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Author Topic: KEF LS50 Wireless and MC  (Read 4636 times)

fataxeman

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KEF LS50 Wireless and MC
« on: December 08, 2018, 02:34:14 pm »
Hi All,

I hope this is the right forum.  I am not too good on here (only a couple of posts so far).

I did search for this topic but only found one hit with little information.  I am seriously considering buying the KEF LS 50 WIRELESS speakers.  I saw only one review that mentioned MC and the LS50 wireless and it said that it did not work.  The article also said that KEF sent someone onsite to troubleshoot the problem and did not resolve it.  Later the article vaguely mentioned MC as if had been working.  Weird.

Does anyone here have the LS50 Wireless speaker system and what are your experiences with MC?

Thank you for your time. 
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Maey

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Re: KEF LS50 Wireless and MC
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2019, 12:18:13 am »
I am wondering/worrying about this too, although it in my case also goes beyond that mentioned by fataxeman...

I am very happy with JRiver MC on Windows, and do not want to switch to any other software, but how well does it work with KEF LS 50 wireless, which most certainly will be my next speaker? KEF's own app is much criticised, so I have no illusions as to being able to control the speakers properly with this.

I am considering buying also the Id 302, but apart from compatibility I also worry about the noise from the fan and the spinning disc, and the need for a power adaptor to the mainland Europe power outlet, and of course customs. Other alternatives I am considering for a server solution are the Roon Nucleus (+), the Bluesound Vault 2, Sonore MicroRendu, some of those on offer from Vortexbox (https://www.vortexbox.co.uk/), and the Innuos ZENmini Mk III. I am still at a complete loss as to which solution to go for, although I do feel myself leaning towards the Innuos ZENmini Mk III, more than anything else because it is locally available and I have already had the chance to listen to it in the shop. I do however also very much like the idea of a server solution specifically tailored for use with JRiver MC...!

To end up with incompatibilites between components is a nightmare I really want to avoid. So, first I must find out how well KEF LS50 wireless will work with JRiver MC, and after that I will make the decision concerning the server based upon audio quality for the money as well as how well it will fit with my software as well as hardware.

Ideally I would want a streaming solution that works flawlessly with JRiver MC while also delivering the highest possible audio quality that I can afford (~1000 €), as I am sure is the case for most members of this forum. Any opinions and shared experiences concerning these alternatives, and the issues mentioned above are therefore highly welcome and will be much appreciated.  :)
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LKir

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Re: KEF LS50 Wireless and MC
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2019, 05:44:54 pm »
Same quotation with Kef LSX
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wer

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Re: KEF LS50 Wireless and MC
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2019, 12:47:47 am »
With those KEF speakers, you install a windows audio driver.  There's a video of this process on their website.  As long as that functions properly as a normal windows audio device, MC will be able to play to it.  KEF also offers the driver for Mac, but not Linux as far as I know.

However, as with any custom audio driver, MC might be allowed to do things like change the bit depth or sampling rate.  Or the audio driver might resample everything sent to it.  It might only support DirectSound.  The quality of integration will depend entirely on the quality of the KEF software.  It's not an issue wih MC.  If foobar and Windows Media Player can play to the driver, so can MC.  If KEF delivers a dysfunctional driver, it will be broken with all apps, not just MC.

Call KEF and ask them about compatibility with Windows apps.  Or take a laptop with MC into a KEF dealer.  Or buy somewhere with a good return policy.

On another note, if you're willing to spend that much on small active speakers, have you considered the B&W Formation Duo?

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stanzani

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Re: KEF LS50 Wireless and MC
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2019, 05:45:33 am »
The Kef are seen as a DLNA media renderer from JRiver like any other DLNA device so I cannot see problems here. Am I missing something?

cheers
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Stereo:
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JBS

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Re: KEF LS50 Wireless and MC
« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2020, 01:19:30 pm »
I know this is an old thread but I found it when searching.

I just purchased some of the version 1 KEF LS 50 wireless speakers and they work fine with JRiver. Once on my wifi network they were  easily found as a DLNA media renderer and off to the races. So I just figured I'd post it here in case anyone else is curious. The version 2 seem to support more wireless things but have no clue what impact that would have here. But it certainly should not be worse and maybe a bit snappier and maybe gapless is supported.   
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jauroi

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Re: KEF LS50 Wireless and MC
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2020, 03:10:41 pm »
Quote from: JBS on December 01, 2020, 01:19:30 pm
I know this is an old thread but I found it when searching.

I just purchased some of the version 1 KEF LS 50 wireless speakers and they work fine with JRiver. Once on my wifi network they were  easily found as a DLNA media renderer and off to the races. So I just figured I'd post it here in case anyone else is curious. The version 2 seem to support more wireless things but have no clue what impact that would have here. But it certainly should not be worse and maybe a bit snappier and maybe gapless is supported.   

Can you share your case with us ?
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JBS

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Re: KEF LS50 Wireless and MC
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2021, 07:39:09 am »
Sorry I just saw this. I'm not well versed in some of the terminology here so may outline it poorly. Running MC 26 in Win 10 machine. The via wifi connection I see the KEF 50 wireless (when on of course) as a media renderer.  I can control them via the PC but use JRemote most all the time. Just like any other of my DLNA devices. There is a one or two second pause between tracks on live gapless stuff. I ran a whitebear on them before I posted but can not find that report right now and for whatever reason it is not finding them right now on whitebear. But they are playing (and visible) via JRiver.   

