LS50 WIRELESS

A1. Can I use LS50 Wireless with my devices?

You can connect most devices found in the home through LS50 Wireless' broad range of connectivity options. These are some common uses for LS50 Wireless. Connection method depends on individual device requirements.

• Wi-Fi : Smartphone, tablet, computer, NAS with DLNA controller/server
• Bluetooth: Smartphone, tablet, computer
• USB Type B: Computer (Windows/ Mac)
• Optical: TV, Blu-ray player, CD player, set-top box, game console
• RCA Analog: Smartphone, tablet, music player
• Subwoofer out: Subwoofer

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A2. Can I use my router with LS50 Wireless?

LS50 Wireless supports most common routers. Detailed technical requirements are as follows:

• Your wireless router must support IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n.
• Security protocol WPA2, mixed mode WPA2/WPA, WEP and open networks. Open networks are not recommended for security reasons.
• WEP is an old encryption and may lead to setup and streaming problems. The WPA2 security protocol is recommended. Please refer to the user guide of your router to select the encryption method.
• Channel 1-11 (2.4GHz) and Channel 36, 40, 44, 48 (5.2GHz) or Channel 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 (5.8GHz in Taiwan ONLY) are supported. You are recommended to set the router on a channel with fewer overlapping networks as this will have less interference. Please refer to the user guide of your router to select the router channel.

Remarks: Streaming Hi-Res music files through a 5GHz Wi-Fi network with a router transmission speed of at least 1300Mbps will offer better performance.

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A3. I want to know more about the compatibility of LS50 Wireless.

Wi-Fi:
Dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz
DLNA Digital Media Renderer

Bluetooth:
Android 2.3 or above and iOS 6.0 and above

USB:
Windows 7 or above and Mac OSX 10.6 or above

Optical:
PCM digital audio

App:
Android 4.1 or above and iOS 7.0 and above

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A4. When will I need to reset the speakers?

A Factory Reset has two main purposes:

1. Set up speakers on a new network
2. Resolve unknown issues

A Factory Reset will cause the below:

1. Wi-Fi network settings will be cleared
2. Connected Bluetooth devices memory will be cleared
3. EQ settings will be cleared. By default, the speaker will be in “Freespace” and “Stand” mode
4. System volume will return to default
5. Speaker will enter Wi-Fi mode and will be ready for setup

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A5. How to do a factory reset?

1. Press a paperclip or a small Allen key on the “Reset” button in the back panel
2. Release the pin when the blinking green light goes solid

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A6. Is the inter-speaker cable changeable?

The LS50 Wireless comes with a high quality gold-plated shielded Cat-6 cable. If there is a need to change, we recommend replacing it with a good quality Cat5e or higher network cable for optimum performance.

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A7. I see the top panel light blinks, what should I do?

If you see the source selection, Bluetooth and volume down buttons blink together, it means the Left speaker is not connected.

1. Check if the Left speaker is powered up
2. Check if the interspeaker cable is connected
3. Check if the interspeaker cable is wrongly plugged to the LAN port
4. After checking the above, power off and on the system

If you see the power button blinks, it means there is a system error.

• Contact your local dealer or service center for support

If you see the AUX, Optical and Bluetooth LED blink together, it means there is a system error on Left speaker.

• Contact your local dealer or service center for support

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A8. How do I do a firmware update?

One of the best things about LS50 Wireless is that it just keeps getting better. Running firmware updates can solve bugs and/or unlock new features. Ensure your speaker is up to date.

Download the firmware upgrade tool from KEF product support page ( https://uk.kef.com/pages/product-support ). Follow the step-by-step instructions to update your speaker.

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A9. How do I know if my speaker firmware is up to date?

We recommend that all customers update the LS50 Wireless to the latest version of firmware to benefit from the improvements and bug fixes.

Download the firmware upgrade tool from KEF product support page ( https://uk.kef.com/pages/product-support ). Follow the step-by-step instructions, it will show you if there is any new updates available.

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A10. How can I extend or disable auto standby?

By factory default, speaker will go into standby after 20 minutes of idling. Latest firmware upgrade enables you to extend or disable auto standby.

Download the firmware upgrade tool from KEF product support page ( https://uk.kef.com/pages/product-support ). Follow the step-by-step instructions to update your speaker.

Standby setting is done at the back of the Right speaker, below is the procedure for each setting:

Pictures

(1) Auto standby after 60 mins of inactivity

1. Press and hold X for 5 seconds
2. Completed after “Desk” and “Stand” LED flashes

(2) Disable auto Standby

1. Press and hold X for 5 seconds
2. Completed after “Wall” and “Free Space” LED flashes

(3) Factory Reset Auto standby after 20 mins of inactivity

1. Press and hold X using a pin until green light blinks

Notes: Factory Reset will clear all the settings and memory

SPEARKER EQ
RESET
DESK
STAND
WALL
SPACE
Auto Standby Disable
60 mins Standby
20 mins Standby
Back of RIGT speaker

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B1. How do I start Wi-Fi streaming?

