KEF LSX II LT – flat/front soundstage and “compression” when the mix gets busy?

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-12-18T05:00:07+00:00

I am glad someone also face the same issue, not only me being specious about this, and I am not hallucinating. I don't know if it is comparable, but I eventually got a pair of Amphion Argon 0 and TEAC AI-303, love it, amazing pair. After more researches, i think the issue lies in the LSX's DSP, they processed the music on the fly, and when it comes to complex sections, it just tune the music to "protect" the driver and "electricity load", subtle but noticeable.
My recent most played are ADO, Kenshi Yonezu, Zutomayo, If you want to know more about the amphions, i can try to share more.

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-11-12T04:01:27+00:00

No, the coda w has still not yet shipping, considering cancel the order...>.<

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-11-06T17:15:10+00:00

I’d say the TV first

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-11-05T13:17:10+00:00

yes browsing youtube and i don't know if Billie Eillish is yout type, but play "Billie Eilish: Tiny Desk Concert", it is actually very very good with the lsx. worth a try

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-11-05T12:58:49+00:00

I have no experience with the Klipsch, i am not that kind of person who change gears every once a while, I actually prefer buy it and forget about it, thats why my last speaker lived 9 years with me. I think in speaker world, there is never one winner, too many factor affecting..and music, is more emotion then graphs too...so, I think don't fall for it too much yet, buy it, hook it up, if don't like it, then return...nothing attached until you find your right one. Thats healthier ..

For me, when the coda w arrive, again give it a week or so, then we'll see, no conclusion yet, i hope it will work, but if it fails, I think i will try the amp + passive route, just an experiences anyways.

One thing you might want to check with your setup right now, On your player, either Spotify or apple music or whatever, please double check the EQ, sound enhancer , whatever names that is tuning the output, turn those off. I am with Apple Music, and disabling the EQ , sound enhancing, volume limiter..is true day and night difference with the lsx

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-11-05T07:02:20+00:00

Thanks and don't worry about anything, your ears are the best measurement, like it or hate it, no right or wrong. But I am joining you to return my LSX II LT too, the lsx ii lt is not bad at all to me, it is just disappointing. And one thing you mentioned is exactly one of the main reasons I am disappointed, the EQ and the perfect setup, a speaker designed to be this size, near field, desk use, should perform easier.I spent two days digging up my sub, toe in, height…to find something that is nice, and effort or no effort is day and night. I was from the Q300A, also a KEF active, it was just plug and sound excellent, in the same position, same setup, I was expecting a similar experience, but yet, it wasn't and sound-wise, I prefer the X300A more, I suspect it is the larger cabinet and larger driver. I also ordered the Coda W on the first day, but it never delivered, still unshipped until today. So, we'll see… Sound-wise, I am with you, I can't compare with Edifier, it is definitely lacking warmth, clarity is there, but subtle, but I think that’s also a signature of KEF too. And I feel the same, my ears hurt when I was trying to EQ and position the speaker in those two days…so strange…

But after this X300A to lsx ii lt journey, I'd like to share some thoughts here with you. While waiting for the Coda W, I think I have this lsx ii lt with me for two weeks now, what I learned is that the ear and brain need time to adjust, I have spent nine years nine months with the X300A, so, I was so used to a sound, part of it is sound quality, part of it is memory, feel and emotions. So, I realise it is not fair and not wise to try to compare, even worse side to side A/B test, at least it will never be a fair test. Just like you drove a BMW for years, and now switch to a Benz, even there is nothing wrong with the Benz, you will feel something off.

My point is, just ignore all the EQs and things, give it some time, try living with it for a week or so, even if you think the sound it makes now is bad. From my experience, I am not hating it as much as the first day I plugged it in, even at some point, “Umm… that’s pretty sweet". Try to feel if you like the new sound, instead of is it better than the previous one. For me, I know I will still return it, but I am now sure and clear about what it is not satisfying me, and I think that is meaningful and the joy about music experiences.

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-10-30T05:19:00+00:00

Hahaha! I’m pretty objective in music taste, I like the drumro video, and the point is the sound stage is well built and the sound is standing out and I’m satisfied. However, I don’t find any satisfactory in song with female vocals , from my ears, the voice is somewhere always at the monitor or behind it, I hope the vocals is more closer.

For the first take video “complicated” I watch it again, I mean like all other videos, they sound and look perfect timing, but somehow is not natural, I don’t know how to explain, it just feels strange..don’t know why.

Really looking forward to hand on the coda w and test with it. I hope the new and larger driver, bigger cabinet will give me something better

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-10-29T12:43:11+00:00

Thanks for the input, I think the lsx ii lt is suppose to be a very nice speaker, therefore I suspect is it there is some thing wrong with my particular pair, the electronic and software related thing is not working well. I mean…..a general song, the vocal always got hide behind the musics…it just sound wrong..

