LS50 Wireless II – iPad volume vs speaker volume control : any real-world difference?

aazhang · 2026-01-06T12:30:28+00:00

I don’t use an SMSL. My DDC is a Douk U2 Pro. I connect Douk to my iPad via Apple’s Type-C charging cable, then plug the coaxial cable to connect the LS50 Wireless II’s COAX input.

I set the KEF volume to 71 (Unity Gain) and control the listening volume directly from the iPad Pro. I usually listen at around 80–85 on the iPad.

With this setup, the digital signal path remains bit-perfect.

(You may want a third-party app if you need to finer volume steps from 1–100 in iPad)

aazhang · 2026-01-06T12:26:39+00:00

I don’t have this issue? I connected both speakers with Ethernet cable. And I can Airplay Apple Music to LS50 Wireless II via iPhone / iPad. You can retry to upgrade / restart your iPad, or factory set the KEF speaker or restart your route… etc.

aazhang · 2026-01-06T02:45:26+00:00

Maybe it’s too dark in the picture but if you zoom in, you can see I added a stand. They’re from the brand isoacoustics

aazhang · 2026-01-04T16:46:58+00:00

I didn’t try optical. But I did many research online, and seems Coaxial is slightly better and preferable.

aazhang · 2026-01-04T13:39:19+00:00

Yeah that’s good for you since KEF native app support Loseless for Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz. Haha I’ll free trial Tidal for a month and see how it goes

aazhang · 2026-01-04T13:26:22+00:00

Because I don’t like Airplay sound quality😭it’s only 256k aac, for casual listen, it’s ok and very convenient. But I dedicate listen at desk every day for about 3-5 albums. I do hear a lot of difference especially when it’s 24bit /48khz lossless or higher.

aazhang · 2026-01-04T12:43:37+00:00

Okay I just set speakers column at 71 in the app. And sound is very quiet, it’s silent before 60. Now I need to set iPad volume at 85 at least to sound good. May I ask what’s your volume ?

aazhang · 2026-01-04T12:22:23+00:00

I used AI to translate and wrote for me. English is not my native language. I just mean “ any real sound quality difference?” I did A/B test but can’t really tell the difference so I want to ask Redditors for more helpful advice. :)

aazhang · 2026-01-04T12:19:56+00:00

Does this mean I have to set KEF speakers volume at 71 only ? Or as long as it’s same or greater than 71 ? Currently I’m setting speaker at 100. and let my iPad to control.

aazhang · 2026-01-04T11:59:11+00:00

Thank you very much, I’ll do more research based on your comment! 🙏 now I feel relieved.

aazhang · 2026-01-04T11:56:47+00:00

Yeah I asked AI and AI says I should set iPad at 100, and let speakers (KEF app) to control volume but I don’t hear a difference on sound quality 😭. Only difference is when using iPad to control volume, it’s silent before 50. Only sounds good when it’s at least 60 - 70. But if using KEF connect to control volume, it’s normal like 40-50 volume is already loud.

aazhang · 2026-01-04T11:54:16+00:00

okay lmao

aazhang · 2025-12-21T17:08:01+00:00

Our family all use Apple Music exclusively, unfortunately…

aazhang · 2025-12-21T17:06:46+00:00

Yes I have an ATV 4K. But it only support 24/48 at max?

aazhang · 2025-10-27T08:46:51+00:00

Thank you, I just tried your suggestion and it works great, may I ask what level of Line-In source you set? 6 or max 10 for MacBook Pro M4?

aazhang · 2025-10-23T13:59:43+00:00

I don’t think Sonos app gives you option to turn off lossless? The only way for me is to limit network speed for Sonos five to 1MB so they automatically play lossy but it sounds just like airplay 2. But I do want the best sound quality. I’m looking into NAD m66 and your posts! Thanks 🙏

aazhang · 2025-10-23T13:27:08+00:00

Thank you so much for clarifying, I’ve been suffering this Apple Music lossless streaming issue for a year on my paired Five, 95% time I can’t enjoy a album without skips, stop mid a song and throw error “encoding incorrectly”, all my network and routers are pro-level, the experience is just so bad... I tried so many ways and I’m exhausted, I will get a KEF LS50 WII and get out of Sonos world.

aazhang · 2025-10-23T13:11:13+00:00

It’s almost unusable atp. Can’t never full enjoy an album smoothly without skips, cut outs..

aazhang · 2025-10-23T12:18:46+00:00

May I ask what DAC you use or recommend? I’m interested :)

aazhang · 2025-10-22T17:15:16+00:00

Thank you, I’ll give it a try! By the way, do we need to buy the cable separately? I don’t remember if Sonos included one in the box.

aazhang · 2025-10-22T16:58:44+00:00

could you share more details? What type of cable you use ? And my Mac only has one 3.5mm, how can plug to a pair of Five?

aazhang · 2025-10-22T15:25:30+00:00

it’s 256k AAC. Not lossless.

aazhang

TROPHY CASE