Download the KEF LS50 Wireless app from the Specifications tab and follow the step-by-step instructions.

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B2. What router should I use?

For better streaming stability, you are recommended to have a dual-band router. Streaming Hi-Res music files through a 5GHz Wi-Fi network with a router transmission speed of at least 1300Mbps will offer better performance. Below are detailed technical requirements.

• Your wireless router must support IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n.
• Security protocol WPA2, mixed mode WPA2/WPA, WEP and open networks. Open networks are not recommended for security reasons.
• WEP is an old encryption and may lead to setup and streaming problems. The WPA2 security protocol is recommended. Please refer to the user guide of your router to select the encryption method.
• Channel 1-11 (2.4GHz) and Channel 36, 40, 44, 48 (5.2GHz) or Channel 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 (5.8GHz, in Tai Wan ONLY) are supported. You are recommended to set the router on a channel with fewer overlapping networks as this will have less interference. Please refer to the user guide of your router to select the router channel.

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B3. How do I rename my speaker?

You can do it in the KEF LS50 Wireless app.

Tap “Settings” > “My speakers”

Select your speaker and tap “Speaker name” to change the name.

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B4. How do I connect the speaker to a new network?

Do a “Factory reset” to connect the speaker to a new router network.

1. Press a paperclip or a small Allen key on the “Reset” button in the back panel
2. Release the pin when the blinking green light goes solid
3. Shortly after, you will see the Wi-Fi signal light alternate between blinking red and white. You can now do the network setup again.
4. Go to “LS50 Wireless App”, select “Setup new speaker”

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B5. How do I improve streaming stability?

1. We recommend streaming Hi-Res music files over a 5GHz Wi-Fi network with a router transmission speed of at least 1300Mbps.
2. Signal interference from nearby Wi-Fi devices can weaken music streaming stability. Try using a Wi-Fi analyser app to analyse signal strength and look for a better signal channel. For details, please refer to the user manual of your router.
3. Wi-Fi signals in different home environments vary. Speakers and mobile devices are recommended to be placed in an area with a good Wi-Fi signal.
4. Minor interruptions during streaming are normal when there is a weak Wi-Fi signal or heavy network traffic.
5. A heavy streaming workload due to other Wi-Fi devices in the home is one of the common reasons for this issue. To maintain quality streaming, avoid downloading or uploading files during music streaming.
6. Disabling “Gapless Control” on media players (e.g. BubbleUPnP) may solve some playback stability issues.

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B6. Why is my wireless streaming sometimes interrupted?

Minor interruptions during streaming are normal, especially when there is a weak Wi-Fi signal or heavy network traffic. A heavy streaming workload due to other Wi-Fi devices in the home is one of the common reasons for this issue. To maintain playback quality, we recommend avoiding downloading and uploading files during music streaming.

Signal interference from other nearby Wi-Fi devices can also weaken music streaming stability. If this happens frequently, try using a Wi-Fi analyser app to detect the signal strength and look for a better signal channel. For details, please refer to the user manual of your router.

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B7. My initial setup failed, and a red Wi-Fi icon has appeared. What should I do?

If the setup failed and you see the red Wi-Fi icon, please reset the speaker and try again.

Please follow these instructions and troubleshoot using the “LS50 Wireless App”:

1. Press a paperclip or a small Allen key on the “Reset” button in the back panel
2. Release the pin when the blinking green light goes solid
3. Shortly after, you will see the Wi-Fi signal light alternate between blinking red and white. You can now do the network setup again.
4. Go to “LS50 Wireless App”, select “Setup new speaker”

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B8. My initial setup continuously fails. What should I do?

1. Please ensure you have entered the correct router password.
2. Avoid locating your router network on Channel 1 of a 2.4Ghz network. To change router channels, please refer to the user manual of your router.
3. LS50 Wireless only supports 5.2 GHz Channel 36, 40, 44, 48 (in Taiwan 5.8GHz Channel 149, 153, 157, 161, 165). To change router channels, please refer to the user manual of your router.
4. If problems persist, please contact your local dealer or service centre.

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B9. I see a solid white Wi-Fi icon on LS50 Wireless, but my App cannot discover the speaker.

Please follow the below instructions to resolve this:

1. Restart the app
2. If you have another DLNA controller app, see if LS50 Wireless appears in that app.
3. Restart the speaker
4. Reset the speaker and repeat the initial setup
5. If problems persist, please contact your local dealer or service centre

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B10. LS50 Wireless is connected, but streaming does not start.

