best way to dispose of their mum and dad’s bodies. Truly chilling.

What we never noticed before: The background thrum of the courtroom – you can even hear individual conversations between supporting actors

Fallout 4 made us shit our pants

Listen up, horror heads – we’ve found the best way to spend Halloween this year. Sneaking around Fallout 4’s zombie-infested wasteland in the dark, trying not to get jumped by the undead. We usually play with headphones on our Xbox Series S, but the LS50 Wireless IIs took gameplay to another terrifying level. Every accidentally dislodged pebble was audible, every gurgle from the pipes that may or not have been a potential enemy’s groan. We’ve never had a more intense console sesh. Gamers looking to get in on the act should probably check if their neighbours are in first though. You don’t want anyone calling the cops when they hear your screams.

What we never noticed before: If you listen hard enough, you’ll clock the bad guys creeping up behind you in the dark…

Visit uk.kef.com to explore the LS Wireless range and…

• Book a demo of any of the four models with one of their authorised retail stores via the KEF website. It’s a personal listening experience that can be customised to each individual with bespoke advice for their particular set-up
• Find an authorised KEF retailer for guidance on which KEF model is right for you
• Discover more about the all-new KEF Music Gallery London, located on Great Portland Street in London. The Gallery is a welcoming hub and event space for music lovers to be fully immersed in an ultimate high-fidelity listening experience

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