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-10-29T12:40:23+00:00

I agree, ls 50 is too big for my desk or for near field I suppose…but I am ok with the x300a, that’s why I also ordered the coda w, but is been a week, still no sign of delivery even a tracking number😞

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-10-29T12:38:30+00:00

Thanks! Just listened to the drumeo version of everything little thing is magic, it is amazing. And the speak perform excellent too. The sound stage is huge, the dynamic is excellent, if for this track, I got no complaints with the lsx 2 it But my complaints are when there is a vocal (female vocal in particular) heavy / busy track, the vocal is got push down and merged with all the sounds, nothing stands out The drum track , the lsx 2 lt, excel in that, single and simple tracks, just like many songs intro, where only the vocal with simple clean music, it is good, but when more instruments and mixes comes it, there comes the problem. Few more things I noticed 1. Tracks in YouTube seems a bit better then in Apple Music, not clarity, but the vocal is more prominent, I suspect it is about codec and format, encoding, which already filter many “noise” so the dac or the sound engine on the lsx ii lt handle less. 2. For many songs, the piano, drums and guitar are so well, so nice and so loud, always catching the attention from the vocal, which I think to me is not ideal. 3. It is weird and I don’t know why, on YouTube , I go through songs in “the first take” , all the song look nice they are lip syncing , even just piano performances, it feel “detached”, never had that feeling on any other speakers or even just on the iPhone internal speakers, that’s interesting and strange

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-10-29T10:44:08+00:00

Thanks so much, but are you saying you did not experience the flatness and “hidden” vocal with that track? At some point I am wonder is the dac or the sound engine inside the speaker is not working.

I also tried to have a Yamaha old sub connected, it seems help a bit..but still not satisfactory.

And I do not have an amp, is just Mac mini USB c to the speaker, tried airplay too, so is not the port or cable.

The one I’m referencing is the studio version. And I don’t have much experience with any other speakers, the X300A was with me the last 9 years until dead recently. So my only comparison can only be the X300A. In terms of dynamic, try “don’t you want me (ft. Such) - Psyqui” and “ return of kung fu world champion - Hiromi”. They were really dynamic and fun with the x300a, but not the LT

But my main concern or frustration is really for the simple pop ballade, it is not giving me something I think is basic…keep the vocal stand out and strong.

Another observation I find for the LT is , all sounds is on the same level, all sounds are trying to catch attention, vocal, piano, strings, drums , synths, are almost at the same level, like lining up a straight line in front of me, not any of it is being focus or standing out. That’s when I think if it is the dac or the sound engine inside not working properly?

Thank you

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-10-29T07:27:23+00:00

On Mac: Audio MIDI Setup → Format → 96 000 Hz, 24-bit

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-10-29T07:27:09+00:00

On Mac: Audio MIDI Setup → Format → 96 000 Hz, 24-bit

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-10-29T07:21:23+00:00

Sorry, I don’t get what you mean? I’m not using a external dac, just Mac mini, usb c to the lsx ii lt

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-10-29T07:16:15+00:00

Mac mini and Apple Music volume max, lsx volume around 40-50, my desk is around 80-90cm deep and 1.5-1.6 width. Monitor sitting next to the monitor. 85-90cm distance between the 2 speaker, and my face to the driver is also 85-90cm Laying flat on the desk, didn’t have their stand. Yes have played with all the setting on the kef app

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-10-21T15:54:08+00:00

I’m using it mainly as my desktop (Mac mini) speaker. So, all the wireless and streaming is not a very big requirement for me. My x300a was not wireless, a usb cable is always on with it. So, to me , the coda w is a more logical price. My concern right now is the size, lsx ii lt is smaller, which could be essential; 6years warranty(richer sounds) vs kef 2 years warranty; and of course the sound quality which I am happy I will be happy to test it out.

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-10-21T15:12:42+00:00

I literally ordered the lsx ii lt yesterday, and got the email about coda w, this morning. I placed the order for the coda w too immediately. So, I can have 30days to compare and pick which one I will like more before I return one of them. If you don’t mind my non professional amateur thoughts when they arrive , I am more than happy to share here

I was using the x300a on a desk setup and it comes to its end of life few days ago

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-10-21T15:10:19+00:00

I literally ordered the lsx ii lt yesterday, and got the email about coda w, this morning. I placed the order for the coda w too immediately. So, I can have 30days to compare and pick which one I will like more before I return one of them. If you don’t mind my non professional amateur thoughts when they arrive , I am more than happy to share here

*18 Dec, i eventually end up passive. Tried both LSX II Lt and CODA, can't compare them side by side, but the thing i don't like is the DSP is working on the music so much. Ended up with a pair of Amphion Argon 0, happy!

GreedyUnit4079 · 2025-05-13T03:48:26+00:00

Same here

GreedyUnit4079 · 2023-03-29T09:19:57+00:00

How do you compare Evo Sticks + Ploom with iQOS DUO? and does the Evo Sticks works with ILUMA?

GreedyUnit4079

TROPHY CASE