Streaming requires more time to buffer when compared to local music playback, and Hi-Res music files are significantly larger. Please be patient when streaming Hi- Res music.

1. Ensure the speaker is connected to a network, as indicated by a solid white Wi-Fi icon
2. Ensure the app is connected to the speaker
3. Wait a moment after selecting a song to play, especially if selecting a Hi-Res music file
4. Avoid sending too many commands at once
5. If problems persist, restart the app
6. Restart the speaker
7. Reset the speaker and repeat the initial setup
8. If problems persist, please contact your local dealer or service centre

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B11. Can I take turns to control streaming from two devices?

We recommend streaming from one device at a time. If you want to play music stored on two devices, the easiest way is to put the music on a media server that is controlled by one device.

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B12. Which function in the LS50 Wireless app is available for different playback modes?

When the speaker is not in Wi-Fi mode, there will be limited access to some of the functions in the LS50 Wireless app. Please see below for details:

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B13. Does LS50 Wireless support DLNA?

Yes. LS50 Wireless is a DLNA Digital Media Renderer and can play music from other DLNA servers.

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B14. Can I play music from DLNA servers?

Yes. Go to the LS50 Wireless app, swipe the menu on the left-hand side, tap “Media Servers” and you will see the media servers discovered on your home network.

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B15. Does the LS50 Wireless App stream my Hi-Res files in full resolution?

Yes. No transcoding or downsampling will be done by the LS50 Wireless app.

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B16. Does LS50 Wireless support Gapless playback?

LS50 Wireless does not support gapless playback.

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B17. What formats are supported in Wi-Fi mode?

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B18. Which online music streaming services are available with LS50 Wireless?

We are glad to announce TIDAL is now integrated into our LS50 Wireless app.
The lossless streaming service is integrated for an immersive, high-quality sound experience. Please download the latest LS50 Wireless app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

For other streaming platforms such as Spotify, KKBox, Pandora, Apple music…etc, you can use the Bluetooth connection to stream music to your speaker.

We are working continuously to integrate more streaming services into the system. Please stay tuned.

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B19. Can I stream Apple music contents using the LS50 Wireless app?

Apple music streaming subscription is not supported. For other purchased or imported music to iTunes library, you must first download it offline to your device before you can stream your music to the LS50 Wireless.

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B20. Does LS50 Wireless support AirPlay?

LS50 Wireless does not support AirPlay.

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C1. Why does the remote control not respond?

There are several possible reasons:

1. Make sure you have removed the battery protection from a new remote control. Turn the remote control over and look at the back. You will see a thin transparent film under the battery. Pull it out before use.
2. Your remote control may have run out of battery. Take off the battery door and replace the used battery with a new CR2032 3V battery.
3. Make sure there are no obstacles between the signal sensor on the “Right” speaker and the remote control.
4. Make sure the remote control is within the normal working range, which is around 5m from the speaker.

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C2. My remote control is not as sensitive as before. What can I do?

It is very likely you need a new battery. Please take off the battery door and replace the used battery with a new CR2032 3V battery.

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C3. What battery is used on my remote control?

A CR2032 3V battery.

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C4. Can I use all functions in all playback modes?

Play/Pause, Next and Previous are not available in AUX and Optical mode.

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D1. How do I turn on the Bluetooth function on my iOS device?

Go to “Settings”, tap “Bluetooth” and switch on.

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D2. How do I turn on the Bluetooth function on my Android device?

Go to “Settings”, tap “Bluetooth” and switch on.

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D3. I can’t see LS50 Wireless on my Bluetooth device list.

Sometimes your device will take slightly longer to discover LS50 Wireless. Try refreshing the Bluetooth device list.

If you cannot see “KEF LS50 Wireless” on the list after refreshing, try turning the Bluetooth function on your device off and on again.

If problems persist, try restarting your device and LS50 Wireless then try again.

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D4. I can see LS50 Wireless on the Bluetooth device list, but the connection fails.

Try turning the Bluetooth function off and on again. If this does not help, restart your device and LS50 Wireless.

If problems persist and you were connected to LS50 Wireless before, try unpairing from “KEF LS50 Wireless” in your device list.

If your device runs iOS, tap the info button next to “KEF LS50 Wireless” on the device list, select “Forget This Device” and confirm.

If your device runs Android, tap the “Setting” icon next to “KEF LS50 Wireless” or tap and hold “KEF LS50 Wireless” (depending on device) then select unpair.

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D5. How do I connect LS50 Wireless to two Bluetooth devices?