I will now get notified of a reply so can help if anyone has more questions.
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JimH

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Re: KEF LS50 Wireless and MC
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2021, 07:43:09 am »
The delay may be caused by conversion.  Check the settings under Media Network.
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JBS

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Re: KEF LS50 Wireless and MC
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2021, 07:50:53 am »
Thx, I dig in there and default is "Don't convert audio". Encoder is 24bit. The KEF webite says gapless playback not supported so I stopped there. I also use some other Sony devices as DLNA and gapless is, well never quite gapless, which I think is common. I don't think their specs support it. I am still a relative newbie so certainly may have something screwed up.
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JBS

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Re: KEF LS50 Wireless and MC
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2021, 07:57:10 am »
I never give up. Whitebear media renderer report if anyone cares:

DMR Report (by Whitebear) for SP3903
====================================

Device Description Url=http://192.168.86.29:8080/description.xml
Description=LS50 Wireless
Friendly Name=KEF LS50 Wireless
Manufacturer Name=KEF
Manufacturer Url=http://www.kef.com/
Model Name=SP3903
Model Number=03
Model Url=http://www.kef.com/
Presentation Url=http://192.168.86.29
Serial Number=84171500D154
UPnP Device Type=urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaRenderer:1
UPnP Media Renderer version=1
Unique Device Name=uuid:5f9ec1b3-ed59-1900-4530-84171500d154
Unique Product Code=123810928305
X_DLNADOC Element=DMR-1.51
Service Url for RenderingControl=http://192.168.86.29:8080/RenderingControl/desc.xml
Service Url for ConnectionManager=http://192.168.86.29:8080/ConnectionManager/desc.xml
Service Url for AVTransport=http://192.168.86.29:8080/AVTransport/desc.xml
AVT:GetDeviceCapabilities action=Supported
AVT:GetMediaInfo action=Supported
AVT:GetPositionInfo action=Supported
AVT:GetTransportInfo action=Supported
AVT:GetTransportSettings action=Supported
AVT:SetNextAVTransportURI (gapless play)=Supported
AVT:SyncPlay (synchronous play)=NOT Supported
RC:GetVolume action=Supported
RC:SetVolume action=Supported
AVT:Event Subscription=Succeeded
RC:Event Subscription=Succeeded
HTTP User Agent (client)=WinampMPEG/2.8
Play test file result=Play success => Start Ok / Stop Ok


Media Center DLNA Server Advanced Settings
==========================================

DLNA=Checked
DLNAExtra=Checked
Enable bitrate Field=Checked
Filter international characters=Off
Include session ID=Off
Playstation 3 Compatible=Off
Present Caption Resources=Checked
Present Small Artwork=Off
Present Subtitle Resources=Checked
Skip Child Count=Off
Use flat URLs=Off
Use full URLs=Off
WMC Compatible=Off


Declared Supported Audio, Image & Video Formats
===============================================

http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=44100;channels=1:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=44100;channels=2:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=48000;channels=1:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=48000;channels=2:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM
http-get:*:audio/mpeg:DLNA.ORG_PN=MP3
http-get:*:audio/x-ms-wma:DLNA.ORG_PN=WMABASE
http-get:*:audio/x-ms-wma:DLNA.ORG_PN=WMAFULL
http-wavetunes:*:audio/x-ms-wma:*
http-get:*:audio/vnd.dlna.adts:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ADTS
http-get:*:audio/vnd.dlna.adts:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ADTS_320
http-get:*:audio/mp4:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ISO
http-get:*:audio/3gpp:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ISO
http-get:*:audio/mp4:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ISO_320
http-get:*:audio/3gpp:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ISO_320
http-get:*:audio/3gpp2:*
http-get:*:audio/wav:*
http-get:*:audio/x-wav:*
http-get:*:audio/flac:*
http-get:*:audio/x-flac:*
http-get:*:audio/x-aiff:*
http-get:*:audio/aiff:*
http-get:*:audio/vorbis:*
http-get:*:audio/x-vorbis:*
http-get:*:audio/x-vorbis+ogg:*
http-get:*:audio/ogg:*
http-get:*:audio/x-ogg:*
http-get:*:audio/m4a:*
http-get:*:audio/x-m4a:*


Evaluated Supported Audio Formats
=================================

audio/L16   LPCM   Dlna   44100   1   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM   Dlna   44100   2   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM   Dlna   48000   1   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM   Dlna   48000   2   16   Yes
audio/mpeg   MP3   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/x-ms-wma   WMABASE   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/x-ms-wma   WMAFULL   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/vnd.dlna.adts   AAC_ADTS   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/vnd.dlna.adts   AAC_ADTS_320   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/mp4   AAC_ISO   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/3gpp   AAC_ISO   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/mp4   AAC_ISO_320   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/3gpp   AAC_ISO_320   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/wav   WAV   Fuzzy   *   *   *   Yes
audio/x-wav   WAV   Fuzzy   *   *   *   Yes
audio/flac   FLAC   Fuzzy   *   *   *   Yes
audio/x-flac   FLAC   Fuzzy   *   *   *   Yes
audio/x-aiff   AIFF   Fuzzy   *   *   *   Yes
audio/aiff   AIFF   Fuzzy   *   *   *   Yes
audio/m4a   AAC_ISO   Fuzzy   *   2   *   No
audio/x-m4a   AAC_ISO   Fuzzy   *   2   *   No
audio/3gpp2      Undefined            
audio/vorbis      Undefined            
audio/x-vorbis      Undefined            
audio/x-vorbis+ogg      Undefined            
audio/ogg      Undefined            
audio/x-ogg      Undefined            




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