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Best answer by Paul A

Hi @tansoonlee.

Welcome to the Sonos community and thanks for reaching out to us.

Can the SONOS Amp power the non-active KEF LS50 speakers sufficiently? Anyone has experience? https://international.kef.com/products/ls50 Yes, based on the device’s specification requiring 25 - 100 W @ 8 Ohms impedance. The Sonos Amp’s power capability is 125 watts per channel @ 8 ohms. 
 

I hope this helps.

Please let us know if you still have further questions or concerns. We are always here to help.

Thanks,

23 replies

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Kumar
February 10, 2021

Don’t get me wrong, the Sonos Amp is a nice tidy package, but if you are looking for the best fidelity, there are other options. 

There is not one option that has proved itself to be better than the Sonos Amp in a controlled level matched DBT. Not one. Anywhere in the world. No one takes the trouble to do this, because putting out subjective opinions is easy to do and therefore, these are all that are seen. Including those that claim Sonos Amp is as good as any other, by the way.

For a recent example, see:

Of course if you were to say that even well conducted DBTs themselves are misleading, there is nothing left to discuss.

And since you are still unable to say what part of the Sonos Amp spec gives an insight into the claimed lower than best fidelity for the Sonos Amp, you are suggesting that this is some intangible attribute of the Sonos amp, that isn't to be found in the spec. Again, there is nothing to discuss in that case.

I say what I do after having used a dozen different audiophile brand stereo amps in the last two decades. All sounded the same when each was made the single variable in my then “audiophile” set up.

SOCalistic
Renowned Enthusiast I
February 26, 2021

As an enthusiast of all things Sonos (and owner of an LS50), I think the LS50 and Sonos Amp would be an unwise pairing audio-fidelity wise. The key with the LS50 is they need more than wattage, they are picky to the amp source. The only scenario I would do this pairing is if convenience is the primary goal. Though given that scenario, you could achieve the same results with a lower model KEF (ex. q150).

Can you elaborate?  What is the issue with using the Amp for the Kets?  

SOCalistic
Renowned Enthusiast I
February 26, 2021

There’s more to an integrated amp than just wattage. Looking at just wattage is like saying the engine of a McLaren 720S is the same as a Hellcat b/c they both output 700+ HP. 

 

But the difference in the engines will be apparent in their power and torque curves, correct? These are always part of the engine spec.

So what is it about the Sonos amp that is visible in its spec that is lacking? I haven’t found anything that is.

 

Correct, but don’t forget you don’t just use a car’s engine, you also need the transmission to put that power down. Same goes for a stereo system, you need to a DAC to encode those 1s and 0s to an analog signal. 

Long story short, no matter how I explain this you need to listen to another system to believe. The LS50 while decent on the Sonos Amp have more to gain with a better amp. Don’t get me wrong, the Sonos Amp is a nice tidy package, but if you are looking for the best fidelity, there are other options. 

You are making vague statements unsupported by any fact and it doesn’t even sound like you have done this yourself. You are also acting as if people said things they didn’t.  I guess we are supposed to just take your word for it...

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