You can connect two Bluetooth devices to LS50 Wireless at the same time. However, LS50 Wireless only plays music from one device at a time.

1. Make sure your first device is connected to LS50 Wireless.
2. Disconnect the first device, LS50 Wireless will go to pairing mode automatically.
3. Now connect the second device to LS50 Wireless.
4. On the first device, select “LS50 Wireless” on the Bluetooth device list again.

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D6. How many devices can LS50 Wireless remember?

Up to 8 devices can be remembered.

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D7. How do I unpair LS50 Wireless from a connected device?

If your device runs iOS, tap the info button next to “KEF LS50 Wireless” on the device list, select “Forget This Device” and confirm.

If your device runs Android, tap the “Setting” icon next to “KEF LS50 Wireless” or tap and hold “KEF LS50 Wireless” (depending on the individual device) then select unpair.

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D8. Does my smartphone/tablet support aptX®?

You can check a list of compatible devices here:

http://www.aptx.com/products/browse/brands

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E1. Do I need to install a USB Audio driver?

If you are running Windows 7/ 8/ 8.1/ 10, you will need to download an external USB audio driver.

1. Go to www.kef.com/ls50wireless/usb_audio
2. Download the USB audio driver
3. Make sure you have connected USB cable with speaker and computer
4. Make sure your speaker is in PC mode
5. Run and install the USB audio driver

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E2. I cannot install the USB Audio driver. What should I do?

The installation procedure may take more than a minute. Please make sure the speaker is turned on and stay in PC mode during the installation.

Failure may be the result of:

• Anti-virus software prohibiting driver installation. You are recommended to disable your anti-virus program temporarily.
• Cloud service or NAS storage may prohibit driver installation. You are recommended to initiate the driver installation in your local files.
• Windows update may take a while depending on device speed and the quantity of installed drivers. You can disable Windows Updates in the Control Panel.

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E3. I cannot play the music on my computer over USB.

If you are using a Mac or you have another sound control software installed on your PC, you may need to manually select LS50 Wireless as your output speaker:

Mac OS X:

1. Choose “System Preferences” from the Apple menu
2. Click “Sound”
3. Click the “Output” tab
4. Select “KEF LS50 Wireless” from the device list

Windows 7 or later:

1. Choose “Control Panel” from the Start menu
2. Click “Sound”
3. Click the “Playback” tab
4. Check if "KEF LS50 Wireless" was selected as default speaker. If not, right click “KEF LS50 Wireless” and select “Set as Default Device”

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E4. I don’t want system sounds to affect my music listening, what can I do?

System sounds can be disabled by:

Mac OS X:

1. Choose “System Preferences” from the Apple menu
2. Click “Sound”
3. Click the “Sound Effects” tab
4. Uncheck “Play user interface sound effects”

Windows 7 or later:

1. Choose “Control Panel” from the Start menu
2. Click “Sound”
3. Click the “Sounds” tab
4. Select “No Sounds” under “Sound Scheme” and click “OK”

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E5. How do I play my music with a specific resolution?

LS50 Wireless supports up to 192kHz/ 24-bit audio in USB mode. Playback from higher sampling rates will be re- sampled to 192kHz.

The default sampling rate of your computer can limit playback resolution. See below for how to manually select your computer’s output resolution:

Mac OS X:

1. Choose "Utilities"
2. Click "Audio MIDI Setup"
3. Select "KEF LS50 Wireless"
4. Select the desired sample rate under "Format"

Windows 7 or later:

1. Choose “Control Panel” from the Start menu
2. Click “Sound”
3. Click the “Playback” tab
4. Double click "KEF LS50 Wireless" to go to properties page
5. Select "Advanced"; select the desired sample rate under "Default Format"

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F1. How do I connect LS50 Wireless to a TV?

On your TV, please select “PCM” as the digital audio output format.

For more information on the digital audio options, please refer to the user manual of your TV.

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F2. There is weird noise from the TV, what should I do?

Please check if the digital audio output of your TV is set to “PCM.” If there are other digital processing selections in your TV (e.g. Dolby or DTS), please disable these to ensure the best digital output from the Optical connection.

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F3. Does digital audio from the Optical input support Hi- Res playback?

Yes. LS50 Wireless supports up to 96kHz/24bit audio playback via the Optical input.

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G1. How do I enable subwoofer output?

The subwoofer output is always ready and enabled once you connect a subwoofer to LS50 Wireless.

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H1. I see some top panel lights blinking. What do I do?

If you see the source selection, Bluetooth, and Vol + lights blinking together, it means the Left speaker is not connected.

1. Check if the Left speaker is powered up
2. Check if the interspeaker cable is disconnected
3. Check if the interspeaker cable is wrongly plugged into the LAN port.

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